The Ramayana of Valmiki
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Hari Prasad Miasm
THE
RAMAYANA
OF
VALMIKI
Translated by
HARI PRASAD SHASTRI
Vol.I.
BALA KANDA
AYDOHYA KANDA
SHANTI SADAN
29 Chepstow Villas
LONDON, W.n
1952
Printed in Gnat Britain
at the Burleigh Pbess, Levins Mead, Bristol
DEDICATED TO
LISL FUCHS AND MARJORIE ROBLEY
CONTENTS
Book I— Bala Kanda
CHAPTER PAGE
1. Shri Naxada relates to Valmiki the story of Rama 3
2. Valmiki creates the metrical form for the story 9
3. The deeds of Rama that will be described in the sacred
poem ----------12
4. Shri Rama's sons chant the poem ----- 15
5. King Dasaratha's kingdom and capital 17
6. The city of Ayodhya 18
7. The administration of the kingdom ----- 20
8. The king decides to perform a sacrifice for the birth
of a son ----------22
9. Sumantra relates a tradition that a son will be born
through the help of Rishyasringa 24
10. He describes how Rishyasringa was brought to King
Lomapada's court --------25
zi. King Dasaratha goes to King Lomapada, by whose
permission Rishyasringa comes to Ayodhya 27
E2. Rishyasringa agrees to assist in the sacrifice 29
13. The sacrifice is commenced -------30
14. The ceremonies are performed with the appropriate rites 33
15. To destroy Ravana, Shri Vishnu resolves to incarnate 36
16. He decides to incarnate as the four sons of King Dasaratha 38
17. To assist Shri Vishnu, celestial beings incarnate as
warriors of the monkey tribe ----- 40
18. King Dasaratha's sons are born and grow to manhood - 42
19. Vishwamitra's request --------46
20. Trie king's reluctance to allow Shri Rama to contend
with Maricha and Suvahu ------ 47
21. On Vasishtha's advice the king acquiesces 49
22. Ramachandra and Lakshmana set forth with Vishwamitra 50
23. They reach the hermitage of Kama ----- 52
24. The two princes with Vishwamitra behold the dark forest
ofTaraka _________ 54
25. Vishwamitra seeks to convince Rama that it is his duty
to slay Taraka --------56
26. How the Yakshini Taraka was slain ----- 57
27. Shri Rama is given the celestial weapons 59
28. He is instructed in their use ------ fil
29. Vishwamitra relates the story of his hermitage and
commences the sacrifice ------ 62
vii
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
30. Maricha and Suvahu obstruct the sacrifice and are slain
by Rama ----------64
31. Vishwamitra starts out with the two princes to attend
King Janaka's sacrifice -------66
32. Vishwamitra tells of his ancestors and the dynasty of
King Kusha - 68
33. King Kushanabha's hundred daughters 69
34. His son, Gadhi, is the father of Vishwamitra 71
35. Vishwamitra begins to narrate the origin of the holy river
Gunga ----------73
36. The story of the King of Himalayas' younger daughter Uma 74
37. The king's elder daughter, Gunga 76
38. The story of King Sagara, Shri Rama's ancestor 78
39. The horse with which he performs a sacrifice is stolen - 80
40. The king's sons search for the horse ; they accuse
Shri Kapila of stealing it and are reduced to ashes - 81
41. King Sagara s grandson, Anshuman, finds the horse and
the ashes of his uncles. He is told the funeral rites
must be performed with the waters of the holy river
Gunga 83
42. Anshuman's son, Ditipa, fails and his son Bhagiratha
performs austerities to induce the holy river to
descend ----------84
43. Lord Shiva lets loose the sacred river which follows
King Bhagiratha's celestial chariot 86
44. King Bhagiratha completes the funeral rites for his
ancestors- -----,.--- 88
45. Vishwamitra begins to relate the story of the city of
Vishala and the churning of the ocean, which leads to
the combat between the Devas and the Titans - 90
46. Diti undergoes severe austerities for the birth of a son - 93
47. The holy sage and the princes arrive at Vishala and are
welcomed by King Pramati ------ 94
48. They come to Gautama's hermitage and Vishwamitra
relates its story --------95
49. Shri Rama liberates Ahalya from Gautama's curse and
departs for Mithila ------- 97
50. They are welcomed at the place of sacrifice by King
Janaka --------- -99
51. Gautama's son Shatananda relates more of the story of
the Sage Vishwamitra ------- 101
52. How King Vishwamitra visits Vasishtha's hermitage and
accepts hospitality provided by the wish-fulfilling
cow, Shabala --------- 103
53. The king desires to possess Shabala but Vasishtha will
not give her up------ -- 104
54. King Vishwamitra attempts to carry her away by force - 106
viri
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGB
55. Shabala creates an army which annihilates Vishwarnitra's
forces ----------107
56. Shri Vasishtha by his spiritual strength conquers Vish-
wamitra who then engages in penances - - - 109
57. Shh Vasishtha refuses to help King Trishanku enter
heaven in his physical state ------ hi
58. The king appeals to Shri Vasishtha's sods to conduct
the sacrifice. They curse him and he appeals to
Vishwamitra ---------112
59. Vishwamitra seeks the help of the sons of Vasishtha
and Mahodeva ; they refuse and are cursed - - 114
60. Throughfear of Vishwamitra, the sages assist in the sacrifice
and King Trishanku ascends to a specially created
heaven - - - - - - - - - -115
61. King Ambarisha's sacrificial horse is lost and he seeks
a human victim -------- 117
62. Shunashepha, the human victim, seeks and obtains help
from Vishwamitra -------- 118
63. After more austerities Vishwamitra is proclaimed a
Maharishi --------- 120
64. Indra is perturbed and sends Rambha to disturb the
further austerities of the sage ----- 122
65. Vishwamitra performs another thousand years' austerities
and acquires brahmanhood ----- 123
66. King Janaka relates the story of the great bow and the birth
ofSita ----------126
67. The illustrious Rama breaks the bow and is given the
Princess Sita in marriage ------ 127
68. King Janaka sends messengers to invite King Dasaratha
to the capital --------- 129
69. King Dasaratha sets out with his spiritual preceptor,
relations and ministers ------- 130
70. The king, Vishwamitra and the princes are invited to
King Janaka's court where Vishwamitra relates the
descent of the dynasty - ------ 131
71. King Janaka gives an account of the succession and his
dynasty ----------134
72. The marriage of the four sons of King Dasaratha is
arranged and preparations commence - - -135
73. The marriage ceremonies are completed - 137
74. Farasurama appears amidst inauspicious signs - 139
75. He challenges Rama to combat ------ 141
76. Parasurama is vanquished and deprived of his glory
and power --------- 142
77. King Dasaratha with his army, the princes and their
brides, return to Ayodhya - - - - - -144
CONTENTS
Book II — Ayodhya
CHAPTER PAGE
1. King Dasaratha is incUned to resign his throne to Prince
Rama and summons a council ----- 149
2. The elders and councillors willingly accept Shri Rama
as regent- --------- 152
3. The king resolves Shri Rama shall oe installed - - 155
4. Shri Rama and Princess Sita prepare for the ceremony - 158
5. On Vasishtha's advice they observe a fast - - - 161
6. The city of Ayodhya is decorated for the proclamation - 162
7. The hunchback maid, Manthara, informs Queen Kaikeyi
of Shri Rama's coming installation - 164
8. Manthara persuades the queen that Bharata should be
regent and Prince Rama banished - 166
9. Queen Kaikeyi is resolved upon her evil design - •> 169
10. The king is deeply afflicted at the sight of the weeping
queen ---------- 172
11. She asks for the two boons promised her by the king - 175
12. The king suffers bitter agony at the thought of sending
Prince Rama into exile - - - - - - -1 76
13. Kaikeyi disregards the king's immeasurable distress - 184
14. The king is overcome by grief, the queen summons
Shri Rama ---------185
15. Sumantra hurries to Prince Rama's palace - - - - 189
16. Shri Rama in his chariot drives swiftly to the king - - 192
17. He advances to the palace amidst the eulogy of his friends 195
18. He sees the king full of anguish and speechless ; Kaikeyi
utters the cruel words ------- 196
19. Shri Ramachandra betrays no sign of distress and prepares
for exile ---------- 199
20. Queen Kaushalya is afflicted and helpless with sorrow - 201
21. Shri Rama, in spite of the laments of the queen and Shri
Lakshmana, prepares for departure - 205
22. He appeals to Shri Lakshmana not to grieve - 209
23. Shri Lakshmana offers to defeat all those who obstruct
Shri Rama's installation - - - - - -21 1
24. The queen realises she has no power to restrain Shri
Rama's resolution -------- 213
25. The queen gives her blessing and the brahmins their
benediction --------- 216
26. Shri Rama acquaints Princess Sita of his resolution - 219
27. She entreats Rama to allow her to accompany him - - 221
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
28. Shii Rama seeks to dissuade her _ _ _ 222
29. Sita continues her entreaties but the prince is unwilling
to consent --------- 224
30. Seeing her fixed resolve Shri Rama grants her request - 225
31. Shri Lakshmana is resolved to accompany them - - 228
32. Shri Rama bestows his wealth upon the brahmins, his
friends and servants ------- 230
33. He goes, with Sita and Lakshmana, to King Dasaratha's
palace ---------- 233
34. The king gives his blessing while the whole palace is filled
with lamentation -------- 235
35. Sumantra arraigns Queen Kaikeyi ----- 238
36. She disregards the words of the chief minister and the king 240
37. Despite the instruction of Vasishtha, Shri Sita still desires
to enter the forest ------- 242
38. Shri Rama requests the king to protect his mother during
his absence --------- 244
39. As they prepare for departure the palace resounds with
grief ---------- 246
40. All Ayodhya is distressed to see Shri Rama's chariot
depart ---------- 248
41. The whole world grieves for Prince Rama - - - 251
42. Without Rama the king's heart can find no rest - - 252
43. The lament of Queen Kaushalya ----- 254
44. She finds peace in the consolation of Queen Sumitra - 256
45. The lament of the brahmins who follow Shri Rama - 258
46. Shri Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana and the charioteer,
drive on alone to the forest ------ 260
47. Those who have followed Prince Rama find themselves
alone ---_'--__-- 262
48. Ayodhya without Shri Ramachandra is bereft of beauty 263
49. The chariot crosses the boundary of Kosala - - - 265
50. They reach the river Gunga and meet the chief of ferrymen,
Guha 266
51. They pass the night on the bank of the sacred river - 270
52. Sumantra is ordered to return ; Shri Rama, Sita and
Lakshmana cross the holy river ----- 271
53. Determined to follow their destiny they enter upon exile 277
54. They spend the night at Prayaga in the hermitage of
the Sage Bharadwaja ------- 279
55. They cross the Yamuna and travel on - 281
56. They reach the mountain Chittrakuta and build a
hermitage ------... 283
57. Sumantra returns to the stricken city of Ayodhya - - 286
58. He delivers Shri Rama's message to the king - - - 288
59. The king bewailing the absence of Rama is drowning
in a sea of sorrow -------- 290
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
60. The charioteer attempts to console Queen Kaushalya - 292
61 . Queen Kaushalya reproaches the king - 293
62. The king is overcome with grief- ----- 295
63. He recalls a former evil deed which is the cause of his
present distress -------- 296
64. Overborne by grief the king yields up his life - - - 299
65. The palace is filled with the sound of distress - 304
66. The inhabitants of Ayodhya mourn for their lord - - 305
67. The elders recommend that a member of the house of
Iksbwaku be appointed king ----- 307
68. Messengers are sent to Prince Bharata - 309
69. Prince Bharata's inauspicious dream ----- 311
70. The message is delivered, Bharata and Shatrughna leave
the palace ---------- 312
71. Prince Bharata sees Ayodhya filled with unhappy people 314
72. Queen Kaikeyi begins to relate what has occurred - - 316
73. Prince Bharata reproaches his mother - 319
74. He laments the death of his father and the exile of Shri
Rama - 321
75. He seeks to console Queen Kaushalya - - - - 323
76. The prince commences the performance of the funeral rites 326
77. The ceremonies are continued ------ 328
78. The hunchback, Manthara, incurs Prince Shatrughna's
displeasure --------- 330
79. Prince Bharata decides to go to the forest and bring back
his brother --------- 331
80. A royal highway is constructed for the prince - - - 333
81. Vasishtha summons the royal assembly - - - - 334
82. The chiefs of the army prepare for departure - 335
83. The whole army reaches the river Ganges - - - 337
84. Guha, the chief of ferrymen, is filled with apprehension - 339
85. He is filled with joy on hearing Prince Bharata's intention 340
86. Guha tells of Shri Rama's stay by the sacred river - - 342
87. How Shri Rama spent his first night of exile - 343
88. Prince Bharata sleeps on the same spot where Shri Rama
had rested ---------345
89. The army crosses the holy river ------ 347
90. Prince Bharata with Shri Vasishtha visit Bharadwaja's
hermitage --------- 348
91. Bharadwaja entertains the whole army - 350
92. Prince Bharata with the army departs for Mount Chitt-
rakuta 355
93. They behold the hermitage of Shri Rama - 357
94. Shri Rama decides to spend his exile on die mountain - 359
95. He points out the beauties of nature to Sita - 360
96. They see the army approaching and Lakshmana vows
to destroy it--------- 362
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
97. Shri Rama cannot believe Prince Bharata comes as
an enemy ____---__ 364
98. Prince Bharata goes on foot to meet Shri Rama - - 365
99. The four brothers meet with tears of joy - 366
100. Shri Rama enquires of Prince Bharata concerning the
discharge of his royal duties ----- ^ 69
101. Shri Rama hears the account of his father's death - - 375
102. They are all afflicted with grief ------ 376
103. Shri Rama greets the queens ------ 378
104. He requests Prince Bharata to ascend the throne - - 380
105. Prince Bharata appeals to Shri Rama to return and rule
the kingdom --------- 382
106. In spite of entreaties Shri Rama remains steadfast in
his vow ---------- 384
107. He instructs Prince Bharata to return and be installed - 387
108. A brahmin utters words contrary to dharma - - - 388
109. Shri Rama replies in words based on the Vedas - - 389
no. Vasishtha proclaiming the tradition of the dynasty, calls
upon Rama to return ------- 392
in. Prince Bharata still entreats Shri Rama who is resolved
to follow his father's command ----- 394
112. Following the advice of the celestial sages, Prince Bharata
is reconciled to becoming Shri Rama's deputy - - 396
113. Prince Bharata commences the return journey - - - 398
114. He finds Ayodhya desolate ------- 400
115. Prince Bharata retires to Nandigrama and rules the
kingdom from that city ------ 402
116. The holy men of Chittrakuta depart, fearing the coming
oppression of the asuras ------ 403
117. Shri Rama decides to leave the hermitage and comes to
the ashrama of the Sage Atri ----- 405
118. Princess Sita receives gifts of love from the sage's wife - 407
119. The holy ascetics bless the exiles who enter the forest - 410
— -. Glossaries ----------- 413
INTRODUCTION
Western culture is only just beginning to look beyond the
Roman and Greek civilizations for new inspiration. Even so,
it is a little surprising that, although the mighty epics of the
Iliad and the Odyssey are widely known and loved, only a few
scholars have studied their Hindu counterparts known as the
Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In fact no good complete1
modern English translation of the Ramayana exists, and the
best of those made in the last half of die 19th century are
unobtainable outside the larger libraries.
The Ramayana is a work of great antiquity attributed to the
illustrious Sage Valmiki. Its date of composition cannot be
fixed with any certainty, particularly as, in common with other
Sanskrit classics, it was not at first committed to writing, but
was passed on from singer to singer. This process also accounts
for the fact that the various versions (Sakhas) of the poem that
have come down to us differ slightly in context. The interesting
fact is that the scholars are agreed that the Ramayana is the
grandly conceived and executed masterpiece of one poet, and
not a collection of stories from many sources, loosely gathered
together.
Unfortunately we know very little about the Rishi Valmiki,
whose title 'Adikavi * (First poet) and pre-eminence in Sanskrit
verse has never been seriously challenged to this day. He was
a robber chief in a forest in Northern India and on one occasion
waylaid two ascetics for the purpose of plundering them. The
travellers, however, spoke to him with kindness, and offered
him the spiritual truth in lieu of the gold and silver which they
did not possess. Convinced of their sincerity and on their
advice, Valmiki changed his mode of life and became a devotee
of Shri Ramachandra, the Seventh Incarnation of God (Vishnu)
_ * The version of Ramayana included in Hindu Seripturtf is a much abbre-
viated edition of the original, most of the legend* being omitted .
INTRODUCTION
on earth. After a long period of meditation on the form and
virtues of Shri Rama, it is said that he was granted a vision
of Rama's life from beginning to end.
He gave expression to this unique experience, in Sanskrit verse,
in the 24,000 slokas (48,000 lines) known as the Ramayana.
The sloka is a specific metre which the poet himself discovered,
as is told in a beautiful passage in the first book.
The poem is divided into seven books (Kandas) of unequal
length, which may be very briefly summarised as follows : —
Book I. (Bala-Kanda.) King Dasaratha of Ayodhya (Oudh),
performs a sacrifice in the hope of obtaining a son. At this
time the Gods (Devas) are alarmed at the power acquired by
the mighty Titan named Ravana, who, by the practice of black
magic had conquered almost all of the known world. King
Dasaratha's prayer is answered and his three wives bear four
sons, Rama, Bharata and the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna,
who are all partial incarnations of Shri Vishnu. Vishnu,
however, manifests himself more fully in Shri Rama than in
the other brothers. The boys grow up and Shri Rama wins
as his bride, Sita, the daughter of King Janaka of the neighbour-
ing kingdom of Videha.
Book II. (Ayodkya-Kanda.) King Dasaratha intends to
proclaim Shri Rama heir-apparent, but the jealousy of his second
queen, Kaikeyi, is aroused and she holds the king to a promise
made formerly, that he would grant her two boons. The boons
she now secures are the banishment of Shri Rama to the forest
for fourteen years, and the installation of her own son Bharata
as Yuvaraja.1 According to the law of righteousness (dharma)
a vow must be honoured, and Shri Rama calmly accepts the
sentence of exile. He travels south to Chittrakuta in the
Dandaka Forest with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana.
King Dasaratha dies of grief and Bharata implores Shri Rama
to return to the throne, but the latter adheres firmly to the
vindication of his father's honour and the fulfilment of his vow.
Book III. (Aranya-Ktmda.) After about ten years in the
forest with her husband, Princess Sita is kidnapped by the Titan
Ravana, and taken by him to his capital, Lanka (the modern
Ceylon).
1 Ttwaraja — heir-apparent.
INTRODUCTION
Book IV. (Kiskkindhya-Kanda.) Rama and Laksbmana in
pursuit of Ravana and to rescue Sita, enlist the aid of King
Sugriva, leader of the monkey tribe, whose chief minister
Hanuman becomes the foremost devotee and servant of Shri
Rama. Help also comes from Vibishana, brother of Ravana,
who has openly disapproved of the Titan king's conduct, and
warned him of the retribution he may expect for his unrighteous
actions.
Book V. (Sundara-Kanda.) The monkey armies reach the
south coast of India, and, bridging the straits, gain entry into
Lanka.
Book VI. (Lanka-Kanda.) After a series of pitched battles,
Lanka is captured and Ravana is slain by Shri Rama. Sita
demonstrates her purity and faithfulness to her husband, by
successfully undergoing the ordeal by fire. The period of
fourteen years' exile is by now completed, and Shri Rama
returns with his consort, his brothers and allies, to the capital
Ayodhya, where he begins a long and glorious reign.
Book VII. (Uttara-Kanda.) This * later section * or epilogue,
describes the doubts raised in the minds of the citizens
concerning the purity of Sita, and how they compel Shri Rama
to send her to Valmiki's hermitage in the forest where she
gives birth to twin sons, Kusha and Lava. When these boys
grow up, they return to Ayodhya and are recognized by Shri
Rama, who subsequently brings Sita back to share the ruling
of the kingdom with him.
This in outline is the story of the Ramayana, which, in the
poetic grandeur of the original, as well as in the later Hindi
work on the same theme by Goswami Tulsidas, has exerted
a tremendous influence on the men and women of India. It is
not only poetry of unsurpassed dramatic power and brilliance,
it is a treasure-house of information on rhetoric, medicine,
geology, botany, geography and every facet of the ancient
civilization, with which learned scholars may interest them-
selves. For every Hindu, Shri Rama and Sita are the ideal
man and woman, the model husband and wife. Shri Rama
is an incarnation of God, the One all-pervading Principle of
Truth and Intelligence, and what higher pattern for one's
life could be chosen than this man of perfect virtue, a lover
INTRODUCTION
of truth, compassionate, just, benevolent, valorous and
chivalrous ?
The story may also be taken as an allegory. Symbolically
Rama and Ravana represent the forces of light and darkness
operating in the human heart, as well as in the world. Truth,
benevolence, mercy and righteousness are the forces of Light
which are opposed by greed, lust, love of pleasure and power,
anger and egoity. The real triumph of man means conquest
of the forces of darkness. In India a festival is celebrated each
year on the day traditionally held to be that on which Ravana
fell and the rule of tyranny, injustice, savagery and unrighteous-
ness ended.
Mention has already been made of Tulsidas' later Hindi epic
on the life of Shri Rama, which is probably the most widely
read of all in the present day. One version of the story also
forms an episode in the Mahabharata and another comparatively
modern treatment of it is the Adhyatma Ramayana ascribed
to the Sage Vyasa.
The Sage Valmiki himself wrote a long metaphysical classic
known as the Maharamayana or Yoga Vasishtha, which deals
with the inner development of Shri Rama as opposed to his
outer deeds and which remains one of the most authoritative
and respected philosophical treatises of Vedanta.
The life of Shri Rama has entered into the consciousness
of the Indian people, and much art and literature, such as
Bhababhutj's dramas, draw their inspiration from it. The
words of Brahma in the Ramayana have proved so far to be no
idle boast : " So long as mountains and rivers have place on
the earth, the story of the Ramayana will be told in the world."
The aim of the translator is to make the story known to
English readers in a complete form, the first part of which
is published in this volume. Although it is not possible to
reproduce the beauty of the original poetic form, the true spirit
of Valmiki's masterpiece is here preserved and for those who
have vision, the whole significance of its spiritual purpose will
be apparent.
BOOK I
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER X
Shri Narada relates to Valmiki the story of Rama
The Sage Valmiki,1 chief among the munis1 and the most
eloquent of men, constantly engaged in the practice of self-
control and the study of the holy scriptures, enquired of Shri
Narada :3 —
" Who is there in the world to-day, endowed with excellent
and heroic qualities, who is versed in all the duties of life,
grateful, truthful, firm in his vows, an actor of many parts,
benevolent to all beings, learned, eloquent, handsome, patient,
slow to anger, one who is truly great ; who is free from envy
and when excited to wrath can strike terror into the hearts
of celestial beings ? O Sage, I would hear of such a man from
thee, who art able to describe him to me.1'
Narada, acquainted with the past, the present and the future,
pleased with the words of the Sage Valmiki, answered him
saying: —
" Rare indeed are those, endowed with the qualities thou
hast enumerated, yet I can tell thee of such a one. Born in
the family of Ikshwaku,* he is named Rama ;* one renowned,
fully self-controlled, valorous and illustrious, the Lord of AIL
Wise, conversant with the ethical code, eloquent, fortunate}
a slayer of his foes, broad-shouldered, long-armed, possessing
a conch-shaped neck and prominent chin, eminent in archery,
with a muscular body, arms extending to the knees, and a
noble head and brow ; of mighty prowess ; possessing well-
i Valmiki. Once a robber chief, became later a fully illumined sage,
author of Ramayana.
1 Muni. A holy sage, a pious and learned person.
' Narada. A great rishi, son of Brahma, the Creator. Many hymns
of the Rig-veda are attributed to him.
* Ikshwaku. Son of Manu, founder of the Solar race of kings, who r
in Ayodbya.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
proportioned limbs and skin of bluish tint,1 one renowned for
his virtue ; of prominent eyes, deep-chested, bearing auspicious
marks ; one who protects those who take refuge in him and is
ever-mindful of the good of those dependent on him ; true to
his promises, benevolent to his subjects, omniscient, renowned
for his good deeds, pure, and ever responsive to devotion ; med-
itating on his own essence.
" Equal to Brahma, the Protector of his people, pleasing to
look upon ; supporting the universe ; the destroyer of those
who contravene the moral code ; the inspirer of virtue ; the
giver of special grace to his devotees and to those who duly
observe sacrificial rites and are charitable ; conversant with
the essence of the Vedic philosophy ; an adept in the science
of warfare ; skilled in the scriptural law ; of infallible memory ;
beloved of all ; of courteous disposition ; incapable of cowardice ;
acquainted with the laws of this world as also of the other
worlds.
"As the rivers hasten to the ocean, so do men of virtue ever
approach him.
" Equal to Vishnu2 in valour ; grateful to the sight as the
full moon ; when stirred to righteous anger, resembling all-
consuming death ; in patience like the earth, in generosity like
Kuvera ;* in truthfulness the personification of virtue. Such
are his great qualities — Rama, the beloved heir of King Dasar-
atha, possessing every excellent attribute, benevolent to all,
devoted to the welfare of every living being."
His father, King Dasaratha, made preparations to install him
as his regent, but the Queen Kaikeyi, claiming the boons formerly
promised to her, demanded the exile of Rama and the enthrone-
ment of her own son Bharata. The king held by his promise
and by the ties of honour, sent his son Rama, whom he loved
as his own life, into exile. Obeying the command of his royal
sire, and in order to gratify Kaikeyi, Shri Rama went to the
forest.
The son of Queen Sumitra, Prince Lakshmana, inspired by
affection and humility, followed his brother Rama into exile.
1 bluish-tint. The Incarnations or Divine Descents called Avataras are said
to have the colour of a new-born cloud.
1 Vishnu. The Lord as Maintainer and Supporter of the Universe.
■ Kuvera. The God of wealth.
BALA KANDA
The daughter of King Janaka, an incarnation of Lakshmi,1
endowed with the highest feminine virtues, seeing Prince
Lakshmana accompanying Rama, obedient to her lord, followed
him as Venus follows the moon.
Accompanied for some leagues by King Dasaratha and his
people, Rama dismissed the chariot on reaching the town of
Shringavera on the banks of the Ganges, and commanded the
minister Sumantra to return to the capital.
Here the prince met his beloved Guha, the chief of the
Chandalas,3 accompanied by whom, with Lakshmana and Sita,
he crossed the river Ganges and entered the forest, arriving at
length at the Chittrakuta mountain described by the Sage
Bharadwaja. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita dwelt happily in the
forest like devas3 or gandharvas,*
Overwhelmed with grief at the separation from his sons and
lamenting their absence, the king departed this life, while Rama
was dwelling on the Chittrakuta mountain.
The holy sages offered the throne, left vacant on the death
of King Dasaratha, to Prince Bharata, who declined it, not
desiring the kingdom. Setting forth to the forest where Shri
Rama dwelt, in order to propitiate him, he approached that hero
of truth with humility and directing his attention to the code
of justice with which he was conversant, requested Rama to
return and govern the kingdom.
The magnanimous, handsome and mighty Rama refused to
accept the throne, preferring to carry out the command of his
sire and, presenting Prince Bharata with his sandals as a symbol
of authority, repeatedly exhorted him to return to the capital.
Shri Bharata, touching the feet of Rama in submission,
departed and began to rule the dominion from the town of
Nandigrama, while eagerly awaiting the return of his brother.
The sages and hermits, who dwelt in the forest, constantly
harassed by asuras,6 approached Shri Ramachandra to ask for
his protection — Shri Rama agreed to slay the evil asuras in
order to preserve the Sages who had sought his help. The holy
1 Lakshmi. The consort of Shri Vishnu, q.v.
1 Chandalas. Outcast.
1 Devas. Gods or celestial beings, literally " shining ones ",
4 Gandharvas. Heavenly musicians.
1 Asuras. A race of demons.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
men, whose appearance equalled the fire in lustre, heard of
Shri Rama's resolve and were assured by him of his pro-
tection.
The female asura Shurpanakha, who could assume various
forms at will, was overpowered and disfigured by Rama and
Lakshmana. All the wicked rakshasas1 came led by Khara,
Dushana and Trishira, to engage in combat with Shri Rama, and
were slain by him. Shri Rama slew fourteen thousand rakshasas
who dwelt in that forest. Hearing of the slaughter of the
rakshasas, King Ravana transported with rage, took with him
Maricha, a demon like himself. Maricha, knowing the superior
strength of Rama, sought to dissuade Ravana from entering
into combat with him, but Ravana who was marked down by
destiny, disregarded the advice and went with Maricha to Shri
Rama's abode. There, Maricha lured Shri Rama and Laksh-
mana away from the hermitage, and Ravana, having slain the
vulture Jatayu, carried Sita away.
Learning from the dying Jatayu of the abduction of the
daughter of the King of Mithila, Shri Rama was overwhelmed
with grief and began to mourn.
Having performed the funeral rites of the vulture, while
wandering in search of Sita, he encountered an asura named
Kabandha whose form was menacing and terrible.
Shri Rama slew him and then performed the funeral rites
whereupon his soul ascended to heaven. While passing to the
celestial sphere, Kabandha spoke to Rama of Shabari, a female
ascetic, and entreated him to visit her. Shri Rama, the ever
resplendent Destroyer of his foes, came to where Shabari dwelt
and was duly worshipped by her.
On the banks of the Lake Pampa, Shri Rama met the monkey
Hanuman who presented Sugriva to him. The mighty Rama
related the whole of his story to him as far as the abduction
of Shri Sita. Sugriva having listened to Shri Rama entered
into the rite of friendship with him, witnessed by the fire.
With full faith in Rama, Sugriva then recounted to him all
the sufferings he had endured through his enmity with Bali8
and the great daring of the latter. Then Shri Rama vowed to
1 Evil spirits or fiends, enemies of the gods.
■ Bali or Vali — a Titan King, son of Virochana, son of Prahlada.
BALA KANDA
slay Bali, but Sugriva, uncertain of Rama's prowess and desiring to
test him, snowed him the bones of the body of Dundhubi,1
forming a heap as high as a mountain. With his foot, Rama
kicked the heap to a distance of ten yojanas and, discharging an
arrow, pierced seven palmyra trees, cleaving a mountain and with
the shaft penetrating to the centre of the earth. Having witnessed
this exploit, Sugriva was satisfied, and thereafter trusted Rama
implicitly. In his company he passed through deep valleys to
the town of Kishkindhya ; there, the yellow-eyed Sugriva roared
like thunder. At this terrible sound, the powerful and valiant
monkey chief, Bah, issued forth, disregarding the warning of
his wife Tara, and engaged in combat with Sugriva.
As desired by Sugriva, Shri Rama slew Bali with a single
arrow; then he entrusted the government of Kishkindhya
to Sugriva who now, as king of the monkey tribe, gathered
his forces together and dispatched them to every quarter in
search of Sita.
The vulture chief, the courageous Sampati, informed Hanu-
man where Sita was, whereupon the monkey leapt over the sea
that lies between Bharatvarsh1 and Lanka,3 a distance of five
hundred miles.
Entering the city of Lanka that was protected by Ravana,
Hanuman beheld Sita, meditating on Rama in the ashoka garden.
He there delivered Rama's ring to her and acquainted her with
the welfare of her lord. Having revived the courage of Sita,
he shattered the gate of the garden and slew seven sons of the
counsellors of Ravana, five great captains and levelled Akshya-
kumara, the son of Ravana, to the dust. Then he suffered
himself to be taken captive.
Knowing he could not be subdued by the weapon granted by
Brahma to Ravana, yet acknowledging the power of its blessing,*
Hanuman allowed himself to be imprisoned, suffering many
indignities. Subsequently he burnt the whole of Lanka, only
sparing the place where Sita dwelt.
> Dundhubi — a giant.
1 Bharatvarsh— India. '
1 Lanka — Ceylon.
* The God Brahma had given Ravana a weapon which entangled everyone on
whom it was used bo that they could not escape. It was Fitting, therefore, that
Hanuman, though not subject to it, should acknowledge the goat power.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Returning to deliver his welcome tidings, he respectfully
circumambulated the mighty Rama and recounted in detail how
he had found Sim.
Setting out in the company of Sugriva and others, Rama
reached the sea. There he created a tempest by his shining
arrows and the Lord of the waters, Sumudra, appeared before
him. Under his direction, Nala threw a bridge over the sea.
Crossing the sea by means of this bridge, Shri Rama entered
Lanka, slew Ravana in battle and recovered Sita, but she being
the subject of slander, was addressed by him with harsh words in
the midst of the assembly. After hearing the words of Rama
with forbearance, Sita entered a great fire. On the testimony
of the fire god, Sita was proved to be innocent and Rama,
adored by all the gods, was content.
The animate and inanimate beings of the three worlds,1 the
gods and the sages, gave thanks that Ravana had been slain by
Shri Rama. Shri Rama enthroned Vibishana2 as the king of
the asuras and, being wholly satisfied, revived all the monkeys
and asuras who had fallen in battle.
In the aerial chariot, Pushpaka, accompanied by Sugriva,
Shri Rama, a devotee of truth, reached the hermitage of
Bharadwaja. From there, he sent Hanuman to Prince Bharata,
as his messenger and conversing with Sugriva again mounted
the aerial chariot and arrived at Nandigrarna.
Ever obedient to his father, Shri Rama then cut off his matted
locks and with Sita occupied the throne of Ayodhya.
Seeing Shri Rama occupying the throne, the people were
happy and satisfied, virtuous and free from sickness, sorrow,
famine or danger. None witnessed the death of his son ; no
woman became a widow and all were devoted to their husbands ;
there was no danger from tempests ; none perished by water ;
nor was there any cause of fear from fire ; fever and plague
were unknown ; there was no want, and no danger from thieves.
Cities and villages were rich and prosperous ; all lived happily
as in the Satya Yuga.3
Shri Rama and Sita observed countless Vedic sacrifices and
1 fihur, bhuvah, swah. The lower, middle and upper worlds.
* Eibishana or Vibishana. Younger brother of Ravana, but a devotee of Rama.
* Satva-Yuga. The golden age.
S
BALA KANDA
gave much gold, and hundreds of thousands of cows in charity,
thus preparing for themselves a place in the divine regions.
Shri Rama added incalculably to the prosperity of the dynasty,
and bestowed immense wealth on the brahmins. He employed
his subjects in the duties of their respectives castes and ruled
for eleven thousand years, after which he returned to his celestial
abode, Vaikuntha.
He who reads the story of Rama, which imparts merit and
purity, is freed from all sin. He who reads it with faith and
devotion is ultimately worshipped together with his sons,
grandsons and servants at his death.
A brahmin1 reading this becomes proficient in the Vedas,
and philosophy ; a kshatriya1 becomes a king ; a vaishya1 grows
prosperous in trade ; a shudra,1 on reading this will become
great in his caste.
CHAPTER 2
Sage Valmiki creates the metrical form for the story
The wise and eloquent Valmiki with his disciple, Bharadwaja,
having listened to the words of Narada, was filled with wonder
and worshipped Rama in his heart. He offered obeisance to
Shri Narada, who craved permission to depart and on his request
being granted he ascended through space to the heavens.
Narada, having departed, the great Muni Valmiki proceeded
to the banks of the river Tamasa, which was close to the Ganges.
Reaching that place and seeing the pure and limpid waters,
Valmiki said to his disciple : " O Bharadwaja, behold how pure
is the water of the holy river, verily it is clear and pleasant
like the mind of a good man. O Child, set down the waterpot
and fetch me my bark robe from the hermitage. I wish to bathe
in the sacred stream, delay not."
Obedient to the command of his Guru,2 the disciple brought
1 The four traditional castes ; the priests, the warriors, the merchants and
those who serve the other three
* Guru. Traditional spiritual preceptor.
9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the raiment from the Sage's hermitage and returning speedily,
offered it to him. Receiving the robe of bark from the hands
of his disciple, the sage, with his senses fully controlled, girded
it about him and while bathing repeated the traditional prayers,
offering libations of water to his ancestors and the gods. Then
he wandered about in the forest enjoying the beauties of nature.
Now the august sage, Shri Valmiki, beheld a pair of Krauncha1
birds fearlessly disporting themselves in love. Soon after, a
fowler stealing up unobserved, slew the male bird in the
presence of the sage. The female bird, deprived of her yellow
crested companion, who but now had been spreading his wings
in the act of love to please her, perceiving him bleeding and
crying out in distress, began to mourn.
The heart of the sage was filled with pity on seeing the bird
struck down by the fowler. Touched by the lament of the
female krauncha and incensed by the cruel act of the fowler,
the sage said : " O Fowler, having killed the bird in the midst
of the enjoyment of love with its mate, thou shalt never attain
prosperity. Do not visit the forest for many years lest evil
overtake thee."
Reflecting on the words he had addressed to the fowler and
realising their implication, the sage said to himself : " What
words are these that I have uttered, inspired by my compassion
for the dying bird ? "
The wise and learned sage reflected a moment, and then said
to his disciple : " Grieving for the dying bird, I have recited
this verse of four feet, each of equal syllables, which can be
sung to the vina.* May it bring me renown and may no ill
be spoken of me on account of this."
With great delight the disciple committed to memory the verse
composed by his spiritual preceptor, who expressed his satisfac-
tion at the skill of his pupU Bharadwaja. Bathing in the sacred
river, according to the prescribed ritual, the sage returned to
his hermitage, pondering over the matter. The humble and
learned disciple Bharadwaja followed the great Sage, carrying
his loshta filled with water.
On entering the hermitage, the sage worshipped the Lord
1 Krauncha. Ardea jaculator, a species of heron.
* Vina. A musical stringed instrument.
BALA KANDA
and performed other rituals and having instructed his disciple
in the tradition and the sacred history, passed into deep
meditation. The Creator of the world, the Self-born, the four-
faced and glorious Brahma at length appeared before the holy
sage. Valmiki rose hastily, filled with astonishment, and
welcoming the Deity in great humility, offered obeisance to
Him. Leading Him to a seat, in profound reverence he poured
forth libations of water as enjoined in the tradition, making
enquiries as to His welfare. The Blessed Lord accepted the
homage offered to Him and commanded the sage to be seated.
Shri Valmiki occupied the place designated by Brahma and
once more recollected his grief over the incident of the wicked
fowler, who ruthlessly slew the bird that was so happy and
cooing with delight. He recalled the grief of the female bird
and read and re-read the lines : —
" By the ignorant and wicked fowler, grief is born
For he has wantonly slain the melodious krauncha."
Shri Brahma, seeing the sage afflicted and sorrowful, said to him :
" O Great Sage, let these words spontaneously uttered by thee,
inspired by the death of the krauncha, be poetry. Do thou
describe the whole story of Rama, who is the essence of virtue
and full of the highest attributes, in accordance with what thou
hast heard from Shri Narada. Do thou narrate all the known
and hitherto unknown deeds of Shri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
and the asuras. Whatever relates to King Dasaratha, his
wives, city, palace, sayings, conduct and what he accomplished,
will be revealed to thee by my favour. None of thy words
will prove false. Do thou render into verse the sacred and
delightful deeds of Rama. O Sage, as long as the mountains
and rivers remain on the earth, so long will the story of Shri
Rama endure. So long as the story of Rama endures, so long
shalt thou abide in the higher regions."
Having uttered these words, Shri Brahma pondered awhile
within Himself and then vanished from sight.
The great sage and his disciple were filled with amazement
at this event, and reading the stanza again and again, their
delight grew. Repeatedly reciting the couplet, composed by
Valmiki, they realised that the holy sage had expressed his sorrow
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in poetic form. Then Shri Valmiki meditated on the Lord
within his soul and it occurred to him to relate the story of Rama
in similar verse. For the good of the world, the illustrious
and holy sage, therefore, began composing the life of Shri Rama
in verse ; that Rama, worthy of world-wide renown, who is
both generous and charming. Shri Valmiki composed the story
of the life of Rama and of the slaying of Ravana in beautiful
and measured stanzas, a work of infinite merit
chapter 3
The deeds of Rama that will be described in the sacred poem
Having heard the story of the life of the sagacious Rama from
the lips of Shri Narada which, when recounted, confers perfect
righteousness on the hearer, the holy sage wished to know more
concerning tile sacred theme. Washing his hands and feet and
drinking a little pure water, placing himself facing the east on
a seat of kusha grass, with joined palms, he passed into profound
meditation and in a vision beheld the history of Rama. Through
the grace of Shri Brahma, the holy sage saw all that Rama,
Sita and Lakshmana had experienced, observed and done. He
witnessed in detail the life of Rama, who was truth incarnate
and all that he had accomplished in the forest and other places.
By the power of spiritual meditation and yoga, the Sage
Valmiki saw the whole past as clearly as if it were a fruit placed
on the palm of his hand. Thus, having witnessed all, the most
enlightened sage began to describe the life of Shri Rama in verse.
The history of Shri Rama, which confers righteousness,
worldly prosperity and delight on the reader, which does not
degrade the mind and grants release from sorrow, that story
which charms the heart and is as full of lovely gems as is the sea,
was rendered by Shri Valmiki, in the form in which Shri Narada
had related it to him.
The birth of Rama, his valour, his benevolence to all men,
his universal goodwill, his clemency, bis pleasing looks, bis
12
BALA KANDA
sweet disposition, his love of truth, his humility, his helpful
services to the Sage Vishwamitra, the instruction given by the
Sage Vishwamitra to him and his patient hearing of it ; his
breaking of the great bow ; his marriage to Princess Sita ;
his controversy with Parasurama ; the preparations for his
coronation ; a description of his great qualities ; the opposi-
tion offered by Queen Kaikeyi to the coronation ; his departure
to the forest ; the lament and death of King Dasaratha, the grief
of the people of Ayodhya ; Rama's speech with the ferryman ;
his farewell to Sumantra ; his crossing of the Ganges ; his visit
to the holy Sage Bharadwaja ; his departure for Chittrakuta
on the instance of the sage ; his dwelling in the leaf-thatched hut
on Mount Chittrakuta ; the grief of the king on Sumantra's
return and the monarch's departure to heaven ; the arrival of
Shri Bharata at Chittrakuta to persuade Rama to return to his
kingdom ; his stay at the hermitage ; his interview with Rama ;
the funeral rites of his sire ; Rama's refusal to return ; the
receiving of Rama's sandals by Bharata as a symbol of authority ;
Bharata's installation of the symbol and bis ruling of Ayodhya
from Nandigrama ; Shri Rama's visit to the Dandaka forest ;
his slaying of the wicked Virodha;* his interview with the Sage
Sharabhanga ; his arrival at the hermitage of Sutikshna ; the
meeting of Anasuya with Shri Sita and the imparting of teachings
to her ; the visit of the Sage Agastya ; his residence at
Panchavati ; the meeting with Jatayu ; the appearance of
Shurparnakha ; the conversation of Rama and Lakshmana with
her ; Shuparnakha's mutilation ; the slaying of Khara, Dusana
and Trishira ; the arrival of Ravana ; the slaying of Maricha ;
the abduction of Sita ; Rama's lament on his separation from
Sita ; the slaying of Jatayu by Ravana ; the meeting with
Kabandha ; the arrival at Lake Pampa ; Rama's interview with
Shabari ; his arrival at the Rishyamukha mountain ; his meeting
with Hanuman j Rama's seal of friendship with Sugriva ; his
promise to destroy Bali ; the combat between Bali and Sugriva ;
the slaying of Bali ; the mourning of Tara ; the installation
of Sugriva ; Shri Rama's sojourn on the mountain in the rainy
season ; Sugriva's exceeding of the stated time for his mission,
Rama's anger against him ; Lakshmana's delivery of the message
1 Virodha. A man-eating demon.
'3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to Sugriva ; Sugriva's visit to Rama ; his propitiation of Rama ;
the organising of the monkey army ; the dispatch of the monkeys
to find Sita's abode ; the description of the earth given to them ;
the giving of Rama's ring to Hanuman ; the monkeys entry into
the dark cave ; their fasting on the seashore in preparation for
death ; their interview with Sampati, the king of the vultures ;
bis information respecting Lanka ; Hanuman's leap and his
crossing of the sea ; the emergence of the Minaka hill from the
ocean ; the slaying of the wicked female demon Singhika who
imprisoned her victims by capturing their shadow ; the appear-
ance of Lanka by night ; the entry of Hanuman into Lanka
and his lonely reflections ; his seeing of the wicked Ravana
and his aerial chariot Pushpaka ; Hanuman's entry into the
inner apartments, where Ravana is drinking surrounded by
women ; Hanuman's search for Sita and his beholding of the
princess in the ashoka garden ; Havana's entry into the garden
and his solicitation of Sita ; her reproaches ; the threatening
of Sita by the female asuras ; Trijata's description of her dream
concerning the delivery of Shri Rama's ring to Sita by Hanuman ;
the conversation on this matter ; the gift of the jewel to
Hanuman by Sita ; the destruction of the grove by Hanuman ;
the flight of the women asuras ; the slaying of Ravana's guards
by Hanuman ; the capture of Hanuman and the burning of
Lanka by him ; the re-crossing of the sea ; the eating of the
fruits of the Madhu forest ; the words of consolation offered
to Shri Rama by Hanuman and the delivery of Shri Sita's jewel
to him ; the arrival of Shri Rama at the seashore and the
bridging of the sea by Nala and Nila ; the siege of Lanka ;
the arrival of Ravana's brother Vibishana to take refuge with
Shri Rama and the disclosure by him of the design to destroy
Ravana ; the slaying of Kumbhakarna and Meghanada ; the
destruction of Ravana ; the reunion with Sita ; the crowning
of Vibishana, King of Lanka ; the offer of the aerial chariot
Pushpaka by Vibishana to Rama ; the return of Shri Rama
to Ayodhya ; the reunion with Prince Bharata ; the crowning
of Shri Rama as king ; the farewell to the monkey army ; the
rejoicings of his subjects at the coronation ; the repudiation of Sita ;
these and all the other deeds of Rama on earth have been described
in the sacred poem written by the blessed Valmiki himself.
M
BALA KAKDA
CHAPTER 4
Skri Rama's sons chant the poem
While Shri Rama was still King of Ayodhya, the great Sage
Valmiki composed this beautiful classic.
The holy rishi composed twenty-four thousand verses and
divided them into five hundred chapters and six books. In
addition, he composed the epilogue. The work being completed,
he reflected thus : " To whom shall I teach this classic ? "
While the sage was reflecting on the matter, the two princes,
Kusha and Lava, the offspring of Rama and Sita approached
him and touched his feet in reverence. The great sage studied
these two virtuous princes of mellifluous speech, who dwelt
with him in his hermitage at that time. Knowing them to be
wise and full of faith in the teachings of the Vedas, the great
sage, who had expounded the meaning of the scriptures in his
verses, taught the classic to them.
The great Valmiki taught them the classic describing the
deeds of Rama and Sita and all that relates to the incidents
leading to the slaying of Ravana named "The Slaying of the
Grandson of Foulastya 'V This historical classic is pleasant to
sing and adapted to the three measures of time,1 it is contained
within the seven notes and can be sung to the vina. It expresses
the various moods of love, courage, disgust, anger, terror,
compassion, wonder, laughter and serenity.
The two princes were skilled musicians, proficient in rhythm
and melody and had sweet voices ; they were as comely to
look at as Gandharvas.3 Endowed with god-like beauty, the
two sweet singers, the reflected images of Shri Rama himself,
constantly repeated the holy classic and committed it to
memory. The two adorable and charming princes skilfully
recited the holy classic, the Ramayana, which extols virtues
before the sages, the learned brahmins and the ascetics, as they
had been instructed to do.
* Poulutya. One oftbc seven great sages, born from the mind of Brahma, the
Creator.
» three measures of time— «low, medium, quick.
* Gandharvas— celestial musicians.
15 c
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
On a particular occasion, the two princes, great-souled,
fortunate, and equipped with all good qualities, chanted the
great epic in Shri Rama's assembly. The listening sages were
visibly moved and shed tears of delight. Being overcome with
wonder, they cried " Excellent ! Excellent ", and praising
the two singers, the virtue-loving sages experienced great joy.
Showering praises on the brothers, they cried, " How melodiously
you sing! How exquisite is the divine poem, the story of
Rama!"
Being pleased with the sweet singers, one sage presented them
with loshtas, another with delicious fruits, a third with robes
of bark and another with antelope skins ; some gave sacrificial
thread, some vessels for collecting alms, others gave loin cloths,
kusha grass, garments of yellow cloth, scarves and thread for
binding the hair, sacrificial vessels, rosaries and axes. Others
bestowed their blessings upon them, saying " May you live
long " and all acclaimed the author of the marvellous poem.
They said : " This metre will be the foundation of the verse
of future poets ; it is composed according to specific rules ;
the two princes have sung this wonderful poem with great art ;
it will promote wisdom in those who listen to it and grant them
longevity and health ; it is truly able to charm the heart."
While the sages were thus praising the two princes, Shri
Ramachandra, passing that way, took them to his royal palace.
Occupying his golden throne, Shri Rama, the destroyer of his
foes, offered hospitality and reverence to the two worthy princes.
In the assembly, surrounded by his ministers and brothers,
Shri Rama looked approvingly on those handsome and learned
youths, and addressed the Princes Lakshmana, Shatrughna
and Bharata saying : " Hear the historical poem, which these
two celestial and brilliant minstrels sing, this poem which
portrays incidents of wonderful meaning."
Then Shri Rama commanded the two musicians to sing and
the princes tuned their vinas and chanted the poem they had
learned, sweetly and clearly. The whole assembly listened to
the music which was wholly gratifying to the mind and heart.
Shri Rama said : " I admire the music and the verse sung
by these two minstrels who appear to be endowed with royal
attributes."
16
BALA KANDA
In this way, praised and encouraged by Shri Ramachandra,
the two brothers demonstrating their skill in music, sang on.
Listening to them in the royal assembly, Shri Ramachandra
was charmed.
CHAPTER 5
King Dasaratka's kingdom and capital
The earth consisting of seven islands has been under one ruler
since the time of those kings descended from Manu,1 who were
ever victorious.
Among those mighty monarchs was Sagara followed by his
sixty thousand sons who hollowed out the ocean. This classic
Ramayana contains the history of the House of Sagara, founded
by Ikshwaku. This Rama-Katha2 will be recited from beginning
to end — let all listen to it with faith.
On the banks of the river Sarayu, there was a great and
prosperous country named Koshala, inhabited by contented
people. In it was the city of Ayodhya, famous in the three
worlds, founded by the renowned Manu, a lord among men.
The city's thoroughfares extended for sixty miles ; its beauty
was enhanced by streets admirably planned, the principal
highways being sprinkled with water and strewn with flowers.
King Dasaratha protected the city as Maghavan3 protects
Amaravati.* He dwelt there in splendour, as Indra in heaven.
The dry had beautiful and massive gates and charming markets ;
its fortifications were planned by skilful engineers and artificers.
There were bards, ballad singers and public musicians in the
city; the inhabitants were wealthy and had spacious houses
with high arched porticos, decorated with flags and banners.
It was filled with extensive buildings and beautiful gardens,
1 Manu from the root "man", "to think". The progenitor of mankind,
created by Brahma.
* Rama-katha, The recitation of Ramayana.
■ Maghavan. A title of the Lord Indra, King of the Celestials.
* Amaravati. Lord Indra'i capital.
17
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and surrounded by mango groves, tall trees enhancing the
outskirts of the city, giving it the appearance of a beautiful girl
wearing a girdle of greenery. The city was enclosed by strong
fortifications and a deep moat which no enemy, by any expedient
whatsoever, could penetrate. Countless elephants, horses, cattle,
camels and mules were to be seen in the city. Innumerable
ambassadors and merchants dwelt there and people from many
lands traded peacefully within its walls.
Ayodhya, like Indra's Amaravati, was resplendent with gilded
palaces, die walls of which were set with precious stones, the
domes resembling mountain peaks. Gem-encrusted, sky-kissing
buildings could be seen throughout the royal capital. Dwelling
houses, tall and fair, stood in well-placed sites and resounded
with delightful music. There were lovely dwellings occupied
by men of noble birth, resembling the aerial chariots that carry
those of pure life and spiritual perfection to heaven.
The warriors living in that city were of those who do not
slay a fleeing foe, they were skilled archers, able to pierce a target
by sound alone. Many had slain tigers, lions and wolves
wandering near their homes, either in single combat or with
different kinds of weapons. This great city which harboured
thousands of chieftains was built1 by King Dasaratha.
In Ayodhya lived countless learned men engaged in the
observance of rituals, there were also artists and craftsmen, men
deeply read in the Veda and those endowed with every virtue,
full of truth and wisdom, as well as thousands of seers and sages
versed in the mystical science of Yoga.
CHAPTER 6
The city of Ayodhya
There dwelt in that city, King Dasaratha, a follower of the
tradition of the illustrious Emperor Manu. The king was
learned in the interpretation of the Vedas, his chief wealth was
1 It is implied that Manu founded the original city on thii lite, but leveral cities
built by other monarch* succeeded it.
BALA KANDA
pre-eminence in truth and virtue ; he was one who never broke
his word, who was ever prudent, majestic and beloved of his
subjects, a great charioteer, a worthy descendant of the dynasty
of Ikshwaku, an observer of many sacrifices, one who ever
delighted in the practice of righteousness ; in full authority
over his people, equal to a great sage ; a royal seer, renowned
in the three worlds, triumphing over his enemies, a friend to all ;
having perfect control of his senses and appetites ; in prosperity
equal to Indra ; in wealth equal to Kuvera,
That truth-loving monarch, striving to acquire perfection in
virtue, worldly prosperity and happiness, ruled the city as the
celestial monarch Indra rules Amaravati.
The people in that city were happy, virtuous, learned,
experienced, each satisfied with his state, practising his own
calling, without avarice and of truthful speech. None was
indigent or dwelt in a mean habitation ; all lived happily with
their families, possessing wealth, grain, cattle and horses. In
that city of Ayodhya, none was a miser or a swindler, none was
mean-spirited, proud, rash, worthless or an atheist. Men and
women were of righteous conduct, fully self-controlled, and in
their pure and chaste behaviour they equalled the great sages.
None lacked earrings, coronets and necklaces. They bathed
daily and rubbed their bodies with oil, using attar of roses and
sandal paste. None ate impure food, none allowed his neighbour
to suffer hunger. All possessed ornaments and gold, and there
was none who had not learnt to subdue his mind. No one
in the city neglected to offer butter and fragrant objects in the
sacrificial fire. No one was mean, impious or failed to discharge his
duties ; there were no thieves and none were born of mixed castes.
The brahmins were devoted to their respective duties, firm
in self-control and authorized to accept gifts. None denied
the existence of God, none uttered falsehood or were enamoured
of worldly pleasure and none was guilty of slander. No brahmin
was unversed in the six systems of philosophy nor did any
neglect to fast at the full moon, or on other appointed days ;
there were none who suffered from mental or physical infirmities
and none were unhappy in that city.
Among the inhabitants, there were no revolutionaries and
none who were not loyal to king and state. Those who dwelt
19
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
there, worshipped the gods and the uninvited guest ; they were
both magnanimous and charitable.
All attained a ripe age as virtuous and truth-loving people ;
their homes were filled with children, grandchildren and virtuous
women. The warriors were subject to the learned brahmins
and the merchants to the warrior caste ; in accordance with
their caste the people served the brahmins, the warriors and
the merchants.
In the administration of the empire, the Emperor Dasaratha
followed the example of the first ruler Mama who was supreme
in wisdom and a god among men.
Ayodhya abounded in warriors, undefeated in battle, fearless
and skilful in the use of arms, resembling lions guarding their
mountain caves.
There were horses in the city from Kamroja, Vanaya, Nudi
and Vahli, and elephants from the regions of Vindhu and Hrmavat.
The city of Ayodhya was full of courageous and noble men
belonging to the races of Bhadra, Mulla and Mriga, inhabitants
of the regions of Binchyachala and the Himalayan ranges.
The city possessed mighty elephants like great hills. That
capital was truly worthy of the name ' Ayodhya,' which means
" The city none can challenge in warfare ".
Dwelling there, the Emperor Dasaratha, ruling the kingdom,
resembled the moon in the midst of countless stars. That
great king, equal to Indra himself, reigned over the city,
guarded by fortifications and ramparts, a city which contained
innumerable dwellings of many kinds and thousands of prosper-'
ous inhabitants.
chapter 7
The administration of the kingdom
Ever devoted to the welfare of King Dasaratha, the ministers
of the House of Ikshwaku were possessed of all the virtues ;
their counsels were based on truth and they understood the
import of the royal commands immediately.
20
BALA KANDA
Eight of the long's counsellors were famed; untiringly
employed in the affairs of state, they were honest and devoted
to the cultivation of virtue. Their names were Dhristi, Jayanta,
Vijaja, Siddhartha, Atyartha-Sadaka, Ashoka, Mantra-pala and
Sumantra.
The great and holy sages, Vasishtha and Vamadeva assisted
the king in his observance of spiritual duties and also acted as
his advisers.
All the ministers were virtuous, scorning to do wrong,
benevolent, versed in the moral law, of wide experience, dis-
interested, magnanimous, acquainted with the spirit of the
scriptures, forbearing, patient, obedient to the king, true to their
word, cheerful, free from avarice and well acquainted with the
affairs of their fellow subjects and with those of the subjects
of other monarchs. They were efficient, firm in friendship,
and even passed judgment on their own sons if they broke
the law.
These counsellors were expert in the science of economics and
warfare, and never inflicted unmerited punishment on an enemy.
They were brave and unambitious. Conversant with every
branch of political life, they protected all those who lived in
the state. Adding to the royal treasury without burdening the
learned and the warriors, they inflicted penalties on wrongdoers
with due regard to their capacity for bearing it. These ministers
were pure of heart and of chaste conduct. None consorted
with his neighbour's wife, none were wicked and all lived
together peaceably. Cultivating every good quality and prac-
tising the various arts, they were renowned for their courage,
their fair name was published abroad and their lives were guided
by reason. Skilled in the laws of the country and blessed with
wealth, they issued wise edicts and exercised their minds in
philosophical debate.
Acquainted with the moral code, they conversed affectionately
with each other ; such were King Dasaratha's ministers who,
informed by their agents of the needs of the people, satisfied
them and governed with prudence.
In the administration of his kingdom, the king never permitted
unrighteousness to cause dissension, and became known through-
out the world as an ocean of truth. That lion among men
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMJKI
King Dasaratha, reigning over the earth, had none superior
or equal to himself. Honoured by his feudal lords, surrounded
by friends, King Dasaratha, like Indra, reigned in majesty.
Benevolent, powerful, accomplished and gracious, King
Dasaratha protected Ayodhya and shone in splendour like the
sun illumining the world.
CHAPTER 8
The king desires to perform a sacrifice for the birth of a son
King Dasaratha, that glorious and righteous king, though
performing great austerities, was without an heir to the throne.
Then the wise and great-souled monarch said to himself : " I
will perform the horse-sacrifice (Aswa-medha)1 in order to have
a son."
Having thus decided, the supremely sagacious sovereign
convened a meeting of his counsellors and addressing his chief
minister, Sumantra, commanded him as follows : " Send
speedily for the spiritual preceptors and priests." Quick to act,
Sumantra at once summoned those highly learned preceptors
and brought thither Suyagna, Vamadeva, Javali, Kasyapa
and Vasishtha together with other eminent priests and
brahmins.
Having offered salutations to these holy men, King Dasaratha,
speaking in gracious accents, uttered words full of truth and
purpose : He said, "O Sages, I have practised virtue and yet
I have not had the good fortune to be blessed with a son ;
it is therefore my intention to perform the horse-sacrifice. I
wish to act according to the injunction of the scriptures ; you,
O Holy Men, advise me after due deliberation as to how I can
be successful in the proposed undertaking ".
1 Aswa-Medha. A sacrifice, which in Vedic times was performed by king*.
A hone, being consecrated by certain ceremonies, was let loose and allowed
to wander at will followed by warriors ; the ruler of any country the animal
entered was bound to fight or submit ; finally the horse was sacrificed with
special rite*.
22
BALA KANDA
The learned brahmins, led by Shri Vasishtha, praised the
king's intention and said : " Thou hast decided on the proper
course, O King." Highly pleased, they commanded those
things requisite for the sacrifice to be assembled and the horse
loosed. They said, " O King, let a place of sacrifice be
chosen on the north bank of the river Sarayu. O King,
this holy resolve formed by thee, for the sake of an heir, will
assuredly bring the fulfilment of thy desire ".
Hearing the words of the brahmins, the monarch rejoiced and
commanded his ministers to bring the sacrificial appointments
and release the horse under the protection of the warriors j1
they were also directed to erect a sacrificial pavilion on the bank
of the river Sarayu. He further decreed the adoption of those
measures which would dimmish the possibility of hindrance to
the sacrifice, for even for kings, the horse-sacrifice was not easily
performed.
The king said : " Let it be remembered that during the
observance of the sacrifice, no suffering must be inflicted on any,
lest some perverse and crafty brahmin should cause obstruction
in the proceedings. By carrying through the ritual without
regard for scriptural injunctions, it comes to nought ; therefore,
bring the sacrifice to a successful conclusion. I depend on you,
and expect you to carry the sacrifice through to a successful
issue."
The counsellors replied, saying, " O King, be it so ".
Blessing the monarch, the learned brahmins retired, and the
king addressed his ministers saying : " Prepare the sacrifice as
the officiating priests have instructed you and accept responsibil-
ity for its final success."
Then the illustrious sovereign left the court and entered his
private apartments where the queens dwelt, who loved the king
from the depths of their hearts.
King Dasaratha addressed them, saying : " I intend to observe
a sacrifice for the sake of obtaining a son, do you all follow
die prescribed discipline." The queens rejoiced to hear these
words from the lips of the king and their lotus-like faces
brightened like flowers on the departure of the cold season.
1 See note on page 22.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 9
Sumanira relates a tradition that a son will be born
through the help of the Sage Risky asringa
Sumantra, having heard of the preparations tor the sacrifice,
obtained a private audience with his sovereign and said : " I
have heard of a tradition, formerly related to me by the august
brahmins. O King, in ancient days, the blessed Sanatkumara
predicted to the holy sages around him that a son would be
born to thee.
It was prophesied that a son of Kasyapa, named Vibhandaka
would have a son called Rishyasringa and that he should dwell
in the forest alone with his saintly father, unknown to any other
man or woman.
This sage would keep the twofold vow of brahmacharya
enjoined by the sages. In this way he would pass a long time
worshipping God through the fire-sacrifice and the service of
his sire.
In the country named Anga, a famous king named Lomapada,
would oppress the people by his evil way of life and thus cause
a drought. On account of this, the king would suffer great
affliction and summoning the brahmins would say to them:
" O Wise Men, acquainted as you are with the customs of the
world and also the divine laws, tell me what ritual of purification
and repentance I can adopt to expiate my evil deeds, which
have brought about this drought."
Then the brahmins, learned in the Veda, would answer the
king thus : " O King, exert thyself by every means to bring
the son of the Sage Vibhandaka hither. Having with due
reverence conveyed him hither, do thou confer thy daughter
Shanta on him in marriage."
The king having listened to their words and reflected on how
he should bring that excellent sage to the court, would then
request his ministers and priests to approach the sage, but they
would declare their unwillingness to undertake the mission*
being afraid of the rishi's power.
In order to avoid the monarch's displeasure, however, after
BALA KANDA
deliberating on the method by which the sage could be brought
to the court, they would make the following proposal : " By
the courtesans can the sage be persuaded to come to the king's
court, the rains will then follow and the drought will be at an
end. Then will the king join his daughter in marriage to the
sage. By pouring oblations into the sacrificial fire the illustrious
sage, Rishyasringa, will, by his grace, obtain the desired son
for King Dasaratha."
" Thus spoke the illustrious Sanatkumara, in the midst of
the sages, and I have now recounted it to thee."
King Dasaratha was delighted to hear these words, and
requested the minister to describe further how King Lomapada
brought the sage to his court
CHAPTER 10
He describes horn Rishyasringa was brought to King
Lomapada's court
Thus requested, Sumantra began to narrate the story in detail
and said : " O Great King, hear how the ministers brought
the Sage Rishyasringa to the court.
" The ministers addressed King Lomapada saying : * We have
a plan whereby the young sage may be conveyed hither
successfully. He resides in the forest, devoted to holy study,
spiritual practices and asceticism, and is wholly unacquainted
with the pursuit of pleasure.
'* ' By the means of those things gratifying to the senses,
we shall most certainly be able to bring the sage to the court.
Let beautifully-attired and lovely courtesans go there and by
their acts, charm and bring him hither '."
The king approved the plan and commanded his ministers
to carry it out.
The courtesans then entered the forest and took up their
abode near the hermitage, seeking a meeting with the young
sage. Protected by his father, the youthful ascetic seldom
*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
passed the boundaries of the hermitage, nor had he seen any
man or woman beyond its precincts.
One day, impelled by destiny, the youth went forth from
the hermitage and beheld the graceful and beautiful women,
attired in many-coloured robes of exquisite design, singing
sweetly. They approached the son of Rishi Vibhandaka and
addressed him, saying : "Who art thou? Whose son art thou ?
What is thy name? Why dost thou dwell in the dark
forest ? "
Never having beheld women of beauty and charm before,
Rishyasringa was captivated and answered them, saving : " My
father is the great Sage Vibhandaka of the family of Kasyapa
and I am his son, my name is Rishyasringa. O Beautiful Beings
of charming mien, my hermitage is near at hand, please come
thither and allow me to oner you hospitality there."
The courtesans accepted the invitation and accompanied the
sage who received them in the traditional manner, placing before
them water to wash their feet and delicious roots and fruits.
Fearing the father's return and anxious to depart with all haste,
the courtesans plied the young sage with tasty confections
which they had brought with them, saying : " Be pleased to
accept these dainties which we have brought for thee to enjoy
on this occasion." They then caressed the youth, feeding him
with sweets and other delicacies.
The resplendent sage partook of the offerings, thinking them
to be fruits, never having tasted any other food.
The courtesans, fearing the father's return, pretended to be
fasting and left the hermitage. At their departure, the youth-
ful sage felt dejected and restless.
The following day, the courtesans, charmingly attired, again
went to the hermitage and smiled on perceiving the young sage
appear so disconsolate. They then approached him and said :
" O Handsome Youth, to-day please grace our hermitage with
thy presence. O Auspicious One, we can entertain thee better
there than here."
The young sage agreed to accompany them and went with
them to their abode. As the sage entered the city, Indra
showered rain on the domain of King Lomapada and the people
rejoiced.
26
BALA KANDA
When the tain began to fall, King Lomapada, realising that
the holy sage had entered the city, went out to meet him.
Offering him humble and loving salutations, he presented him
with the traditional gifts (arghya)1 of water and food, and
entreated him to grant the boon that bis father Vibhandaka
should not visit his displeasure on him.
The king then took the youth to the inner apartments and
united him in marriage to his daughter Shanta.
Deeply revered by the king, Rishyasringa lived happily in
the capital with bis bride, the Princess Shanta.
chapter zi
King Dasaraiha goes to King Lomapada, by whose permission
Rishyasringa comes to Ayodhya
Sumantra said : " O Great King, hearken further to the words
of the great Sage Sanatkumara : —
" ' In the House of Ikshwaku, there will be a highly righteous
and truth-loving king named Dasaratha who will form an alliance
with King Lomapada of Anga.
" * King Dasaratha will approach his friend Lomapada and
beg the assistance of Rishyasringa, the husband of the Princess
Shanta, in the performance of the sacrifice he desires to observe,
that he may be blessed with a son. After mature consideration,
King Lomapada will permit Shanta's lord, Rishyasringa to
accompany King Dasaratha. Highly gratified, King Dasaratha
will return to his capital with Rishyasringa and will ask the sage
to officiate at the sacrifice he is about to perform in order to
obtain sons and also a future abode in the celestial regions.
" 'As a result of the sacrifice, King Dasaratha will have four
sons, each of limitless valour. These sons will be renowned
throughout the world and will increase the glory of their
dynasty.'
1 Arghya. A ceremonial offering of water, milk and kusha grass, rice, durva,
•andalwood, flowers, etc
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" This story was narrated by the Sage Sanatkumara in the
first quarter of Satya-Yuga.1 O Great King ! Thou shouldst
approach Rishyasringa with a worthy chariot and retinue, and
bring him with ceremony to thy capital."
Having heard the good counsel of his minister Sumantra,
the King commanded him to inform his Guru Vasishtha of
this matter, and the holy Vasishtha acquiesced in the plan.
Then the king, with firm resolve, attended by his queens,
counsellors and priests, prepared to set forth for the city where
Rishyasringa dwelt. Passing through various forests and
traversing many rivers, the king arrived at Lomapada's capital.
There he beheld the resplendent sage, in lustre like a glowing
fire, seated near King Lomapada.
Inspired by friendship, the great monarch Lomapada offered
respectful salutations to King Dasaratha and informed Rishyas-
ringa of his alliance with this king, whereupon the sage expressed
his approval in words of praise.
Having enjoyed the hospitality of King Lomapada for seven
days, King Dasaratha addressed him thus : " O King, I desire
to enter upon an important undertaking, be gracious enough
to allow thy daughter Shanta and her lord to return to my
capital to assist me."
Hearing these words, King Lomapada replied : " Be it so,"
and turning to the sage said : " Be pleased to go with thy wife
to the capital of King Dasaratha."
The youthful sage assented to the command of King Loma-
pada, and he, in company with his spouse, departed with King
Dasaratha.
Having taken leave of his friend, King Dasaratha despatched
speedy messengers to go before him to instruct his ministers
to prepare for their arrival.
The people of Ayodhya carried out all as they had been
commanded and overjoyed at the monarch's return, fulfilled
the instructions of his messengers. The citizens were delighted
to behold the young sage entering the city and being honoured
by the king, as Indra in heaven pays tribute to Kasyapa.
Having introduced the sage and his consort to the inner
1 Satya-Yuga — the Golden Age. There are four yugas in the world cycle —
Satya or Krita, Tf eta, Dwapara and Kali, the golden, silver, copper, arid iron age.
28
BALA KANDA
apartments, the king offered him the traditional welcome as
enjoined in the scriptures.
The royal ladies also welcomed the wide-eyed Shanta with
her lord to the private apartments, and expressed their pleasure
and delight.
Honoured and worshipped by the queens, no less than by
King Dasaratha himself, the Princess Shanta and her husband,
the sage, dwelt in the palace as Brihaspati1 resides in the city
of Mahendra.
CHAPTER 12
Rishyasringa agrees to assist in the sacrifice
Time passed and the spring came again while the holy sage
was at the court of King Dasaratha. On a propitious day,
the king decided to enter upon the sacrifice.
He approached Rishyasringa and, bowing low, offered saluta-
tions to him, inviting that god-like sage to assist in the sacrifice
he was observing, to preserve the dynasty. The sage agreed
and requested the king to provide the necessary material for the
sacrifice and to let loose the horse.
The sovereign commanded his minister Sumantra to summon
with all speed the priests acquainted with the philosophy of
the Veda, and sent invitations to the sages Vamadeva, Javali,
Kasyapa, the high priest Vasishtha and other exalted and learned
brahmins.
Sumantra, setting out in haste, approached the sages court-
eously and brought them to the king. The virtuous monarch,
after paying respectful homage to them, addressed them humbly,
speaking words full of candour and integrity.
He said : " O Sages, despite my ardent desire to have an heir,
I am without one. I have, therefore, decided to perform the
horse sacrifice to that end. I desire the sacrifice to be observed
according to the scriptural laws and through the grace of the
Sage Rishyasringa, I hope to attain my purpose."
1 Brihaapati. The Guru of the god*, also the regent of the planet Jupiter.
29
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The sages advised the king to gather together the sacrificial
articles and to release the horse.
They said : " Righteous is thy desire to be blessed with a
son ; O King, thou shall surely obtain four illustrious sons of
limitless valour."
The brahmins' words convinced the king that heirs would be
granted to him and he communicated his satisfaction to his
ministers. He said : " O Counsellors, bring together four high
priests and set the horse at liberty under the protection of four
hundred warriors. Let a sacrificial pavilion be set up on the
bank of the river Sarayu, and let appropriate protective rites
be observed lest obstructions arise."
The king then ordained that during the period of sacrifice
neither priests nor other persons should be subject to any
suffering whatsoever. He said : " In such rites, others have
been impeded by sub-human beings, which has resulted in the
annulment of the sacrifice. You should, therefore, employ
every means to bring the sacrifice to a successful con-
clusion."
Hearing the words of the king, the ministers— highly gratified
— began to act according to bis instructions. Then the brahmins
assured the king that the sacrifice would be accomplished
without hindrance and offering him obeisance, returned to their
homes.
The brahmins having departed, the king bade farewell to
his ministers and entered his private apartments.
CHAPTER 13
The Sacrifice is commenced
The following year, spring having returned once more, the king,
desiring to complete the sacrifice for the sake of an heir, paid
homage to Shri Vasishtha, offering him humble salutations
according to the prescribed ordinance, and addressed that great
brahmin with submission, saying : —
30.
BALA KANDA
" O Great Sage, be pleased to complete the holy ceremony
according to the sacred tradition. Let it be so undertaken that
no interference may take place. Thou art compassionate and
thy heart is inclined towards me. Thou art also my Guru,
the burden of the sacrifice must be borne by thee."
The most excellent sage replied, " Be it so. I will do as
thou desirest."
Hereafter, Shri Vasishtha summoned those brahmins,. able
to perform the holy rituals and also artificers, architects, writers,
actors and dancers.
Addressing the learned priests, he said : "At the king's
command, inaugurate the great sacrifice. Cause bricks in
thousands to be brought hither with all speed and erect many
kinds of dwellings, well arranged, furnished with food and
every comfort to accommodate royal and other guests. Prepare
hundreds of beautiful houses on suitable sites, together with
provisions and all things needed by brahmins ; erect also large
buildings for the people of other lands, and store food and
articles of comfort where it is best to do so. Fine and well-
equipped houses should be built for villagers. Ensure that
hospitality in the form of food and refreshment be given with
courtesy and kindness. Those attending the sacrifice should
be entertained with respect and consideration, being received
in a becoming manner, according to their caste. Let no affront
be offered to any through greed, anger or lust. Let craftsmen
and servants be suitably regarded, so that their hearts be set
on their task and let no one act disruptively. Treat all in
a spirit of goodwill and courtesy, ,so that the work may be
successfully accomplished."
The people listened to the holy sage and answered, " We
will act according to thy instructions, O Sage, nothing shall
be omitted."
Shri Vasishtha then summoned the chief minister Sumantra
and said : " Send out invitations to the sacrifice to all the
righteous kings of the earth and also the brahmins, kshatriyas,
vaishyas and shudras of every country, but go first to the great
Sovereign of Mithila, the heroic Janaka, eminent in truth, the
greatest of warriors and a knower of the Veda, since he is an
ancient ally of King Dasaratha. Thereafter, bring the ever-
31 T>
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
truthful King of Kashi, of exemplary conducts equal to a god ;
and then the aged and virtuous King of Kaikeya, our sovereign's
father-in-law, and invite his son also. Call the fortunate King
Lomapada of Anga, the intimate friend of the King, and bring
hither, with respect, Koshala, the King of Magadha.
" Thereafter, send messengers to the kings of the eastern
countries of Sindhu, Souriva, and Sourashtra, and the monarchs
of the south, with other great kings of the earth ; let them come
with their brothers, relations, retainers and servants."
Having heard the words of Shri Vasishtha, Sumantra carried
out the instructions given by him, dispatching invitations by
special messengers to the monarchs of many lands, himself going
forth to escort some of the great kings.
Sumantra having departed, all the workers employed in the
sacrifice informed the holy sage of their progress, and he advised
them further saying : " Let nothing be presented to any
without due respect, even in jest ; gifts given with contempt
lead to the destruction of the giver."
A few days later, the kings from afar arrived at the sacrificial
pavilion bearing gifts of gems.
Then Shri Vasishtha, being pleased, said : " O King, at thy
command, all the kings have come and been received by me
with due hospitality. The preparations for the sacrifice are
now completed, be pleased to enter the sacrificial pavilion and
inspect the articles needed for the ceremony. See how well
thy servants have furnished everything requisite and have
gratified thy every wish."
On the recommendation of the Sage Vasishtha and Rishyas-
ringa, King Dasaratha went to the sacrificial ground at an
auspicious time, when a propitious star was in the ascendant.
Then the learned brahmins and Shri Vasishtha elected Rishyas-
ringa as chief priest.
The sacrifice began in accordance with the ancient ordinance
and the king, with his queens, engaged in the preUminary
initiations.
32
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 14
The Ceremonies are performed with the appropriate rites
Having ranged far and wide during a year, the horse returned
and on the bank of the river Sarayu the sacrifice of King
Dasaratha continued. The chief priests, under Rishyasringa,
assisted the king in the observance of the rituals. Brahmins
learned in the ancient science, also officiated and assisted the king
according to the instructions laid down in the Kalpa Sutra.
The two special portions of the sacrifice Pravargya and
Upasada were duly observed ; then the brahmins worshipped
the gods with joy. The illustrious sage performed certain rituals
and offered India the part of the sacrifice due to him. There-
after all partook of the soma-juice which destroys every sin.
The high-souled king duly undertook the third portion of
the ceremony with the assistance of the holy brahmins. In
the sacrifice, no oblation was omitted and none wrongly offered
in the sacred fire. All that was done was correctly carried out
under the supervision of the sages.
During the period of sacrifice, no brahmin experienced hunger
or thirst. Countless priests were present and each was attended
by hundreds of disciples. Workers, servants and other classes
were feasted like the brahmins, and monks and ascetics were
provided for abundantly.
The aged, the children, and the women were served with all
they cared to eat, and those who attended on them were willing
and pleasant.
By the king's command, apparel, money and other gifts were
freely distributed with immeasurable generosity. Mountains
of cooked and uncooked foods were to be seen and each could
have what he required, to suit his needs. Men and women
from many lands were daily entertained with food and drink.
From every side, the king heard the exclamations "How delicious
is the food, we are well content ".
Servants and retainers gorgeously clad and wearing golden
earrings, attended on the brahmins, while others adorned with
jewels served other castes.
33
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
In the interval between the two parts of the sacrifice, eloquent
and learned pundits debated metaphysical problems and vied
with each other in the display of wisdom and acumen.
Day by day, the sacrificial ceremonies were carried out by
learned and holy priests. There were none assisting at the
holy ritual who were illiterate or unacquainted with the Vedas.
Each attendant of the king was inspired by exalted principles
and all were highly eloquent and deeply versed in the scriptures.
Eighteen pillars of wood were set up in the place of sacrifice,
each made of a different kind of timber. Priests, skilled in
the art of sacrificial rites, overlaid them with gold. Each of the
eighteen columns was twenty-one feet in height, polished and
of octangular shape and all were firmly fixed in the earth
and covered with embroidered cloths. In addition, they were
adorned with sandalwood and flowers and looked as beautiful
as the constellation of the seven sages,1 in the sky. Sacrificial
pits were constructed by master masons and the fire kindled
by brahmins.
The sacrificial pit prepared for King Dasaratha was formed
like a great eagle in gold, its wings set with gems.
The beasts to be sacrificed to each particular deity were bound
according to scriptural injunction. There were birds, snakes
and horses, and according to tradition, the chief priest bound
the aquatic animals, such as turtles, in the sacrificial pavilion.
Three hundred beasts and the horse which had roamed over
the earth were assembled.
Queen Kaushalya joyfully paid reverence to the horse before
making the sacrifice with three strokes of the sword. Prompted
by righteous desire, Queen Kaushalya passed the night watching
over the dead body of the horse, then the priests caused the
king's serving women and the courtesans to approach it.
The twice-born of subdued senses cooked the fat of the horse
on the fire in the manner prescribed by the shastra. King
Dasaratha inhaling the odour emitted by the fat, acknowledged
and expiated his sins. Sixteen assistant priests made offerings
of parts of the horse into the fire, in spoons fashioned of cane,
plaksha wood being used in other sacrifices. At the horse
1 The Plough, each star of which it laid to be presided over by one of the
immortal saga.
BALA KANDA
sacrifice, three days of special rituals are observed : during the
first day the Agmstona is performed ; during the second day,
the Uktha rite, during the third day the Atiratra rite. The
great sacrificial acts named Jyotishtoma, Agnisktona, Atiratas3
Abhijit, Vishnajit and Aptoryama are also observed.
King Dasaratha, the promoter of his dynasty, on the conclu-
sion of the sacrifice, gave away four parts of his kingdom, as
dakshina1 to the four priests. The king distributed alms
following the great example of Swayambhumanu of old. The
sacrifice being concluded, that great monarch gave large portions
of the earth in charity, to the officiating priests, and finally that
magnanimous sovereign bestowed the whole kingdom on the
assisting priests.
Then the holy brahmins addressed that sinless monarch,
saying : " O Lord of Men, we are not able to protect, defend
and administer this vast empire, for we have dedicated ourselves
to holy study. Therefore, O Great King, we render back these
lands to thee, grant us in return some lesser gift, be it gems,
gold or coins to help us in our hermitages."
Thus addressed by the learned brahmins, the king bestowed
on them a hundred million pieces of gold, and four hundred
million silver coins. Then the assisting priests placed all the
king's gifts before the holy sages, Vasishtha and Rishyasringa
and begged them to distribute them.
Each one received his just share and the priests were highly
pleased and well satisfied. The king gave away gold coins
to those who had come to witness the sacrifice and ten million
gold coins were bestowed on other brahmins present at that time.
A needy mendicant begged for the diamond studded bracelet
worn by the king himself and it was freely bestowed on him.
Beholding the brahmins fully satisfied, King Dasaratha with
great gladness made obeisance to them again and again.
The twice-born then bestowed their blessings on the king
who was exceedingly liberal and valorous and who saluted them
by prostrating himself on the earth.
Thus ended the great sacrifice, the means of destroying sin
and attaining heaven and scarcely to be accomplished by other
monarchs.
1 Dakshina. Gifts of charity given at the conclusion of a ceremony,
35
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then the king addressed Rishyasringa and said : " O Thou
of great and virtuous resolve, tell me what further must be done
by me to be blessed with an heir ? "
The Sage Rishyasringa replied : " O King, thou shalt be
blessed with four sons, who will perpetuate the royal line."
CHAPTER 15
To destroy Ravana, Shri Vishnu resolves to incarnate
The wise Rishyasringa, versed in the Scriptures, meditated for
a while and then spoke to King Dasaratha saying : —
" O King, I will perform the sacrifice Puttatresti,1 spoken of
in the Atharva Veda, which will assist thee in thy endeavour
to obtain a son."
Then the sage inaugurated the sacrifice and poured oblations
into the sacred fire accompanied by the chant of Vedic mantras.
The celestial beings, gandharvas, siddhas* and sages assembled
to obtain their portion of the sacrifice. After the sacrifice,
they all approached Shri Brahma, the Lord of mankind and
with joined palms addressed him : —
They said : " O Blessed Lord, having been favoured by thee,
the Asura Havana, perpetually troubles us who are helpless,
since thou hast granted great boons to him and we are forced
to bear his fearful oppression,
" This Lord of Rakshasas has persecuted the three worlds
and having overthrown the guardians of the earth, he has even
humbled Indra himself. Provoking the sages, contemplativcs,
brahmins and the gods, he even controls the sun's rays and
the wind's power, even the ocean in his presence is still. At
his approach, O Blessed Lord, we are terrified. O Giver of
Boons, be pleased to bring about his destruction."
Hearing these words, Brahma reflected for a while and
1 Puttatresti. The sacrifice to extend the race by having sons.
1 Siddha*. Semi-divine beings that dwell in the region between the earth
and the sun.
3«
BALA KANDA
answered : " I have devised a plan for slaying this wicked tyrant.
It was granted to Ravana that no gandharva, yaksha or deva
should be able to slay him, but thinking man to be of no account,
he did not ask to be made invulnerable in regard to him;
therefore, none but man can destroy him."
These words, uttered by Shri Brahma rilled the celestial and
other beings with joy.
At this time the immortal Vishnu, with conch, disc and mace,
the Overlord of the whole world, clad in a yellow robe, appeared
at that place. Adored by the gods, he drew near and took
bis seat by Shri Brahma, then all the gods addressed him
" O Madhusudana1, for the good of all beings, we entreat
Thee, to be born as heir to the supremely righteous, charitable
and illustrious Sage Dasaratha. Appear, O Lord, in the form
of four sons to the three consorts of that great king. Descending
into a human body, do thou slay Ravana, the scourge of the
universe, whom we are unable to destroy. That ignorant
Ravana, by his power, afflicts the devas, siddhas and sages.
0 Lord, that wicked asura, sporting in the garden of Indra,
has slain countless nymphs and gandharvas. In company with
the sages, we approach Thee so that we may be released from
this oppression. We take refuge in Thee, Thou art our only
asylum ] O Lord, we beseech Thee to take birth as man in
order to destroy the enemy of men and gods."
Thus did the gods appeal to Shri Vishnu and He, adored
by the world, answered them who had taken refuge in Him : —
" O Devas, fear no more, peace be with you. For your sake,
1 will destroy Ravana, together with his sons, grandsons,
counsellors, friends and relatives. Having slain that cruel and
wicked asura, the cause of fear to iht divine sages, I will rule
in the world of mortals for eleven thousand years."
Thus did Shri Vishnu grant a boon to the gods, and then
reflected as to where on the earth he should take birth as man.
Then the lotus-eyed Lord resolved to become incarnate as
the four sons of King Dasaratha.
The celestial sages* the heavenly musicians and the nymphs
1 Madbuaudana. Slayer of Madhu. (A demon.)
37
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
praised the Lord saying : " O Universal Sovereign, destroy the
wicked asura, who is arrogant, powerful and vain, the enemy
of Indra and the scourge of the ascetics and pious men, one
who strikes terror into every heart, causing universal lamentation.
" Destroy, O Lord, this mighty being, together with his army,
generals, relatives, friends and followers, remove the cause of
the world's woe and then return to thy perfect abode."
chapter i 6
He decides to incarnate as the four sons of King Dasaratka
The Omniscient Lord, Shri Narayana,1 listened to the praise
offered by the gods and honouring them, uttered words of
pleasing import to them.
He said : " O Devas, by what means may the King of the
Asuras be slain, that thorn in the side of holy men ? "
The gods with one accord answered the imperishable Lord,
crying : " Do Thou become incarnate in the form of man and
slay him in open fight. O Conqueror of Thy foes, Ravana
has long practised austerities, by means of which he has won
the favour of the world-revered Brahma. That deity has
granted him a boon, by which he is rendered invulnerable to all
but man. Considering man of no account, he does not fear
him. The boon bestowed on him by Shri Brahma has made
him arrogant and he is bringing destruction to the three worlds
and carrying off women by violence. Therefore, O Lord, man
alone can bring about his death."
Hearing the words of the gods, Shri Vishnu resolved to choose
King Dasaratha as his sire.
At that time, the illustrious King Dasaratha, the slayer of his
foes, began to observe the sacrifice in order to obtain an heir.
Shri Vishnu, having formed his resolution to appear in human
form and concluded his deliberations with Shri Brahma,
vanished.
1 Narayana. A name of Shri Vishnu, " He whose abode is the water ".
38
BALA KANDA
Forthwith there issued from King Dasaratha's sacrificial fire
to the sound resembling the beating of a drum, a great Being
of limitless splendour, of glowing countenance, clad in red and
hairy as a lion. Bearing auspicious marks and adorned with
beautiful ornaments, his height was equal to the peak of a
mountain. Striding boldly like a lion, his form shone as fire.
In both hands he carried, as would a beloved spouse, a vessel
of gold, with a silver cover, filled with payasa.1
This great Being addressed the king saying : " O King, I
come from Prajapati.* The king bowing down with joined
palms, answered : " Thou art welcome, O Lord, what orders
hast thou for me ? "
Then the Being replied : "Receive the fruit of thy sacrifice !
O Chief of Men, accept this dish of payasa prepared by the gods,
it will bring thee sons and increase thy power. Let it be eaten
by thy consorts, they will then present thee with the heirs for
whose sake thou hast performed the sacrifice."
The king received the food contained in the golden vessel
prepared by the gods and reverently raised it to his forehead.
Having received the divine repast, he rejoiced as a penniless man
on obtaining wealth.
Forthwith that wonderful and resplendent being vanished,
having offered the consecrated food to the king.
The tidings of this great event caused the consorts of King
Dasaratha extreme delight and they appeared as radiant as the
beams of the moon irradiating the autumnal sky.
Entering the private apartments, the king addressed Queen
Kaushalya, saying : " Receive this food and partake of it that
thou mayest have a son/'
Thereafter, the monarch gave half of the dish to Queen
Kaushalya and one-third to Queen Sumitra. Then he gave
the eighth of the payasa to Queen Kaikeyi and, after reflection,
the remainder to Queen Sumitra. In this way, the King divided
the dish of payasa among his three queens.
On partaking of the food, the beautiful queens were overjoyed
and considered themselves most fortunate.
Having consumed the payasa presented to them by the king,
1 Payasa. A special preparation of rice in milk,
1 Prajapati. A name of Brahma, the Creator.
39
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the queens soon became pregnant, their wombs glowing like
the fire in the sun.
The illustrious sqvereign perceiving that the wombs of his
consorts were quickened and that his great desire was about
to be fulfilled, was filled with supreme joy, as is Shri Vishnu
when worshipped by the gods and perfect beings in the celestial
region.
CHAPTER 17
To assist Shri Vishnu, celestial beings incarnate as warriors
of the monkey tribe
Shri Vishnu having become the sons1 of King Dasaratha, the
divine Brahma thus addressed the gods : " The blessed Lord
Vishnu, the Ocean of Truth is engaged in a just undertaking
for the good of all, you should therefore support Him by
becoming incarnate as great beings in the monkey tribe, skilled
in the arts of magic, swift as the wind, conversant with the
dictates of virtue, wise and equal in might to the Lord, invincible,
endowed with celestial bodies and skilful in the science of war-
fare. Some among you should assume the forms of nymphs,
gandharvas and female ascetics who will give birth to heroes
in the monkey tribe.
" In the past, when I yawned, the great bear, by the name
of Jambavan, issued from my mouth."
The gods thus instructed by the blessed Lord, caused warriors
to be born in the monkey tribe from the wombs of countless
celestial beings.
Indra created Bali, the Sun created Sugriva; Brihaspati
created the wise Tara, Kuvera begat Gandha-madana,1 Vishwa-
karma8 begat the mighty ape Nala, Agni begat Nila, who was
as resplendent as fire and in valour surpassed his rather.
1 Sons. The Lord was partially manifested is all the aons of King Daivatha.
* Gandha-madana. A general of the monkey allies of Rama.
* Viihwakarma. The architect of the god*.
BALA KANDA
The Aswini-Kumaras1 produced Minda and Dvivida ;
Varuna2 begat Sucbena ; Megha,8 was the father of Sharabha,
the mighty ; Favana4 begat the warrior called Hanuman, whose
body was as hard as a diamond and whose speed equalled an
eagle's ; he excelled all the other warriors in wisdom and
power.
There were thousands of warriors born in the monkey tribe
ready to destroy Ravana. All the bears, monkeys and chimpan-
zees resembled the god that had produced them in characteristics,
habits and prowess, and many were of outstanding valour. The
female chimpanzees and bears gave birth to great beings of
divine nature. They produced hundreds and thousands of
healthy progeny. These dwellers of the forest were imposing
in form and in strength and fearlessness resembled lions and
tigers. All were able to cleave rocks and mountains and fight
with their nails and teeth. Skilled in every kind of weapon,
they could shake great peaks, uproot the stoutest trees and by
their velocity even put the sea god to shame. Able to tear up
the earth with their feet and cause the ocean to overflow, they
could fly in the air and even seize the clouds.
These beings of the monkey tribe wandered in the woods,
making captive the elephants, and by their shouts causing the
birds in flight to fall to the ground. Thus were born millions
of monkeys, able to assume any form, together with hundreds
and thousands of monkey chiefs.
These chiefs begot other brave and powerful beings, some
of whom dwelt on the mountains while others inhabited the
valleys and forests.
The two brothers, Sugriva, the offspring of Surya,1 and Bali,
the son of India, became the leaders of all the monkeys. Others
lived under the command of group leaders, such as Nala, Nila
and Hanuman. They were as strong as eagles and skilled in
every sort of warfare.
Wandering about the forest, they slew lions, tigers and
1 Asvini-kumaras. Gods, ions of the tun, precursors of the dawn, also the
patrons of medicine.
■ Varuna. The Hindu Neptune.
• Megha. The Regent of the clouds,
' Pavana. Lord of the winds.
* Surya — the sua.
41
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
poisonous snakes. The powerful long-armed Bali protected
the monkeys, bears and chimpanzees by his prowess. These
heroes, invincible as mountains and of immense size, born
to assist Shri Rama, filled the earth.
chapter IS
King Dasaratha's sorts are born and grow to manhood
When the sacrifice of King Dasaratha had been brought to
a successful conclusion, the gods, receiving their due portions,
returned to their abode.
The king also, having fulfilled the obligations incurred by
his initiation, returned to the capital with his queens, servants,
army and vehicles.
The royal guests to whom due hospitality had been shown,
made obeisance to the Sage Vasishtha and returned to their
homes. When they departed, ornaments, apparel and gifts were
distributed to their armies who set out for their own cities
with joy.
King Dasaratha attended the departure of his guests and then
re-entered the capital in a procession preceded by the holy
brahmins.
Rishyasringa with bis wife Shanta then took leave of the
monarch and departed to his own city, King Dasaratha accom-
panying him for some distance. Then the king, expecting to
be blessed with an heir, dwelt happily in Ayodhya.
Six seasons after the completion of the sacrifice, in the twelfth
month, on the ninth day of the moon of Chaitramas, the star
Punarvasu was in the ascendant, and the planets, the Sun, Mars,
Saturn, Jupiter and Venus were exalted, and those signs of
the zodiac, such as the Ram, the Fishes, and the Scales in
auspicious aspects, the moon and Jupiter being in conjunction
at the period called Karka. Then the world-honoured Lord
of the World, endowed with divine attributes, Shri Ramachandra
was born of the womb of Kaushalya.
43
BALA KANDA
The Promoter of the glory of the House of Ikshwaku, the
blessed Lord Vishnu was born as a son of Queen Raushalya.
When this child of limitless splendour was bom, the queen
looked most beautiful, like Aditi of old, favoured by Indra.
The hero of the realm of truth, Bharata, was born of Queen
Kaikeyi. Possessed of every grace, he was endowed with a
quarter of the glory of Shri Vishnu.
Sumitra gave birth to Lakshmana and Shatrughna, heroes
skilful in the wielding of weapons and also partaking of Shri
Vishnu's glory.
Bharata was born when the star Pushya was in the ascendant
in the Lagna Meena.1 During the ascendance of the star
Shlasa in the Lagna Karka,* at the time of sunrise Shatrughna
was born.
Each of the sons of the king had special attributes and were
endowed with great qualities, they were as resplendent as the
Purva,3 Uttara* and Bhadripata* stars.
At that time gandharvas played divine melodies, nymphs
danced, celestial drums were heard and the gods showered
flowers from the sky.
Everywhere in the capital, signs of rejoicing were apparent ;
the streets were rilled with actors and dancers and those who
sang or played on various instruments.
The king gave gifts to the bards and ballad singers and
conferred wealth and cows on the brahmins.
The four children were named on the twelfth day ; the eldest
son received the name Ramachandra, and the name given to
the son of Queen Kaikeyi was Bharata.
The sons of Queen Sumitra were called Lakshmana and
Shatrughna. The ceremony was performed by the holy Sage
Vasishtha with great joy. After this, the brahmins of the capital
and the country were feasted and presented with gifts and
precious gems.
Resembling the deity Shri Brahma, the king showed universal
1 Lagna Meena — Pisces.
1 Lagna Karka — Cancer. Lagna is the point where the horizon and the path
of the planett meet.
• Purva— Star of the East.
* Uttara— Northern Star.
1 Bhadripata — One of the Lunar Asterisms.
43
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
benevolence. The princes grew in the knowledge of the Veda,
in courage and active goodwill to all. Though each was wise,
learned and possessed of every virtue, yet Shri Ramachandra
excelled them in truthfulness and energy, and was beloved of all,
like the flawless orb of the moon. Expert in mounting the
elephant, the horse and the chariot, he was skilful in archery
and devoted to the service of his parents.
Shri Lakshmana cherished an exceeding love for his elder
brother Shri Ramachandra, the delight of the world, and Shri
Rama loved him also as his very self. Shri Ramachandra loved
Lakshmana who was endowed with every excellent quality, as
his own life, and neither slept nor partook of any nourishment
without the other.
When Raghava mounted on horseback, engaged in the chase,
Shri Lakshmana followed with bow and arrows to protect
him.
Emulating the example of Shri Ramachandra, Bharata loved
Shatrughna and was loved by him with equal affection.
The monarch was as pleased and satisfied with his four sons
as is Shri Brahma with the four Vedas. Observing the wisdom,
prudence and modesty of his children, who were endowed with
every great attribute, King Dasaratha derived as great a delight
from them as Brahma from the four guardians of the earth.
The princes studied the Veda with perseverance, affectionately
attended on the king and acquired proficiency in the use of arms.
One day when the illustrious sovereign was in council with
his relatives, ministers, and learned preceptors, deliberating on
the marriage of his four sons, the great Sage Vishwamitra
appeared in the capital. Seeking an audience with the king,
he addressed the doorkeeper, saying : " Inform the king speedily
that the son of Gadhi of the race of Kaushika is at the gate."
The awe-stricken guard hastened to the royal apartment and
conveyed the tidings with due respect to his majesty, who with
his Guru Vasishtha went forth to welcome the sage at the gate
and bring him into the royal palace.
As Brahma welcomes Indra, so did they greet the muni, and
beholding that resplendent and mighty ascetic, the observer of
great vows, of cheerful countenance, the king offered him arghya
according to the prescribed tradition.
BALA KANDA
The virtuous Vishwamitra then enquired of the king concern-
ing the welfare of the empire, the prosperity of his people,
relatives and friends and also as to the state of the royal treasury.
Thereafter, the sage questioned the monarch further, saying :
"Are thy vassals obedient to thee ? Are thine enemies subdued ?
Are the Vedic sacrifices duly observed in thy dominion ? Are
strangers entertained with fitting hospitality?" Then after
enquiring as to the well-being of Shri Vasishtha and other sages,
Shri Vishwamitra entered the palace.
Here the king once more paid him reverence and with delight
addressed him saying : " O August Sage, thy coming has caused
me as great a joy as the acquisition of ambrosia or the advent
of rain falling on the parched earth. O Sage, thy approach
is as grateful to me as the birth of a son to one without an heir
or the recovery of his wealth to one who imagined it to be
irretrievably lost. O Mighty Sage, I welcome thee with my
whole heart, say what commands thou hast for me ? When
thy glance doth fall upon me, O Sage, I become righteous and
acquire merit; to-day my life is rendered fruitful and the
purpose of my birth is accomplished since thou hast visited
me. O Auspicious One, formerly thou wast a warrior sage,
illustrious by virtue of thy sacred practices, but now thou art
become a brahmin1 and art worthy of supreme worship by me.
Thine advent has conferred purity and blessing on me, and by thy
sacred presence both the kingdom and I have been purged of
every offence. Be pleased to tell us of the purpose of thy coming,
I desire to manifest my gratitude to thee by rendering
thee service. O Kaushika, do not hesitate to speak thy will,
I am ready to do anything for thee ; thou art to me as a god.
O Brahman Seer, by beholding thee, I have acquired the great
merits of a pilgrimage."
Hearing the words of King Dasaratha, sweet sounding and
in accordance with the scriptural injunctions, the great sage,
the repository of all excellent qualities, was highly gratified.
1 Vishwamitra was originally of the warrior class and won brahminhood
by his asceticism. His story follows later.
45
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 19
Vi$hwamitra*s request
Hearing the laudatory and admirable words of that Lion among
kings, Dasaratha, the great Sage Vishwamitra answered : " O
Great King, who in the world save one of the House of
Ikshwaku, instructed by Shri Vasishtha, could give tongue to
such utterances ? O Illustrious Monarch, I will now unfold my
purpose, do thou fulfil it and prove the truth of thy words.
** O Chief of Men, when I undertake the observance of sacred
sacrifices to enhance my perfection, two rakshasas, adepts in
magic, create great impediments. When, after long effort, the
sacrifice approaches consummation, then these two rakshasas,
Maricha and Suvahu destroy the rite and defile the altar with
blood and flesh. My holy endeavours being thus frustrated,
I become despondent and leave the place of sacrifice. O King,
it is not permitted to me to show wrath when engaged in sacrifice,
and I therefore refrain from cursing them. Do thou lend me
the services of thy son, Shri Ramachandra, the truthful, the
brave, that hero, whose locks fall on his cheeks.
" Under my protection, he will destroy those mischievous
rakshasas and I will confer great blessings on him. I will
instruct him for his good in many sciences and he will become
famous in the three worlds. The rakshasas will not be able
to stand against Rama and no one else can destroy them. They
are proud and powerful, but now, owing to their sins, their
destruction is imminent, they will not be able to withstand Shri
Ramachandra,
" Do not allow a father's affection to overcome thee ; I assure
thee that in the presence of Shri Ramachandra, the rakshasas
are as good as slain. Rama's virtues are known to Shri Vasishtha
and other ascetics. O King, if thou seekest everlasting renown
and merit in this world, then let Shri Rama go with me. Seek
the advice of Shri Vasishtha and thy counsellors and if they
approve the project, give me Ramachandra. Be pleased, O
King, to give up thy beloved son for the space of ten days,
so that I may complete the sacrifice. O King, help me in
46
BALA KANDA
furthering my sacrifice, and do not let the allotted time pass
in vain. Do what is auspicious, do not grieve."
The upright and resplendent Sage Vishwamitra having uttered
these righteous words, became silent.
The words of Shri Vishwamitra filled the king with anxiety
and he became distraught. Because of these inexorable words,
the monarch trembled and fell unconscious from his seat
overcome with grief.
CHAPTER 20
The king's reluctance to allow Shri Rama to contend with
Markka and Suvahu
For some rime the king lay insensible, then regaining conscious-
ness he said : " My lotus-eyed Rama is but fifteen years old,
I cannot believe he is capable of contending with the rakshasas.
I possess a large and well-equipped army and will myself lead it
against the demons. My seasoned warriors, who are courageous
and skilled in bearing weapons and who are suitably remunerated
by me, are fit to fight the rakshasas in battle ; therefore, do not
ask for Rama. I myself, bearing my bow and arrows, will lead
the army in the field and fight to my last breath. With this
protection, thy sacrifice will come to a successful conclusion.
I will go thither in person, do not take away Shri Ramachandra.
Shri Rama is still a child without military experience, he cannot
estimate the strength or weakness of the enemy, he has not yet
acquired proficiency in warfare.
" Thou knowest well, O Sage, how crafty are the rakshasas
in combat. Shri Ramachandra is not capable of opposing them
successfully. I cannot bear the thought of Ramachandra
contending with them. O Sage, I shall not live, even for a
moment, if Shri Rama be separated from me, therefore, I entreat
thee, do not ask for him. Should'st thou insist on Rama
accompanying thee, then take my forces also with thee. O
August Vishwamitra, recollect I pray thee that I am now nine
47 E
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thousand years old and have begotten these sons with great
difficulty. These princes are dearer to me than life itself and
Shri Ramachandra is the dearest of them all. Excelling in virtue,
he is my eldest son, therefore, do not take him from me. O
Great Sage, how powerful are these rakshasas ? Who are their
supporters and how dost thou imagine Shri Rama can destroy
them ? O Blessed Lord, say if thou deemestthat I and my army
may successfully oppose those rakshasas who are skilled in magic ?"
Shri Vishwamitra answered : " O King, Ravana, born of the
great family of Poulastya, having been favoured by Brahma
with a boon, is oppressing the three worlds. He is exceedingly
powerful and supported by many asuric followers. It is said
that this great warrior Ravana is the King of Asuras. He is
the brother of Kuvera and the son of the Sage Vishravas. He
does not obstruct the lesser sacrifices in person, but two mighty
rakshasas named Maricha and Suvahu, prompted by him, dis-
rupt the sacrificial rites."
The king listened to the muni's words and then spoke : " I
am not able to oppose that evil-souled asura. O Knower of
the Law of Righteousness, I am but a wretched man and thou
art worthy of my worship ; thou art verily a god and also
my spiritual preceptor. Since the gods, the danavas, gand-
harvas, yakshas, birds and snakes cannot destroy Ravana, how
can man do so ? In battle, Ravana is able to defeat the mightiest
warriors, it is certain therefore, that neither I nor my army
can#ontend with him. How can I then send my son, beautiful
as a god, but inexperienced in war, to oppose Ravana ? O Sage,
I will not let my young child go. Lavana, the son of Madhu
is among those who destroy the sacrifice. I will not give up
my son. The sons of Sunda and Upasunda, Maricha and
Suvahu, who resemble death itself in battle, are among those
who impede the sacrifice. They are skilful and seasoned
warriors, I dare not send my young son against them. Whoever
thou chooseth, friends, relatives or even I myself will accompany
thee to engage in the fight."
On hearing the king's injudicious words, the holy sage was
enraged. As an oblation poured into the fire adds to the
fierceness of the flame, so did the words of King Dasaratha
add to the fire of anger kindled in the sage's heart.
48
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 21
On Vasishtha's advice the king acquiesces
Hearing the words of King Dasaratha inspired by solicitude
for his son, the great sage replied in displeasure : —
" O King, recollect that thou art born in the house of Raghu,
how can'st thou presume to break thy promise ? This action
is unworthy of thy royal line and is also improper. If this be
thy determined desire, I will take my leave, do thou live at ease
amidst thy relatives and friends, O Violater of thy Word ! "
At the wrath of the august sage, the whole earth shook and
the gods began to tremble. Seeing the whole world shaken
with terror, the wise and patient muni Shri Vasishtha intervened,
and thus addressed the king : —
" O King, thou art born in the family of Ikshwaku and art
righteousness personified ! Blessed by fortune, filled with
patience and endurance, thou hast cherished great vows and
should'st not, therefore, abandon dharma.1 The three worlds
know thee as virtuous, it is thy duty to maintain integrity and
not to act in contradiction to it. O Chief of Men, if one making
a promise does not honour it, he loses the merit of his good
deeds. It is, therefore, for thee to be faithful to thy word
and let Rama accompany this sage. Though Shri Ramachandra
is inexperienced in warfare, yet the asuras will not be able to
overcome him. Furthermore, he is under the protection of
Shri Vishwamitra and no harm can come to him. How can one
steal the nectar that is surrounded by fire ? The holy Vish-
wamitra is virtue itself, his powers are unsurpassed, and there
is none living equal to him in wisdom and asceticism. In the
whole world of men and other beings, none excels him in the
use of weapons and none has fathomed the depth of his nature.
Neither the celestials, nor the sages, nor the asuras, nor any
other beings know the full glory of this sage. The god
Krishasawa and his highly virtuous sons gave every variety
of weapon to Vishwamitra when he was king. The two daughters
1 Dharma — The traditional right action is dharma — personal action is duty.
It has been thought best to translate it as righteousness in most cases.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of Daksha, Jaya and Suprabha invented thousands of resplendent
weapons. Shri Vishwamitra is not one, but many in one form ;
he is illustrious, mighty and able to defeat any in battle. Jaya
produced five hundred weapons supremely potent and capable
of destroying a host of asuras. Suprabha also created five
hundred weapons of war which no foe in the world could
withstand. Shri Vishwamitra is an adept in the use of all these
arms, O King, he is also able to create many new weapons
and there is nothing in the three divisions of time1 which is
not known to him. Do not hesitate to send thy son Rama
with this mighty and courageous sage, Shri Vishwamitra, and
do not entertain any fears for his safety. The Sage Vishwamitra
is well able to destroy the demons, but asks for the services
of thy son for his own good."
The Guru Vasishtha having thus exhorted the monarch, the
king cheerfully acquiesced to Shri Ratnachandra accompanying
the sage.
CHAPTER 22
Ramackandra and Lakshmana set forth with Vishwamitra
Instructed by Shri Vasishtha, King Dasaratha with a cheerful
countenance sent for Prince Rama and also Prince Lakshmana.
At the time of their departure, the Peace Chant was recited
by the king, whilst the Guru Vasishtha pronounced the benedic-
tion. The illustrious sovereign then smelt the heads8 of his
sons with joy and delivered them into the care of the sage.
When the lotus-eyed Ramachandra and Prince Lakshmana
had taken their leave, Vayu3 sent forth cool and gentle breezes
redolent with fragrance and the celestial beings showered down
flowers, to the sound of the beating of drums and the blowing
of conches.
1 Past, present and future.
* The traditional embrace.
■ Vayu — The god of the wind.
BALA KANDA
Shri Vishwamitra led the way followed by the most illustrious
Ramachandra, then came Shri Lakshmana of flowing locks,
bearing a bow in his hand.
The two handsome and powerful princes with quivers on
their backs and bows in their hands, adding lustre to the ten
cardinal points, followed the muni as if two three-headed snakes1
were following Shri Vishwamitra or as the Aswinikumaras and
Kinneras follow Brahma.
Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana, armed with their bows,
adorned with precious jewels and wearing gloves made of
deerskin, resplendent and beautiful, girt with swords, following
the holy sage, looked like the two sons of Shiva.
Coming to the river Sarayu, nine miles to the south of the
capital, the Sage Vishwamitra addressed Shri Rama in gentle
accents, saying : " O Child, purify thy body with water. When
thou hast done so, I will teach thee the use of Bala and Atibala.
The application of these two herbs will prevent thee from being
fatigued or suffering from disease, nor will age affect thee.
Even should'st thou retire to rest without performing the
purification ceremony no demon will be able to afflict thee ;
none in the world will equal thee in prowess. O Rama, no one
in the three worlds will rival thee in good fortune, skill,
knowledge and practical wisdom. O Prince, when thou hast
learnt these sciences, thou wilt be able to answer any question
and thou wilt be unique in scholarship. These two sciences,
O Rama, are the parents of all other sciences. Thou wilt be
able to control hunger and thirst by their application. O Prince
of the House of Raghu, by the mastery of this lore, Bala and
Atibala, thou wilt attain renown throughout the whole world.
These brilliant sciences are the daughters of Brahma, I shall
impart them to thee, O Prince, because thou art qualified to
receive them. O Rama, all the fruits of this knowledge are
already thy attributes, yet when thou hast mastered it, thou
wilt be able to teach it to others."
Shri Ramachandra then poured the water over his body and
with a cheerful countenance said to the Sage Vishwamitra : —
" O Great Rishi, I am thy servant, teach me these sciences."
1 The bow on one shoulder, the quiver on the other with the head between
gave the appearance of a three-headed snake.
5"
THE RAMAYAMA OF VALMIKI
Possessed of the knowledge of these two sciences, the mighty
Rama resembled the sun in autumn, emitting a thousand rays.
Then the two brothers massaged the feet of the holy Guru
and passed the night pleasantly on the banks of the river Sarayu.
Shri Rama being unaccustomed to sleeping on the ground,
the two sons of King Dasaratha made a bed of grass, then
having listened to the gentle words of Shri Vishwamitra, they
passed the night in sleep.
chapter 23
They reach the hermitage of Kama
A little before dawn, the great Muni Vishwaroitra, reclining
on his grassy couch, addressed the princes, saying : " O Son
of Queen Kaushalya, O Rama, the dawn is about to break,
arise and perform thy morning devotions."
The two princes, hearing the words of the most generous sage,
rose, performed their ablutions, offered ceremonial water to the
rising sun, worshipped their ancestors and began to repeat
the holy Gayatri.1 Their devotions completed, they offered
salutations with great reverence to the distinguished ascetic and
stood ready to proceed further.
In their company, the holy sage reached the confluence of
the rivers where the Ganges unites herself with the Sarayu.
There they beheld the holy ascetics in their sacred hermitage,
where for a long time they had practised Yoga assiduously.
Seeing the peaceful hermitage, Shri Ramachandra and
Lakshmana were filled with delight and said to the Sage
Vishwamitra : " O Blessed Lord, whose holy hermitage is this ?
Who dwells here ? We are both eager to hear of this."
The great sage smiled and answered Rama, saying : " Hear,
my son, I will tell thee who formerly dwelt here. Kandarpa,1
1 The Gayatri — Said to be the mother of all prayers, the moM sacred text
of the Veda.
1 Kandarpa — The god of love.
52
BALA KANOA
whom the pundits called Kama once took human form and
fixed in meditation, worshipped the Lord Shiva here. When
Shri Shiva was passing with his newly-wedded bride, accom-
panied by celestial beings, Kama tried to agitate the mind of
the Lord Shiva and reaped the due punishment of his insolence.
O Son of the House of Raghu, Shiva in wrath opened his third
eye and the members of Kama's body were consumed. Since
Kama was reduced to ashes by the God, he has been a dis-
embodied being. O Rama, since that time, he has been known
as Ananga (bodiless) and the country where his limbs were
strewn as he sought to flee, is known as Anga. This hermit-
age belongs to the Lord Shiva and the holy men who dwell
here are his traditional devotees : they are both righteous and
sinless. O Rama, Thou of pleasing looks, this night I shall
break my journey at this hermitage and to-morrow we shall
cross the sacred river and proceed further. O Rama, let us
first purify ourselves by bathing and then recite the holy Gayatri
silently, offering oblations into the sacred tire, we will thereafter
pass the night in the hermitage."
While Shri Rama and the sage were conversing, the holy
ascetics dwelling in the hermitage, knew by the power of their
Yoga, that these great beings were approaching and were highly
gratified.
Having presented arghya to Shri Vishwamitra, they then
offered hospitality to Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana.
Entertained by those dwelling in the hermitage who regaled
them with the holy traditions and philosophical discourses,
they remained there for their evening devotion and with great
delight abode in the hermitage of Kama, the devout sages
gathering round Shri Vishwamitra who engaged them in
pleasing converse.
53
THE RAA4AYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 24
The two primes with Vishwamitra behold the dark forest
of Taraka
When the day dawned, the two princes performed their daily
devotions and followed Shri Vishwamitra to the river.
The keepers of sacred vows, the dwellers in the holy hermitage
accompanied them to the river bank and arranged for an
excellent boat to take them across ; they said to Shri
Vishwamitra : —
" O Great Rishi, do not delay, please board the vessel with
the royal princes, now, and thus avoid the heat of the day."
Shri Vishwamitra paid reverence to the devout sages and
proceeded to cross the sacred river. When the craft was in
mid-stream, the roar of the waters was heard by Shri Rama-
chandra and his younger brother. They questioned the holy
sage, saying : " O Venerable Lord, what is the cause of this
tumult ? "
In answer to Shri Ramachandra, Shri Vishwamitra described
the cause of the sound in the following manner : —
" O Prince, on Mount Kailasha,1 Shri Brahma created a lake
by the power of his thought, on account of which it is called
the lake of the Mind (Manasarovara). The holy river Sarayu
rises in the Manasa Lake and flows through the capital Ayodhya,
here it joins the sacred stream Gunga, and this sound is pro-
duced when the two rivers unite. With concentrated mind,
offer salutations to them."
The two royal princes made obeisance to the rivers, and
having reached the southern bank, left the boat and proceeded
onward. Walking further, the two princes beheld a dark and
terrible forest and Shri Ramachandra again addressed the Sage
as follows : " O Great Sage, this forest looks dark and sinister ;
above the ceaseless clamour of crickets and other insects, fearful
beasts can be heard roaring. The forest resounds with their
dread cries while the harsh and discordant notes of birds echo
1 Mt. Kailasha— The abode of Lord Shiva.
54
BALA KANDA
through it. See, O Sage ! Boars, lions, tigers and elephants
abound there, it is overgrown with dhara, ashwakarna, kujaja,
patala, sillea and tinduka trees,1 it is indeed terrifying."
The highly resplendent Sage Vishwamitra hearing these words,
said : " My son, I will tell thee something of this dark forest.
Formerly there were two cities named Malava and Karusha, they
were both prosperous and resembled the cities built by the gods.
O Rama, in ancient times, Indra slew the wicked Vritrasura
then, being hungry and thirsty, he went to an inauspicious
and isolated place where he became distressed on account of
the sin of having slain a brahmin. The gods and holy sages
bathed Indra in the sacred waters of the Ganges, and purged
away his sin by pouring jars of water charged with mantrams
over him. In this way, the remorse of Indra was appeased,
the pollution caused by slaying a brahmin was washed away
and he was highly gratified. Purified and sinless, Indra gladly
conferred a boon on this land saying : ' These two cities will
be known as Malava and Karusha and they will acquire great
renown, their prosperity will be famed throughout the earth.'
" When Indra thus favoured these two cities, the celestial
beings praised him and cried : * Be it so.' These two places
soon enjoyed great prosperity and fame. In the course of time,
a perverse yakshini1 was born here, possessing the strength of
a thousand elephants. Her name was Taraka, the wife of Sunda,
and her son was the rakshasa, Maricha, who was equal in strength
to Indra himself. He possessed long arms, an enormous mouth,
and a gigiantic body. This terrible rakshasa continually destroys
the people of these two lands.
" O Rama, the wicked Taraka constantly plunders and
devastates these two countries. Obstructing the road, she lives
at two miles distance from here; let us enter the forest of
Taraka. By my command, O Rama, do thou slay the wicked
yakshini and set the country free. O Rama, none dares to
come hither for fear of Taraka; save this land from the
dangerous demoness. This is why this forest is uninhabited,
but thou can'st restore it. This wicked yakshini is unceasingly
bent on her evil designs."
1 See separate glossary of Flowers and Trees.
* Yakshini — a female yaksha, a class of supernatural beings attendant on
the god of wealth, Kuvera.
55
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 25
Vishwamitra seeks to convince Rama that it is his duty
to slay Taraka
Hearing the words of Shri Vishwamitra, Shri Rama of limitless
power and influence uttered the following auspicious words : —
" O Great Sage, it is said that the yakshinis have little power,
then how is it that Taraka has come to possess the strength
of a thousand elephants ? "
The mahatma listened to Rama's words and said : " O Prince,
I will relate the story to thee. This female demon has acquired
her great strength by virtue of a boon which she received.
In the past, a powerful yaksha by the name of Suketu, who was
virtuous but childless, performed many yogic practices which
pleased Shri Brahma, who promised him a daughter by name
Taraka, and conferred on her the strength of a thousand
elephants. But the most illustrious Brahma did not grant a son
to that yaksha. When the daughter grew up and possessed
both the charm of youth and great beauty, her father gave her
in marriage to Sunda, the son of Jambha. After some time,
the yakshini gave birth to a son. His name was Marietta and he
was very powerful ; though born of yaksha parentage he became
a rakshasa through a curse. O Rama, when the Sage Agastya
condemned Sunda to death by cursing him, then Taraka and
her son wished to devour the sage. Seeing her running towards
him, the blessed Sage Agastya cursed Maricha and said ' Become
a demon '. He also cursed that wicked woman so that she
became a cannibal with a hideous countenance. Shri Agastya
said : * May thy beauty vanish and mayest thou become a
terrible rakshasi.' Then Taraka, transported with anger under
this curse, began to destroy this sacred land because it was here
that the Sage Agastya performed his yogic practices.
" O Rama, thou must slay this wicked and impious demon
Taraka, who ravages the land. For the good of the brahmins
and the king, O Raghava, accomplish this ; do not hesitate
to destroy this vile yakshini. It is the duty of a warrior to
protect those of the four castes. A prince must not eschew
5«
BALA KANDA
deeds that are painful and difficult, for the preservation of his
people. It is according to the law of eternal dharma, O Rama,
that even deeds that appear ruthless, are permitted to those
appointed to protect their subjects. O Raghava, Taraka is
wholly evil, and therefore must be destroyed. It is said that
in the past Manthara, a daughter of King Virochana, was slain
by Indra because she was the cause of the destruction of others.
The blessed Lord Vishnu Himself slew the wife of the Sage
Bhrigu, devoted to her husband, and the mother of Shukra
because she was intent on killing Indra. Many other great-
souled princes of old also condemned wicked women to death.
Therefore, it is for thee to fulfil thy duty and slay this yakshini
without delay."
chapter 26
How the yakshini Taraka was slain
The son of Dasaratha, firm in his vows, listened to the inspiring
words of the Sage Vishwamitra, which filled him with ardour,
and with joined palms he humbly addressed him : —
" To fulfil the commands of my royal sire and to honour his
promise, I deem it my duty to act according to thy instructions
without hesitation. My father, the emperor, at the time of my
departure from Ayodhya bade me carry out thy injunctions
— O Muni, I shall honour them. I am prepared to execute
thy commands, O Rishi, because it will lead to the benefit
of the brahmins and the king, and will also bring happiness
to the people of this land."
Having spoken thus, Shri Rama grasped his bow and,
twanging the string, filled all the cardinal points with the sound.
The denizens of the forest were terrified, and Taraka was
overcome with helpless rage. Full of wrath that yakshini ran
in the direction from which the sound came and Shri Rama-
chandra beholding that gigantic and misshapen monster was
incensed and said to Lakshmana : " O Brother, behold this
57
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fearful yakshini of formidable size, whose very aspect would
strike terror into timorous hearts. See, O Lakshmana, how I
shall cut off her ears and nose and put her to flight ! She is
horrible, versed in black magic and hard to subdue, but it is
not proper to deprive a woman of her life. A woman is worthy
of protection, therefore, I shall incapacitate her, by depriving
her of the power of motion thus preventing her from doing
further mischief/*
While Shri Rama was still speaking, the dreadful Taraka ran to-
wards him roaring with uplifted arms. The Rishi Vishwamitra
approaching her encouraged Rama, with a shout, crying, " Jai
to the descendant of Raghu ". Notwithstanding, Taraka raised
a thick cloud of dust and for a while Shri Rama and Lakshmana
could see nothing. Then the yakshini by the power of magic
caused a shower of rocks to rain on the two brothers and Rama
was now filled with wrath. Parrying the rain of rocks and
advancing towards her, he cut off both her hands. Then Shri
Lakshmana severed the nose and ears of the asuri who had
already been deprived of her hands. Assuming various forms,
she tried to deceive the princes by vanishing away. Then from
her hiding place, she showered heavy rocks on them, and a rain
of stones fell on every side.
Shri Vishwamitra, who stood watching the combat, now cried :
" Enough, she does not deserve further mercy ; should'st thou
spare her, she will gain strength through her magic powers
and will again break up our holy rites. The evening is
approaching and in the evening rakshasas are overcome with
difficulty ; slay her, therefore, without delay."
Then Shri Vishwamitra pointed out the concealed yakshini
to Rama, who drew from his quiver arrows capable of following
sound and surrounded her with them. The powerful female
demon, an adept in occult powers, encompassed by the rain
of arrows, advanced roaring, towards the princes. With an
arrow, Shri Rama pierced the heart of the wicked yakshini,
who fell to the ground and expired. Seeing the terrible yakshini
slain, Indra and other celestial beings worshipped Shri Rama,
crying : " Well done, well done, O Holy Rama ! " All the gods
filled with joy, said to Shri Vishwamitra : " O Muni, may
prosperity attend thee, Indra and the gods are gratified with
5»
BALA KANDA
Shri Ramachandra's feat of arms, show thy special favour to him
and deliver to him the two kinds of weapons, natural and super-
natural, belonging to Krishashwa. Present Shri Ramachandra,
who is worthy to receive them, with all the other mighty
weapons, he is wholly devoted to thee ; these two princes are
destined to achieve great things."
Having uttered these words, the gods bowed down to the
Sage Vishwamitra and returned to their abode.
Evening fell, and the holy sage gladdened by the slaying of
the wicked Taraka by Shri Rama, smelt the head of the prince
and addressed him thus : " O Rama, this night we will remain
here and to-morrow morning proceed to my hermitage."
Shri Rama rejoiced to hear the muni's words and rested happily
during the night in the forest.
On the day that Taraka was slain, the forest, freed from
the curse, adorned with champaka,1 ashoka,1 mango and other
trees, looked as charming as the forest of Chitraratha.2
Shri Ramachandra, whom the siddhas praised for slaying
Taraka, passed the night in the forest, awaiting the dawn.
CHAPTER 27
Shi Rama is given the celestial weapons
Having passed the night resting in the forest, the illustrious
Sage Vishwamitra spoke to Rama smilingly, in sweet accents : —
" O Prince of Great Renown, I am entirely satisfied with thee
and am happy to give thee these weapons by means of which
thou shalt be able to conquer and subdue all thine enemies,
whether devas, asuras or nagas.8 Accept these divine weapons,4
O Rama. Here is the great celestial disc and the Dunda weapon,
1 Champaka — a type of magnolia. \ For full list of trees
Ashoka — a tree resembling the coconut. J lee separate glossary,
* Chitraratha — The king ofthe gandharvas, q.v. page 3.
■ Nagas— The serpent race.
* Weapons — for full list see separate glossary.
59
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the Disc of Dharma, the Kala weapon, the Disc of Vishnu and
the irresistible Weapon of Indra. 0 Great Prince, here is the
Mace and the Spear of Mahendra the Brahma- Shira and the
Ishika. O Mighty-armed One, take the Shankara weapon and
the two great maces Koumoduki and Lohitamukhi. O Great
Prince receive also the mighty Dharma-pasha, the Kala-pasha
and the Varuna-pasha and two other maces called Shoshka and
Ashani ; the Pinaka weapon, the Narayana weapon and the
fire-emitting weapon Agneya.
" O Rama, take this wind weapon, Vayuvya, and the horse-
headed weapon, Hayashira, also the Krauncha weapon. I give
thee further two powers and the weapons called Kankala,
Mushala, Rapala and Kinkini. O Mighty Prince, I confer on
thee the two supernatural weapons named Vidyadhara and
Nandana, useful in fighting the Asuras.
" Take this jewel among swords, which I give to thee, O
Mighty-armed One, and another supernatural weapon named
Gandharva, and here, O Rama, is one very dear to me called
Manava. Here are Prashaman, Soura, Praswaprana, Darpana
and that which has the power of drying up, and the pain-
inflicting weapon causing lamentation. I grant thee also the
strength to bear the Madana-astra presented to me by Kandarpa
which creates in man unbearable sexual desire so that he is
unable to fight. Here also is the Paisha-astra and the Mohan-
astra.
" O ! Illustrious Prince, receive also the weapon that produces
inertia, and the great Saumana weapon. O Great Prince, here
are the Samvartta, Moushalya, Sattyastra and Mayadhara, and
take the Tajaprabha by means of which the strength and courage
of the foe are withdrawn, and also the Shishira which chills and
the Somastra and Twashtra.
" 0 Rama, now thou art all-powerful and knowest the secrets
of magic, yet take the Bava, Shitesu and Manava astra also.
O Prince, receive the Paramodara-astra, take all these weapons
from me."
Then the great Visbwamitra turned his face to the east and
performed the purificatory rites with joy, conferring on Rama
the mantrams1 for employing the weapons and instructing him
1 Mantraraa — sacred formulas.
60
BALA KANDA
in the methods unknown even to the gods. All these weapons
did Shri Vishwamitra confei on Rama, and he, repeating the
appropriate mantrams, caused their presiding deities to appear
before him. Approaching with joined palms, they said : " O
Prince of the House of Raghu, we are thy servants and will obey
thy behests."
Shri Rama, having surveyed and blessed them, answered :
" Come and serve me when I summon you."
Thereafter, Shri Ramachandra offering salutations to the
venerable Sage Vishwamitra, said : " Let us proceed further,
my Lord."
chapter 28
He is instructed in their use
Having received the weapons and instructions for their use,
Shri Rama addressed the sage in charming accents as they
proceeded onward.
He said : " O Blessed One, by thy grace, I have received
weapons which even the devas and asuras cannot easily obtain.
Be pleased to tell me further, how I may withdraw these weapons
when they are discharged ? "
Then the supremely patient and holy sage taught Shri
Ramachandra the method of withdrawing the mantra-propelled
weapons and gave him more by the name of Satya-vana,
Satya-kirti, Dhrishta, Raphasa, Fratiharatara, Parangmukha,
Avangmukha, Lakshya, Alakshya, Drirnabha and Sunabhuka,
Dasharsha, Shutavaktra, Dasha-shirsha, Shatodara, Dharma-
nabha and Maha-nabha, Dunda-nabha and Swanabhuka,
Jyotisha and Shakuna and the two weapons Nirashya and
Vimala, also the Yogandhara and Vinidra, Ditya and Praman-
thana, Shuchivahu, Mahavanu, Nishkali, Virucha, Sarchi-mali
Dhrio' and Mali, Vrittiman and Ruchira, Pitryia and Soamanas-
vidhuta and Makara, Karavira with Rati, Dhana and Dhanya.
The holy sage said, " O Rama, receive also Kamarupa,
Kamaruchi, Moha and Avarana, also Jrim Bhala, Sarpa-natha
61
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with Sandhana and Varuna. Receive from me, O Rama, the
Krishashwa which assumes any form — O Prince, mayest thou
be triumphant, thou art worthy to possess these weapons ".
Shri Rama answered " May it be so, my Lord ".
The holy rishi1 then placed the divine weapons before Rama,
some of which shone like fire, others with the colour of smoke
and yet others which resembled the sun and moon. With
joined palms the deities presiding over them addressed Shri
Rama with submission, saying : " O Prince, we are at thy
service, what would'st thou have us accomplish ? " Shri Rama
answered : " When called to mind in the time of need, grant
me aid, now depart, all of yon."
Offering obeisance to Shri Ramachandra, they replied : " Be
it so, my Lord," and returned to their abode.
Shri Rama then questioned the great rishi, saying : " O
Spiritual Sovereign, what is this that resembles a dark cloud
near the mountain ? It would seem to be a grove of trees,
pleasing to the sight, filled with deer. I hear birds singing
sweetly, have we then passed the dangerous forest which was
a cause of fear ? O Lord, let us rest here at peace ; tell me,
whose hermitage is this ? O Great Muni, are we now in thine
own hermitage, where the wicked demons, the slayers of
brahmins obstruct thy sacrifice ? O Blessed One, be pleased
to show me the place of thy sacrifice. O Wise One* I will
slay the meddlesome demons who hinder thy devotions. Be
gracious enough to enlighten me in the matter, O Sage."
CHAPTER 29
Vishwamitra relates the story of Us hermitage
and commences the sacrifice
To die most glorious Shri Ramachandra making enquiry
concerning the forest, the illustrious Sage Vishwamitra made
answer : —
1 Rishi — an illumined sage, who has bad a vision of Truth or Reality.
62
BALA KANDA
" O Rama, this is the place at which the Blessed Lord Vishnu,
the first among the gods, dwelt, observing his yogic practices
for immeasurable years and previous to that, it belonged to
the glorious Vamana.1 This spot is called Siddha-ashrama,
for here, these great souls practised austerities with success.
At that time, Bali the son of King Virochana, conquered Indra
and other devas, together with the deities of the wind and he
ruled over the three worlds. When Bali initiated a sacrifice,
the devas, under the leadership of Agni1 approached Shri
Vishnu in this hermitage and said : * O Lord, the son of
Virochana, King Bali is observing a great sacrifice ; while it
is yet incomplete, come to our aid. The Lord grants the
requests of those who seek His favour, therefore, by the power
of Thy Yoga and for our own good, take the form of a dwarf
(Vamana) and secure our welfare.' Meantime, O Rama, the
Sage Kashyapa, resplendent as fire, who was endowed with
supreme lustre by virtue of his yogic practices, with his spouse
Aditi, having completed a thousand years' austerities, began to
praise Madhusudana, the conferrer of boons, saying : ' O
Supreme Purusha,8 Thou art adored through austerity and Thou
dost grant the fruit of austerity, Thy nature is knowledge and
asceticism, it is by virtue of austerity that I behold Thee. O
Lord, in Thy body I see the whole world animate and inanimate.
In Thee Who art beginningless and indescribable, I take refuge.'
" The blessed Vishnu was pleased with this prayer and said
to the sinless Sage : ' O Kashyapa, mayest thou see perfection,
thou hast merited a boon, ask what thou desirest.'
" Then Kashyapa, the son of Marichi, answered : * O Blessed
Lord, Aditi, the gods and I beseech Thee to grant this boon
— Become the son of my sinless wife and myself. O Lord,
become the younger brother of Indra and assist the sorrow-
stricken devas. This spot, by Thy grace, shall then be known
as Siddha-Ashrama.' (Hermitage of the Perfect Ones.)
" Upon this, the resplendent Vishnu was born of the womb
of Aditi as the incarnation Vamana and disguised as a mendicant,
he approached King Bali. Of him, he requested a piece of
1 Vamana — An incarnation of Shri Vishnu as the holy Dwarf.
» Agni — The god of fire.
1 Purusha — The Supreme Being, the Soul of the Universe. Literally the Lord
of the body, called the city of the nine gates.
63 F
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
ground that could be covered by three strides, and having obtained
what he asked, he covered the whole universe in three steps.
" This restful hermitage formerly belonging to Vamana,
whose devotee I am, is enjoyed by me. Here the rakshasas
wreak destruction. O Lion among men, remain here and slay
them. O Rama, to-day let us enterthe Siddha-Ashrama together.
O Friend, this hermitage is not only mine but thine also."
Accompanied by Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana, the
holy sage entered the hermitage, which appeared as beautiful
as the autumn moon attended by the planet Punarvasu.1 When
the sages dwelling in the Siddha-Ashrama perceived Shri
Vishwamitra, they rose and saluted him with joy. Having duly
honoured the resplendent sage, they entertained the princes in
a fitting manner.
Having rested awhile, the two princes humbly and respectfully
addressed the holy sage, saying : " O Great Sage, inaugurate
thy sacrifice to-day, may it be attended with good fortune.
This place is the Siddha-Ashrama, we wish thee success in thy
undertaking."
Thereupon the great sage with due preparation, his mind
subdued, began the sacrifice while the two princes kept vigil.
Having passed the night in this manner, in accordance with
the prescribed rules, they performed their ablutions, repeating
the mantram silently, they then paid respect to Shri Vishwamitra
and occupied their seats as do those performing a fire-sacrifice.
chapter 30
Maricka and Sttvaku obstruct the sacrifice and are slain
by Rama
The two princes, knowing what was appropriate in respect to
time and place and skilled in the art of conquering their foes,
uttered words fitting to the place and occasion.
1 Punarvasu — The seventh of the lunar aiterisms, called Nakshatras or wives
of the moon. Punarvasu is the most beloved.
64
BALA KANDA
They said: "0 Blessed One, we desire to hear at what
moment in the course of the sacrifice, the two demons appear ?
It is essential for us to be acquainted with the matter, to forestall
their attack."
The dwellers in the Siddha-ashrama, hearing the words of
the princes, and finding them eager to fight the demons, praised
them saying : " O Princes, from now on, keep watch over the
sacrifice for six days j the Sage Vishwamitra having begun the
rite will observe a strict silence during that time."
On this, the two illustrious princes kept watch in the Tapovana
forest continuously for six days without sleeping. Armed with
bow and arrows they guarded the rishi and his sacrifice with
firm resolve. Five days passed without interruption and on
the sixth day Shri Ramachandra said to Lakshmana : " Brother,
be prepared to-day."
As Shri Rama uttered these words concerning the approaching
conflict with the demons, the altar fire blazed up suddenly.
The officiating brahmin, the priest and Shri Vishwamitra, who
were watching, beheld all the sacrificial implements set on fire.
The sacrifice of the holy sage still proceeding, a great and
fearful clamour resounded in the firmament. As in the rainy
season, clouds cover the sky, so the demons by the power of
magic began to course through the air.
Maricha and Suvahu and other demons surrounding the altar,
let fall torrents of blood. Seeing the altar deluged with blood,
Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana were filled with anger and
ran to discover the cause. Then they saw Maricha and other
demons in the sky. Raghava beholding the demons rushing
towards him, said to Lakshmana, " O Lakshmana, see these
evil flesh-eating demons, I shall destroy them with the Manava-
weapon, as the wind scatters the clouds ".
So saying, Shri Ramachandra hurled the shining Manava
weapon at them and striking the breast of Maricha, inflicted
a wound. Thus smitten, the demon was flung into the sea,
a distance of a hundred miles. Perceiving Maricha reeling,
struck senseless by the Manava weapon, Shri Ramachandra
addressed Lakshmana, saying : " Behold the power of this great
weapon created by the muni ! Yet, though Maricha has been
deprived of his senses, he is not dead ; verily I shall now destroy
65
1HE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
those wicked, merciless and sinful blood-drinking demons who
obstruct the holy sacrifice." So saying, he seized the fire-
weapon and discharged it at the breast of Suvahu, who straight-
way fell to the ground and expired. On this, Shri Rama
destroyed the remaining demons with the air-weapon (Vayuvya).
Thus by slaying the obstructors of the sacrifice did Shri
Ramachandra bring delight to the hearts of the sages and was
worshipped by them as was formerly the victorious Indra.
When the sacrifice had been successfully completed, perceiving
the world to be freed from the interference of the asuras, the
Rishi Vishwamitra said to Rama : —
" O Mighty-armed Prince, to-day I have fulfilled my spiritual
purpose, thou hast obeyed the commands of thy Guru perfectly,
truly thou hast made the Siddha-Ashrama worthy of its name."
CHAPTER 3 I
Vishwamitra starts out toitk the two princes to attend
King Janaka's sacrifice
The great hero, the ever-cheerful Rama, together with Laksh-
mana having successfully assisted Shri Vishwamitra, passed the
night in the hermitage.
At dawn, after purifying themselves, they approached Shri
Vishwamitra and offered obeisance to him and the other sages.
Bowing down before the great muni, who was as resplendent
as a blazing fire, they addressed him in submissive tones, saying :
" O Great Rishi, we are both thy humble servants, what further
commands are there for us ? We are here to obey."
The other rishis, led by Shri Vishwamitra, listened to the
words of Shri Ramachandra and answered saying : " O Great
One, the King of Mithila, the righteous Janaka is performing
a holy sacrifice and we shall attend it. O Great Beings, be
pleased to accompany us ; there you will see a rare and wonderful
bow. In ancient days this bow was given by the devas to
66
BALA KANDA
Janaka, it is exceedingly heavy and splendid. Neither gandharvas
nor asuras can bend this great bow, how much less man?
To test their skill, great kings have come to the assembly of
King Janaka, but none has succeeded in raising the bow and
stringing it. O Illustrious One, let us go and see the sacrifice
of the King of Mithila and also that marvellous bow. In former
days, King Janaka performed a sacrifice and the fruit of it was
the great bow which he obtained from the gods who instructed
him saying : * Place this bow in the sacrificial chamber and let
it be worshipped with incense, perfume and lights \"
Shri Vishwamitra having related these facts, started out
accompanied by the two princes and other sages. Invoking
the Vanadevata (Forest Deity) he said to him : " My sacrifice
has come to a successful conclusion, may happiness be thine.
I am leaving the Siddha-Ashrama for the banks of the sacred
river Gunga on the slopes of the Himalayas, situated in the
domain of King Janaka."
Then the sage reverently circumambulated the hermitage and
turned northwards. As Shri Vishwamitra entered upon his
journey, the sages skilled in the knowledge of the science of
Brahman, accompanied him with their chattels placed on
hundreds of waggons. The birds and beasts of the hermitage
also followed them for a long way until the holy muni requested
them to turn back.
The sages and the holy muni reached the banks of the river
Shona at sunset and, having bathed and recited their evening
prayers, performed the fire sacrifice.
Shri Ramachandra and Prince Lakshmana then offered
salutations to Shri Vishwamitra and the other rishis, and sat
down before them. Thereafter Shri Rama cheerfully enquired :
" O Lord, what country is this, covered with verdant groves ?
Be gracious enough to relate everything concerning it."
The great ascetic of firm vows, was pleased to hear these
words and, sitting amidst the sages, he described the country
fully to them.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 32
Viskzoamitra tells of his ancestors and the dynasty
of King Kusha
" O Rama, in times of yore, there was a king named Kusha,
he was the son of a brahmin, a noted ascetic, faithful to his vows,
conversant with dharma and ever revered by the virtuous. He
wedded a high-born woman of great beauty named Bhidharvi,
and begat four sons, each resembling himself. Their names
were Rushamba, Rushanabha, Umurita-rajasa and Basu ;
these four princes were mighty and active, and desirous of
teaching them the duties of a kshatriya, die truthful and righteous
King Kusha addressed them as follows : —
" * O My Sons, protect and nourish your subjects, this practice'
is productive of great merit.*
" In order to carry out the instructions of their sire, these
princes founded four cities and named them after themselves.
The mighty Kushamba called his city Kaushambi, and the
righteous Rushanabha founded the city of Mahodaya. O Rama,
Prince Umurita-rajasa founded the city named Dhar-maranya
and the Prince Basu called his city Giribrat, also named Basumati.
This city was surrounded by five mountain peaks and the
river Magadhi or Shona meandering through the mountains
resembled a lovely garland. O Rama, this stream the Magadhi
flows towards the east and irrigates the fruitful fields on either
bank.
" O Prince of Raghu, Rushanabha took in wedlock a nymph
named Ghritachi and by her had one hundred beautiful
daughters, who on reaching maturity were delightful to look
upon. One day, clad in lovely dresses, in beauty of form un-
paralleled they wandered in the garden like lightning amidst
the clouds. Singing, dancing and playing on instruments they
seemed to be divine forms which had materialised and des-
cended on the earth, or like the stars in the firmament.
" Seeing those lovely and virtuous princesses, Vayu the wind
BALA KANDA
god thus addressed them : ' I entreat you all to be wedded
to me ; give up your mortal form, I will render you immortal.
Remember youth is passing and youth among mortals passes
even more swiftly ; weddedtome,youwilibebeautifulforever.'
" The damsels listened to the improper speech of the wind
god and replied mockingly : * O Deity of the Wind, thou
knowest all that is passing in the hearts of men, but we know
what is passing in thy heart. Why dost thou insult us, O
Wind ? O Vayu, who art renowned for thy wisdom, we virgins
by the power of our devotion and self-control can effect thy
downfall, but because the merits of the righteous come to nought
when they cause harm to others, we shall preserve our sacred
vows inviolate. O Stupid One, heaven forfend that we choose
husbands for ourselves without first seeking the approval of our
honoured sire. He is as a god to us and our master, and we
shall wed the husbands he chooses for us.*
" The wind god was enraged and entering their bodies,
twisted and distorted them. Thus afflicted, the princesses in
tears, approached their father for assistance.
" The king was grieved to sec his daughters in this condition
and said : * O speak, what has occurred ? Who, disregarding
justice, has deformed you ? Tell me all.' The monarch was
deeply moved by this event and bis heart became heavy."
chapter 33
King Kushanabha's hundred daughters
When the hundred princesses were thus questioned by the king
their father, they placed their heads at his feet and answered :
" The wind god, who pervades all, has entered the evil path
and desired us to forsake virtuous conduct. We told him we
were not free to choose our way of life since our father was
still living and that he should consult thee if he wished to wed
us, but that sinful god, disregarding our request has twisted
and deformed our bodies in this manner."
«9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The great king hearing the complaint of the hundred virgins,
said to them : " You have acted nobly by practising forbearance
towards the deity. It is meet that the generous-minded should
exercise forbearance, you have added to the honour of our
dynasty. Forbearance is the chief ornament of both man and
woman, you have achieved something rare ; few are capable
of such forbearance. O Virgins, forbearance is charity, forbear-
ance is truth, forbearance is sacrifice. A man's true glory is
forbearance ; forbearance is dharma. The world is established
in forbearance."
Having spoken thus, the princesses were comforted, and the
king dismissed them. Then the monarch, mighty like a god,
summoned his ministers and consulted them regarding the
alliance of his daughters to suitable families at the proper time
and place.
Now a great muni named Chuli full of glory derived from
prolonged celibacy and highly virtuous, was engaged in sacred
austerities for the purpose of spiritual liberation.
At that place, the virgin daughter of the nymph Urmila,
named Somada, began to minister to the muni. She attended
on the great sage for a long time with undeviating faith and
devotion and her Guru was pleased with her ; he said to her :
"lam pleased with thee, what desire of thine shall I fulfil ? "
Perceiving the muni to be highly pleased, that sweet-voiced
nymph acquainted with the art of conversation made answer
to him : " O King of Kings, I desire to bear a son, resplendent
with divine power, a worshipper of God and devoted to dharma.
I have no husband, nor do I wish to be the wife of any, as I
am a brahmacharini,1 therefore, by virtue of thy Yoga, grant me
a son produced by the power of thy thought."
The divine Sage Chuli was pleased to hear these words
and granted her a son named Brahmadatta, by the power of
his mind. Brahmadatta became King of Kampila and was as
prosperous as Indra in heaven. King Kushanabha resolved to
give his daughters in marriage to King Brahmadatta. Kushan-
abha requested King Brahmadatta to visit him and joyfully
gave him his daughters in marriage.
1 Brahmachari or brahmacharini — male or female celibate religious student
who lives with the teacher and is devoted to the practice of spiritual discipline.
70
BALA KANDA
O Ramaji, King Brahmadatta, who was equal to India in glory
wedded the princesses one by one by taking their hands in his.
Through the touch of his hand, the princesses were freed from
their deformity and restored to their former beauty. When
King Kushnabha beheld his daughters released from their
disfigurement and restored to their former beauty he was filled
with joy.
Thus did the King Kushnabha give his daughters in marriage
to King Brahmadatta and then commanded their preceptors
to accompany them to the court of his son-in-law.
Somada was delighted with the union of her son to the
damsels and receiving them with great affection, commended
the virtuous King Kushanabha.
chapter 34
His son, Gadhi, is the father of Vishwamitra
" O RAMAJI, after the wedding of his daughters, the sinless
King Kushanabha prepared to perform a sacrifice in order to
obtain a son.
"At the inauguration of the sacrifice, the munificent King
Kusha, son of Shri Brahma, said to Kushanabha : ' O my Son,
thou wilt obtain a son like thyself, he should be named Gadhi,
he will bring thee immortal renown.'
"After some time a son was born to the wise King Kushanabha
who was a lover of virtue, and his name was Gadhi. This
Gadhi, O Rama, was my virtuous father1 and because I was
born in the family of Kusha I was called Kaushika.
" I had, O Prince, an elder sister named Satyavati, who
became the faithful spouse of Richika. When her lord died,
she ascended to heaven and took the form of the Kaushiki river.
The river is sacred and beautiful, and its waters confer merit
on men. To bless the world Satyavati became the river Sowing
near the Himalayas.
1 The Rishi Vishwamitra b still speaking here.
n
THE RAMAYANA OF VALAflKI
" O Prince, through lore of my sister, I dwell on the banks
of the Kaushiki river near the Himalayas.
" Established in truth, faithful to her lord, that sister of mine,
named Satyavati is to-day the river Kaushiki, great among
streams and highly fortunate.
" O Rama, in order to perform a sacrifice, I went to the
Siddha ashrama, I have now accomplished my purpose.
" O Rama, at thy instance, I have told thee of my family
and origin ; the night is far spent in listening to this tele, now
rest, so that, refreshed, we may resume our journey to-morrow.
Peace be with thee I
" The leaves of the trees are motionless, the birds and beasts
are silent and darkness covers all. How imperceptibly the
evening has passed away. The sky is brilliant with stars, as if
a thousand eyes gazed down on us.
" The bright moon with its cool beams, slowly rising higher
and higher dispels the darkness. Nocturnal wanderers and the
terrible flesh-eating yakshas prowl about here and there."
Having uttered these words, the great Sage Vishwamitra
became silent. The other munis praised him saying : " Well
spoken, well spoken, O Sage."
They said: "The dynasty of Kusha has ever practised
righteousness and the kings of this line have been eminent in
virtue. Of this dynasty, thou, O Vishwamitra, art the most
illustrious, the fame of this royal line has been enhanced by
the beautiful river Kaushiki."
Thus did the great sages praise the Rishi Vishwamitra, who
then withdrew to rest, as the sun sets behind a mountain.
Shri Ramachandra and his brother Lakshmana, full of wonder
also made obeisance to the holy sage and retired to sleep.
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 35
Vishwamitra begins to narrate the origin of the holy
river Gunga
Having passed the night with the other munis on the banks
of the river Shona, Shri Vishwamitra said to Prince Rama at
daybreak : "Arise, O Prince, the day has dawned, may prosperity
attend thee ! Perform thy morning devotions and let us prepare
for our journey."
Shri Rama listened to the instructions of the holy sage,
recited his morning prayers and prepared to leave, saying:
" O Knower of God, the waters of the holy river Shona appear
to be very shallow and rest on a sandy bed, be pleased to instruct
us where we should cross over it."
The sage replied : " O Prince, I will show thee where the
great rishis traversed it." Thereafter they forded the river
and journeyed on and on, enjoying the many beautiful woods
and forests through which they passed.
After proceeding a great distance, late one afternoon, they
reached the holy river Ganges, beloved of the sages. On
beholding the lovely river rendered beautiful by the presence
of swans and cranes, Rama, Lakshmana and the sages were
filled with delight.
They halted on the banks and bathed in the sacred river as
prescribed by the holy ordinance, then lighting their sacrificial
fires they partook of the remains of the offerings. According
to the tradition, they offered water to their ancestors and
spreading coverings, seated themselves by the holy Ganges.
Sitting in the midst of the sages with the two princes before
him, Shri Vishwamitra was questioned by Shri Rama in the
following manner : —
" O Lord, I desire to hear the story of this holy river, which
traverses the three paths.1 How does the sacred Gunga,
passing through the three worlds merge at last in the ocean ? "
1 In Hindu mythology the universe is divided into the three worlds : Bhur,
Bhuvah, Swah, the lower, middle and upper worlds. The sacred river is said
to traverse all three.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
On this request, Shri Vishwamitra began to narrate the origin
and genesis of the sacred river.
" O Rama, the great Himavat, Lord of the Himalayas, the
treasury of all precious metals, had two daughters, who were
unsurpassed in loveliness on earth. Their mother Mena, the
wife of Himachala (Himavat) was the daughter of Mount Meru.
Her elder daughter was named Gunga and the younger Uma.
" The devas wishing to observe certain sacred rites, asked
for Shri Gunga to promote the success of their undertaking
and with the permission of her father, took her away with them.
" Himachala, mindful of the good of all beings, gave his
daughter Gunga, the purifier of the whole world, to the gods,
thinking it to be his duty to do so. The gods supremely
gratified took bis daughter Gunga and blessing all, left
Himachala.
" O Prince of the House of Raghu, the other daughter of
Himachala, named Uma, practised great asceticism, considering
it to be her chief wealth. Himachala gave this ascetic daughter
Uma, who was venerated by the whole world, to Shri Mahadeva1
in marriage, thinking him to be a worthy consort.
" O Rama, now I have told thee of the two daughters of
Himachala, revered by the whole world, the river Gunga and
Uma Devi.
" O my Son, O Chief of Disciples, I have related to thee
the story of Shri Gunga accompanying the devas to heaven.
This beautiful daughter of the King of Himalaya, once resident
in heaven, is the charming river Gunga, whose waters destroy
all sin."
chapter 36
The story of the king of Himalayas' younger daughter Uma
Hearing the wonderful narrative, so eloquently related by Shri
Vishwamitra, both the princes praised the holy sage and said :
" O Divine Sage, thou hast told us a tale, by the hearing of
1 Mahadeva— A title of the Lord Shiva.
74
BALA KANDA
which great merit is acquired, be gracious enough to enlighten
us further regarding the elder daughter of the King of Himalaya.
Thou art omniscient, therefore describe to us fully, how the
Gunga, the world purifying stream, came down from heaven
to earth. O Thou, versed in the science of dharma, why is
this sacred river called Tripathaga (the Traverser of the Three
Worlds) and whence is this name derived ? "
Seated amidst the other sages, Shri Vishwamitra, whose only
wealth was truth and austerity, spoke as follows, in answer to
Shri Rama's questioning : —
" O Prince, in ancient times, the holy Lord Mahadeva was
wedded to Parvati1 and being charmed with her beauty devoted
himself to the delights of connubial bliss. According to the
measure of time of the gods, the Lord Mahadeva passed a
hundred years with that devis but remained without issue. In
their anxiety, the gods approached Shri Brahma and said : —
" * Who will be able to endure the power and glory of the
offspring produced by these two mighty beings ? '
" They then took refuge with Shri Mahadeva, saying : * O
God of Gods, O Mahadeva, ever engaged in doing good to all
beings, we offer salutations to thee, be gracious unto us ! Thy
power, O First among the Gods, none can endure, therefore
with this goddess engage in yogic penances. For the welfare
of the three worlds, retain thine energy within thy body so that
the universe may be preserved and may not suffer destruction V
The Ruler of the World, Shri Mahadeva, listened to the words
of the devas and said : " Be it so, O Devas, I will restrain my
power so that all the regions including the earth may dwell
in peace, but O Devas, should my vital fluid overflow, who
shall receive it ? "
The gods answered Shri Mahadeva, saying : " Let the earth
receive it."
Then Shri Mahadeva let fall his seed on the earth covering
the mountains, seas and forests. When the earth could bear
no more, the devas asked the wind and Are deities to combine
1 Parvati — The consort of the Lord Shiva.
* Devi— another name for Parvati. Devi literaljy means goddess or shining
one.
75
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with that creative power and thus was a white mountain created
and later a heavenly forest as resplendent as the light of the sun.
From this fiery light was born the glorious Swami Karttikeya.1
"All the gods and rishis were full of joy and adored the Lord
Shiva and the goddess Uma. As they worshipped them with
grateful hearts, Uma was filled with wrath and said : * O Devas,
your action has filled me with displeasure, you shall not escape
the consequences.*
" Then Uma shining like the sun, took water in the palm
of her hand and pronounced a curse on the gods, saying ; ' O
Devas, you have prevented me from bearing a son, may you
be childless from this day, may your wives be without progeny.*
" Still not appeased, Uma cursed the earth also and said :
' O Earth, thou shalt never remain in one form, thou shalt have
many masters. O Witless One, thou shalt never bear a son,
since thou hast prevented me from becoming a mother.'
" Shri Mahadeva, seeing the devas discomfited, prepared to
depart to the northern region of the Himalayas. There, on a
peak named Himavatprabhava, he engaged in prolonged yogic
practices together with Uma.
" O Rama, I have told thee of one of the two daughters of
the Himalayas ; now with Lakshmana, listen to the tale of the
other daughter of Himalaya, named Gunga."
chapter 37
The king's elder daughter, Gunga
Whilst Shri Mahadeva was engaged in yogic meditation, the
devas, under the leadership of Agni, went to the region of
Brahma where, with Indra, they paid reverence to the Lord
of the world, and said : " O Lord, at the beginning of creation
thou did'st make Shri Mahadeva our leader, but he has now
retired to the Himalayas and is engaged in the practice of
austerity with Uma. O Thou who art desirous of the good
1 Karttikeya— The God of War.
76
BALA KANDA
of the world, do what thou considerest ought to be done, thou
art our only refuge."
Then Shri Brahma encouraged the devas, with gentle words,
saying : " O Devas, the curse of Uma Devi, that you should
remain without offspring is irrevocable, but the fire god Agni
will cause Gunga to bear a son who will destroy the enemies
of the gods. The youngest daughter of Himanchala (Uma)
will look upon her sister's son as her own and will inevitably
lavish her affection on him."
" O Rama, the words of Shri Brahma filled the gods with
satisfaction and they offered obeisance to him. Then they all
circumambulated Mount Kailasha," the repository of precious
metals, and begged Agni to beget a son.
"Agni acquiesced in their request and approaching Shri
Gunga, said : ' O Devi, let us beget a son for it is the wish
of the gods.'
"Assuming the form of a celestial nymph, Gunga, inspired
the fire god to plant his seed in her, her every vein being filled
with splendour. After a time, she addressed Agni, saying:
' O Deva, I am unable to bear the ever-increasing splendour
which thou hast communicated to me. My body is burning
like fire, my mind is agitated and I am filled with fear.'
"Agni replied : * O Sinless One, place this foetus near the
Himalayas.'
" Then Gunga Devi expelled the resplendent being, shining
like gold. This substance, falling on the earth, became the
purest gold that can be found. All objects in its proximity
became silver and the more distant areas exposed to its
penetrating rays became copper, the baser parts becoming zinc
and lead. In this way, its brilliance was transmuted into metals
and spread abroad and the mountains and forests near by were
changed to gold. O Rama, gold being produced in that dazzling
form is called jatarupa (form-born) and, O Hero, that is why
gold shines like fire. The grass, the creepers, the shrubs, all
were converted into gold, and from that splendour was born
Kumara.
" The devas with Indra engaged the Krittikas1 to nurse the
1 Mount Kailasha — said to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
■ Krittikas — The Pleiades, the six nurses of the God of War.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
child and they regarded him as their own son. The gods named
the child Karttikeya and said : * He shall be our son and he
will be renowned in the three worlds.*
" The Krittikas bathed the child and as he grew, his form
resembled the fire. Because the infant was born prematurely,
the devas called him Skanda.
" The nurses began to nourish the child with milk and he
shone like a flame. With six mouths he sucked the milk of
six nurses at the same time. Soon he grew so powerful that
while yet an infant he challenged groups of demons to combat.
Then all the gods appointed him their commander-in-chief.
The Devas and Agni paid affectionate homage to this child.
" O Rama, this is the inspiring and merit-bestowing story
of Shri Gunga and Karttikeya.
" O Raghava, on this earth, those who read this narrative
with faith and devotion shall have long lives, sons and grandsons
and obtain the divine region of Skanda."
CHAPTER 38
The story of King Sagara, Shri Rama's ancestor
Shri Vishwamitra in gentle accents, related this story to Shri
Ramachandra, and then again addressed him, saying : —
" In ancient times there lived a king named Sagara, who
ruled in Ayodhya. He was brave and virtuous and a lover
of his subjects, yet he was without issue.
" The name of his chief queen was Keshini, a daughter of
King Vidharba ; she was virtuous and truthful. His second
queen was Sumati, a daughter of Arishtanemi and she was
comely and charming.
" The king went to the Himalayas and engaged in severe
yogic practices in the forest of Bhrigu-prasravana. When he
had completed a hundred years' ascetic practices, the ever
truthful Maharishi Bhrigu was pleased with him and favoured
78
BALA KANDA
him with a boon. He said : ' O Sinless King, thou shah beget
many sons and thy fame will be immeasurable. From one of
thy queens shall be born one son, and from the other sixty
thousand sons.1
" When the queens heard of the boon granted by the rishi,
they approached him saying : ' O Knower of God, we are
certain that thy boon will bear fruit, please tell us therefore
which of us will beget one son and which sixty thousand ? '
"Hearing their words, the highly virtuous Bhrigu said:
* That depends on your desires. Tell me, which of you would
fain be the mother of the founder of the dynasty and which
desires to beget sixty thousand illustrious sons ? '
" O Rama, Queen Keshini desired to be favoured by one son
only, but Sumati, the sister of Garuda1 obtained the boon of
bearing sixty thousand powerful and illustrious sons.
" O Prince, the king offered salutations to the Rishi Bhrigu
and with his consorts returned to the capital.
" When the time was ripe, the chief Queen Keshini gave birth
to a son who was called Asamanjasa.
" O Great One, a gourd was brought forth by Queen Sumati
from which, when opened, sixty thousand male infants emerged.
The nurses placed them in jars full of butter and tended them.
After a long time they attained to the state of adolescence,
and then grew to manhood.
" O Rama, the eldest son of King Sagara, Asamanjasa used
to seize hold of children and throw them into the river Sarayu.
When he saw them drowning, he rejoiced. This evil doer
grew up to oppress the good by his conduct.
"The citizens of King Sagara's capital exiled the prince,
thus passing judgment on him. Asamanjasa became the father
of a valiant prince named Anshuman, who was esteemed by
everyone and addressed every man with courtesy.
"After a long time, King Sagara resolved to perform a
sacrifice. O Rama, the king summoning the high priests began
the initiatory rites."
1 Garuda — a mythological bird, half man, half bird, the vehicle of Shri Vishnu,
and the slayer of serpents. Garuda is said to have stolen the nectar of immortality
from the gods, when it was churned from the ocean.
79 <*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 39
The korse with which he performs a sacrifice is stolen
Having listened to this tale, Shri Rama addressed the Muni
Vishwamitra, who resembled the fire in splendour, and said :
" O Wise One, may prosperity constantly attend thee ! I desire
to hear how my ancestor King Sagara performed the
sacrifice."
Shri Vishwamitra, highly gratified by Shri Rama's eager
enquiry, smilingly replied : " Listen, 0 Rama, to the history
of the high-soul ed King Sagara. There is a country between
the Himalayas and the Vindhya mountains, and it was there
that King Sagara performed his sacrifice. That land is suitable
for this purpose, O Great Prince.
" The great archer and warrior Anshuman was appointed the
protector of the horse released for the sacrifice. A rakshasa
in disguise, stole the horse and when it was being borne away,
the priests approached the king, crying : ' See, someone is
carrying off the horse, kill the thief and restore it.' The king
called for his sixty thousand sons and said : 'A wicked demon
has stolen the sacrificial steed, in what direction has he borne
it away? It has been consecrated by mantrams to avoid
obstructions ; seek the horse, my sons, and may success attend
you. Scour the earth surrounded by the seas, and excavate
the earth at my command, till the sacred horse is found.
Having taken the initiation, I cannot leave this place. Go Ye,
My Sons ! I shall remain here with Anshuman and the brahmins.'
" O Rama, commanded by their father, those powerful princes
joyfully started in search of the horse. O Great One ! they
ranged the world in vain and began to dig the ground with
their nails which were as sharp as diamonds.
" O Prince of the House of Raghu, they used ploughs, spades
and other implements to excavate the ground and the earth
shook with the sound. While ploughing up the earth, many
snakes, demons and powerful titans were slain and injured.
" O Raghava, those mighty princes pierced the earth to the
depth of sixty thousand miles and reached the antipodes. Having
80
BALA KANDA
pierced the earth with its mountains, they searched for the horse
in Jambudwipa.1
" The devasj gandharvas, asuras and nagas became agitated,
and approached Shri Brahma ; bowing before him with their
minds afflicted and in great distress, they said : * O Blessed
Lord, the sons of the Maharajah Sagara are digging up the
whole earth and they have brought about the death of many
great beings. Whosoever opposes them is slain with the words,
" Thou art a thief, thou hast stolen the sacrificial horse " V
chapter 40
The king's sons search for the horse ; they accuse Shri Kapila
of stealing it and are reduced to ashes
" The grandsire Shri Brahma, hearing the words of the gods
regarding the sons of Ring Sagara, who were already doomed,
said: —
" * O Devas, this whole world belongs to the glorious Vasu-
deva2 and he, in the form of the Sage Kapila, supports it.
These princes will fall victims to the wrath of holy Kapila ;
the earth is eternal and cannot be destroyed.' The gods,
hearing these words, returned to their own regions, full of joy.
" Meanwhile, the uproar caused by the sons of Sagara digging
the earth resembled the crash of thunder.
" Having encompassed the whole world, they returned to
their father and said : ' We have traversed the whole world
and have slain gods, demons and snakes, but we have found
no trace of the sacrificial horse nor of the thief. O Father,
may prosperity attend thee, be pleased to reflect on the matter
and give us further instructions.'
" The great monarch replied in anger : * Go, dig the earth
once more, capture the horse, accomplish your purpose, then
return.'
Jambi
Vasudcva-^-a name of Vishnu.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" In accordance with the command of their royal sire, the
princes once more renewed their tunnelling and came upon
the monstrous form of a great elephant which resembled a
mountain.
" O Prince of Raghu, the whole earth and the mountains
of that quarter are supported by that elephant Vimpaksha, and
whenever, from fatigue, he moves his feet to ease himself,
the whole world trembles and quakes.
" The princes bowed down to him and circumambulated him.
They then continued digging deeper and deeper, first to the
east, then to the west. To the south they saw the second
great elephant whose name was Mahapadma. They beheld him
supporting that quarter of the earth and were astonished ;
they offered him salutations.
" O Prince, the sons of King Sagara next dug the northern
quarter of the earth and saw there a white elephant which
resembled a heap of snow. His name was Hima-Pandara and
his form was gigantic; they worshipped him as he stood
supporting that quarter of the earth.
" Then with furious zeal, those mighty and valiant sons of
Sagara dug the earth and proceeded to that renowned quarter
where they saw Kapila the eternal Lord Vasudeva and the horse
grazing near him.
" O Rama, they were glad, thinking that it was Shri Kapila
who had stolen the horse. Full of wrath, seizing ploughs, trees,
rocks and stones, they ran towards him, crying : * Thou art
the stealer of the sacrificial horse, thou art the thief. O Wicked
One, we, the sons of King Sagara, have found thee.'
" O Rama, Shri Kapila, hearing these words, filled with rage,
uttered the sound ' H*m ' and instantly by his immeasurable
power all the sons of Sagara were reduced to ashes."
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 4 I
King Sagara's grandson, Anshuman, finds the horse and the
ashes of his uncles. He is told the funeral rites must be
performed with the waters of the holy river Gunga
" O Ramachakdra, perceiving that a long period had elapsed
since the departure of his sons, King Sagara spoke to his
powerful and resplendent grandson Anshuman :
" * O Child, thou art valiant, learned and illustrious like thine
ancestors, go and seek thine uncles and the stealer of the horse
also. The interior of the earth is inhabited by the most mighty
beings, arm thyself therefore with sword, bow and arrows. Pay
reverence to those worthy to be worshipped whom thou dost
encounter on the way and make obeisance to them ; slay those
who obstruct thy purpose, then successful, return and ensure
the completion of the sacrifice.'
" Thus instructed by his grandfather, Prince Anshuman,
arming himself with sword, bow and arrows, speedily departed.
Honoured on the way by devas, danavas, asuras and nagas,
pisachas, birds and serpents, he came to the mighty and
resplendent elephant and worshipped him, enquiring as to his
welfare. The elephant said in reply : f O Prince Anshuman,
thou wilt accomplish thy purpose and soon return to the capital.'
" The prince proceeded further and enquired in the same
manner of each of the other great elephants. They all advised
the prince, who had paid due respect to them, to proceed further.
As instructed by them, Anshuman came to the place where
the heaped ashes of his uncles* bodies were lying. Overcome
with grief, Anshuman wept to see that death had overtaken
them. Afflicted with distress and pain, he suddenly perceived
the sacrificial horse grazing near by. Desirous of offering the
rite of water for his departed relatives, he looked round but
could find no water anywhere. Extending his gaze, he saw
his maternal uncle, the holy eagle, who addressed the prince
as follows : —
" ' O Lion among men, grieve not, these princes have met
the death they deserved. They have been consumed to ashes
83
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
by the Mahatma Kapila of unimaginable glory. O Wise One,
it is not meet to offer the usual rites for them. O Great One,
perform the rites with the water of the holy river Gunga, the
Daughter of Himalaya. When the waters of the purifier of
the world, the sacred Gunga flow over their ashes, the ceremony
will be crowned with success and the sixty thousand princes
will be received into heaven \"
The illustrious and mighty Prince Anshuman listened to the
words of Shri Garuda and speedily returning with the horse,
approached King Sagara, who still awaited the completion of
the initiatory rites ; he related to him all that the eagle had
said. The monarch completed the sacrifice and returned to
his capital considering the means whereby he might cause Shri
Gunga to descend to earth ; but in vain.
King Sagara, unable to devise any way to accomplish this
matter, having ruled for thirty thousand years, departed hence.
chapter 42
Anshuman* s son, Dilipa, fails and his son Bhagiratha performs
austerities to induce the holy river to descend
After his death, the ministers installed the virtuous Anshuman
as king. O Rama, glorious was the reign of King Anshuman.
He was succeeded by his son, the world-renowned Dilipa.
King Anshuman, leaving his kingdom to Dilipa, retired to
the top of a Himalayan peak and began to perform severe yogic
austerities. Having passed thirty-two thousand years in this
wise, without inducing the sacred river Gunga to descend on
earth, he gave up his life.
Acquainted with the fate of his great uncles, and overcome
with grief, the mighty sovereign Dilipa found no means of
bringing the sacred stream down to earth. Consumed with
anxiety, he reflected daily on how he should accomplish the
descent of the Gunga and perform the funeral rites for the
deliverance of the souls of his ancestors. The righteous and
BALA KANDA
illustrious King Dilipa, constantly engaged in these reflections,
was then blessed with the birth of a virtuous son,
Bhagiratha.
The renowned monarch Dilipa observing many sacrifices,
ruled over his kingdom for thirty thousand years ; his thoughts
were ever devoted to the deliverance of the souls of his forbears
until stricken with disease, he was claimed by death. Having
bequeathed the kingdom to his son Bhagiratha, his spirit
ascended to the region of Indra.
O Rama, Bhagiratha was a virtuous and royal sage, but he
had no heir and was desirous of obtaining a son. O Raghava,
he entrusted the administration of his kingdom to his ministers
and proceeded to the holy place named Gokarna where he
practised yogic penances to attract the descent of the holy Gunga.
With arms uplifted and senses controlled, he stood in the midst
of five fires in the hottest season, partaking of food once a month
only, and continued thus for a thousand years.
O Mighty Prince, after a thousand years, Shri Brahma, the
Lord and Ruler of the world, was pleased with Bhagiratha and,
accompanied by the devas, approached the high-souled king
and said ;
" O Bhagiratha, thy virtuous yogic practices have elicited our
admiration ; ask for a boon, O Fortunate One."
The highly resplendent Bhagiratha, with joined palms
submissively addressed Shri Brahma, saying : " O Blessed Lord,
if thou art pleased to confer the fruits of mine austerities on me
and grant me a boon, then allow me to deliver the souls of
the sons of King Sagara by offering them water at their funeral
rites, from the sacred stream. O Lord, do thou also grant as
a further boon that the Dynasty of Ikshwaku may be preserved
and I may have an heir."
The Grandsire of the whole world listened to the prayer of
the Maharajah Bhagiratha and answered him in gentle and
pleasing accents : —
" 0 Mighty King Bhagiratha, thou hast asked a great boon,
may success attend thee ! Let thy desire for a son be fulfilled.
0 King, when the Gunga, the eldest daughter of Himalaya falls
on the earth with overwhelming power, the earth will not be
85
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
able to sustain her ; none but the Lord Shiva can accomplish
this."
Having uttered these words to King Bhagiratha and having
spoken to Shri Gunga also, Shri Brahma returned with the gods
to his own region.
chapter 43
Lord Shiva lets loose the sacred river which follows
King Bhagiratka's celestial chariot
Shri Brahma having departed, the King Bhagiratha, standing
on the tip of one toe, adored Shri Shiva for a full year. O
Mighty One, with arms uplifted, living on air, unsupported,
fixed like a pillar, day and night King Bhagiratha offered his
adorations to the Lord.
A full year having passed, the Lord of Uma, Shri Mahadeva,
who is adored by the whole world, spoke to King Bhagiratha
as follows : " O Great One, I am pleased with thee, I will
accomplish what thou desirest, I will receive the descent of
Gunga on my head."
Then the holy Gunga, the eldest daughter of Himalaya, the
object of reverence to the whole world, assuming the form of
a mighty river, descended with torrential force on to the head
of Shiva. The goddess reflected within herself that she would
bear down the Lord Mahadeva to the antipodes. Shri Shiva,
reading her thoughts, grew angry and determined to detain the
mighty stream in his hair. Resembling the majestic Himalayas,
the locks of Shri Shiva held the falling Gunga fast and the
sacred river remained imprisoned there. For innumerable years
the Gunga wandered round and round in the locks of Shri
Mahadeva and could not find an egress.
O Rama, when Shri Bhagiratha did not see the holy stream
descending to earth, he again began his penance in order to
propitiate the Lord of the world.
Then Shri Shiva let loose the Gunga in the Brindusara lake
86
BALA KANDA
and as it fell it divided itself into seven streams. The three
branches conferring prosperity, Hladini, Pavani and Halini,
flowed towards the east from the head of holy Shiva.
Then the sacred Gunga of pure and delightful water was
divided into three further branches, Suchakshu, Sita and
Sindhav> all flowing towards the west. The seventh of these
streams followed the chariot of the Maharajah Bhagiratha.
The royal sage, riding in a beautiful chariot, went forward
and the sacred river Gunga followed him.
Thus did the holy river descend from heaven on to the
forehead of Shri Mahadeva and from thence came to the surface
of the earth.
The fall of the sacred stream created a mighty reverberation,
her waters flowing through beautiful ways. Riding their aerial
chariots as large as cities, containing elephants and horses, the
gods, sages, celestial musicians, yakshas and siddhas in great
numbers, came to witness the holy Ganges falling from heaven
to earth. In their aerial chariots named Pariplava, the gods
came to see this wonderful event of the holy river flowing on
the earth, and as they descended from the skies, the splendour
of their celestial ornaments irradiated the cloudless canopy of
heaven as if a thousand suns had risen there.
The mercurial fishes and aquatic creatures leaping from the
stream thrown up by the force of the current, shone like lightning
in the sky, whilst the foam and spray scattered on all sides
resembled flocks of swans in flight or clouds in winter.
The waters of the holy Gunga sometimes rose high in the air,
sometimes flowed tortuously, sometimes broadened out, some-
times dashed against the rocks and sometimes spouted upwards
afterwards falling to the ground ; that pure water capable of
removing sin looked delightful flowing on the surface of the earth.
Then the celestial sages and heavenly musicians and the
denizens of the earth, reverently touched that sacred stream
falling from the locks of Shiva.
Those beings, who through a curse, had fallen from the
heavenly regions and been made to dwell on earth, were cleansed
of their transgressions by bathing in the holy Gunga. Purified
and freed from their sins, those resplendent beings returned to
the heavenly regions, passing through the sky.
87
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Wherever the sacred Ganges flowed, people were cleansed
of their sins by bathing in its waters.
King Bhagiratha, riding a celestial chariot, drove on and
Shri Gunga followed after him.
O Rama, the gods, the sages, rakshasas, asuras, yakshas,
the chief serpents and nymphs following King Bhagiratha,
together with the aquatic beings and swans, attended the
sacred river. Whichever course King Bhagiratha took, that
mighty river Gunga, the Destroyer of all sin, followed. Flowing
on and on, Shri Gunga arrived where the Sage Jahnu, worker
of miracles, was performing a sacrifice. Then the sacred
river swept over the sacrificial pavilion and all it contained.
The Rishi Jahnu perceiving the pride of Gungaji, grew angry
and drank up the whole of the water of that river, verily a great
miracle!
The devas, gandharvas and sages were astonished and began
to worship that Mahatma Jahnu, saying, " From to-day the
holy river shall be called thy daughter ". The mighty Jahnu
being pleased, let loose the river through his ears. From thence
Shri Gunga is called Jahnavi (the daughter of Jahnu). Thereafter
she once again flowed behind the chariot of King Bhagiratha.
Finally, the holy Gunga reached the sea and entered the lower
regions to fulfil the purpose of the king.
The royal Sage Bhagiratha attended by the sacred river,
gazed with grief on the ashes of his ancestors. O Prince of
the House of Raghu, as soon as the holy stream touched the
ashes, the sons of King Sagara were resuscitated, freed from sin,
and attained the celestial region.
chapter 44
King Bhagiratha completes the funeral rites for his ancestors
When the king attended by the holy Gunga, reached the
seashore, he entered the subterranean region where the sons
of King Sagara had been burnt to ashes.
BALA KANDA
" O Rama, as the holy water flowed over the ashes, Shri
Brahma the Lord of all the worlds, addressed King Bhagiratha
as follows : ' O Great King, thou hast redeemed the sixty
thousand sons of King Sagara, who now dwell in the heavenly
region. O King, as long as the waters of the sea continue
on earth, so long shall the sons of King Sagara in celestial form
enjoy heaven. Henceforth, O Great Sovereign, Shri Gunga
shall be thy eldest daughter and be known by thy name
throughout the earth. This sacred river shall be named Shri
Gunga, Tripathaga1 and Bhagirathi.
" ' O King, perform the funeral rites of thine ancestors and
fulfil thy prescribed duty. The mighty King Sagara was not
able to accomplish this purpose and King Anshuman of limitless
prowess also failed to obtain the fulfilment of his devout desire.
Thy father Dilipa, equal to ourselves in merit and a warrior
fully established in the duties of his caste, that illustrious DUipa
besought the holy Gunga to descend to earth in vain. This
great design has been accomplished by thee alone. Thou hast
acquired undying renown throughout the world.
" ' By achieving this, thou art possessed of the highest dharma.
O Great Sovereign, now do thou bathe in the holy stream also.
O Lion among men, purify thyself and acquire merit, then
perform the funeral rites of thine ancestors. O King, may
prosperity attend thee, return to thy capital, I shall now ascend
to my own abode.*
" The mighty and illustrious Brahma then ascended to heaven
and the royal Sage Bhagiratha, having performed the obsequies
of the sons of King Sagara, with the water of the sacred Ganges,
returned to his capital.
" Enjoying every felicity, King Bhagiratha began to govern
once more and his people rejoiced that he had again assumed
rulership. All were freed from suffering and anxiety and they
increased in wealth and prosperity.
" O Rama, I have narrated the story of the descent of Shri
Gunga fully to thee. May prosperity attend thee 1 Dusk has
fallen and the hour of the evening prayer has come. This story
gives wealth, prosperity, fame, longevity, sons, and residence
1 Tripathaga — three way going.
89
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
in heaven to the reader. He who causes it to be heard by others
whether he be a brahmin or a kshatriya, brings joy to his
ancestors and the gods.
" O Ramachandra, he who with fixed attention listens to this
story, shall obtain all he desires, his sins will be remitted
and he will obtain long life and renown."
chapter 45
Vishwamitra begins to relate the story of the city of
Vishala and the churning of the ocean, which leads
to the combat between the devas and the dotty as
Shri Ramachandra and Shri Lakshmana were filled with
astonishment on hearing the words of Shri Vishwamitra, and
said to him : " O Holy Sage, marvellous indeed is the history
of King Sagara and the descent of the Ganges, which thou hast
related to us."
The night drew on as they had been listening to the story,
and Shri Rama and Lakshmana passed the remaining hours
meditating on the matter.
The clear day dawned and Shri Rama, having performed
his daily devotions, said to Shri Vishwamitra : " The night
has passed in listening to this divine narrative, it has slipped
away, as if it were a moment. Now let us cross the sacred
and merit-giving stream reflecting on its marvellous origin.
Knowing thee to have come, the other sages have sent a boat
in preparation for crossing the holy river."
Shri Vishwamitra summoned the ferryman and with the
princes and sages all were conveyed to the other side. They
rested awhile on the opposite bank and entertained the sages
in their company. In the distance, they saw the city named
Vishala and soon the great Rishi Vishwamitra with the princes
reached that place of beauty, which resembled one of Indra's
cities.
Then Rama, full of wisdom, approached the holy sage and
90
BALA KANDA
humbly made enquiry concerning the city. He said: "O
Great Sage, what royal and illustrious house rules here ? I
desire to hear."
At these words of Rama, the holy sage began to relate the
story of the city as follows : —
" O Rama, attend ! I will tell thee the story of this city,
which I heard from Indra.
*' In the golden age (Satya Yuga) Diti1 gave birth to a powerful
son Daitya, an asura, and Aditi1 gave birth to the highly
fortunate and exceedingly righteous son Devata, a celestial
being. These two sagacious beings sought to become immortal,
incorruptible and free from disease, old age and other ills.
After reflecting on this matter, they resolved to churn Kshiroda
(the ocean of milk) and obtain from it the water of immortality.
Using the mighty snake Vasuki as a rope and the Mandara
mountain as the churn, they began to churn the ocean. When
they had done so for a thousand years, the snake Vasuki bit
the rocks with its teeth and threw up venom. From this was
produced the great poison which began to consume men, gods,
demons and the whole world.
" The gods took refuge with the Lord Shiva and worshipped
him crying * Protect us, protect us \ Attracted by the mournful
cry of the gods, Shri Mahadeva and Shri Hari3 appeared there
with conch and disc.
" Shri Vishnu3 smilingly addressed the bearer of the trident,
Shri Mahadeva, and said : ' O Lord, thou art the chief of the
gods and should'st, therefore, accept whatever is first produced
by the churning of the ocean. Receive the poison as thy gift,
the first tribute/
"Having spoken thus, Shri Vishnu disappeared, and the
Blessed Lord Shiva, moved by the distress of the gods and
the words of Shri Vishnu, drank the dreadful poison, as if it
were nectar, and returned to Kailasha.
" O Prince of Raghu, the devas and the daityas began churning
once more, but the churning staff began to sink. Then the
devas and gandharvas praised the Lord Vishnu, saying : * O
1 Diti — a goddess, mother of the titans, daityas.
* Aditi — a goddess, denoting " infinity ", mother of the gods, adityas.
1 Shri Hari — another title oTthe Lord Vishnu.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Blessed Lord, Thou art the Master of all beings, thou art the
asylum of the gods — protect us all, O Great Lord, and support
the sinking Mandara mountain/
" Shri Vishnu, assuming the form of a tortoise, entered the
ocean and supported the mountain on his back. Taking hold
of the peak in his hand, the blessed Vishnu churned the ocean,
standing between the devas and the asuras.
"After a thousand years, Shri Dhanwantari,1 the teacher of
the Ayur Veda appeared, holding a staff and loshta in his hands ;
thereafter many nymphs emerged. O Raghava, they were called
apsaras, * ap ' meaning water and ' yara ' to ' emerge from ' ;
on this account these beautiful damsels were named * apsaras.'
O Rama, they numbered six hundred million and their female
attendants were innumerable. None were received either by
the devas or the daityas, hence they remained without a lord.
° Then, O Prince, Varuni,8 the daughter of the god Varuna2
was born. The sons of Aditi did not accept her, but the asuras
gladly did so. Those who rejected her were called suras3
(devas) and those who received her became merry and were
called asuras.
" O Raghava, then the celestial horse Uchchaihshravas and
the jewel Kaustubha also rose out of the sea, and they were
succeeded by the water of immortality.
" O Rama, the devas fought with the danavas* for possession
of the nectar and the daityas allied themselves with the asuras
in this struggle ; terrible indeed was this combat.
"Aftei many had lost their lives in the fight, Shri Vishnu
assumed the form of Mohini, a charming woman the product
of Maya5 and stole the nectar from the combatants.
" Those who opposed the imperishable Vishnu were destroyed
by him. In this conflict the gods slew countless daityas.6
Indra, after slaying the asuras, became the king of the devas
and with the help of the sages began to rule with joy."
1 Dhanwantari— physician of the gods.
* Varuni — litcralfy " wine ", the daughter of Varuna, the Lord of waters.
1 Suras — another name for the gods.
* Danavas — Giants who warred against the gods.
* Maya — the indescribable, indefinable principle or power by which all
creatures are deluded. (For further explanation refer to glossary.)
* Daityas — Titans.
92
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 46
Diti undergoes severe austerities for the birth of a son
" O Rama, learning that her children had been slain, Diti
was much afflicted and approached her husband Kasyapa1
with the words : ' O Lord, by thy powerful sons, am I
bereft of my children. I desire a son who will be able to
destroy India, though to this end I must undergo great
penance. Such austerities I will perform, if thou wilt grant
me a son that is mighty, valorous, strong-willed and firm of
purpose.*
" The holy sage answered the afflicted Diti saying : ' Be it
so ! Remain chaste for a thousand years, thou shalt then bear
a son capable of destroying Indra. By my grace, thy child
shall be the ruler of the three worlds.'
" Thus did the sage console Did, and blessing her, departed
to practise penance. Diti retired contentedly to the forest
of Kushaplava and began to undergo severe austerities.
" Indra then, coming there, paid reverence to her and began
to serve her with humility, supplying her with fire, kusha grass3
and other necessities, massaging her body when she became
weak from the severity of ascetic practices. O Rama, Indra
served Diti for a thousand years less ten days.
" Then Diti joyfully addressed Indra saying : * O Indra, thy
father has promised to grant me a son after a thousand years
penance. Thou shalt soon behold thy brother, whom I desire
shall overcome thee. With him thou shalt share the three
worlds and be happy, have no anxiety.'
" By this time the afternoon had come. Diti overcome with
sleep, placing her feet where her head had lain, carelessly
assumed an impure posture.
" Indra rejoiced and laughed aloud. Entering her body, he
cut the foetus into seven pieces with his great mace. Dili's
slumber was interrupted by the cry of the child in her womb.
1 Kasyapa — a Vcdic sage.
1 Kusha gran — sacred grass used in religious ceremonies, a grass of long stalks
and pointed leaves. (Desnostachya bipinnata.)
93
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Indra said to it * Do not weep *, * Do not weep ', and again
divided the child with his mace, despite Diti*s cries, ' Do not
destroy it, do not destroy it '.
" Then Indra paused in his murderous assault and with
extreme humility addressed Diti saying * O Diti, thou wast
impure through sleeping with thy feet towards the head of the
couch, thou did'st thus occupy an improper posture. I have,
therefore, severed thine unborn child into seven parts, since he
was to be the cause of my destruction. O Devi, pardon me V*
chapter 47
The holy sage and the princes arrive at Vtskala
and are welcomed by King Pramati
Knowing the foetus to be divided into seven parts, Diti was
greatly perturbed and said to Indra : —
"Through my fault has this come to pass ; O Indra, thou art
in no wise guilty. This child being divided, for thy good and
mine own, I declare that these seven shall become the protectors
of the forty-nine winds. These seven sons of divine appearance
shall be known as the Bala-kanda winds. Let one wander about
in the region of Brahma, another in the region of Indra, and
the third in space. Let the remaining four winds go anywhere
under thy instructions ; may they all be known by the name
of Maruts, conferred on them by thee."
With joined palms, the thousand-eyed god Indra said in reply
to Diti : " O Devi, it will assuredly come to pass as thou
desireth. Thy sons shall wander about in the form of devas
in the Tapovana forest."
Thus reconciled and fully satisfied the mother and son
ascended to heaven.
Thus have I heard, O Rama ! This is that Tapovana forest
in which Indra formerly served his mother Diti. O Lion
among Men, here a great city was founded by the righteous
Prince Vishala, the son of King Ikswaku and Alambusa.
94
BALA KANDA
O Rama* the mighty son of Vishala was named Hemachandra,
and his son was the renowned Suchandra. O Rama, the son
of Suchandra was Dhumrashwa and his son was Srinjaya.
The glorious Sahadeva was the son of Srinjaya and the son
of Sahadeva was the highly virtuous Krishashwa.
The son of Krishashwa was Somadatta and his son was
Kakustha. The most illustrious and invincible of warriors
King Pramati the son of Kakustha, is the present ruler of
Vishala.
By the grace of King Ikswaku all the rulers of Vishala are
long lived, virtuous and mighty.
O Rama, let us pass the night here, and to-morrow we will
wait upon King Janaka.
When the powerful King Pramati heard of Shri Vishwamitra's
arrival in his kingdom, he went with his spiritual preceptor
and relatives to welcome him.
With joined palms, they offered him due worship and enquired
as to his welfare. The king said : " O Muni, to-day I am
indeed fortunate that thou hast been gracious enough to visit
my kingdom. None is more blessed than I."
CHAPTER 48
They come to Gautama's hermitage and Vishwamitra
relates its story
King Pramati having enquired as to the well-being of Shri
Vishwamitra, said : —
" O Holy Sage, may the Lord protect those two youths ;
be gracious enough to tell me who they may be. These princes,
equal to the gods in power, walking with the gait of an elephant,
fearless as lions or bulls in combat, whose eyes resemble lotuses,
who are armed with swords, bows and quivers, who rival
the heavenly Aswins1 in beauty and who, in the flower of their
1 Aswini — celestial horsemen, twin sons of Surya, the sun, precursors of the
dawn.
95 H
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
youth, appear like gods, visiting the earth. Why are they
travelling on foot ? Whose sons are they ? Why are they
come ? Enhancing the earth as the sun and moon illumine
the sky ; their manner of address and bearing showing them
to be kinsmen, why are these two heroes of high descent,
bearing mighty weapons, found on this hard path? I long
to hear.*'
Shri Vishwamitra related to the king the whole story of the
visit to the Siddha Ashrama and the slaying of the asuras.
The king was highly gratified to meet the princes, and
perceiving them to be virtuous, entertained them with the
greatest respect. Shri Ramachandra and Lakshmana having
received hospitality from King Pramati, passed the night
there. The following day they left for Mithilapuri, the capital
of King Janafca.
When they beheld the city at a distance, they cried out :
" How beautiful, how beautiful it is ! " Thereafter, finding a
charming hermitage which was uninhabited, Rama enquired of
the Rishi Vishwamitra as follows : " O Sage, how can it be
that this beautiful hermitage is unfrequented ? O Lord, tell us
whose has been this hermitage ? "
Shri Vishwamitra, chief among the eloquent, answered Rama,
saying : " O Prince, hear the true story of this hermitage, I
will relate to thee who was its author and how he cursed it
in anger.
" O Rama, this place, a source of wonder even to the gods,
belonged to the Rishi Gautama and resembled the abode of
the celestials. Here with Ahalya, the sage practised Yoga for
thousands of years.
" O Rama, one day, the sage having gone to a distant place,
Indra, finding Ahalya alone, assumed his form, and said to her :
* O Fair One, I am overcome by desire, let us carry out our
conjugal duty.*
" O Raghava, though Ahalya recognized Indra disguised as
her lord, yet she acceded to his request. Then Ahalya addressed
Indra saying : * O Indra, I am highly gratified, now depart
quickly, unobserved. O Chief of the gods, preserve me and
thyself from Gautama.'
" Indra laughed and answered : * O Thou of beautiful waist,
96
BALA KANDA
to-day I rejoice, I will now depart for my own region.' On this,
he sought to leave the hut of Ahalya.
" O Rama, at that instant he observed the Rishi Gautama
entering the hut and he became agitated and anxious. Seeing
the holy sage unconquered by devas or danavas, endowed with
the power of Yoga, drenched with holy water, shining like fire,
holding the sacred fuel and kusha grass in his hands, Indra
was terrified and grew pale.
" Shri Gautama perceiving Indra in his own guise and
judging by his guilty looks that he was leaving his spouse
having committed sin with her, cursed him saying : —
" • O Wicked Wretch, assuming my form, thou hast committed
this sinful act. Be thou impotent.' Cursed by the Rishi Gautama,
Indra was instantly deprived of bis manhood. Then the Sage
Gautama cursed Ahalya also saying : * Thou shalt remain
immovable in this place for thousands of years, thy food the
wind alone. Thou shalt be as dust, invisible to all creatures.
When Rama, the son of Dasaratha visits this forest, then shalt
thou be cleansed from thy sin. Having served him, O Deluded
One without desire for personal gain, thou shalt be restored
to me in thy present body/
" Thus did the illustrious Gautama curse the wicked Ahalya
and, abandoning the hermitage, began his yogic penances, on
the beautiful peak of Himalaya, inhabited by siddhas."
chapter 49
Shri Rama liberates Ahalya from Gautama's curse
and departs for Mithila
Deprived of his virility, Indra grew melancholy, and addressing
Agni and the other gods, said : " By obstructing the ascetic
practices of the Mahatma Gautama, who sought to usurp my
power, I have verily served the purpose of the gods. Evoking
his wrath, by causing him to curse me and denounce Ahalya,
97
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
I have robbed the rishi of his spiritual power, therefore, O Devas,
O Divine Beings, help me now to recover my manhood."
Then the gods with Agni at their head, approached the
pittris, kavyavahanas and other beings and said to them : " Indra
has been deprived of his virility ; this ram of yours is in full
possession of its powers, allow us to graft the testicles of the ram
on to Indra, we can compensate the ram in this wise — from
to-day, let those who desire to propitiate you, offer the sacrifice
of a castrated ram and receive the reward of great merit at your
hands."
The pittris did as requested by Agni and grafted the testicles
of the ram on to Indra. From that time, O Rama, they have
accepted the sacrifice of a gelded ram.
This event proves the immeasurable power of the practices
of the holy sage. Now let us enter his hermitage. O Rama,
do thou liberate the unfortunate Ahalya, so that she may once
more resume her nymph-like form."
Shri Rama accepted the command and entered the hermitage,
preceded by the Sage Vishwamitra. There they beheld Ahalya,
by virtue of her yogic practices. Unperceived by devas, asuras
or men, it seemed as if Brahma had created her with his own
hands as a great mistress of occult powers. Resembling the
full moon veiled in mist or the reflection of the sun in water
or a bright fire wreathed in smoke, by the curse of the Rishi
Gautama she remained invisible and thus it was ordained she
should remain till she beheld Shri Ramachandra and till that
hour, none in the three worlds should look on her.
With the deepest reverence did Shri Rama and Lakshmana
touch the feet of Ahalya and she, remembering the words of
the Rishi Gautama fell down in devotion before them. There-
after, she entertained them with due hospitality, as enjoined
in the scriptures, while the two princes acknowledged the honour
paid to them. At this moment a rain of flowers fell from the sky,
scattered by the gods ; heavenly musicians sang and celestial
nymphs danced whilst all rejoiced and paid homage to
Ahalya.
The illustrious Sage Gautama becoming aware of the matter
through his divine powers, repaired to the hermitage and rejoiced
to behold Ahalya restored to her former state. Re-united, they
98
BALA KANDA
both worshipped the glorious Rama and then resumed their
spiritual life together.
Shri Rama, having accepted the homage offered to him,
departed thence for Mithila.
chapter 50
They are welcomed at the place of sacrifice by King Janaka
Preceded by Shri Vishwamitra, Shri Rama and Lakshmana
came to the king's place of sacrifice. Beholding the sacrificial
pavilion, they said to the holy sage : " How well has the great
Janaka prepared for the sacrifice ! O August Rishi, thousands
of brahmins learned in the Vedas, from many lands, with
hundreds of bullock carts transporting their possessions, can be
seen here. O Holy Father, let us choose a place where thou
mayest rest."
The Sage thereupon selected a place which was secluded
and supplied with water.
Hearing of the arrival of Shri Vishwamitra, King Janaka,
accompanied by his illustrious priest, Shri Shatananda, and
many others, hastened to that place and humbly offered obeisance
to the holy sage. Then the king placed the traditional gifts
of water sweetened with honey1 before him and he, accepting
the gifts, enquired as to the king's welfare and further whether
the sacrifice was proceeding without hindrance ; he then duly
inquired concerning the welfare of Shri Shatananda and other
holy men in attendance on their sovereign.
The king received all with a cheerful countenance and with
joined palms said to Shri Vishwamitra : " O August Lord,
please be seated with the other great sages." Thus requested,
they sat down, after which Janaka with his family priest,
DKuimins and counsellors occupied their places, the king seated
in the midst of his ministers.
1 Madhu parka — a mixture of curds, butter, honey and the milk of coconut
— a traditional offering.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having attended to the due placing of his guests, the illustrious
sovereign said : " O Lord, to-day, by the grace of the gods,
all the preparations for the sacrifice have been carried out, now
by thine advent here I have acquired merit equal to the fruit
of my sacrifice. Blessed am I that thou hast honoured the place
of sacrifice with thy presence. O Divine Sage, the high priests
have informed me that the sacrifice will be completed in the
course of twelve days, the gods will then come to take their
share ; Thou, O Illustrious Lord, shalt behold them."
Having thus addressed the sage, the king again earnestly
enquired of him, saying : " May prosperity attend thee !
O Sage, who are these two illustrious princes, equalling the gods
in power, whose bearing resembles the majesty of an elephant,
or a lion, who are valiant and whose eyes are like lotuses, who
are armed with swords, bows and quivers and whose beauty
rivals the Aswini-Kumara, who are youthful and appear to
have descended from heaven to earth like the gods ? Have
they come here on foot ? Whose sons are they ? They, whose
eyes are wide set and who are armed with sacred weapons,
who wear their hair like Karttikeya1 and who captivate the hearts
of men by their magnanimous and virtuous qualities ? Surely
they are come hither to exalt our hearts and add to the fame
of our dynasty ? Adorning the earth as the sun or moon adorn
the sky, in stature and bearing resembling each other, O Great
Sage, whose sons are they ? Please tell me all ! "
Hearing the words of King Janaka, Shri Vishwamitra said :
*' These are the sons of King Dasaratha."
He then told the king of their residence in the Siddha-Asrama
and of the slaying of the demons, of their visit to Vishala and
the rescue of Ahalya, also of their meeting with the Sage
Gautama. Then he said : " Now have we come to see the
great bow."
Having related all this to the king, the great muni became
silent.
1 Karttikeya — the god of war ; the hair was shaved cm the crown and the
two side pieces like crows' wings left at the side.
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 5 I
Gautama's son, Shatananda, relates more of the story
of the Sage Vishwamitra
Having heard the words of the wise Vishwamitra, Shri Shat-
ananda, the eldest son of the Sage Gautama, resplendent by
virtue of his practice of Yoga, was filled with wonder and delight
and, beholding Shri Rama was astonished.
Seeing the two princes sitting at their ease, Shri Shatananda
said to the Sage Vishwamitra : " O Holy Sage, was my mother,
so long involved in the practice of austerity, shown by thee
to Shri Ramachandra ? O Illustrious One, did my mother enter-
tain these two heroes worthy of adoration with fruits and those
things she was able to obtain in the hermitage ?
" O Holy Rishi, didst thou relate the story of the improper
behaviour of Indra to my mother in bygone days, to Shri
Ramachandra? O Holy One, by virtue of the advent of
Shri Rama, did my mother obtain my father's favour once
more ? O Kaushika, did my father duly honour Shri Rama-
chandra and is this Illustrious One, having received the hospitality
of my parents, really come hither ? O Holy Sage, please tell
me; when my tranquil-minded sire entered the hermitage,
was he honoured by Shri Rama ? "
Shri Vishwamitra, skilled in the art of converse and acquainted
with the laws of rhetoric, answered Shri Shatananda saying : —
" O Great Muni, I did that which should be done, by speaking
that which was proper to the occasion, and patiently listening
to that which was spoken, recollecting my duty. As Jamadagni,
who first cursed Renuka and was then reconciled to her, so has
thy father shown favour to thy mother and received her again."
Hearing the words of Shri Vishwamitra, the great Shatananda
addressed Shri Ramachandra, saying : " O Great One, may
thy coming be the source of prosperity to all. It is fortunate
indeed that thou didst visit my father's hermitage and restore
my mother to her former state. How can I sufficiently praise
that mighty Sage Shri Vishwamitra, reverenced by all the
sages. O Rama, enlightened are his actions ; by virtue of his
xoi
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI'
holy practices he has become a brahmarishi1 though previously
a royal sage. Among brahmarishis he is unique, he is known
to me as one who is ever concerned with the good of all. O
Rama, none is equal to thee on earth, since thou art protected
by so great a sage as Vishwamitra. Hear while I relate the story
of the great Kaushika2 to thee : —
" In the past, this holy sage was a virtuous monarch, versed
in all branches of learning, delighting in the welfare of his
subjects and the destroyer of his foes.
" Kusha, the righteous and powerful king, was the son of
Prajapati, and his son was Gadhi, and the great and illustrious
Sage Vishwamitra is the son of Gadhi.
" On ascending the throne, King Vishwamitra ruled the earth
for many thousands of years. At a certain time, King Vish-
wamitra, assembling his army, set out to range the earth.
O Rama, he passed through many cities and kingdoms and
crossed innumerable rivers, mountains and forests, visiting many
hermitages till he came to the one belonging to Shri Vasishtha.
This hermitage was thickly planted with many-branched trees
with dense foliage in which birds of every kind dwelt. Many
species of beasts frequented that place, and the siddhas also
came there — devas, gandharvas and other celestial beings added
to the peace and beauty of that hermitage by their presence.
Beautiful birds flew about and peaceful deer wandered here
and there. Many learned brahmins also dwelt in that hermitage.
" Brahmin sages and also celestial rishis inhabited that place,
so that it shone like fire by virtue of their presence. This
hermitage sheltered many great Vedic scholars equal to Brahma,
some living only on air, some on water, some on dry leaves.
Other sages lived on fruit and roots, and there were in addition
thousands of brahmacharis fully self-subdued.
" Each sage observed the sacred traditions, performing his
morning and evening devotions, repeating the silent prayer (japa)
offering water to the spirits of his ancestors, and pouring obla-
tions into the sacrificial fire.
1 Brahmarishi — There are four kinds of sages or rishis : The Rajarishi or royal
•age, the Mahariahi or great sage, the Brahmarishi or sacred sage and the Devariihi
or divine sage. The ascending scale culminates in the Devariihi.
1 Kaushika — The name of Vishwamitra, he being the son of King Kusilca, or
Kusha.
BALA KANDA
"Many retired householders practising Yoga, dwelt there
with their wives. Verily that hermitage resembled the abode
of Brahma, and the great and powerful King Vishwamitra
rejoiced to behold it."
chapter 52
How King Vishwamitra visits Skri Vasishtha's hermitage
and accepts hospitality provided by the wish-fulfilling cow,
Skabala
Beholding the hermitage, the mighty Vishwamitra filled with
joy, bowed with great humility to Shri Vasishtha who was
engaged in the telling of his rosary.
Shri Vasishtha welcomed the king and bade him be seated,
and he having done so was offered the fruits and roots that
grew in that place.
Honoured by the holy sage, King Vishwamitra enquired of
him if all were well with the fire sacrifice, his spiritual practices
and his disciples. Shri Vasishtha related to him all that
concerned his welfare and the welfare of those in the hermitage,
even to the trees themselves.
Sitting at ease, Shri Vasishtha said to King Vishwamitra,
eminent among yogis and a son of Shri Brahma himself : " O
King, is it well with thee in all ways ? Dost thou give satisfaction
to thy subjects in accordance with the law of righteousness and
dost thou rule and protect thy people according to the spiritual
law ? Is thy revenue justly received and increased ? Is it
judiciously administered and distributed to those who are eligible
and deserving? Are thy servants remunerated at the proper
season ? Do thy subjects willingly obey thee ? O Sovereign,
hast thou subdued thine enemies ? O Sinless King, is it well
with thine army, thy treasury, thy friends, thy sons and
grandsons ? "
In reply to these questions, King Vishwamitra humbly
answered : "All is well, my Lord I "
Conversing pleasantly together tor a long time, recounting
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the ancient traditions to each other, they thus promoted their
mutual delight,
O Prince of the House of Raghu, when King Vishwamitra
paused, Shri Vasishtha said to him smilingly : " O King,
although thou hast with thee a large retinue, yet it is my desire
to offer thee hospitality, together with thine army. Be pleased
to accept it. Since thou art a distinguished guest, it is meet
that I should do all within my power to entertain thee, therefore,
be gracious enough to receive the little I have to offer."
King Vishwamitra answered : " O Lord, thy gentle and
pleasing words are sufficient entertainment. Moreover, thou
hast already presented me with fruits and the clear water of
thy hermitage. By meeting with thee alone, am I sufficiently
honoured. O Supremely Wise One, it was proper that I should
offer obeisance to thee ; now thou hast entertained me, allow me
to offer thee salutations and depart."
The great sage declined to accept the king's refusal of his
offer, and still insisted that he should entertain him.
Then Vishwamitra said : " Be it according to thy pleasure,
my Lord, I will do as thou desirest."
At these words, Shri Vasishtha sent for his favourite spotted
cow Kamadhenu and said to her : " O Shabala, draw near and
listen to me, I desire to offer hospitality to the king and his army.
O Dear One, thou art the wish-fulfilling cow and can accomplish
anything, therefore, now prepare splendid dishes which will be
pleasing to them, of the six kinds of taste.1 Produce speedily
whatever food can be eaten, drunk, licked or sucked."
CHAPTER 53
The king desires to possess Shabala but Shri Vasishtha will not
give her up
The cow Shabala provided for the needs of all according to
the instruction of Shri Vasishtha. Sugar cane, sweets of various
kinds, honey, crushed barley, wine and other excellent drinks,
1 The six kinds of taste : sweet, bitter, acid, salt, pungent and acrid.
104
BALA KANDA
hot rice in heaps as high as mountains, milk, curry and other
fare combining the six tastes and countless other dishes with
sweets made of jagari1 were distributed. Each was wholly
satisfied and delighted with the hospitality of Shri Vasishtha,
who accorded to all the companions and retainers of King
Vishwamitra the full extent of their desires.
The king with his family priests, ministers and attendants,
partaking of the feast offered with generosity and respect by
the great sage, was highly gratified.
When all the counsellors and personal attendants and the army
had received full hospitality, the king, wholly satisfied, said to
Shri Vasishtha : " O Holy Sage, thou hast entertained me
royally, please hear what I have to say O Eloquent One ! O
Lord, give me the cow Shabala in exchange for a hundred
thousand excellent cows. Shabala is a jewel and by a king
should jewels be enjoyed — according to the natural law, this
treasure should therefore be mine."
Shri Vasishtha answered, saying : " O King, I will not part
with Shabala in exchange for ten million cows, still less for
a hundred thousand. If thou did'st offer me mountains of silver
yet would I refuse to give thee Shabala for she must remain
in my hermitage.
" O King, as a righteous man cares for his good name, so
do I for Shabala. She helps me to satisfy the devas, the pittris
and other beings. My sacred fire sacrifice and other Vedic rites,
besides the various branches of learning depend on Shabala.
O Great Ruler, indeed I cannot relinquish this cow, she is
my all and she fulfils all my needs — for these and numerous
other reasons do I refuse to yield the cow to thee. O King,
verily I will not part with Shabala."
The words of Shri Vasishtha merely increased the king's
desire and he, under great emotion, declared with passion :
" O Great Muni, I will give thee fourteen thousand elephants
adorned with golden trappings, ornaments and goads and, in
addition, I will give thee a hundred and eight chariots made
of solid gold, each driven by four milk white horses. At the
same time, I offer thee eleven thousand well-trained horses,
each with a golden harness and further ten million cows of
1 Jagari — coarse brown Indian sugar made from palm tap.
105
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
varied colours, that ate young and healthy. O give me Shabala,
and I will give thee in exchange as much gold as thou desirest.
Grant me Shabala, I implore thee, and accept my gifts, O Sage."
Then the wise Vasishtha said : " Under no condition can I
part with Shabala, O King, she is my jewel and my wealth.
She is my very life, my all-in-all, and she furnishes me with
alms and all I require for sacrifice. In brief, O King, Shabala
is the source of my spiritual life and I will never give her
up."
CHAPTER 54
King Viskwamtra attempts to carry her away by force
O Rama, perceiving that Shri Vasishtha would not willingly
consent to part with the cow, Vishwamitra resolved to carry
her away by force.
O Raghava, while Shabala was being forcibly carried off,
distracted with grief, she began to reflect thus : " Why has the
holy Vasishtha abandoned me ? In what way have I offended
the holy sage ? Why are the servants of the king dragging me
away from the hermitage ? I am innocent and docile, the holy
muni is dear to me ; what fault have I committed that the
Mahatma Vasishtha should abandon me ? "
Sighing again and again, Shabala, shaking off the hands of
the king's attendants, swiftly ran and placed her head at the feet
of the holy sage. Standing before Shri Vasishtha, shedding tears
and lamenting loudly, she cried : " O Lord, O Son of Brahma
hast thou verily abandoned me ? Why are the servants of the
king taking me away from thy presence, by force ? "
Seeing the sorely stricken Shabala, Shri Vasishtha addressed
her as he would his own sister, saying : " O Shabala, it is not
by my will that thou art thus being carried away, neither hast
thou offended me in any way, O Dear One. Drunk with desire,
the king is taking thee from me by force. I have not the power
to defend thee. The king is a warrior and lord of the earth,
he is attended by a mighty army with horses, elephants and
chariots, verily he is mightier than I."
106
BALA KANDA
Shabala, who was skilled in argument, listened to the words
of Shri Vasishtha and said : " O Holy Sage, the power of a
warrior is as nought compared to that of a holy sage.
O Illustrious Lord, the strength of a sage is divine and based
on the exercise of spiritual practices and discipline, it is therefore
limitless; thou art, O Lord, immeasurably stronger than a
kshatriya. The power of that mighty king Vishwamitra, is
great, but he cannot equal thy strength and splendour. O Lord,
through thy strength and energy suffer me to destroy the power
and pride of this wicked wretch."
Shri Vasishtha answered : " Be it so ! Create an army by
thy spiritual energy, that will destroy the forces of the king."
Lowing loudly, Shabala, in obedience to the sage, instantly
produced hundreds of foreign soldiers, who began to destroy
the army of Vishwamitra while he was looking on. Perceiving
his army about to be overthrown, King Vishwamitra became
enraged and, mounting his chariot, his eyes red with anger,
he advanced to the attack. With various weapons, he began
to slay thousands of men, and Shabala, seeing the army created
by her, annihilated, now produced strange beings called shakas
in such numbers, that they filled the whole earth. Highly
valorous, their skins shining like gold, clad in yellow armour,
furnished with scimitars and maces, they started to consume
the army of Vishwamitra like a raging fire.
Then the great Vishwamitra, with the aid of yogic weapons,
began to create disorder in the ranks of the forces produced
by Shabala.
chapter 55
Shabala creates an army which annihilates Vishwamitra' s
forces
AS the mighty warriors fell, pierced by the weapons of \
Vishwamitra^ forces, Shri Vasishtha said to Shabala: "O
Shabala, create more warriors by the power of Yoga."
107
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Shabala, lowing loudly, produced well-armed soldiers from
her feet and udders, and from her hair and thighs were born
the extraordinary warriors Harita and Kirata. By these, the
whole army of Vishwamitra consisting of elephants, horses and
chariots, was instantly destroyed. Beholding their entire army
exterminated by the power of Shri Vasishtha, King Vishwami-
tra's hundred sons bearing mighty arms and with various
thought-propelled weapons rushed angrily at the holy Sage
Vasishtha. Shri Vasishtha merely uttered the sound " H'm ! "
and they were all immediately consumed. By the great Sage
Vasishtha, the infantry, cavalry and chariots, together with the
sons of King Vishwamitra, were instantly burned to ashes.
Then the illustrious monarch Vishwamitra whose sons and
army had been annihilated, was filled with shame and dismay.
Deprived of his glory, he resembled a waveless ocean or a snake
bereft of its fangs or the sun under eclipse. Like a bird without
wings, his confidence shattered, his pride humbled, he became
filled with anxiety. Bestowing the kingdom on his only remain-
ing son, he exhorted him to rule according to dharma and then
himself retired to the forest to practise asceticism.
After some time, he found favour with Shri Mahadeva1 the
magnanimous granter of boons, and he, appearing before
Vishwamitra, addressed him saying : " O King, why art thou
undergoing penance ? What is thy desire ? I will grant thee
whatsoever thou asketh ? "
Shri Vishwamitra making obeisance to Shri Mahadeva said
to him : " O Great God, if I have found favour with thee,
then instruct me in the Upanishads and other branches of
learning, teach me also the mysteries and the science of archery.
Whatever weapons are known to the danavas, yakshas, asuras
and other beings, let them be revealed to me by thy grace."
On hearing the request of the king, Shri Shiva answered,
" Be it so " and returned to his abode.
King Vishwamitra, having acquired the various weapons from
Mahadeva, became as happy as the sea at the time of the full
moon. He now resolved to subdue the Sage Vasishtha and
regarded him as his captive already.
Proceeding to his hermitage he discharged his great weapons
1 Mahadeva — Great God, a name of Shiva.
1 08
BALA KANDA
like rain, setting the forest of Tapovan ablaze. Afflicted by these
dreadful weapons, all the sages began to flee to the four quarters
in terror ; even the disciples of Shri Vasishtha, together with
innumerable birds and beasts, escaped hastily in every direction.
The hermitage of Shri Vasishtha became deserted and a deep
silence fell upon it, causing it to resemble a barren field.
Shri Vasishtha repeatedly called out : " Fear not, fear not,
I will destroy Vishwamitra as the sun dispels the morning
mist."
Then the great Sage Vasishtha, foremost among those who
practise silent prayer, angrily addressed Vishwamitra saying :
" Thou hast destroyed my ancient and auspicious hermitage,
O Wicked and Deluded Wretch, thou thyself shalt be destroyed."
Snatching up his staff equal to the rod of Yama, he advanced
like a naked name.
CHAPTER 56
Shri Vasishtha by his spiritual strength conquers Vishwamitra
who then engages in penances
Hearing the harsh words uttered by Shri Vasishtha, Vishwami-
tra raising the fire weapon, cried : " Stay ! Beware ! "
Then Shri Vasishtha, lifting up his Brahma staff in wrath,
exclaimed : " O Vilest of Warriors, here I stand, let loose all
thy weapons, not excepting those propelled by thought which
thou hast obtained from the Lord Shiva. O Son of Gadhi,
to-day I will deprive thee of all these weapons. How can thy
power as a warrior compare with that of a divine sage ? O
Stupid Wretch, behold my divine energy ! "
So saying, Shri Vasishtha quenched the dangerous fire weapon
hurled at him by Vishwamitra as water quenches fire.
Then the son of Gadhi let fly other dangerous weapons
upon the holy sage, the Varuna, the Rudra, the Indra, the
Pashupata and Ishika weapons together with the Manava,
Mohana, Gandharva, Swapana, Jrimbhana, Viadana, Santapana,
109
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and Vilapana ; the Shoshaua, Darana and the terrible Vatra ;
the Brahma-pasha and Kalapasha, the Varuna-pasha and the
priceless Pinaka and also the missiles Shushka and Ardra, the
Danda weapon and the Pisacha, the Krouncha and the Dharma-
discus, the Kala discus and the discus of Vishnu, also the
weapon Vayuvya, Mathana and Haya-shira did he discharge
upon the great sage with the two Shaktis, the Kankala, Mushala,
Vidyadhara, Kala, the trident Kapala and the Kankana. All
these did he hurl at the holy sage.
Then Shri Vasishtha accomplished a great marvel and by
means of his staff alone destroyed all the weapons of Vishwamitra.
Seeing these weapons rendered ineffectual, Vishwamitra raised
the Brahman-astra. At this, Agni, the divine sages and the
celestial beings were seized with terror and the three worlds
shook with fear. But by means of ins spiritual power and the
study and practice of Brahman- Vidya, Shri Vasishtha subdued
the Brahman-astra. As Shri Vasishtha consumed this tremen-
dous weapon, his charming and pleasing mien became terrible
and from each pore of his body shafts of light shot forth while
the staff of the holy sage, shining like fire, burst into flame.
All the sages now began to praise Shri Vasishtha, saying :
" Thy power is without equal and ever productive of good,
by the power of thy Yoga, pacify the Brahman-astra. O Holy
Sage, thou hast humbled the pride of Vishwamitra. O Great
Ascetic, be pacified, that we also may be delivered from fear."
Thus addressed, Shri Vasishtha assumed his accustomed mien
and Vishwamitra, being defeated, sighing heavily, exclaimed :
" Woe, woe to the might of a warrior ! The real power is
the spiritual power. Shri Vasishtha by his spiritual strength
has fully conquered mine. I will, therefore, abandon my
warlike nature and seek to obtain brahmanhood."
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 57
Shri Vasishtha refuses to help King Trishanku enter heaven
in his physical state
The heart of Vishwamitra was heavy, remembering his disgrace,
and he was filled with remorse at having borne enmity to Shri
Vasishtha.
O Rama, with his queen he went to the southern quarter
and began his great ascetic penance there.
After a long time four sons were bom to him, each a devotee
of truth, who were virtuous and of great military prowess. Their
names were Havisyanda, Madhusyanda, Drirha-netra and
Maharatha.
Having practised severe austerities for a thousand years, the
Grandsire of the world, Shri Brahma appeared before Vishwami-
tra and said : " O Son of Kaushika, thou hast surpassed the
royal sages in thy great asceticism, thou shalt, therefore, be
numbered among them." Having thus spoken, Shri Brahma
with the gods went to Brahmaloka.
Vishwamitra was filled with shame and with bowed head,
overcome with grief, thus spoke : "Alas ! In spite of prolonged
austerities, the gods still hold me to be a -royal sage.1 I deem
this state no reward for the penance I have undergone."
O Rama, with renewed resolve, Vishwamitra, pre-eminent in
the field of endeavour began his life of mortification anew.
At this time, the great King Trishanku of the House of
Ikswaku, fully self-subdued and a lover of truth, resolved to
initiate a sacrifice in order to enter heaven in his physical body.
Summoning the holy Sage Vasishtha, he communicated his
intention to him, but the Mahatma Vasishtha, having duly
considered the matter, said : " O King, this cannot be."
Discouraged by Shri Vasishtha and for the purpose of fulfilling
his design, the monarch went southwards to where the sons
of Shri Vasishtha abode, leading lives of purity and ascetism.
When King Trishanku beheld the sons of his own Guru, that
great and illustrious sage, he was full of shame, and with bowed
1 Sec note on page 102.
Ill I
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
head offered salutation to them, addressing them in great
humility saying, " O Protectors of those who seek refuge in
you, I come to seek your aid. O Holy Ones, I besought
your sire to assist me in the observance of a sacrifice and he
discouraged me. I have, therefore, come to seek your help
in the matter. O Sons of my Holy Guru, I offer salutations
to you. Again and again, I bow down to you, O Holy Ones,
and beseech you to officiate at the proposed sacrifice, which I
desire to undertake for the fulfilment of my design, namely
that I may ascend to heaven in my embodied state. Discouraged
by the holy teacher Vasishtha, I consider that you alone are
able to assist me. Should you refuse me, there is none in whom
I may take refuge. The kings of the House of Ikshwaku have
always sought guidance of their spiritual preceptor in time of
need, and the holy and learned Sage Vasishtha has ever upheld
the dynasty and, following him, you alone are my
instructors ".
CHAPTER 58
The king appeals to Sftri Vasisktha's sons to conduct
the sacrifice. They curse him and he appeals to Vishtoamtra
O Rama, hearing the words of the king, the hundred sons of
Shri Vasishtha were filled with wrath and said : " O Thou
Evil-minded Wretch, discouraged by thy spiritual preceptor,
how dost thou dare to seek our aid ? O King, we know thee
to be an ignorant man. Shri Vasishtha is able to advance the
sacrifices of the three worlds, verily thou art no true disciple
of such a sage. Shall we render void the utterance of our
great sire ? "
Hearing these harsh words, the king replied : " Discouraged
by my Guru and now by you, I shall seek elsewhere for aid ;
may all be well with you."
The sons of the great sage were enraged on hearing these
words spoken in defiance, and cursed the king, saying : " Mayest
BALA KANDA
thou become one of the fallen caste." Having thus cursed him,
they returned to their hermitage.
When the night was over, the king was transformed into a
low-born being, his complexion dark, his body emaciated, his
head shaven, his whole frame besmeared with ashes from the
crematorium, bis golden ornaments changed to lead.
When the people of the capital beheld the king in this
condition they fled from that place, and Trishanku departed, full
of anguish. Sunk in grief day and night, he finally sought refuge
with Shri Vishwamitra. That sage seeing the monarch deprived
of his kingdom and condemned to assume the form of a low-caste
being, was moved with compassion, and addressed him saying :
" O Mighty Prince, mayest thou be prosperous ! Why hast
thou come hither ? I know thee to be the Sovereign of Ayodhya
that through a curse art come to this state."
The eloquent King Trishanku, with joined palms, replied
in tones of submission : " O Great One, discouraged by my
Guru and his sons in my desire to enter heaven in the physical
body, I have been transformed by them into a chandala.1 Now,
for shame, I may not show myself to any. O Lord, I have failed
to obtain the fruit of countless sacrifices, an untruth has never
been uttered by me, I have governed my people with righteous-
ness and by my conduct have satisfied my spiritual preceptor
and holy men. I desired to undertake a further meritorious
sacrifice, but O Great Sage, my Guru has withheld his aid.
O Lord, destiny is irrevocable, destiny is inexorable, none can
withstand it. All are ruled by destiny. O Divine Sage, be
favourable to me, who am fallen into distress ! Besides thee,
there is none in whom I can take refuge. O Holy One, by thy
spiritual energy, avert this evil fate."
1 ChantUl* — an outcest.
113
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 59
Viskwamitra seeks the help of the sons of Vasishtha
and Mahodeva ; they refuse and are cursed
Shm Vishwamitra heard the appeal of the fallen sovereign and
in sweet accents spoke words of comfort, saying : " O King,
thou art welcome, I know thee to be wholly virtuous, I will be
thy refuge, fear not. I shall invite hither the learned and pious
brahmans who will assist thee in the performance of thy sacrifice.
This thou shalt accomplish and obtain heaven in the form
imposed on thee by thy Guru. O King} having taken refuge
in me, consider thy purpose already accomplished."
Having uttered these words, Shri Vishwamitra commanded
his sons to prepare all things for the sacrifice. Summoning
his disciples, he said to them : " Bring hither the pious and
learned brahmins and the sons of Shri Vasishtha also. May
they come with their disciples, their friends, the learned and
the priests. If any disregard my word, let it be reported to
me."
In obedience to the sage, the disciples set out to every quarter,
summoning the sages and learned men from many lands.
Returning, they approached Vishwamitra, and said : " O Lord,
at thy command the holy sages are coming hither, some are
already come, Mahodeva excepted ; but the sons of holy
Vasishtha, transported with rage uttered harsh words of which
we will tell thee." They said : " How shall divine sages
partake of that sacrifice undertaken by a chandala, at which
a kshatriya officiates ? And how shall those brahmins, con-
strained by Vishwamitra, partaking of the food offered by a
chandala, enter heaven ? "
O Great Sage, these are the words of the sons of Shri
Vasishtha.
.Vishwamitra, his eyes red with anger, answered : " Why
should the sons of Shri Vasishtha disregard me, who am engaged
in severe ascetic practices and without guilt ? By my power,
these evil-minded men shall this day be consumed to ashes
and enter the abode of death. By my curse they shall become
114
BALA KANDA
of those who subsist on the dead for a hundred incarnations.
They shall eat the flesh of dogs and be called * Musthika \
Despised by all, they shall wander about among men and may
the wicked Mahodeva also, having imputed blame to me, be
born as a fowler, for a long time becoming the pitiless destroyer
of other's lives and by my wrath may he sink to a miserable
and abject state."
Sitting amid the sages, the Sage Vishwamitra having pro-
nounced this curse, became silent.
CHAPTER 60
Through fear of Vishwamitra, the sages assist in the sacrifice
and King Trishanku ascends to a specially created heaven
Having stricken the sons of Shri Vasishtha by the power of
his asceticism, Vishwamitra, seated amidst the sages, spoke : —
" The renowned monarch Trishanku of the dynasty of
Ikshwaku, who is both magnanimous and virtuous, has taken
refuge with me. He is desirous of entering heaven in his
embodied state, it is for me to accomplish it. O Sages, do you
unitedly assist him in this sacrifice."
The sages hearing the words of Vishwamitra and being
acquainted with the tradition, consulted together saying : " The
son of Kaushika, the Risni Vishwamitra, is given to wrath. If
we do not fulfil his desire, like a consuming fire he will pour out
his curse upon us. Let us, therefore, assist him in the sacrifice
so that the king may enter heaven in his physical body. Now
let us inaugurate the rites."
Then the rites began, as prescribed by ancient tradition,
Vishwamitra acting as the chief priest and the learned brahmins
becoming the sacrificing priests subordinate to him. Observing
numerous rituals, the sacrifice continued for a long time. Then
Shri Vishwamitra called thither the gods for their share of the
sacrifice, but none of these celestial beings appeared. At this
"5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the great sage grew exceedingly wroth and lifting up the sacrificial
vessel, said to the King Trishanku : " O King, behold the power
of my asceticism by virtue of which I now send thee to heaven
in thy embodied state. O King, though it is deemed impossible
to accomplish this, by the power acquired by me I now say
to thee ; * ascend to heaven in thy physical form.' "
Having uttered these words, King Trishanku, in the presence
of the sages instantly ascended to the heavens.
Seeing Trishanku there, Indra and all the other gods
exclaimed : " O Trishanku, thou hast no place in heaven.
Cursed by thy Guru, O Stupid Wretch, do thou fall headlong
to the earth/'
Trishanku accordingly instantly began to fall towards the
earth crying out to Shri Vishwamitra, " Protect me ", " Protect
me".
Shri Vishwamitra, hearing the cry, grew angry, and called
out, " Stay, Stay ". At that moment, standing amidst the sages,
the great rishi resembled Prajapati. Thereafter he created seven
planets in the southern quarter called the Seven Rishis, and then
he created the Ashwini and twenty-seven other stars. Seated
amidst the sages, filled with wrath, Vishwamitra reflected in
himself: " I will create another Indra or I will leave this heaven
without an Indra. Nay, I will make Trishanku Lord of this
heaven," and he began to create a new circle of gods.
Upon this, the sages, gods and celestial beings, bewildered
and perturbed, approached Vishwamitra and said with humility :
" O Great Sage, this king has been cursed by bis spiritual
preceptor and is not worthy of heaven."
Shri Vishwamitra answered them, saying : " Hear, O ye Gods,
I have vowed that this king should enter heaven in his embodied
state, this pledge must be fulfilled. To this end, I have created
the Pole star and other planets and this heaven will abide as long
as the former heaven endures, as also the gods created by me,
it becomes you, therefore, to confirm what I have
promised."
The gods in awe, having heard these words, answered : " Be
it so, 0 Illustrious Rishi, the heaven created by thee shall endure
beyond the Path of Vishwanara, and let Trishanku, suspended
head downwards, remain as if immortal among these shining
Il6
BALA KANDA
stars. As the stars attend on famous and successful men, so
let these brilliant luminaries, created by thee, attend on King
Trishanku."
Shri Vishwamitra, extolled by the gods, acquiesced in their
proposal.
After this, O Rama, the gods and the ascetics who had
attended the sacrifice, returned to their own regions.
chapter 61
King Ambariska's sacrificial horse is lost and he seeks
a human victim
O Rama, when Vishwamitra saw the sages departing, he said
to the dwellers of the Tapovana forest : " In the southern region,
great obstructions have hindered my penances, I shall therefore
go to another quarter to perform austerity. To the west of
this place, at the sacred spot named Pushkara, there is a large
and beautiful forest where I shall continue my practices un-
disturbed."
Reaching that place, the great sage engaging in occult practices,
subsisted on fruit and roots.
Meanwhile, King Ambarisha of Ayodhya inaugurated the
horse sacrifice, but the horse was carried away by Indra, on
which the priest addressed the monarch, saying : " O King,
it is for thee to protect the sacrificial steed, the horse has been
stolen away owing to thy negligence, therefore, provide another
or seek a human victim, so that the sacrifice may be accomplished
without further hindrance."
Hearing these words, the renowned monarch offered thousands
of cows to whosoever should find either a horse, or human being.
Seeking the sacrificial beast, the illustrious sovereign passed
through many countries, cities and forests, and entered hermit-
ages and sacred places.
At length, the King Ambarisha beheld Richika the Sage,
with his sons and wife dwelling on the mountain Bhrigutunga.
"7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMJKI
Making obeisance to him, the king honoured him in various ways
and enquired as to his welfare. He then said to him : " If it
be agreeable to thee, grant me one of thy sons in exchange for
a hundred thousand cows. After searching many countries,
I have not found either a horse or a human victim for the
sacrifice. O Lord, do thou, therefore, deliver thy son to me
and accede to my request."
Richika answered : " O King, I will never bestow my eldest
son on any." His wife then said : " My Lord does not wish
to part with the eldest son, but the youngest son Shunaka is
dearest to me, I shall not part with him. O Great Muni, the
eldest son is beloved of his father and the youngest is dear
to his mother, therefore, these two should not be taken away."
O Rama, the middle son, whose name was Shunashepha,
hearing these words, spoke thus : " My father does not wish
to part with his eldest son, nor my mother with her youngest,
therefore, take me, O King."
O Rama, the king gave the Sage Richika a hundred thousand
cows in exchange for Shunashepha and, mounting his chariot,
started with him on his homeward journey.
CHAPTER 62
Shunashepha, the human victim, seeks and obtains help
from Vishwamitra
O Rama, the illustrious King Ambarisha, accompanied by
Shunashepha, having in the afternoon reached Pushkara, rested
there. While the king rested, Shunashepha, going to a certain
spot, beheld Shri Vishwamitra, his maternal uncle, engaged
with other sages in the performance of spiritual practices and he,
sorrowful, thirsty and fatigued, fell at the feet of the sage, and
said : " O Lord, for me there is neither father, mother, relative
nor caste. O Peaceful Sage, O Sovereign among ascetics, 1
take refuge in thee ; in the name of dharma, deliver me. Thou
can'st protect the whole world, how much more one so insignifi-
118
BALA KANDA
cant as myself. Do thou assist the king in the completion of
his sacrifice that it may be accomplished without hindrance,
and may I live and by means of my spiritual practices obtain
heaven. Thou art my master who am masterless. Protect me,
wretched as I am, as a father protects his child."
Shri Vishwamitra, hearing the piteous words of Shunashepha
addressed his own sons, saying : " O My Sons, that world
for which fathers beget their children is at hand,1 this child
is the son of the Sage Richika and has taken refuge in me,
let us protect his life. You are all virtuous and charitable,
let one of you take the place of the sacrificial victim at the
king's sacrifice, and thus satisfy the God Agni. In this way,
we can rescue Shunasnepha. Assist me in the completion of
the king's sacrifice, propitiate the gods, and enable me to be
true to my word."
Hearing these words, Madhusyanda and the other sons
sullenly replied to Vishwamitra, saying : " O King of Kings,
would'st thou abandon thine own sons and protect another's ?
Such an action resembles the relinquishing of a tasty dish to
partake of the flesh of a dog."
Hearing this reply, Shri Vishwamitra grew angry and, his eyes
inflamed with wrath, he said : " Your speech is arrogant and
contrary to dharma, it is a violation of filial affection. I regard
you all as insubordinate, therefore, I now curse you. Like the
sons of Shri Vasishtha, may you fall from your high caste and,
eating the flesh of dogs, wander about in the world during the
period of a thousand years ! "
Having thus cursed his sons, the muni, offering Shunashepha
his protection, thus instructed him : " O Son of a Sage, at
King Ambarisha's sacrifice, allow thyself to be bound, adorned
with the red garland, besmeared with sandalwood paste and tied
to the sacrificial post. I will impart to thee two mantrams,
which when repeated, will deliver thee."
The holy sage then carefully instructed him in the sacred
formulas. Thereafter, Shunashepha approached the king and
said : " O Illustrious Monarch, now enter upon the initiation
without delay and accomplish the performance of thy sacrifice."
1 The Hindu regard their heme of a future existence to depend to a great extent
cm their ions performing their obsequies.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The king, filled with joy, went without delay to the sacrificial
pavilion. With the consent of the officiating priest, the king
now dressed Shunashepha in red attire and tied him to the post
as the consecrated victim. Being bound, Shunashepha began
to praise Upendra1 by reciting the mantrams he had been given
by Vishwamitra.
Indra, pleased with the worship of Shunashepha, bestowed
the blessing of long life on him.
O Rama, then did the king complete his sacrifice and obtain
the desired fruit from Indra.
Thereafter, the righteous Vishwamitra renewed his yogic
penance in Fushkara and performed it there for a thousand
years.
CHAPTER 63
After more austerities Vishwamitra is proclaimed
a Maharishi
Shri Vishwamitra passed a thousand years in the practice of
mortification, then the gods came to bestow on him the fruits
of his asceticism. The supreme Brahma addressed him in
pleasing accents, saying : " O Holy One, mayest thou be
prosperous, thou an now become a rishi by virtue of thy great
austerities." Having said this, Shri Brahma and the other
celestial beings returned to their own spheres.
Vishwamitra again engaged in severe austerity and in this
way passed many more years. While thus employed, the
celestial nymph Menaka came to bathe in the Pushkara lake.
Resembling lightning illumining a cloud, her beauty stirred
the passion of Vishwamitra and he said to her : —
" Be gracious to me for I am filled with a great love for thee."
Then that beautiful one agreed to take up her abode in the
hermitage of the rishi. The penances of Vishwamitra were thus
rendered void by the presence of Menaka in the hermitage.
O Rama, that nymph passed ten years in that place.
1 Upendra — a name of Indra.
120
BALA KANDA
After this time, Shri Vishwamitra perceiving himself to have
been deluded, was filled with shame and he reflected on the
cause of his infatuation. Then he adjudged the gods to have
devised this plan to bring his ascetism to nought and he cried
out : " What, have I passed ten years with this woman, as it
were a night. Alas ! My great austerities are destroyed by
this passion."
Sighing heavily and filled with remorse, he beheld Menaka
trembling with fear, standing near, but Vishwamitra addressing
her in reassuring words, bade her farewell.
Having controlled his passions, Shri Vishwamitra went to
the northern mountains and began to perform penance in the
Himalayas on the bank of the Kaushiki river.
Then, O Rama, the gods were filled with fear by the austerities
practised by the rishi on the Himalayan mountains, and approach-
ing Shri Brahma said : —
" O Grandsire, now grant the title of maharishi to Shri
Vishwamitra."
Shri Brahma then appeared before Vishwamitra and in gentle
accents said to him : " Hail to Thee, O Rishi, I am pleased
with thine austerity. I name thee chief among the rishis."
Then Vishwamitra, making obeisance to Shri Brahma, spoke
submissively saying : *' O Lord, these penances have been
undertaken by me that I might become a brahmarishi. Since
thou still namest me maharishi, I regard myself as not yet fully
self-subdued."
Shri Brahma answered, saying : " So it is, thou hast not yet
fully gained the mastery over thy senses. O Great Muni,
undergo further penance." Having uttered these words, Shri
Brahma returned to the celestial regions.
Then Vishwamitra began an exceedingly severe penance,
standing unsupported with his arms raised, living only on air ;
in the summer season, standing in the midst of five fires,
in the rainy season lying without a canopy, in the winter
practising his spiritual discipline in water, thus did he pass
a thousand years.
Perceiving Vishwamitra undergoing these severe penances,
the gods were greatly perturbed. At length their lord, Indra,
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
approached the nymph Rambha and begged her to promote
his interest and cause harm to Vishwamitra.
CHAPTER 64
Indra is perturbed and sends Rambha to disturb the further
austerities of the Sage
Indra thus addressed Rambha saying : " O Rambha, it is for
thee to accomplish this great work and stimulate the passions
of the great Sage Vishwamitra, so that his spiritual practices
may be rendered void.**
O Rama, Rambha, filled with apprehension on hearing the
words of Indra, said in humility : " O Indra, the Rishi
Vishwamitra is easily moved to wrath, he will certainly curse
me if I approach him. I fear to enter his presence, do not
therefore ask me to undertake this task."
To Rambha, trembling with fear, standing with joined palms,
in token of submission, Indra made answer : " O Rambha, fear
not, accomplish my desire, may success attend thee !
In the spring season, assuming the form of a cuckoo calling
sweedy, accompanied by the god of love, I will take my place
on a blossoming tree not far from thee. O Rambha, attired in
beautiful and charming apparel do thou divert the mind of the
muni from his spiritual practices."
At the instance of Indra, that lovely nymph clad in enchanting
raiment, faintly smiling, went forth to allure the heart of Shri
Vishwamitra.
At that moment, the liquid notes of the cuckoo began to
delight the rishi and he then beheld the nymph Rambha.
Stirred by the cuckoo's note and the ravishing sound of the
beautiful Rambha's song, Shri Vishwamitra, recollecting his
former fall, was filled with misgiving and recognizing the design
of the god Indra, transported with rage, cursed Rambha,
saying:—
" O Rambha, O Unfortunate One, thou hast come hither
122
BALA KANDA
to lure me from my penance, I, who have conquered lust and
anger. Mayest thou become petrified and take the form of a
rock for ten thousand years. A brahmin perfected in the power
of Yoga shall one day deliver thee from this curse."
Having pronounced this curse on Rambha, the rishi became
a prey to remorse, for, giving way to wrath he lost the fruit
of all his yogic practices.
Rambha having been instantly turned to stone, Indra and
Kama, perceiving the sage filled with wrath, fled in terror.
Shri Vishwamitra having lost the merit of his penances could
obtain no peace ; his passions remaining unsubdued, he resolved
to speak no word to any and never give way to anger ; he said :
" For a thousand years, I will not breathe. Reducing my body
to the last extremity, mastering my senses, I will obtain
brahmanhood by the power of my penance. Measureless years,
shall I remain standing, neither breathing nor eating, even should
my limbs become atrophied."
O Rama, Vishwamitra resolved to perform this mortification
for the space of a thousand years.
CHAPTER 65
Vishwamitra performs another thousand years* austerities
and he acquires brahmanhood
After this the great Rishi Vishwamitra, leaving the northern
quarter, went eastward and engaged in a most severe course
of austerities. Observing silence for a thousand years, he
performed incomparable ascetic practices, hardly able to be
accomplished.
After a thousand years, his form reduced to the semblance
of wood, the royal sage, under the greatest provocation, was
not incited to anger. O Rama, when Vishwamitra was persuaded
that he had conquered anger, his vow of a thousand years'
mortification being terminated, he sat down to eat.
At that time, Indra appeared in the guise of a brahmin and
123
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
requested the food set before the muni, upon which Vishwamitra,
believing him to be a sage, gave him the whole which he had
prepared for himself and still observing the vow of silence,
uttered no word.
' The chief of the sages, suspending his breath for a further
thousand years, continued his penance, then there issued from
his head a smoke which terrified the beings of the three worlds.
By the power of his mortification, the devas, gandharvas, and
other beings were deprived of their glory and lost conscious-
ness.
In distress, they addressed Shri Brahma saying : " O Lord,
by every means in our power, we have sought to distract the
great sage from his penances and provoke him to anger, but he
has persisted in his practices and is free from desire and aversion.
If thou dost not grant him brahmanhood, verily the three worlds
will be destroyed. None can find rest anywhere, the seas are
drying up and the mountains are riven by the power of his
austerities ; the sun is deprived of its splendour, the earth is
agitated and the wind stirs not. O Lord, we cannot move him
from bis resolve. On account of this peril, men like atheists
have given up the performance of charitable deeds. Nowhere
is peace to be found. O Divine Being, lest the mighty
Vishwamitra, resplendent as fire, determine to destroy the
universe, deign to grant him his desire. As Time, in the form
of fire, at the dissolution of the world, consumes the whole
universe, so also will the Sage Vishwamitra. Grant him,
therefore, Indrahood, if he so desire it, for if Thou withhold
brahmanhood which he has sought to acquire, then only the
sovereignty of Indra's region, will content him."
Thus approached, Shri Brahma, accompanied by the gods,
appeared before Shri Vishwamitra and in pleasing accents
addressed him, saying : " O Brahmarishi, reverence to thee,
we are pleased with thine austerity. O Holy Vishwamitra, by
the power of thy penance, thou hast acquired brahmanhood.
The gods bless thee, may prosperity attend thee, may longevity
be thine 1 From to-day, thou art free, now go where thou
pleaseth."
Offering salutations to Shri Brahma and all the gods, Shri
Vishwamitra said: "Having bestowed brahmanhood and
124
BALA KANDA
longevity upon me, grant me instruction in the holy syllable
'ABM' and the Vedas also, and further invest me with the
authority to officiate at the sacrifice. O Ye Gods, let the son
of Brahma, Shri Vasishtha, fully acquainted with the Vedic
science, acknowledge me as a brahmarishi. If this desire of
mine be fulfilled, ye may all depart."
Thereupon the gods appeared before Shri Vasishtha, who
having acquiesced in their wish and sealed his friendship with
Vishwamitra, said to him : " Verily thou art now a brahmarishi
and as such I acknowledge thee." Thereafter the gods returned
to their own region. Thus did the illustrious Sage Vishwamitra
acquire brahmanhood.
The divine sage then paid homage to the great Vasishtha and,
his purpose accomplished, wandered about the earth engaged in
charitable deeds. Shri Shatananda said : " O Rama, this is the
story of Shri Vishwamitra and how he obtained brahmanhood.
O Raghava, verily he is the chief of sages and the personification
of Yoga. Constantly engaged in acts of virtue, he still performs
rigorous penances."
Having uttered these words, Shri Shatananda became silent.
When this excellent sage had ended his narrative, King Janaka
in the presence of Rama and Lakshmana humbly addressed Shri
Vishwamitra saying : " O Chief of Sages, blessed am I, that
thou art come with Shri Rama and Lakshmana to my sacrifice.
O Muni, thou hast, by thy presence, done us great honour.
O Brahmarishi, thou hast added to our renown. Shri Rama,
my counsellors and I have heard the story of thy wonderful
austerities and also of thine excellent qualities. O Great Sage,
immense is thy power, unimaginable thy penances, incalculable
thy virtues, nor does one ever tire of hearing of thy marvellous
deeds. O Illustrious Lord, the sun has set and the time of
evening devotion is near, graciously grant us leave to depart ;
in the morning we shall see thee again."
Shri Vishwamitra gratified by the king's words, praised him
and granted him permission to depart, upon which King Janaka
rose and circumambulating the great sage took his departure,
accompanied by his spiritual preceptor and relatives.
Honoured by the sages, the great Vishwamitra with Shri Rama
and Lakshmana also returned to his abode.
"5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 66
King Janaka relates the story of the great bow and the birth
o/Sita
The day dawned peacefully and King Janaka, having performed
his morning devotions, called for the two princes and Vish-
wamitra. Having honoured the sage and the two descendants
of the House of Raghu, he said : " O Blessed Lord, peace be
with thee, what service can I render thee, I am wholly thine."
Thus addressed by the king, the Sage replied : " These two
princes are the sons of King Dasaratha, they are renowned in
the warrior caste and exalted throughout the earth. They desire
to see the great bow, which is deposited with thee, be gracious
enough to permit them to view it and having thus accomplished
their purpose, they will return to their own capital."
Thus addressed, King Janaka replied to the sage : " O Holy
Rishi, hear from me for what reason this bow is deposited with
me. There was a king named Devarata in the sixth generation
of the monarch Nimi who obtained this bow as a trust. In
ancient days, Shri Mahadeva at the destruction of DakshaV
sacrifice, lifting up his bow in sport said to the gods : ' O Devas,
ye have failed to give me my share in the sacrifice, therefore,
by means of this bow I shall destroy you all.'
" O Great Sage, the devas overwhelmed with fear, making
supplication to the god, succeeded in propitiating Shri Maha-
deva. Then he delivered the bow to the gods and they bestowed
it on King Devarata. This is the bow.
" Thereafter, while I was ploughing the earth for a sacrifice, a
virgin issued therefrom. Being uncovered by the edge of the
plough, I named her Sita3 and she became my daughter. This
earth-born virgin has grown up under my protection. For
the marriage of my daughter, it was established by me and
made known to the kings coming to seek her hand, that I should
not bestow her on any prince whose strength had not been
fully tried. O Renowned Sage, these kings have come to test
1 Daksha — the father of Parvali, the ion of Brahma, one of the Prajapstii
1 Sita — literally a furrow.
126
BALA KANDA
their prowess and I have placed the bow before them and
requested them to string it, but none as yet has been able to
do so. Perceiving them to be deficient in strength, I have
refused to bestow my daughter on any of them. These kings,
inflamed with anger, considering their failure to string the bow
had brought them into disrepute, surrounded my capital, and
inflicted great hardship on my people. This siege endured a
full year and immeasurably reduced my treasury. Undergoing
severe penances, I propitiated the gods, who granted me a large
army with which I have defeated those kings who have retreated,
bereft of courage, yet still smarting under imagined injury.
" O Great Sage, this is that bow and I will show it to these
two princes. O Rishi, should Shri Ramachandra be able to
string the bow, I will give my daughter Sita to him in marriage."
chapter 67
The illustrious Rama breaks the bow and is given the Princess
Sita in marriage
Hearing the words of King Janaka, Shri Vishwamitra said :—
" O King, let the bow be shown to Shri Rama."
Then the monarch addressed his ministers, saving : " Go,
bring the bow adorned with flowers and sandalwood, hither."
The counsellors commanded by Janaka went to the capital
and brought back the bow. Five hundred men, of great strength,
brought the eight-wheeled cart on which the bow was placed.
Having brought the chest fashioned of iron containing the bow,
the ministers addressed their divine sovereign, saying : " O
Chief of Men, here is the bow worshipped by former kings.
O Sovereign of Mithila, it is at thy disposal."
Then, with palms joined in humility, King Janaka spoke to
the holy Sage Vishwamitra standing with Rama and Lakshmana :
" O Holy Lord, this is the bow which has been the object of
worship to the kings of the Nimi dynasty and which the monarchs
127 x
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of the earth coming hither have sought to string. Even the gods
have not been able to raise, bend or string this bow. How,
therefore, should mortals have the power to do so if the gods
have failed ? O Great Rishi, behold the bow, let the two princes
examine it."
The righteous Sage Vishwamitra, hearing the words of the
king, said to Rama : " O Child, view this divine bow." Then
Shri Rama, approaching the casket in which the bow lay, opened
it and gazed upon it.
He said : " O Divine Lord, taking it in my hand and raising
it up, I shall endeavour to string the bow." Then the king and
the sage answered : " Be it so," and Shri Ramachandra with
a slight effort, seizing the centre of the bow, lifted it up in the
presence of thousands of people and without exertion drew it.
By the unparalleled strength of the illustrious Rama, the bow
broke into two parts and a sound resembling the fall of a
thunderbolt rang forth cleaving the mountains asunder and
causing the earth to shake, and on this the people on
every side fell insensible, save only Vishwamitra, Rama and
Lakshmana.
After a while, the people being somewhat restored, and
the king's misgivings set at rest, he addressed the excellent
Sage with humility, saying : " O Blessed Lord, I have witnessed
the unparalleled, wonderful and incontestable feat of Shri
Ramachandra. My daughter, the Princess Sita, shall obtain
Prince Rama as her lord and add to the glory of my dynasty.
O Great Sage, to-day my pledge to subject the prospective
wooer of my daughter to a trial of strength has been redeemed.
Now I shall bestow on Rama, Sita, who is dearer to me than
my life. With thy permission, O Sage, my messengers in swift
chariots shall drive in all haste to Ayodhya and respectfully
relating this event to King Dasaratha invite him to my capital.
They shall further inform him regarding the well-being of the
two princes protected by thee and with due honour, convey
the great king hither."
The Sage Vishwamitra acquiescing to the proposal, the king
communicated the matter to his messengers and entrusting them
with a personal missive to King Dasaratha, sent them forth
on their deputation.
128
BALA KANDA
CHAPTER 68
King Janaka sends messengers to invite King Dasaratka
to the capital
Commanded by King Janaka, the messengers in swift chariots,
passing three nights on the way, their horses greatly fatigued,
arrived at Ayodhya. Entering the gates of the palace, they
addressed the sentries, saying :—
" Please inform the king that we have come from King Janaka
and desire an audience."
King Dasaratha being informed, caused the messengers to be
brought before him. Entering the royal palace, they beheld
the aged king who resembled a god. His benign and gracious
presence putting them at their ease, they addressed him in gentle
and submissive accents saying : " 0 Illustrious Sovereign, the
Lord of the kingdom of Mithila, the performer of great sacrifices,
King Janaka, enquires with affection as to thy well-being and
also concerning the welfare of thy subjects. With the consent
of the Sage Vishwamitra he sends you the following good tidings.
His daughter who has been wooed by many kings unable to
pass the requisite trial of strength, who have thereupon returned
home discomfited, has been won by thy highly fortunate and
princely son. He, in the company of the Sage Vishwamitra,
coming hither, broke the sacred bow in the presence of a great
assembly, therefore, King Janaka desiring to see his daughter
wedded to thy son, Shri Ramachandra, sends thee the following
message : " O Great Sovereign be gracious enough to visit my
kingdom with all speed, together with thy preceptors, thy family
and attendants and be united with thy sons. Accept the love
I bear for thee. Do thou come hither and witness the nuptials
of thy children.
" O King, these are the words of King Janaka which we bring
to thee approved by the Sage Vishwamitra and the priest Shri
Shatananda."
Having uttered these words, the messengers, overawed by
the sovereign's presence, became silent.
On receiving these tidings, King Dasaratha full of joy, said
129
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to the holy Sage Vasishtha, Shri Vamadeva and his ministers :
" Protected by Shri Vishwamitra, Shri Ramachandra and Prince
Lakshmana are now in the city of Mithila. The renowned
Janaka has witnessed the prowess of Shri Ramachandra and
desires to give his daughter in marriage to him. If this union
is looked upon with favour by you, let us start for Mithila
immediately} so that we may reach it with all speed."
The sages and ministers there present, answered: "It is
well," whereupon the king, highly pleased, said: "Let us
set out to-morrow."
King Dasaratha with his counsellors entertained King Janaka's
messengers with great respect, and they passed the night there
in comfort.
CHAPTER 69
King Dasaratha sets out with Ms spiritual preceptor, relations
and ministers
The night being over, King Dasaratha, glad in heart, accom-
panied by his spiritual preceptor and relations, summoned his
chief minister, Sumantra, and said : —
" Let the officers of the treasury take with them wealth and
jewels in abundance and precede us in good order. Let the
four divisions of my army hold themselves in readiness and
let chariots and palanquins be prepared. Let my commands
be carried out with promptitude. Suffer Shri Vasishtha,
Vamadeva, Javali, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Markandeya and Katya-
yana with other learned and holy men to lead the procession.
Make ready the royal chariot, let there be no delay, King Janaka's
messengers are eager to return."
Then the mighty King Dasaratha attended by the holy sages
set out on the journey followed by his army. Passing four
nights on the road, they entered the capital of King Janaka,
who, having commanded the city to be decorated, advanced
to pay honour to his royal guests. Approaching the aged
130
BALA KANDA
sovereign Dasaratha, King Janaka was filled with joy, and
addressed him with cheerful words, saying : *' O Great King,
I bid thee welcome, fortunate indeed am I that thou hast been
gracious enough to honour me with thy presence. Now shalt
thou have the felicity of looking on thy two sons. Twice blessed
am I that Shri Vasishtha, attended by other learned sages, has
come hither also, as it were Indra in the midst of the gods.
Every impediment to the wedding ceremony has been withdrawn
and this ancient dynasty, by the alliance with the House of Raghu,
will acquire new lustre. O Illustrious Sovereign, to-morrow
at the completion of the sacrifice, having consulted with the
sages, be gracious enough to celebrate the nuptials/*
The eloquent monarch, Dasaratha, seated amidst the sages,
answered : " I have ever heard that those who receive charity
are subject to the conferrer of that charity ! O Thou acquainted
with virtue, it is ours to defer to thee in all things."
Hearing the speech of the truthful sovereign, King Dasaratha,
King Janaka was filled with astonishment.
All the sages then coming together, passed the night in
converse, mutually delighting each other.
King Dasaratha, being united with his sons was filled with
happiness and surrendered himself wholly to King Janaka's
hospitality.
The magnanimous sovereign of Mithila, having completed
the orders for the preparations of the wedding ceremony, retired
to rest.
CHAPTER 70
The king with Vishwandtra and the princes are invited to
King Janaka's court where Viskwamitra relates the descent
of the dynasty
The following day, King Janaka, having carried out the sacrifice
with the assistance of the priests, said to Shri Shatananda : —
" My younger brother, the virtuous and mighty Kushadwaja,
resides in the city of Sankanshya, which is surrounded by a moat
131
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and battlements, mounted by heavy batteries, the river Ikshu
flowing at its side, and resembles the aerial chariot Pushpaka. I
desire to see that Excellent One, who, with liberality, has assisted
me in the act of sacrifice ; it is meet that he should attend
the marriage ceremony."
Having spoken thus to Shri Shatananda, certain attendants
standing near, were commanded by the king to set out thither.
At his command, the messengers, like gods riding out on the
behest of Indra, went forth on swift horses to bring back the
royal guest.
Arriving at Sankanshya, and being received by the King
Kushadwaja, they acquainted him with King Janaka's proposal.
The great king acquiescing to his request, came to the capital
of the sovereign of Mithila and beholding the virtuous great-
souled Janaka, together with Shri Shatananda, bowed down to
them in salutation.
Having occupied a royal seat in the assembly, the two
illustrious brothers commanded their chief minister, Sudamana,
saying : " O Chief of Counsellors, speedily approach the great
sovereign, Dasaratha, of limitless glory, and bring that Excellent
One to my court, together with the two princes and his ministers."
Sudamana, going to the encampment of King Dasaratha, and
bowing down to him, said : " O Great Hero, O Lord of Ayodhya,
the sovereign of Mithila humbly invites thee with thy spiritual
preceptor, thy priests and thy two sons to his assembly."
Then King Dasaratha attended by his friends and kinsmen
came to the place where King Janaka sat amidst the sages and
ministers. And he, the wise and eloquent monarch addressed
King Janaka, saying : " O Great King, it is known to thee that
the chief priest of the House of Ikshwaku is Shri Vasishtha and
my spokesman in all matters. Therefore, with the approval of
Shri Vishwamitra he will relate the descent of our dynasty
to thee."
Having spoken, Dasaratha became silent and Shri Vasishtha
then addressed King Janaka and Shri Shatananda : —
" From Brahman, the Unmanifest, the Eternal and Imperish-
able Brahma came forth. From him was produced Maricha,
Maricha begot Kashyapa; Kashyapa begot Surya, Surya
132
BALA KANDA
begot Vivaswat, and Vivaswat begot Manu. Manu was the
father of Ikswaku who was the first king of Ayodhya. The son
of Ikswaku was Kukshi and his son was Vikukshi ; the illustrious
Vana was the son of Vikukshi and Vana's son was the mighty
Anranya; his son was Prithu and the son of Prithu was
Trishanku ; the great Dhundhumara was the son of Trishanku
and his son was the hero Yuvanashwa. The renowned Mand-
hata was born of Yuvanashwa and Mandhata's son was named
Susandhi. Susandhi had two sons Dhruva-sandhi and Prasen-
ajit. Bharata was the son of Dhruva-sandhi and the renowned
Asit was the son of Bharata. The three sons of Asit were
Hihasas, Talajanghas and Shashavindus, great Kings, who,
hostile to their sire, waged war against him and sent him into
exile. Then King Asit, with his two consorts, going to the
Himalayas, there laid down his life, leaving the queens pregnant,
whereat one of them, to destroy the fruit of the other's womb,
gave her poison.
"At that time, a sage of the family of Bhrigu dwelt on the
heights of Himalaya, by name Chyavana practising penance
there. Then the lotus-eyed Queen Kalindi, desirous of bearing
an excellent son approached the sage who resembled a god and
bowed before him. The brahmin addressed the queen saying :
' O Fortunate One, thou bearest in thy womb, a hero, soon
to be born together with the poison ; have no anxiety.'
" The queen, faithful to her deceased lord, overcome with
sorrow, fearing the death of her child, paid homage to the muni.
Thereafter she bore a son, born with the poison administered
by the other wife and he was named Sagara.
" The son of Sagara was Asumanjas, and his son was
Anshuman. The son of Anshuman was Dilipa, and Dilipa's
son was Bhagiratha. The son of Bhagiratha was Kakustha and
bis son was Raghu. The son of Raghu, Prabradha became
a demon, and was subsequently called Kalamashapada and his
son was Shangana. The son of Shangana was Sudarshana, and
his son was Agni-varna. Shighraga was the son of Agni-vama
and the son of Shighraga was Manu. Manu's son was Prashu-
shruka and his son was Ambarisha. Ambarisha's son was
named Nahusha and his son was Yayati. The son of Yayati
was Nabhaga.
*33
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" The son of Nabhaga was Aja, and the son of Aja was King
Dasaratha ; the two sons of King Dasaratha are Rama and
Lakshmana.
" O King, I have recounted the genealogy of King Ikswaku
to thee. All these kings were noble, virtuous and distinguished
in their love of truth.
" King Dasaratha requests the hands of thy daughters in
marriage for his two sons, who are in every way worthy to be
thy kinsmen. O Chief of Men, bestow thy daughters on them."
chapter 71
King Janaka gives an account of the succession and his dynasty
King Janaka, paying homage to the Sage Vasishtha, said : " O
Maharishi, be peace with thee, hear the account of the succession
of our dynasty. At the time of bestowing a daughter in
marriage, it is customary for the father to recite the pedigree
of his race, be gracious enough to hear me, O Lord.
" In ancient times, renowned in the three worlds was the
King Nimi, eminent in virtue, a lover of truth and foremost
among kings of that era. Nimi begot Mithi whose son was
the first Janaka and he begot Udavasu. His sbn was Nandi-
vardhana and he begot Suketu. Suketu begot the righteous
Devarata and the son of Devarata was the royal Sage Briha-
dratha. He begot the great hero Mahavirya whose son was
Dhratiman and his son was the truthful Sudhriti. He begot
Dhrishta-Ketu and his son was the royal Sage Haryashwa.
Haryashwa begot Mam. Then followed Frasidhaka, Kirtti-
ratha, Devamirha, Bibudha, Mahidhraka, Kirtivaja and Maha-
roma. Maharoma begot Swarnaroma and bis son was Hraswa-
roma. Hraswaroma had two sons of whom I, myself, am the
elder, and this is my younger brother Kushadwaja. My father,
bequeathing the kingdom to me and charging me with the care
of Kushadwaja, retired to the forest. My aged sire, having
passed from this world, I began to rule according to dharma,
134
BALA KANDA
supporting my brother with the utmost affection. After some
time, the King Sudhanwa besieged the capital of Mithila,
thereafter he sent me offers of peace on condition I surrendered
my daughter, Sita, and also the sacred bow of Shiva to him.
O Brahmarishi, on rejecting his offer a battle ensued between
us in which Sudhanwa was slain. O Great Sage, King Sud-
hanwa being dead, I gave the kingdom of Sankasya to my
well-beloved brother Kushadwaja. This is my well-beloved
brother. O Sages, we submit ourselves in love, to thee.
" O Raghava, to Shri Ramachandra I give my daughter Sita,
and Prince Lakshmana will receive the Princess Urmila. Sita,
resembling a daughter of the gods, I bestow on Rama ; verily
with my whole heart do I yield these two daughters of mine
to thy sons. O King, now be pleased to inaugurate the
traditional distribution of kine in charity. Perform the Nandi-
Mukha1 ceremony so that the nuptials may be celebrated.
" To-day the Magda star is in the ascendant and in three days
the Uttara Phalguni will have risen ; the marriage should take
place in that conjunction.
" For the purpose of ensuring their felicity, let Rama and
Lakshmana now distribute cows, land, sesamum seed and other
requisite offerings."
CHAPTER 72
The marriage of the four sons of King Dasaratha is arranged
and preparations commence
King Jakaka having uttered these words, Mahamuni Vish-
wamitra, as desired by Shri Vasishtha, said to him : —
" O King, wonderful indeed are the two Houses of Ikshwaku
and Videha, their glory is limitless, verily they have no equal.
Shri Rama and Sita are in perfect accord one with the other,
as also Lakshmana and Urmila, each equals the other in grace
and heritage. O Virtuous King, I have something further to
1 Nandi-mulcha ceremony — The distribution of cows in charity.
«35
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIK1
say, hear me. Thy younger brother, King Kushadwaja,
unexcelled in virtue, has two daughters of incomparable beauty,
these two I request for the sagacious Bharata and the pious
Shatrughna. The four sons of King Dasaratha are youthful,
handsome, resembling the gods, equal to the (four) guardians
of the world. O Great King, bestow these two damsels on the
younger sons of King Dasaratha. Thou art unequalled in virtue
and the House of Ikswaku is without a peer."
Hearing the magnanimous words of Shri Vishwamitra echoed
by Shri Vasishtha, King Janaka with joined palms humbly
addressed the two august sages :—
" O Holy Ones, I am proud that you have approved the
alliance of my House with the House of Ikshwaku. Your
commands shall be accomplished. The daughters of King
Kushadwaja shall be given to the Princes Bharata and Shatrughna
in marriage. Let the four great sons of King Dasaratha be
united with the four princesses on the same day. O Divine
Sage, to-morrow the constellation Phalguni presided over by
the deity Bhag' is in the ascendant. The wise consider this
season as auspicious for the nuptials."
Shri Vasishtha answering " Be it so ", King Janaka, in great
humility, addressed the holy sages, saying : " O Spiritual Kings,
it is by your favour that I am able to offer my daughters in
marriage. Regard me as your servant. Ye are worthy of these
seats prepared for you. Let my kingdom now belong to the
King Dasaratha and my affections extend to the kingdom of
Ayodhya. I have spoken truth. O Holy Ones, do what is
considered necessary."
King Dasaratha hearing with attention the words uttered by
King Janaka was pleased and replied, saying : " O Brothers,
possessing innumerable excellent qualities, ye have honoured
the holy rishis and kings with abundant hospitality. May you
be blessed ! May happiness be yours ! With your leave I shall
now withdraw to my own apartments to inaugurate the prelim-
inary rites."
Having taken leave of the King of Mithila, Shri Dasaratha,
preceded by the holy sage, went away.
1 Bhag — one of the Adityas q.v., whose special season Uttara Phalguni is con-
sidered favourable for marriages or alliances.
136
BALA KANDA
The following day, having fulfilled the traditional rites, King
Dasaratha gave away innumerable cows in charity. On behalf of
each of his sons, he bestowed on the brahmins thousands of cows
whose horns were covered with gold, yielding rich milk, together
with their calves. With every cow the king gave away a metal
milking vessel. On that day, four hundred thousand cows
were given away by him. That mighty king holding his sons
supremely dear, gave incalculable wealth in their name. King
Dasaratha, performing these deeds of charity, surrounded by
his sons, resembled Brahma attended by the Regents of the world.
chapter 73
The marriage ceremonies are completed
On the day on which King Dasaratha distributed the cows in
charity, the great hero Yudhajit, the son of the King Kaikeya
and the maternal uncle of Bharata, also came to Janaka's
capital.
Seeing King Dasaratha, he made enquiries as to his welfare
and said : " O King, the Lord of Kaikeya, through affection,
sends tidings of his well-being to thee, and seeks to know if it be
well with thy friends. O Great King, my father desired to see
Prince Bharata, and for this purpose I went to Ayodhya. There,
hearing that thou hadst gone to Mithila with thy sons, for their
nuptials, I came hither in haste to see the son of my sister."1
King Dasaratha thereupon duly honoured his kinsman who
spent the night happily in company with the princes.
The following day, rising early, King Dasaratha performing
his customary devotions, proceeded to the sacrificial pavilion,
escorted by the sages.
At an auspicious hour in the presence of Shri Vasishtha and
other sages, Shri Ramachandra and his brothers adorned with
every ornament being present, the preliminary ceremonies were
performed.
1 = Bharata being the son of Queen Kaikeyi, daughter of the King of Kaikcyi.
137
THE RAMAYAKA OF VALMIKI
Then Shri Vasishtha addressed King Janafca saying : " O
King, King Dasaratha has inaugurated the preliminary cere-
monies, he now awaits thy pleasure. The sacred rite is com-
pleted when host and guests come together. Be pleased,
therefore, to perform the principal nuptial rites."
King Janaka listened to the words of the great-souled Vasishtha
and answered : " What guard detains King Dasaratha at the
gate ? Whose sanction does his royal majesty seek ? Is not
this his house ? Let the king enter ! O Chief of Sages, my
daughters, in readiness, stand at the altar, bright as the clear
flame. I, standing near, await you all. There is no need for
delay. Let the king cause the ceremony to take place without
further hindrance."
Then King Dasaratha with his sons and the holy sages entered
the marriage pavilion. Thereafter, King Janaka addressed Shri
Vasishtha, saying : " O Virtuous Sage, with the other sages
perform the wedding ceremony."
Then Shri Vasishtha ignited the sacrificial fire in the centre
of the pavilion. Shri Vishwamitra and Shri Shatananda standing
before him, sprinkled the altar with perfume, and decorated
it with flowers. Then he set out the golden vessels and the
sacred kusha grass, filling many pots with incense and arranging
them in the form of a conchshell. Dishes filled with parched
corn and rice were placed there, and durbha grass spread about,
the sacred formulas being pronounced over them. The holy
rishis now lit a fire pronouncing the Vedic mantrams and offered
oblations into it
Shri Sita, adorned with jewels, took her seat by the sacred fire
opposite Shri Ramachandra. King Janaka, addressing the Son
of Raghu, said : " O Rama, from to-day my daughter Sita will
be thy companion in virtue. Accept her, O Prince, and take
her hand in thine. This fortunate princess, faithful and tender,
will constantly attend thee, following thee like a shadow, in
loving obedience. May you both be happy."
Saying this, King Janaka sprinkled on them water purified
by mantrams. Then all the gods cried, " Jai 1 Jai ! M1 and divine
music sounded, while a shower of flowers fell from the skies.
Thus was Sita joined in marriage to Shri Ramachandra.
i Jai t Jai !— literally Victory 1 Victory !
138
BALA KANDA
Then King Janaka said to Shri Lakshmana : '* O Lakshmana,
come hither, peace be with thee I Take in thy hand the hand
of my daughter Urmila, terry not, O Prince."
Having thus spoken, Janaka likewise addressed Prince
Bharata, saying : " O Son of Raghu, accept the hand of the
Princess Mandavi " and to Prince Shatrughna, he said : " O
Great Prince, accept the hand of Shruta-kirtti. O Princes of
the House of Raghu, be gentle and faithful to your wives as
they will be to you, receive them now, let there be no delay."
Thus instructed by King Janaka, the four princes, taking the
hands of the four princesses as directed by the Sage Vasishtha,
circumambulated the fire, King Janaka and the sages performing
the rites as ordained by the sacred ordinance.
As the nuptial ceremony of the four princes of the House
of Raghu with the four princesses terminated, a rain of Sowers
fell on them from the sky. Divine music sounded, nymphs
danced and the celestial singers broke into paeons of praise. All
these marvellous events marked the wedding of the sons of
King Dasaratha while the princes, circumambulating the fire,
were united with their brides.
Thereafter with their wives, they returned to their apartments
and King Janaka with his relatives and friends, with a joyful heart
having taken part in the festivities, also withdrew.
chapter 74
Parasurama appears amidst inauspicious signs
The night being past, the great Sage Vishwamitra took leave of
King Dasaratha and King Janaka and, blessing the princes and
their sire, departed for the Himalayas to meditate there. The
holy rishi being gone, King Dasaratha begged the permission
of the Lord of Mithila to return to his capital. Bidding farewell
to the pious king, Janaka escorted him for some distance on
his way.
To the King of Ayodhya, on behalf of his daughter, King
139
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Janaka gave a hundred thousand cows, woollen cloths, countless
silken robes and richly decorated elephants, horses and chariots.
He also bestowed on him male and female attendants, numberless
golden coins with quantities of pearls and coral. All these and
many other gifts King Janaka gave with a joyful mind, and
having taken leave of King Dasaratha, returned to Mithila,
whereupon King Dasaratha with his illustrious sons, preceded
by the sages, started on the homeward journey, accompanied
by his army.
As the sages, with Shri Ramachandra, advanced in company
with the king, the screeching of strange and terrible birds was
heard, while frightened deer fled across their path.
Perceiving these inauspicious signs, the king addressed Shri
Vasishtha, saying : " O Holy Guru, why do the birds cry thus
ominously, and the deer traverse our path ? What do these
omens portend ? My mind is filled with anxiety, O Divine
Lord."
The Maharishi Vasishtha, in gentle tones, replied : " O King,
the fearful crying of the birds betokens some great danger, but
the crossing of the deer from left to right indicates a speedy end
to thy fears."
While they were yet speaking, the earth began to quake and
and giant trees fell down, darkness covered the earth and clouds
of dust veiled the sun, nor could the cardinal points be discerned.
In the great dust storm that followed, the army was overwhelmed
with terror and all became paralysed, save Shri Vasishtha, King
Dasaratha and the princes alone.
When the dust was allayed and the army somewhat recovered,
Shri Vasishtha beheld the son of Yamadagni of dreadful aspect.
With matted hair, Farasurama, the humbler of the pride of kings
and emperors, drew near.
The appearance of the muni resembling the splendour of
Mount Kailasha or the fires of dissolution at the end of the
world-period was hardly to be borne by human eyes. With his
battle axe on his shoulder, bearing a mighty bow, brilliant as
lightning, he appeared like Shiva about to strike down Tripura.1
Beholding Farasurama resembling a blazing fire, the sages
reflected among themselves and said : " His father being slain,
1 Tripura — the name of a demon slain by Shiva,
140
BALA KANDA
has Parasurama come again to destroy the warrior caste ? "
Was not his anger appeased when he formerly destroyed the
whole warrior caste ? Has he come again to take his revenge
on us ? "
Reflecting thus, they approached Parasurama with traditional
offerings, saying : " O Rama, accept this arghya."
Shri Parasurama accepting the offering, then addressed Shri
Rama.
chapter 75
He challenges Rama to combat
" O Rama, O Illustrious Hero, I have heard of thy great prowess.
I have also been acquainted with thy heroic deed, the breaking
of the bow at Janakapura, verily a feat exciting wonder and
surpassing imagination. Having heard of thine achievement,
I, taking this other bow, have come hither. With this terrible
bow named Yamadagni, show thy strength, O Rama, and placing
an arrow in it, discharge it. Should'st thou be able to
accomplish this, I will engage in honourable combat with thee."
Hearing these words, King Dasaratha, became dejected and
humbly addressed the rishi, saying : " O Holy Parasurama,
thou art a great brahmin sage, it becomes thee not to show anger
to warriors ; be gracious unto my son, who is still a child.
Thou art born in the family of Bhrigu and hast pledged thyself
to Indra to bear arms no more. Having given the dominion
of the world to Kashyapa and retired to the Mahendra mountain
to practise asceticism, why hast thou now come hither to destroy
us ? 0 Sage, if Rama is slain, none of us will survive."
The great son of Jamadagni, disregarding the entreaty of King
Dasaratha, again addressed Rama, saying : " O Rama, these
two bows of exquisite design, famed throughout the world,
exceedingly powerful, were forged by Vishwakarma.1 One of
them, wielded by Shri Shiva in combat with Tripura, was broken
by thee. The other, held by me, of inexpressible power, was
' Vishwakarma — the architect of the gods.
141
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
given to Vishnu by the gods and is known to give victory over
the foe j it is equal in moment to that which thou hast broken.
" Formerly the gods asked Brahma which of the two excelled
the other and Shri Brahma, acquainted with their intention,
invoked a quarrel between Vishnu and Mahadeva. They
entered into combat one with the other. By the shout raised
by Shri Vishnu, Shri Mahadeva was struck motionless and
his bow unstrung. Then the gods and rishis came to that place
and caused the two gods to be reconciled. Thereafter the gods
esteemed the bow of Vishnu to be the more powerful and Shri
Shiva surrendered his bow to the King of Mithila, together
with all its arrows.
" This bow, belonging to Vishnu, was given in ancient times
by that god to Richika and he gave it to his son Jamadagni,
my rather. He having renounced the bearing of weapons,
retired to practise austerity, when the rash and foolish monarch
Sahasravaku slew him. Hearing of the cruel death of my sire,
I successively destroyed the warrior caste, from generation
to generation, thus acquiring dominion over the earth. I
conferred this great dominion as a gift on the Sage Kashyapa
at the completion of a sacrifice, and retired to the Mahendra
mountain, cheerfully observing the practice of Yoga. To-day,
0 Valiant Prince, acquainted with thy great achievement, I
have come hither to behold thee. Receive this bow, bestowed
on my ancestors by Shri Vishnu and in the spirit of a warrior,
place an arrow on it. If thou succeed in drawing the bow,
1 will challenge thee to fight."
CHAPTER 76
Parasurama is vanquished and deprived of his glory and power
Hearing these words, Shri Rama having regard for the presence
of his sire, answered with restraint, saying : " O Parasurama,
thy deeds are known to me, as also the avenging of thy fathers9
murderers. Methinks thou dost deem me lacking in valour,
142
BALA KANDA
1} a kshatriya, and a descendant of the Solar race. O Rishi,
witness my prowess.*'
Having spoken thus, Shri Ramachandra, incensed, seized the
bow and arrows from the rishi's hands and stringing it, placed
an arrow on it. While drawing the mighty bow, the son of
Dasaratha addressed the rishi with defiance, saying : " O Sage,
thou art a brahmin and as such do I honour thee ; thou art
further a kinsman of Shri Vishwamitra, therefore I shall not
slay thee with this arrow, but by this shaft I will rob thee of
the power of motion so that thou shalt no longer be able to travel
through space, or I will banish thee from those high regions
to which thou hast attained by the practice of penance. Say,
what is thy desire ? This divine arrow of Vishnu, possessing
the power of vanquishing the strength and pride of the foe,
may not be restored by me to the quiver, till it has accomplished
its great purpose."
When Rama placed the arrow in the sacred bow, Brahma,
with the gods, assembled to behold that glorious deed, followed
by the gandharvas, apsaras, yakshas and other beings. Shri
Ramachandra, having taken up the mighty bow, the three worlds
began to tremble and Parasurama, bereft of his divine power,
stood aghast. Deprived of his glory and powerless, Shri
Parasurama with humble entreaty, addressed the lotus-eyed
Rama:—
" When the dominion of the earth was given by me to the
sage Kashyapa, he said ' Thou must not inhabit this kingdom '.
Therefore, O Rama, in obedience to the sage, I do not stay
on the earth by night. This world is no longer mine, but
belongs to Kashyapa. O Rama, do not deprive me of the power
of movement, but allow me speedily to return to the beautiful
Mahendra mountain. Thou can'st deprive me of the merits
earned by the practice of Yoga. I know Thee to be the
Imperishable, Thou art verily Vishnu Himself, none but Thou
could'st wield this bow. O Son of Raghu, the gods have
assembled to behold Thee ; Thou art pre-eminent in combat,
and the conqueror of Thine enemies. O Virtuous Prince, to be
defeated by Thee is no ignominy ; discharge Thy matchless
arrow and I will return to the Mahendra mountain."
143 L
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thereupon Shri Ramachandra discharged the arrow and the
merit of Parasurama was rendered void, whereupon he speedily
departed to the Mahendra mountain.
The darkness being dispelled and the whole world once more
filled with light, Rama was worshipped by the gods and rishis,
and Shri Parasurama having circumambulated the son of
Dasaratha, returned to his own hermitage.
CHAPTER 77
King Dasaratha with his army, the princes and their brides,
return to Ayodhya
Shri Parasurama having departed, Shri Rama delivered the bow
and arrows as a trust to the god Varuna. Having offered
salutations to Shri Vasishtha and the other sages he, seeing his
father filled with apprehension, addressed him, saying : " Sire,
Shri Parasurama has now gone, do thou command thine army
to proceed towards Ayodhya.'*
King Dasaratha, hearing Rama's words, embraced him and
reflected that his son was born to him a second time. Then
summoning his army to advance, he in a chariot, adorned with
banners, to the fanfare of trumpets proclaiming victory, entered
Ayodhya.
The streets of the city sprinkled with water and flowers,
appeared beautiful, and the citizens rejoicing at the return of
their sovereign, greeted him with shouts of welcome.
Met by the brahmins inhabiting the city, the king with his
friends and relatives, followed by the princes and their brides,
entered the royal palace which was white as snow.
There, the kindred of the king welcomed him with garlands
and sandalwood. The Queens Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi
received the brides and conducted the fortunate Sita, the
illustrious Urmila, and the two daughters of Kushadwaj to their
palace, with auspicious rites. Arrayed in sumptuous silken
robes, and borne to the temple to worship the holy images, the
144
BALA KANDA
brides then offered respectful salutations to their mother-in-laws,
and others worthy of honour. Thereafter, each began to live
with her lord in her own palace.
Shri Ramachandra with the other princes, possessing the
knowledge of the use of weapons and the science of defence,
passed the time with their friends in attendance on their aged
sire.
After some time, King Dasaratha said to his son Bharata :
" O my Son, thy maternal uncle, who came for the purpose
of taking thee to his home, still tarries in the capital, therefore,
go with him to see thy grandfather."
Prince Bharata and Prince Shatrughna prepared to start on
their journey and took leave of their father and their highly
compassionate brother Rama.
Bharata being gone, Shri Rama and Lakshmana ministered
to the aged king as if he were a god and in his name performed
charitable deeds among the people of the city.
Rama also ministered to his mother with deep affection, and
served his Guru with single-minded devotion. His noble
behaviour gratified the king, the brahmins, merchants and other
castes ; his sweet disposition and pious conduct charmed the
people of the capital. Rama, wholly devoted to truth was
renowned for his virtue, and endowed with every excellent
quality like Swayambhu1-Brahma himself.
For a long time did Shri Rama enjoy a life of content with
Sita. To him, she was dear beyond all things and he
surrendered his whole heart to her. Love is enhanced by
beauty, virtue and gentleness, and Sita possessed all these in
an equal degree with Rama. Lovely as a goddess, Shri Sita
was able to discern the thoughts of her lord before he expressed
them. The beautiful Sita with Shri Ramachandra wholly
satisfied, resembled Lakshmi, the consort of the incomparable
Vishnu.
1 Swayambhu — the Imperishable or Self-existent, a name of Brahma, the
creator.
END OF BALA KANDA
145
BOOK II
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER X
King Dasaratha desires to see Prince Rama made regent,
and summons a council
THE great souled Bharata affectionately requested the pious
Shatrughna to accompany him, on the journey to bis maternal
grandfather.
Enjoying abundant hospitality and held by their uncle
Ashwapati in all affection, the two brothers dwelt there happily.
Satisfied with the love and entertainment bestowed on them,
they daily remembered their royal sire, the aged monarch, and
the king also thought of his sons, now in a distant country.
The four sons of the aged king were as dear to him as his
own four arms issuing from his body, yet Rama resembling
Brahma, endowed with every good attribute, was dearest to
his sire. Shri Rama, the eternal Purusha,1 the Lord Vishnu
himself, descended on earth on the entreaty of the gods, to
slay Ravana, the enemy of the whole world.
The charming Queen Kaushalya, glowing with maternal love
for her son Ramachandra, resembled Aditi at the birth of Indra.
Unequalled in beauty, brave and chivalrous, never speaking
ill of others, Rama inherited the virtues of his illustrious father ;
of a cheerful disposition, speaking soft words to all, never
returning a harsh answer when treated with contumely ; when
injured, pardoning the1 offender and remembering the offence
no more ; showing gratitude for the least of favours and
devoting his leisure from affairs of state to seeking the friendship
of those eminent in wisdom, learning, age and conduct. Wise
and generous, he was foremost in addressing others, speaking
with affection ; supremely courageous yet not rendered vain-
glorious by his own powers ; never uttering falsehood, honouring
the learned and the aged, showing regard for his people who
1 Purusha — litcrallv lord of the city of nine gates, i,e. the body — the dweller
in the body ai the indwelling Lord.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
were devoted to him ; having overcome wrath ; surpassingly
compassionate, venerating the brahmins ; showing extreme pity
for the poor ; well-versed in public and individual responsibili-
ties, fulfilling his domestic duties, not only to add lustre to the
dynasty but also to attain an exalted state in the other world.
Wise in the discharge of his obligations; as a Scion of the House
of Ikshwaku, proving himself tender and loving to those
who sought his protection; restraining the evil-doer; ever
seeking the weal of his subjects ; eschewing frivolous pursuits
and shallow talk ; neither hearing nor speaking aught against
dharma ; in debate equal in eloquence to Brihaspati ; free from
infirmities ; youthful, handsome, having knowledge of time
and space and being able to divine the contents of a man's heart
at a single glance ; verily a great sage and for his marvellous
qualities as dear to the people as life itself. Profoundly learned
in the science and the philosophy of the Veda, which he had
studied with his spiritual preceptor, he even excelled his father in
the art of warfare. The repository of all auspiciousness, virtuous,
cheerful, truthful and guileless ; having received full instruction
from the learned brahmins in sacred and secular policy, knowing
the significance of virtue, material prosperity and enjoyment ;
of prodigious memory, conversant with worldly wisdom,
possessing a pleasing disposition, gentle, able to conceal his
thoughts ; recognizing when to refuse and when to accept
material gifts ; winning many friends, firm in his devotion to
his Guru and to God, countenancing no sin ; never uttering a
bitter word or one which would agitate the hearts of others ;
energetic, deploring his own faults whilst excusing those of
others ; a great advocate, grateful, lending support to those
he held in affection ; in all circumstances true to his word ;
capable of protecting the interests of his family and friends ;
knowing how to meet out retribution to the wicked. Acquiring
wealth by just means, and appreciating how to distribute it with
discrimination. Proficient in the Veda, following the literary
and dramatic arts with enthusiasm, endowed with the gift of
oratory in Sanskrita and his own native tongue ; depending on
right alone for felicity and prosperity ; prudent, accomplished
in sport, music and painting ; an incomparable rider whether
mounted on horse or elephant ; skilled in archery, renowned
150
AYODHYA KAHDA
in the field, forestalling the enemy in attack and knowing how
to destroy his defences; fired with righteous wrath when
engaging in combat, so that neither god nor titan could withstand
him ; speaking nought against any ; free from pride and envy ;
ever submissive, yet overruled in his resolve by none ; pre-
eminent among his people; renowned in the three worlds;
in forbearance resembling the earth, in wisdom equal to Brihas-
pati, in courage like unto Indra.
Sinning resplendent like the full moon in the love of his
people and his sire, worshipped for his excellent qualities, his
matchless valour and his integrity, the earth desired to make
him her lord.
Seeing his illustrious son manifesting these qualities, King
Dasaratha began to reflect in this wise : " I have become old
and have ruled a full measure of years. I desire to see Rama
crowned while I yet live ! "
This inclination grew in the mind of the king, and he waited
eagerly for the time when he might resign his throne in favour
of Rama. He reflected : " Rama, resembling a cloud, raining
compassion on all ; beloved far beyond myself; in valour equal
to Yama and Indra, in understanding like Brihaspati, in
endurance like unto a mountain, exceeding myself in excellent
attributes ; on him do I desire to confer the dominion of the
earth ; this will be my heaven."
Then that great sovereign summoning his ministers communi-
cated to them his resolve to proclaim Rama, endowed with those
powers, rare even in a king, and a mine of surpassing virtues,
as heir-apparent.
At that tune, inauspicious portents appeared on the earth,
and in the heavens, and the king, conscious that he had grown
old, reflected that by bestowing the throne on Rama, he would
gratify his comely son, and also assuage his own sorrow and
benefit his people. Filled with affection for his subjects, and
for their good, he desired to increase their felicity by installing
Rama as heir-apparent, when the hour was auspicious.
Summoning the subject princes and the inhabitants of other
cities and lands with due respect, the aged monarch entertained
them in his palaces, bestowing on them gifts of various kinds,
but the sovereign of Kaikeya and the king of Mithila were not
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
informed of the occasion since they would hear of it thereafter.
Seated in the assembly, the king resembled Prajapati in the
midst of his subjects.
The kings of the earth coming together in council. King
Dasaratha occupying the throne and they taking the places
prepared for them, reverently faced the royal dais, observing
the traditions of the court. Surrounded by his feudal lords
and the elders, the king appeared like Indra sitting among the
gods.
CHAPTER 2
The elders and councillors willingly accept Shri Rama as regent
In ringing tones, King Dasaratha addressed the leaders of
the people seated before him, uttering words delighting their
hearts.
When the aged monarch began to speak, his words resembled
the beat of drums, or the crashing of thunder, yet they were
rilled with great sweetness withal and uttered in the manner of
a king. He said : " It is well known to you that this vast
empire was upheld by my predecessors and their fathers before
them. To promote the prosperity and felicity of the kingdom,
formerly protected by the Kings of Ikshwaku, I, walking in the
path trodden by my forbears, have preserved it to the utmost.
Having passed sixty thousand years under the royal canopy,
my body has become old and feeble and seeks repose. The
burdens of state, not able to be sustained by those of uncontrolled
mind, have I borne, and now am weary. To-day, therefore,
with the approval of the learned brahmins present here and for
the good of my people, I desire to surrender the dominion to
the protection of my eldest son. Possessing every essential
virtue, Shri Ramachandra, my beloved son, equal to Indra in
prowess and the conqueror of his foes, excelling in every virtue,
resembles the moon accompanied by the Pushya1 star.
1 Pushya — name of the sixth lunar mansion, also a constellation of three start.
152
AYODHYA KANDA
" I desire to install as regent,2 Rama, exalted among men,
elder brother of Lakshmana, worthy to be your protector. In
truth, I verily believe that not only the earth, but the three
worlds will regard him as their lord. Desiring the joy of the
universe, I shall lay upon him the weight of government and
thus be freed from anxiety concerning the kingdom.
" If this seems proper to you, give me your counsel or say
what should otherwise be done. Though this be my decree,
yet should you judge aught else to be a better way, then speak
that I may know of it. The best course is well known to be
determined after careful deliberation.'*
Hearing the words of King Dasaratha, the other monarchs
and elders cried in unison, " Excellent, Excellent ! " Upon this,
a sound like distant thunder, pleasant to hear, or like the cry
of peacocks delighting in the storm, arose. Thereafter, the
purpose of the sovereign being communicated to all, acclamations
burst forth that shook the foundations of the palace.
Then the learned brahmins, the ministers, kings and the elders
of the city assembled for consultation with those who had come
from afar, and being of one mind, after due deliberation, thus
addressed the king : —
" O Mighty Sovereign, thou hast ruled for thousands of years
and have now become old, do thou, therefore, appoint Rama
as regent. It is our cherished desire that the glorious Prince
Rama should be seen by us, riding on an elephant beneath
the royal canopy.**
The king, wishing to fathom their true motives, replied with
candour, saying: "Acting on my suggestion, you have all
expressed your willingness to see Rama appointed regent, yet
there is still some uncertainty in my mind ; tell me frankly
why you desire to see Rama crowned. Have I erred ? Have I
failed to govern righteously ? "
Then the elders of the people and the counsellors answered
the sagacious sovereign Dasaratha in this wise : " O King, thy
son is endowed with excellent attributes. Hear of the divine
and amiable qualities of the wise and perfect Ramachandra,
qualities endearing him to all and pleasing to record.
1 Regent — Yuvaraja = heir-apparent.
153
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" In his love and zeal for truth, he is equal to Indra. Thou,
O King, art exalted above all in the House of Ikshwaku, yet
none in the world practises righteousness as does Shri Rama.
" By his conduct, he has added lustre to virtue and prosperity.
Diffusing happiness among his people, he resembles the moon
delighting the earth. In forbearance, he is like the earth, in wisdom
like Brihaspati, in valour like Indra. With a deep regard for truth,
free from envy and jealousy, his disposition is excellent.
" Forgiving every injury, a comforter of the afflicted and the
distressed, he addresses all with gentleness. Acknowledging
every favour received in full measure, self-controlled, true to
his word whatever betide, speaking no ill of others, of candid
utterance, full of wisdom he ever reveres the aged.
" Of immeasurable renown, Shri Rama, whose glory and
splendour constantly increase, who in the science of archery
is superior even to the gods, asuras and men, who has studied
all the branches of learning and the Veda, is also unequalled in
the art of music. The abode of peace and prosperity, ever
courteous, humble and wise, and who, having received the
highest instruction from the brahmins, is skilful in expounding
the meaning of the Veda.
" When in company with Lakshmana, he goes to the attack,
storming towns and villages, he never withdraws without wholly
defeating the enemy. Returning triumphant, he enquires after
the welfare of his subjects as if they were his own sons, and
gives special thought to the well-being of women, servants and
his disciples as a father regards the needs of his family.
" O Sire, Shri Rama graciously enquires respecting our own
disciples whether they render us proper service and hospitality
and further discharge their duties faithfully.
" He suffers with the afflicted and rejoices like a parent when
his people hold a festival. That mighty archer, the observer
of truth, the servant of the aged, who blesses all those who seek
his protection, is wholly righteous. Performing noble deeds,
he will not hear or utter words that create discord. Possessing
a charming brow and large eyes, in this resembling Vishnu
himself, Rama, by the process of deduction, is able to converse
with eloquence. By his courage, prowess, self-reliance and
patience, he has become the delight of his people.
154
AYODHYA KANDA
" Ever ready to serve his subjects, scorning sensual pleasures,
he is able to rule the three worlds, how much more this tiny
earth?
" His joy and anger are never excited without cause. He
destroys those meriting death, but shows mercy to the innocent.
" Liberal to those who have found favour with him ; willing
to suffer in the exercise of self-control ; beloved of his subjects,
he evokes devotion in every virtuous heart.
" Brilliant as the moon by reason of his excellent attributes,
the earth claims him as her lord.
" O King, thou art fortunate in possessing this great son
who resembles Kashyapa, the son of Marichi. The people of
Ayodhya and the citizens of the kingdom of Koshala continually
pray for Rama's life and well-being.
" Men, women, the aged and those from far and near, at dawn
and eventide, unitedly pray to all the gods that Shri Rama may
ever be attended by prosperity. O Great King, graciously
accede to our request. O Giver of boons, we beg thee to install
Shri Rama as regent without delay. Thy son, resembling
Shri Vishnu himself, is benevolent and generous to all. O King,
do this with a cheerful mind."
CHAPTER 3
The king resolves Shri Rama shall be installed
To those who with joined palms were making this petition,
King Dasaratha answered courteously : —
" To-day, indeed, I am happy and fortunate since the people
desire my son, Shri Rama, to be proclaimed regent."
Thus, in the presence of his subjects, the king in gracious
accents addressed Shri Vasishtha, Vamadeva and other sages : —
" In this month of Chitra, when the woods are beautiful with
flowering trees, be pleased, O Holy Ones, to prepare all things
for the installation of my son as heir-apparent."
155
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
After the king had spoken, the people applauded, and when
the shouts of acclamation had died away, the monarch addressed
the mighty Sage Vasishtha, saying : " O Blessed Lord, it is meet
that thou shouldest order those things needful for the coronation
ceremony."
Then Shri Vasishtha commanded the ministers in attendance
to provide gold, gems, unguents, garlands of white flowers,
parched rice, honey and clarified butter in separate vessels, also
new cloths, chariots, weapons of all kinds, a complete army,
elephants free from any imperfection, white flags, a white canopy,
chamaras,1 a hundred vessels of gold shining like fire, bulls
with gilded horns, lion skins and other requisites.
Then the Sage Vasishtha commanded them, saying : " Place
all these in the king's sacred pavilion. Let every gate in the
capital and the private apartments of the palace be decorated
with garlands and sandalwood, and let fragrant incense be
kindled everywhere.
"O Ye Accomplished Ministers, provide sweet and health-
giving foods, milks and curds in attractive dishes sufficient to feed
a hundred thousand brahmins. To-morrow the holy brahmins
should be respectfully served with butter, curdled milk and
parched rice, and presented with as much dakshina as will
preserve them from want for the remainder of their lives.
" To-morrow, early in the morning, the Peace Chant should
be recited, therefore, let the holy brahmins be invited and their
seats prepared. Let banners and arches of flowers be displayed
everywhere, and the roads sprinkled with water. Let beautifully
attired singing girls with their attendants wait at the gates of
the palace ; let food and cooling drinks be provided at all the
principal crossroads, also gifts of money and ritual objects that
are considered sacred ; let fruit and flowers be sent separately ;
let armed warriors clothed in clean raiment and armed with
scimitars, wait in the courtyard of the king."
In this manner, Shri Vasishtha and Shri Vamadeva performed
all that had been required by the king and, everything being carried
out to their satisfaction, they informed the great monarch accord-
ingly. Then the illustrious sovereign said to the prime minister
Sumantra : " Let the accomplished Prince Rama be brought
1 Chamarai- — Whitki made of yai** tuli.
I5«
AYODHYA KANDA
here with all speed." Acquiescing in the royal command)
Sumantra brought thither in a royal chariot that great warrior,
Shri Rama. Surrounded by the rulers of the earth, the east,
the west, the north and the south, the kings of aryan and
non-aryan descent and those from the forests and the hills,
King Dasaratha looked like Indra in the midst of the gods.
He beheld his son Shri Ramachandra, handsome, valorous,
of mighty length of arm, fearless, walking like sn intoxicated
elephant, his countenance resembling the moon, fair to look
upon, captivating the hearts of all by his virtue and generosity,
refreshing his subjects as clouds refresh those afflicted with the
heat.
The monarch could not gaze sufficiently on his beloved son
as he, attended by Sumantra who followed him with reverence,
alighted from his chariot and ascended the steps of the royal palace
which resembled Mount Kailasha. Approaching the king he
announced his name and made profound obeisance at his feet.
Seeing the prince standing respectfully at his side, the king
embraced him and asked him to occupy the golden throne set
with jewels and gold. Raghava thus seated looked like the sun
rising on the Sumeru mountain. The whole assembly was
illumined by the presence of Shri Rama who resembled the
moon riding in the autumn sky filled with innumerable stars.
As a man adorned with many ornaments is overjoyed with
delight to see his own image reflected in a mirror, so was King
Dasaratha filled with ineffable delight when beholding the glory
of his son ; and like Kashyapa addressing Indra, the mighty
sovereign smilingly spoke to Rama : —
" O My Son, thou art the offspring of my chief queen and
do resemble her, thou art exceedingly dear to me, endowed as
thou art with all the great attributes, thou hast imbued thy people
with thy noble qualities ; accept therefore the high office of
regent. Notwithstanding, My Son, that thou art by nature
endowed with all good qualities and art humble, yet hear while
I tell thee that which is for thy good.
" Keep far from thee those evil habits born of love, pleasure
and anger ; through thy secret service acquaint thyself closely
with all the happenings of thy kingdom and other domains,
157
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
as though they took place before thine eyes. Give pleasure to
thy people by filling the various storehouses and arsenals. O
Prince, that sovereign who rules his subjects with due regard
to their happiness causes his friends to rejoice like the gods
who have drunk the nectar of immortality. Wherefore, O my
Child, conduct thyself with a mind fully subdued."
Then, the friends of Rama acquainted Queen Kaushalya of
the king's resolve and she rewarded the messengers of these
good tidings with many cows and gems.
Shri Rama, hearing the king's words, answered : " So be it,"
and, bowing to the great monarch, left the palace in his chariot,
the people greeting him with joy as he passed by.
Satisfied with the sovereign's decree, they acclaimed him
with salutations and returning to their homes worshipped their
gods, propitiating them so that no impediment should arise in
the installation of Shri Rama as regent.
CHAPTER 4
Shri Rama and Princess Sita prepare for the ceremony
The citizens having departed, the king again consulted his
ministers, saying to them : " To-morrow, the Pushya star is
in the ascendant, I decree, therefore, that the lotus-eyed Rama
shall then be installed as my successor."
Dismissing his counsellors, the king, entering the inner
apartment, commanded Sumantra to bring Rama to him once
more. In obedience to the command of his royal master,
Sumantra repaired to the palace of Rama, to bring him thither.
Rama, hearing the doorkeeper announce the second visit of
the minister, became anxious and sending for him with all haste
inquired of him the purport of his coming. Sumantra answered,
saying : " The king desires to see thee." Shri Rama thereupon
hastily repaired to the palace of his royal parent.
King Dasaratha retiring to the private apartment, issued
instructions that Rama should be brought thither. The prince,
158
AYODHYA KANDA
entering his father's palace, bowed low, with joined palms, from
a distance, and contemplated his sire.
The king, raising him up, embraced him and, giving him
a seat, again addressed him : —
" O Prince, I have now grown old and have ruled long,
enjoying all the pleasures of the heart. I have also performed
hundreds of sacrifices and distributed great quantities of food
and lavish gifts as alms to the brahmins. O Great One, a son
such as thou art, is the fruit of much charity and study of the
Veda. O Most Excellent One, what I desired to give in charity,
I have given, and I have studied the Veda and offered up many
sacrifices. My desire for pleasure is past ; I have discharged
every obligation to the gods, the sages, my ancestors and the
learned brahmins, nothing remains to be accomplished by me
but thine installation. O My Son, hear me, it is the will of my
people that thou become their sovereign; I shall, therefore,
install thee as my successor. Nevertheless, O Rama, fearful
dreams have visited me at night, attended by the roar of thunder
and the falling of meteors, signs betokening opposition. O
Rama, the star of my birth is surrounded by the sun, Mars
and Rami ; those versed in divination speak of it as of evil
augury, that portends either the death of a king or the visitation
of some grave calamity. O Prince of Raghu, I desire to see
thee crowned before my senses fail. Verily, the mind of man is
inconstant. To-day, the astrologers announce that Purnavasu
is in the ascendant, but to-morrow it will be the Pushya star,
auspicious to thy coronation. X desire thee, therefore, to be
proclaimed regent to-morrow. Do thou, from now on, fast
with thy spouse, passing the night on a bed of kusha grass,
with a stone for thy pillow. It is the duty of the friends
surrounding thee to guard thee. In such undertakings many
obstructions arise.
" Prince Bharata is in the city of his grandsire, it is my will
that thou be installed in his absence. Thy brother, Bharata,
is virtuous, compassionate, master of his senses and obedient
to thee, yet, O Prince, I know the mind of man to be fickle,
even the mind of a righteous and devout man may be subject
to inconstancy. To-morrow, thy coronation shall take place,
therefore, now return to thy abode."
159 M
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
King Dasaratha having thus spoken, Shri Rama left for his
palace. Entering his own abode, anxious to acquaint Janaki
with the king's proposal and not finding the princess in her
own apartment, Rama repaired to the palace of his mother.
There he beheld the Queen Kaushalya, seated in the temple,
observing the vow of silence and praying for her son's welfare.
Acquainted with the sovereign's decree, Shri Lakshmana and
Sumitra were already in the palace of the chief queen, and Sita
also having been summoned thither was sitting at her side.
Queen Kaushalya attended by Queen Sumitra, Lakshmana
and Sita, having heard that Shri Rama would be installed when
the Pushya star was in the ascendant, was meditating on
Narayana,1 with closed eyes and controlled breathing.
Shri Rama, approaching his mother, paid reverence to her
and joyfully exclaimed : " O Mother, my father has commanded
me to serve the people and to-morrow I am to take up the
burden of government. Shri Vasishtha, my preceptor, and
other sages have ordained that the Princess Sita should, this
night, fast with me. At dawn, the Princess Sita and I will
carry out those prayers and rites proper to the occasion."
Queen Kaushalya, long desirous of this event, with tears of
joy flowing from her eyes, answered : " O My Beloved Son
Rama, mayest thou live long and may all thine enemies perish.
Acquiring the throne, mayest thou bring joy to thy friends,
relatives and also Queen Sumitra. O Child, surely thou wert
born under an auspicious star since thou hast won favour with
thy royal sire by thine excellent attributes. The purpose of my
devotion and austerity, undertaken to please the lotus-eyed
Narayana, has been fulfilled to-day inasmuch as thou art about
to obtain the kingdom of the dynasty of Raghu."
Shri Rama listening to his mother's words, smilingly addressed
Shri Lakshmana, he who ever paid honour to his father, and
said : " O Lakshmana, share with me the government of the
kingdom, thou art my second self, the dominion is equally thine.
O Brother, I desire life and a kingdom for thy sake."
Thereafter, Shri Rama, bowing to the two queens, with
their permission withdrew with Sita to his own apartment.
1 Narayana — a name of the Lord, the waters (nara) being His lint centre
of motion.
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 5
On Vasishtha's advice they observe a fast
King Dasaratha, having acquainted his son Rama with the
knowledge of his approaching regency, now called his spiritual
preceptor, Shri Vasishtha, and addressed him, saying : " O Sage,
whose only wealth is austerity, graciously approach Shri Rama
and cause him to observe a fast with Princess Site in preparation
for his coronation."
Shri Vasishtha answering, " Be it so ", went himself to Shri
Rama's palace. Ascending a chariot drawn by two horses, he
drove to the palace, and entering by the three gates, approached
the abode of Raghava, white as a cloud.
Shri Rama hearing of the arrival of his preceptor, speedily
went forth to welcome him and oifer him due obeisance. Taking
him by the hand, he assisted him to alight from the chariot
and, studying his mood, made enquiries as to his well-being.
The venerable Vasishtha said : " O Rama, thy royal parent
is gracious to thee, to-morrow thou shalt be proclaimed ruler
of the kingdom, do thou observe a fast to-day. To-morrow,
King Dasaratha will install thee as regent, as Nahusha of old
made over his kingdom to Yayati."
Having uttered these words, the knower of truth, the sovereign
of munis, requested Rama and Sita to observe a fast that night.
Then Shri Ramachandra respectfully saluted Shri Vasishtha,
and the royal preceptor accepting his salutation departed for
his abode.
Conversing delightfully with his friends, Shri Rama, when
requested by them, retired to the inner apartments. The palace
of Raghava was crowded with joyful men and women, and
resembled a lake rilled with lotuses visited by innumerable birds.
Leaving the palace, Shri Vasishtha perceived the streets to
be filled with people. All the roads entering Ayodhya were so
crowded with spectators eager to witness Shri Rama's coronation
that none could pass to and fro without difficulty. The
sound of the multitudes shouting with joy, filling the highways,
resembled the roaring of the sea.
161
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
All the streets of the capital were swept and sprinkled with
water ; on either side, flower garlands were hanging, and every
house was decorated with Hags and banners. Men and women,
children and the aged, all anxiously awaiting the dawn, so that
they might witness the sacred ceremony, looked forward with
eagerness to the great festival that would promote their happiness.
The priest Shri Vasishtha, avoiding the crowded streets, at
length reached the royal palace. Ascending the balcony which
resembled a white cloud, he greeted the king as Brihaspati pays
homage to Indra.
Seeing the sage approaching, the king rose and enquired as
to what Shri Rama had said. Shri Vasishtha answered, "All
is prepared ". As the king rose from his throne, the whole
assembly stood up to honour the venerable sage.
Having heard his spiritual preceptor's report, the king,
dismissing the court, withdrew to the inner apartment, as a lion
enters its cave. Entering those gorgeous and richly ornamented
apartments equal to one of Indra's palaces, he resembled the
moon gliding through the heavens.
CHAPTER 6
The city of Ayodhya is decorated for the proclamation
Shri Vasishtha having taken his departure, Shri Ramachandra
and the large-eyed Sita purified themselves, and mentally adored
the Lord Narayana. Offering salutations to the vessel containing
the sacrificial oblation and to propitiate Narayana, Shri Rama
poured clarified butter into the sacred fire. Thereafter partaking of
the remainder of the offering and praying for what was auspicious,
seated on the kusha grass, he meditated on Shri Narayana.
Observing silence with purified minds, the prince and princess
slept in the temple. Three hours before the dawn, they rose
and caused their servants to clean and decorate the palace.
Then, after listening to the recitation of the dynastic ballads
causing them great delight, they performed their morning
162
AYODHYA KANDA
devotions and silently repeated the Gayatri. As the sun rose,
clad in silken garments, they saluted Shri Narayana abiding in
the golden orb and then instructed the learned brahmins to
recite the Peace Chant and other prayers.
The deep and melodious sound of the Peace Chant, recited
by the brahmins, mingling with the beat of drums, filled the
capital of Ayodhya. The inhabitants of the city, knowing that
Rama and Sita were observing a fast and offering devotion to
the Lord, were filled with joy.
On the dawning of day, the citizens brought banyan trees,
setting them up as pillars to adorn the city for the coming
coronation. The high temples resembling the Himalayan peaks,
the stately houses, the highways, the crescents and streets, the
shops filled with merchandise, the mansions where members of
the royal family dwelt, the public assembly halls and the tall
trees were all hung with flags of different colours which fluttered
in the breeze. Here and there, companies of actors and dancers
gave pleasure to the people by singing sweetly and playing
melodiously on their instruments. In the market, in the houses,
at home and abroad, all spoke only of the coming proclamation
of Shri Rama as ruler. Children playing in front of their homes
also chattered about this matter.
In honour of the occasion, the roads were strewn with flowers,
and rendered fragrant with incense and pleasant odours ; lamps
were placed here and there lest the royal procession should pass
through at night.
Having decorated the city, the inhabitants awaiting the
proclamation, came together in public assemblies or stood on
raised tribunes. Praising King Dasaratha, they said : " That
mighty King Dasaratha of the dynasty of Ikswaku is indeed
a pious man. Realising he has grown old, he, himself, is
installing Rama as ruler. How gracious is our king that he is
placing us under the rule of Shri Ramachandra. May the Lord
long protect the prince as our ruler. Shri Rama is simple,
highly learned, devoted to righteousness and affectionate to his
brothers. Virtuous and wise, Shri Rama loves us as his own
brethren. May the righteous and sinless King Dasaratha live
long, by whose grace, we see Rama enthroned to-day."
Hearing the praises of King Dasaratha by the people, those
i63
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
living far distant were attracted to the holy ceremony and flocked
to see the royal procession, rilling the city of Ayodha Puri.
On the day of the full moon, the tumult of the multitude
was like the roar of the ocean. People coming from far and near
to Ayodhya which resembled the city of Amaravati, enhanced
the beauty of the capital as aquatic creatures add to the beauty
of the sea.
chapter 7
The hunchback maid, Manthara, informs Queen Kaikeyi
of Shii Rama's coming installation
At this time, Queen Kaikeyi had a female servant who had
accompanied her from the abode of her royal parent and was
ever in attendance on the queen. Her name was Manthara.
By chance, ascending the balcony of the palace which
resembled the full moon, she perceived the capital of Ayodhya
adorned with garlands of lotuses and the principal streets
sprinkled with water. Flags were fluttering from the tops of
the tall houses, the roads levelled, and the wide streets crowded
with people. Holy brahmins carrying auspicious gifts were
waiting to offer them to Shri Ramachandra ; the temples were
painted white and strains of musical instruments resounded
everywhere. Elated by the festivities, joyful crowds were
singing the Vedic mantras and not only men but elephants,
horses and cattle demonstrated their joy in their own peculiar
fashion. Large flags bound with flowers were being carried
by joyous citizens wandering here and there.
Manthara was amazed to see these unusual activities and,
meeting Shri Rama's royal nurse gaily dressed in a white silken
robe, she enquired of her, saying : " Why is the wealthy Queen
Kaushalya, mother of Shri Rama, distributing immense riches
in charity to-day ? Why are the people of the capital so joyous ?
What is the happy king about to accomplish ? "
The royal nurse, overcome with joy at that time, told the
164
AYODHYA KANDA
hunchbacked Manthara of Rama's enthronement. She said :
** To-morrow, at dawn, under the Pushya star, King Dasaratha
will install the sinless Rama, the subduer of anger, as Yuvaraja."
The words of the nurse filled the hunchbacked woman with
jealous wrath. Speedily descending from the high palace which
resembled Mt. Kailasa, that sinful woman, consumed with
malice, entered the bedchamber of Queen Kaikeyi and, waking
her, thus addressed her :—
" Why art thou sleeping, O Deluded One ? Thou art in
imminent peril ; art thou blind to future suffering ? O Fair
One, the good fortune which thou vauntest is about to pass
away, like a river that is dried up in the summer season."
Queen Kaikeyi, pained by the bitter words of the sinful
hunchbacked maid, answered her saying : " O Manthara, is all
well ? Why do I behold thee with a gloomy mien, what is the
cause of thy distress ? "
Hearing the gentle accents of Queen Kaikeyi, Manthara, who
was full of cunning, assuming a sorrowful mien and feigning
friendship for the queen, spoke bitterly, " O Devi, a great
calamity has befallen thee. Hear me ! King Dasaratha is
about to proclaim Shri Ramachandra as regent. I am immersed
in the bottomless sea of fear ; I am afflicted with pain and
sorrow ; I am as if scorched by fire, and for thy good I have
come hither. O Kaikeyi, thy woes are my woes, thy sorrows
my sorrows, of this I am certain. Hearken ! Thou art the
daughter of a great royal House and thou art the favourite of
King Dasaratha. Why art thou deceived by bis crafty ways ?
Outwardly, thy husband appears to be a speaker of truth, but,
inwardly, he is a deceitful man. His speech is fair, but his
heart is hard. Thy honesty is the cause of thy suffering.
Prevailing on thee .by specious words, the king visits thee and
speaks insincere words to thee. By delivering the kingdom to
Kaushalya's son, he seeks to make her mistress of all. Like
an affectionate mother, thou hast nourished in thy lap the enemy
that is called thy lord. Thou resemblest the one who pressed
a serpent to her bosom deeming it, through illusion, to be her
infant. As a snake or an enemy harms the one who has spared
him, so has King Dasaratha to-day dealt with thee and thy son.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
This sinful) deceitful monarch will destroy thee, thy son and
thy relatives, who are worthy of happiness, by enthroning Shri
Ramachandra. O Thou of Deluded Intellect, ever indifferent
to thine own good, hear me, there is yet time. Whatever thou
can'st do for thine own advantage perform and thus protect
thy son and me."
Hearing the words of Manthara, the beautiful queen rose
from her couch, like the autumnal moon. Filled with wonder
and delight, she took from her person a precious ornament and
presented it to the hunchback woman.
That lovely one, unequalled in beauty among youthful women,
said to Manthara : " O Manthara, thou hast brought me joyful
tidings. Tell me, what I can offer thee in return for these
pleasing words? I find no difference between Rama and
Bharata. I am, therefore, fully satisfied if the king installs
Shri Ramachandra. O Dear One, nothing is more pleasing to
me than the news of Shri Rama's enthronement. Ask for
whatever pleases thee, and I will confer it on thee."
CHAPTER 8
Manthara persuades the queen that Bharata should be regent
and Prince Rama banished
Prompted by disappointment and anger, Manthara, casting the
jewel away, in disdain, cried : " O Foolish Queen, this is no
occasion for rejoicing, dost thou know that thou art about to be
submerged in a sea of sorrow ? I cannot but laugh silently
at thy folly. Thou rejoicest when there is reason to mourn !
I pity thy simplicity, how should a woman rejoice in the
advancement of the son of her enemy ? Prince Bharata has an
equal right to the kingdom with Ramachandra. Rama fears
Prince Bharata and, fearing him, seeks to displace him. Laksh-
mana, though heir to the throne, is Rama's obedient servant,
just as Prince Shatrughna is faithful to Bharata. O Beautiful
One, by birth Bharata has a claim to the throne. Traditionally,
1 66
AYODHYA KANDA
the kingdom should be his. Shri Rama is well-versed in affairs
of state, and acts promptly in his own interests. Knowing the
danger threatening Bharata from Rams, I am filled with dread.
" To-day, Queen Kaushalya is fortunate indeed ; her son
will be enthroned by the holy brahmins at dawn, when the
Pushya star is in the ascendant. Thereafter, thou shalt have
to stand in complete submission like a stone, before Queen
Kaushalya whose enemies will be subdued. Thus, not only
thou, but the virtuous Prince Bharata will become a servant
and dependent on the Queen Kaushalya. The women of Shri
Rama's household will be filled with joy, but thy daughters-
in-law, having no status, will suffer great anxiety and sorrow."
Queen Kaikeyi believing Manthara really to be benevolently
disposed to her, began to extol the great virtues of Ramachandra,
saying : " Shri Rama instructed by his holy Guru is truly
righteous, grateful, truthful and pious ; he, the eldest son of
the king, assuredly deserves to be made regent. May he live
long ! He will ever protect his brothers and servants as a father
protects his children. O Kubija,1 why art thou jealous of Rama's
coronation ? After a hundred years, Bharata will inherit the
throne of his illustrious ancestors. Why art thou sad on such
a joyful occasion, O Manthara ? Shri Ramachandra is as dear
to me as is Bharata, he serves me with greater zeal even than
he does Queen Kaushalya. If Shri Rama ascends the throne,
it is as if Bharata ruled the land ; Shri Rama regards his brother
as himself."
Hearing the Queen's words, Manthara intensely provoked,
sighed deeply and said : " O Stupid One, thou deemest adversity
to be prosperity, thou art sinking in an ocean of suffering and
yet dost not perceive it. When Rama becomes king, who will
succeed him, Prince Bharata or his own son ? Prince Bharata
will remain without a kingdom forever.
" O Beautiful Princess, all the sons of the king cannot occupy
the throne, and if they could, it would bring calamity. Therefore,
O Kaikeyi, the sovereign confers his throne on the eldest son ;
yet, if the younger son be endowed with good qualities he may
succeed ; the kingdom is given to one and one only. When
Rama becomes king, then thy son like an orphan, deprived
1 Kubija — hunchback.
167
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of all comfort, will be cast forth from the royal dynasty to suffer.
I have come to tell thee this for thy good and thou dost not
comprehend it. If thou wert wise, thou wouldst not reward
me with this jewel on account of the increased prosperity of thy
rival. Assuredly when Rama assumes the regency, he will
either banish Prince Bharata or have him put to death. Through
proximity people acquire affection even for inanimate objects,
but thou didst send thy son in his childhood to thy father's
house.
" Prince Shatrughna has accompanied Bharata ; Lakshmana
follows Rama as Shatrughna follows Bharata. It is said that
a tree marked down for felling by the dwellers of the forest is
preserved by the proximity of the thorny ishika bushes. Thus
will Lakshmana ever protect Rama, and Rama in return will
preserve Lakshmana. These two brothers love each other as
do the Aswins ; this is well known. Rama will, therefore, seek
to harm Bharata though he will ever protect Lakshmana. I,
therefore, consider it were best for Bharata to escape to the
forest. If Rama succeed to bis father's kingdom, how may thy
welfare and that of thy relatives be assured ? To thee Bharata
is a child worthy of happiness but to Rama he is a rival.
When Rama is king, Bharata will not live long. It becomes
thee, therefore, O Queen, to protect Prince Bharata, as the leader
of a herd of elephants protects it from the lion's spring.
Prompted by pride, thou hast in the past slighted Queen
Kaushalya ; dost thou think she will spare thee when she is
chief queen ? O Beautiful One, note well when Rama obtains
the kingdom together with its mountains, seas and valleys,
then thou and thy son, Prince Bharata, will suffer ignominy.
Assuredly, when Rama is king, Prince Bharata will be deprived
of life, therefore, act so that Rama may be exiled to the forest
and Bharata obtain the kingdom."
1 68
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 9
Queen Kaikeyi is resolved upon her evil design
The face of Queen Kaikeyi flushed with anger, and sighing
deeply, she said to Manthara : " To-day, I shall indeed banish
Rama and ensure that Bharata be proclaimed regent. O
Manthara, how may Bharata become regent, and Rama be
deprived of the kingdom ? "
Hearing these words, the sinful Manthara, bent upon the
complete destruction of Shri Rama, said to the queen : " Hear,
O Kaikeyi, I will unfold to thee the only course which will lead
to the coronation of Prince Bharata. O Kaikeyi, hast thou
forgotten that which thou hast often related to me ? O Lover
of Poesy, if it be thy desire to hear the tale from my lips, listen
and then take action."
Thus addressed, Queen Kaikeyi, rising from her couch,
replied : " O Manthara, relate by what means Bharata may
acquire the throne and Shri Rama surfer eclipse."
Then the wicked Manthara, desirous of doing injury to Rama,
said : " Formerly when thy husband was engaged in a war
between the devas and asuras, he supported the cause of Indra.
He took thee with him and I accompanied thee. O Kaikeyi,
to the south, in the Dandaka forest, there ruled a king named
Timidwaja in his capital Bijayanta. He was versed in the magic
named Shambara, and he was unconquerable by the gods. He
waged war on Indra and in the great conflict the asuras, at night,
carried off the wounded from their beds and slew them. King
Dasaratha fought great battles with these asuras who pierced
his body many times with their weapons. He, falling un-
conscious, thou, O Devi, brought him from the battlefield and
when they still assailed him, didst skilfully preserve him. O
Beautiful One, then the king, thy lord, well pleased with thee,
proffered thee two boons, and thou didst answer : * I shall chum
them when the need arises.'
" I was not then acquainted with this matter, but thou didst
later relate it to me. Prompted by my love for thee, I have
169
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
treasured all this in my memory. Now, demand the cessation
of preparations for Shri Rama's enthronement. For the first
boon ask for the proclamation of Bharata as regent, and for
the second the banishment of Rama for fourteen years. During
the period of his exile, men will grow to love thy son and his
rule will be assured.
" O, Daughter of a Mighty King, entering the chamber of
wrath, clad in soiled raiment, cast thyself on the bare ground.
On the entrance of the king, neither look at nor speak to him
but, rolling on the ground, continue to weep. Doubtless thou
art very dear to thy lord who, for thy sake, would enter a raging
fire. The king would never provoke thee nor can he bear to
see thee weep. He would sacrifice life itself for thy sake. The
king cannot be indifferent to thy requests. O Indolent One,
test the power of thy beauty to-day ; but have a care lest the
king offer thee diamonds, pearls, gold and other gems, and be
not caught in the snare of greed.
" O Fortunate One, remind the king of the two boons promised
to thee on the battlefield ; strive hard for the success of thine
undertaking. If the king would lift thee up, let him on oath
renew his promise. Do thou say to him : * O Great King,
send Rama into exile for fourteen years and make Bharata ruler
of the kingdom.'
" Whilst Rama is absent, the rule of Bharata will be established
and he will reign forever. O Beautiful One, demand the exile
of Rama, from King Dasaratha, and all will be well with thy son.
Men will forget their love for Rama and will cease to care for
him, and Bharata will have no enemy anywhere. When Shri
Rama returns, the supremacy of Bharata will be firmly estab-
lished ; ruling with love, he will inspire affection and many
friends will support him. Therefore, O Queen, questioned by
the king, fearlessly and firmly demand that the preparations
for Rama's enthronement be terminated.''
Kaikeyi, thus prevailed upon to execute the evil design of
Manthara and fully prepared to comply with it, followed her
counsel as a young chicken follows its mother. The beautiful
queen, aggrieved that the king had not consulted her concerning
this great event, said : " O Manthara, thou art truly my sincere
well-wisher ! Of all deformed creatures on earth, thou art the
170
AYODHYA KANDA
wisest. O Kubija, as yet, I fail to comprehend the king's real
intention. Deformed women are usually sinful and perverse,
but thou, O Kubija, art unique, resembling a lotus bending to
the breeze. In spite of thy physical defect, thou art not to be
despised. It would seem that thy slender waist, bashful of thy
full rounded bosom, had withdrawn itself. O Manthara, thy
face is like the full moon, thou art indeed lovely, thy body is
smooth, thy waist decorated with a girdle, thy thighs are long,
thy limbs slender. O Manthara, when thou walkest before me,
clad in a silken sari, reaching to thy ankles, thou art as graceful
as a swan.
"Acquainted with every grace and blandishment, thy hump
protruding like the hub of a wheel is surely filled with wisdom,
diplomacy and understanding. I, therefore, present thee with"'
a gold chain to adorn it.
" O Lovely Woman, when Bharata becomes king and Rama
goes into exile, I will cover thy hump with beaten gold. When
I am certain of the success of my undertaking, I will apply
sandalwood paste to thy hump, and to thy forehead a diadem
of gold and gems.
" O Kubija, I will give thee ornaments of pure gold ; thus
attired and adorned thou shalt be free to live as thou pleaseth.
Thou shalt put my sister queens to shame and precede them
with pride. O Thou whose face is incomparably beautiful, thou
art a rival of the full moon. O Deformed One, many hunch-
backed women wearing golden ornaments shall attend thee as
thy handmaids."
Thus flattered, Manthara reclining on a white couch, glowing
like an altar Same, spoke : " O Fortunate One, it is useless to
construct a dam when the water has run away, therefore, enter
on thine undertaking immediately. Go wait upon the king in
the chamber of wrath."
Thus prompted by Kubija, the beautiful-eyed Queen Kaikeyi,
filled with ambition, entered the chamber of wrath with
Manthara. There, inspired by the hunchbacked woman,
casting her pearl necklace of immeasurable value on the ground,
the queen rolling on the floor, addressed her : " O Kubija,
either Rama shall go into exile and Bharata obtain the kingdom,
or King Dasaratha will have news of my death. I shall neither
171
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
put on ornaments, nor partake of delicious dishes ; if Rama
is installed, it shall be the end of my life."
Manthara continued to instruct Kaikeyi in the most cruel
manner, uttering words hostile to Rama. " Know well, O
Fortunate One, should Rama become ruler, it will mean endless
suffering for thee and thy son. Therefore exert thyself to
overthrow him.*'
The queen, wounded by the shafts of Manthara's words,
placing both hands on her heart, replied angrily : " O Kubija,
either thou shalt bear the news of my death to the king, or Rama
shall be exiled and Bharata enthroned. If Rama be not exiled,
then I shall neither sleep on a bed nor wear flowing garments,
nor apply sandalwood paste nor antimony to my person.
Except Bharata be enthroned, I shall neither eat nor drink. If
this is not accomplished, I do not desire to live."
Having firmly resolved this, casting her ornaments to
the ground, she, herself, lay down like a fallen kinnari.1 Her
face veiled in wrath, her body stripped of its garlands and
jewels, the queen resembled the sky bereft of sun and stars.
CHAPTER XO
The king is deeply afflicted at the sight of the weeping queen
Incited by Manthara, Kaikeyi, like a kinnari, continued to
roll on the ground as if wounded by a poisoned arrow. The
artful queen, devising a plan, gradually unfolded her design
to Manthara. Heaving deep sighs, like a python, Manthara
was filled with satisfaction, perceiving her favourite, Kaikeyi,
resolved on her evil course of action.
Reflecting on the matter, torn with jealousy, the queen, pluck-
ing out her eyebrows, scattered her shining ornaments on the
ground adorning it as stars illumine the firmament. Lying thus,
AYODHYA KANDA
attired in soiled raiment with her hair dishevelled) she resembled
a nymph fallen from heaven.
The king, having given his instructions for the installation
of Shri Rama, dismissed the court and entered the inner
apartments of the queens to inform them of the great
occasion.
Anxious to impart the good tidings to his beloved consorts,
the illustrious King Dasaratha entered the inner apartment,
first going to the beautiful abode of Kaikeyi. As the moon
sails into a clear sky after eclipse, so did the king enter the
apartment of Queen Kaikeyi. He passed through the garden
made beautiful by parrots, peacocks, swans and cranes. Music
was softly playing, while dwarfed and hunchbacked maids passed
to and fro. There were leafy bowers and alcoves on whose walls
were painted beautiful pictures. Everywhere champaka1 and
asoka2 enhanced the view, whilst other trees were laden with
blossom and fruit. Altars of ivory, silver and gold with springs
of water flowing by seats inlaid with precious metals and costly
jewels, where delicious food and drink was constantly served,
transformed the palace into paradise itself.
The king entered the inner apartments, but did not perceive
the queen on the couch where desire had caused him to seek
her. Calling loudly and receiving no answer, he grew sad ;
never before had Kaikeyi missed the time of dalliance, never
before had the king found the apartment deserted. The monarch
desiring to know where the queen was, questioned a maidservant,
who replied with fear and submission : " 0 Sire, she has entered
the chamber of wrath."
On hearing these words, the heart of the sovereign was
exceedingly troubled. Restless and agitated in mind, the king
bowed with sorrow entered the chamber of wrath and found the
queen lying on the ground in an unseemly manner. The king
who, in his old age, loved the young queen as dearly as his
own life, was deeply afflicted at the sight. That sinless monarch
beheld the ambitious Kaikeyi lying on the earth like a branch
torn from a tree, or a nymph thrust forth from heaven. She lay
like an apsara fallen on the earth when her merit is exhausted,
" * Champaka — magnolia, Michclia champaka.
1 Asoka — a tree resembling the coconut.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
or like a snapped garland, or a doe ensnared by the hunter,
or like a young elephant wounded by a poisonous arrow.
Standing over her like an immense tusker, the monarch
regarded her with affection. Gently caressing her, apprehensive
yet propelled by desire, the king addressed his lotus-eyed queen :
" O Devi, I know not why thou art displeased, by whom hast
thou been insulted. O tell me 1 O Auspicious One, I am
grieved to see thee lying in the dust, why art thou, ever
benevolent towards me, lying on the earth ? Thou art as dear
to me as my own life, why dost thou act as one possessed by
an evil spirit ? Art thou sick ? If so, I have many eminent
physicians who can cure thy malady, who being satisfied with
the gifts and honours bestowed on them, are ready to obey my
will. In an instant they shall restore thee to health. O
Beautiful One, tell me the symptoms of thy complaint. Or
dost thou desire to reward or punish any man ? Do not let
the charm of thy face be marred by grief.
" In order to please thee, I will put to death one who does
not deserve the penalty, or will pardon one who merits death.
I will reduce a rich man to poverty, or 'cause a pauper to be
made wealthy. I and all those who belong to me are thy
obedient servants. I shall never oppose thy will, O Queen.
If I can please thee even at the cost of my life, thou hast but
to speak. Well dost thou know how much I love thee, now
tell me what I may do for thee.
" I swear to accomplish whatever thou desireth. Know me
to be monarch of a kingdom on which the sun never sets. The
lands of Drivira, Sindhu, Souvira, Sourashtra, Dakshinaputha,
Vanga, Anga, Maghandha, Matsha, Kashi and Koshala together
with their abundant produce and wealth are ruled by me. If
thou desirest any of these, tell me.
" O Frail One, why dost thou cause thyself suffering ? Rise,
rise, O Dearest, what dost thou fear ? O Kaikeyi, as the sun
dispels the mist, I will dispel thy fears."
Thus nattered by the king, Kaikeyi appeared somewhat
pacified, yet in order to afflict her lord, began to utter bitter
and harsh words.
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AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER II
She asks for the two boons promised her by the king
The queen addressed the great sovereign, Dasaratha, who,
overcome with desire, was pierced by the shafts of Kama-deva,1
and said : Neither am I sick nor has any offered me insult. I
harbour a certain ambition which thou can'st fulfil. If thou art
willing to accomplish this, then give me thy solemn promise
and I will make known its purport to thee."
The resplendent monarch, agitated by desire, raising the head
of the queen from the ground took her in his arms and answered
smilingly : " O Fortunate One, dost thou not know that none
is dearer to me than thou, saving that lion among men, Shri
Ramachandra. I swear by the invincible Rama, who is even
dearer to me than thou, that I will fulfil thy ambition. O
Kaikeyi, I swear by Rama, without seeing whom I cannot live
one hour, that I will execute thy desire. O Dear One, by my
oath I have demonstrated to thee the intensity of my love, now
tell me what thou desirest. Knowing the great love I bear
for thee, have no fear ; by my meritorious deeds I declare to
thee, I will grant thee what thou asketh."
Following the instructions of Manthara, knowing the fulfil-
ment of her ambition to be at hand and concerned with the
advancement of Bharata, Kaikeyi spoke harshly. Satisfied with
the attitude of the king, she, resembling the dreadful god of
death, addressed him : " O Great King, formerly thou didst
promise me two boons to which the thirty-three gods were
witness. O King, moon, sun, ether, the planets, day and night,
the cardinal points, the universe and those who inhabit it, the
earth, the gandharvas, the asuras, the spirits and other beings
are witness to that promise given to me by thee. O Ye Gods,
listen with attention to the boons which the king, a lover of
truth, highly resplendent and acquainted with the law of duty,
grants me."
The Queen Kaikeyi, praising the king, who was overcome
by desire and ready to grant any boon, said : " O King, recollect
1 Kama or Kandarpa— The God of Love.
175 N
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
how in the war between the gods and asuras, thou didst fall
wounded like one dead, and I rescued thee by applying the
appropriate means ? On thy recovery, thou didst promise me
two boons. O Truthful Monarch, I now eamesdy desire these
two boons which are in thy power to grant. Shouldst thou,
despite thy promises given, not fulfil these desires, then I will
relinquish my life, dishonoured by thee."
The queen, holding the king's mind subject by her sweet
words, resembled a hunter who, intending to slay a deer, lays a
snare for it. Then addressing the king infatuated with passion
and willing to grant any boon, she said : —
"ODeva, hear me, I now claim these two boons. Employing
the preparations made for Rama's installation, let my son
Bharata be proclaimed regent, this is the first boon. The second
pledge granted me on the battlefield is now also due to be
fulfilled. Let Ramachandia be exiled to the forest for fourteen
years, wearing a dress of bark, with matted locks like a hermit,
while my son, Prince Bharata, rules without hindrance. This is
my earnest desire. Let me, this day, behold the exile of Rama.
O King, Protector of Truth, preserve thy integrity and the
traditions of thy birth. The rishis declare that the observance
of truth is the most excellent means of attaining heaven."
CHAPTER 12
The king suffers bitterly at the thought of sending
Prince Rama into exile
The harsh words of Queen Kaikeyi caused intense suffering
and agitation to the heart of the king. He began to reflect
— "Am I seeing a dream by day, is my mind unhinged, am I
possessed by an evil spirit, is an inauspicious star causing me
distress or is this disturbance the result of some malady ? "
Pondering awhile, the king grew calm, but his mind was still
troubled, and, recollecting the demands of Queen Kaikeyi, he
176
AYODHYA KANDA
again became restless and agitated like a deer in the presence
of a lioness. Heaving deep sighs, seated on the ground, he
resembled a highly venomous snake hypnotized by the power
of a mantram. He cried out in anger, " Woe unto me " and
fell senseless.
After a long time, he recovered consciousness, and suffering
great distress, full of wrath, answered Kaikeyi, while his
glance seemed as if it would consume her. " O Thou of Evil
Disposition, O Destroyer of my Dynasty, what harm have Shri
Ramachandra or I done to thee ? Rama has ever treated thee
as his own mother. Why hast thou determined thus ? Alas !
I brought thee to my house for the destruction of my home.
I deemed thee to be the daughter of a king and thou hast
shown thyself to be a venomous serpent. All my people unite
in praise of Rama. For what fault shall I abandon him ? It
were possible for me to part with Queen Kaushalya, Sumitra,
my kingdom, even life itself, but I cannot abandon Shri Rama.
To behold the heir-apparent causes delight to my heart ; when
not contemplating him, my mind loses its capacity to act. The
world may continue to exist without the sun, crops may grow
without water, but I cannot live even for a little while without
Shri Ramachandra.
" Therefore, O Sinful One, give up thine arrogance. See, I
put my head at thy feet, be gracious to me. Why hast thou
determined on this cruelty, O Wicked One ? If thou desireth
to test my love for Prince Bharata, then do so. When thou didst
say betimes that Rama, my eldest son, was entitled to the
kingdom on account of his virtues, didst thou utter these words
in flattery to gratify me or to exact some service of Rama ?
" The tidings of Rama's installation is causing thee a burning
discontent. Possessed by an evil spirit, thou art not thyself,
I wean. O Devi, it is a great calamity that the House of
Ikshwaku, famed for its probity, should fall into disrepute.
" Hadst thou not been afflicted by an evil spirit or influenced
by an inauspicious planet, thou wouldst never have spoken to
the detriment of others. It is certain that thou art possessed
by a malignant entity. O Child, thou hast often said that thou
didst love Shri Ramachandra, even as Bharata himself. O Devi,
how dost thou dare to seek the banishment of Ramachandra
177
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
for fourteen years ? How canst thou demand the exile of the
virtuous and tender Ramachandra for fourteen long years?
O Thou of beautiful eyes, how canst thou think of sending
Rama into exile, who ever honours thee ? Rama has paid thee
greater respect than Bharata. I fail to comprehend how thou
canst desire his exile. Reflect well, none in the world will offer
thee greater service, respect and obedience than Rama.
" Among the thousands of women and maid-servants in my
private apartments, none ever speaks ill of Rama, and he
with a pure heart offers protection to every living being, while
his subjects ever love and obey him. He has won the hearts
of all beings by protecting the interests of the needy and the
afflicted. Generosity, faithful service to his preceptor, valour
in the field of battle, skill in archery, have all contributed to his
renown. Truth, austerity, friendship, purity, simplicity of life,
knowledge of philosophy and service of his teacher are well-
known qualities of Shri Ramachandra.
" O Devi, Shri Ramachandra ever acting in the highest
interests of all, equal to the maharishis and the gods in
enlightenment, must not suffer the ills of exile. Shri Rama has
never spoken a harsh word to any, how shall I then, at thy
instigation, give him this pitiless message ? What shall befall
me bereft of Rama who is endowed with forgiveness, gratitude,
self-control, renunciation, truth and virtue, and who never
inflicts pain on any human being ?
" O Kaikeyi, I have grown old and my end is near. In this
wretched state I beseech thee to show mercy on me. The earth
girdled by the sea, and all that is contained therein, shall be
thine. Why dost thou drive me to the brink of death's dark
abyss?
" O Kaikeyi, I touch thy feet in supplication. Protect Shri
Ramachandra and save me from dishonouring my word."
King Dasaratha, stricken with grief, fell senseless, his whole
frame convulsed and agitated. Again and again he entreated
the queen to take him beyond the sea of suffering, but that
cruel one growing each instant more adamant, replied : " O
King, if thou repent of the two boons given to me, none in
the world will call thee righteous. When other kings question
thee regarding thy promises, O Righteous One, what will be
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AYODHYA KANDA
thine answer ? Wilt thou say that she to whom thou owest thy
life and by whose grace thou yet livest, who rendered thee great
service at the tune of misfortune and to whom thou didst promise
two boons, has now been refused these blessings ?
"Assuredly thou shalt become a stigma on the illustrious
dynasty of Ikshwaku, having given promises from which thou
now wouldst fain withdraw. Recollect King Shivya, who
gave the flesh of his own body, to redeem a pledge, was of thy
royal house. King Alarfca, likewise of thy dynasty, plucked out
his eyes that the sight of an aged and learned brahmin might
be restored, and thus obtained the highest state. Not only man
is bound by his word, the ocean whose boundaries are fixed,
does not pass beyond the shore. Therefore, recollecting thy
pledge, do not relinquish it. O King, art thou bereft of thy
senses ? Abandoning truth, thou wouldst grant Rama the
kingdom so that thou mayest enjoy the embraces of Queen
Kaushalya. Be it in accord with dharma or not, be it truth
or falsehood, thou must fulfil the promise made to me, it shall
never be revoked.
" Shouldst thou withdraw thy pledge and grant Ramachandra
the kingdom, I will give up my life by drinking deadly poison.
Were I to see Queen Kaushalya receiving salutations as chief
queen, I should not be able to endure it.
" O Great Sovereign, I swear by Bharata and my own life
that nothing save the exile of Rama shall satisfy me.**
After speaking these words, Kaikeyi became silent, disregard-
ing the supplications of the afflicted monarch. Understanding
the full portent of the harsh words of Kaikeyi, implying Rama's
exile and the rulership of Bharata, the king remained silent for
a long time. His senses numbed, he gazed steadfastly at the
face of his beloved queen, speaking thus bitterly.
Maharajah Dasaratha, afflicted on hearing the threatening
speech of Kaikeyi resembling a thunderbolt, inspiring pain and
grief, knowing she had resolved to banish Rama, cried out : " O
Rama ! Rama ! " and heaving deep sighs fell to the earth like
a felled tree. Like a madman bereft of sense or as one in
delirium or a snake hypnotized by incantations, he fell, deprived
of his glory. In abject tones, he addressed Kaikeyi, saying :
" Who has instructed thee in this evil design, cloaked in specious
179
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
garb ? Art thou not ashamed to address me as one possessed ?
Formerly, I did not deem thee capable of such conduct ; in
youth, thy disposition was otherwise. What has overpowered
thee that thou seekest such a boon ? Stay these unjust words
that Rama should go to the forest and Bharata occupy the
throne. O Sinful One, O Cruel-hearted One, O Evil Doer,
relinquish the insistence on thy resolve, for thine own sake and
for the sake of thy subjects and thy son. Either Rama or I
must have offended thee. How have we done so, that thou
speakest thus ? Assuredly Prince Bharata will never wish to
occupy the throne while Rama lives. I deem Bharata no less
virtuous than Ramachandra. When instructing Rama to go to
the forest, seeing him stricken, how can I look on him ? How
can I look upon his face darkened like the moon in eclipse ?
How can I revoke that decision made in consultation with my
ministers and friends desiring my welfare, causing confusion,
as the sudden smiting of an army by the enemy. What will
the kings of other lands say when they hear the breaking
of my resolve which was reached by common consent ? Will
they not say : ' King Dasaratha of the House of Ikshwaku is
like a child. We marvel that he has ruled so long.' When
the aged, wise and learned brahmins enquire for Rama, shall I
answer them that, coerced by Kaikeyi, I have sent him into
exile ? If I say this in truth, it will be accounted falsehood
since I have already instructed my Guru to install Shri Rama
as regent. What will his mother, Queen Kaushalya, say, if I
banish Rama ? How shall I explain this cruel deed to Queen
Kaushalya? She is ever dutiful, a friend, serving me as a
handmaid, keeping my secrets as a trusted companion, practising
virtue like a woman and in attending on my welfare resembling
a sister, serving me with delicious food like a mother, ever
speaking sweetly to me, ever desiring my good; her son is
dearest to me. How can I fail to accord her due respect ?
Fearing thy displeasure, how great would be my subsequent
repentance and remorse ?
"As one partaking of delicious food, really injurious to him,
is later filled with regret, so knowing Rama exiled at my
command, the terrified Sumitra will place no further faith in
me. Oh ! how unfortunate is this, that Sita hearing these evil
1 80
AYODHYA KANDA
tidings of my death and Shii Ramachandra's banishment, will
yield up her life, as a nymph dies deprived of her mate in a
Himalayan valley.
" I shall not long survive the exile of Rama and the grief of
Sita. Enjoy thou the kingdom with thy son, but as a widow !
Know well, O Devi, there is no happiness for me in life if Rama
is exiled. As men infatuated by the colour of wine, drink
it thinking ill of it the while and knowing its harmful
consequences, so did I, charmed by thee, enter into union with
thee, believing thee true and faithful. Yet now I know thy
disposition to be incomparably vile. Thou hast deluded me
with alluring deceits.
"As a hunter decoys a deer by sweet music, so alas ! will
the people of the capital think of me, as my son's executioner.
They will shrink from me as from a brahmin who drinks
intoxicating liquor. Alas ! that I should hear such bitter
words. Now I am suffering deep affliction as men who consume
the fruit of their former iniquities. O Sinful One, having long
protected thee, it is I who have erred, like the man who carefully
preserves the rope with which he is eventually hanged.
"As a child, in a solitary place, plays with a black snake not
knowing it will be the cause of his death, so am I. Who is
more wicked than myself, who, during my lifetime causes my
saintly son to become an orphan ? The whole world will despise
me saying : * King Dasaratha is overcome by lust and at the
prompting of a woman has sent his son into exile.'
" Shri Rama in his childhood abstained from flesh, honey1
and wine, and faithful to his brahmacharya vow, was reduced
to a skeleton by the observance of severe austerities, much study
and the firm service of his preceptor. Now, a householder,
the time has come that he should enjoy health and prosperity,
yet now he is condemned to undergo great physical privation.
It is certain when I command him to go to the forest, he will
reply * Be it so, O Sire*. Alas! how much better if it could be
otherwise. My beloved child will assuredly not disobey me.
Not knowing my true reason, and believing the command to
spring from the sincerity of my heart, he will acquiesce and
1 Honey in those days being obtained by killing all die bees, hence Shri Rama
eschewed tt.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
willingly depart ; yet all will execrate me if Rama leaves us.
" Death, who spares none, will take me to the region of Yama
while Shri Ramachandra has gone to the forest, then O Kaikeyi,
what grievous injustice wilt thou inflict on thy remaining
relatives and Queen Kaushalya ? She, deprived of Rama and
Lakshmana, will no longer be able to endure her grief and will
yield up her life.
" O Kaikeyi, having cast me, Kaushalya, Sumitra and my
three sons into the pit of death, canst thou be happy ? Wilt
thou be able to protect the dynasty of Ikshwaku, which for
long ages has been ruled without disturbance, when Rama and
I are gone ? Will Bharata approve the banishment of Rama,
if it be so, let him not perform my obsequies. O Enemy, may
thine ambitions be fulfilled. When I am dead and Rama
banished, then wilt thou, a widow, govern the kingdom with
thy son.
" O Thou dwelling in our midst as the pretended daughter
of a king, wert thou truly a princess, thine incomparable renown
would not have been tarnished, nor would I have been set at
nought by thee.
" Now my son, accustomed to ride on chariots, horses and
elephants will have to walk barefoot in the forest. He, who
formerly was served at table by attendants in jewelled livery,
each vying with the other, saying: 'My dish is sweeter, O
Lord,' how shall that Rama henceforth live on the bitter and
insipid fruits of the forest ? How shall he pass his life depen-
dent on fruit and roots ? How shall Shri Ramachandra,
accustomed to costly apparel and a luxurious couch, sleep on the
bare ground, clothed in the yellow robe of a mendicant ? I
know not why an evil-minded woman should issue this cruel
decree that Rama should be exiled and Bharata be installed as
regent.
" Woe unto those women seeking material gain, skilful in
accomplishing their own purpose ! I do not condemn all
women, but those like the mother of Bharata. O Kaikeyi,
versed in wrong doing, ever meanly disposed and seeking thine
own advantage, didst thou enter my house to cause me affliction ?
What fault hast thou seen in me or in Ramachandra, the friend
of all the world ? O Kaikeyi, on seeing Rama suffering in the
182
AYODHYA KANDA
forest at thy request, fathers will abandon their sons, faithful
wives their husbands, and the whole world will condemn
thee.
" When I behold Shri Ramachandra adorned and handsome
as a god, approaching me, my eyes axe delighted ; seeing him
thus, I am rilled with joy and courage. The affairs of the world
may continue in the absence of the dawn, and the earth exist
without rain, evoked by Indra, but none in the capital will enjoy
happiness beholding Rama going into exile.
"Alas ! To-day, I am about to perish for long nursing thee
in my arms, O Kaikeyi, a venomous snake bent on my
destruction. Thou art my real enemy. Now do thou, Rama
and Lakshmana perform my funeral ceremonies, then govern
the kingdom with thy son, Bharata. Destroy my relatives and
friends, depopulate my towns and country, and live in accord
with mine enemies, O Thou Cruel Wretch ! Why do thy teeth
not break into a thousand fragments, seeing thou hast spoken
improperly before thy lord, and uttered vain boasts. Never did
my Rama speak an unkind word to thee. He knows not how
to speak unkindly. Thou chargest Rama with baseness, who
ever was of gentle speech and who is endowed with every
excellent quality.
" O Thou Defamer of the Kingdom of Kaikeya, I shall not
grant thy request whether thou be angered or sorrowful or
takest thy life by swallowing poison or dasheth thy head against &
rock, or even sinkest into the earth. Thou utterest words keen
as the edge of a razor, deceitful and heartrending, veiling them
in gentle accents, thy nature is perverse, thou art the destroyer
of thine own family. Thou hast inflicted bitter agony on me.
Though charming in looks, thou art a dangerous woman.
I do not desire to consort with one so surpassingly wicked.
" What use to speak of love and joy, I cannot live without
Ramachandra. O Devi, abstain from destroying me. I touch
thy feet, be gracious to me."
Finding her heart unmoved by his appeal, King Dasaratha
like an orphan, fawning and abject, fell unconscious at the feet
of Kaikeyi as one about to die.
183
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 13
Kaikeyi disregards the king's immeasurable distress
King Dasaratha lying on the ground in utter ignominy,
resembled King Yayati fallen from heaven. The cruel queen,
seeing her purpose yet unaccomplished, herself fearless yet
inspiring terror in the heart of the king, again demanded the
boons, saying : —
" O King, thou didst ever deem thyself a man of truth and
one faithful to his vows, why dost thou then withhold the boons
promised to me ? "
After some time, the monarch exceedingly disquieted, replied
in anger : —
" O Sinful Woman, after my death when Ramachandra, the
chief of men, has gone into exile, thou mayest accomplish thy
purpose. In heaven, the gods will enquire concerning the
welfare of Shri Ramachandra. If I reply that I have sent Rama
into exile to please Kaikeyi, it will be looked upon as a falsehood,
and none will believe it. Having passed innumerable years
without a son, how should I, after long suffering and anxiety,
being blessed with an heir, forsake the long-armed Rama ?
" How can Rama, valorous, learned, tolerant and forbearing,
whose eyes are like lotuses, be driven into exile by me ? How
should I send the beautiful Rama, whose complexion is like
the blue lotus, to the Dandaka forest ? Shri Rama, meriting
every comfort and pleasure, undeserving of sorrow, how can I
behold that wise Ramachandra in distress ?
" Had I died without seeing Rama afflicted, who merits no
suffering whatsoever, my spirit would have experienced joy in
heaven. O Pitiless, O Sinful Kaikeyi, why, why dost thou
compel me to send my dear and truthful son, Shri Ramachandra,
to the forest ? I shall incur dishonour throughout the whole
world."
Thus lamenting and distracted, evening having fallen and
the night creeping on apace, King Dasaratha afflicted and in
great anguish, experienced no delight on beholding the moon.
184
AYODHYA KANDA
The old king, sighing heavily, continued to lament, and gazing
at the starry sky cried : " O Night, adorned with stars, do not
pass into the dawn. O Auspicious Night, with great humility,
I supplicate thee, have pity on me and do not pass away. I
have no desire to behold the face of this cruel "Kaikeyi, who has
caused me immeasurable distress."
Then the monarch again entreated Kaikeyi saying : " A
virtuous man and yet wretched, I take refuge in thee, for I have
only a short while to live. O Auspicious One ! Know this ;
I am a king and not alone but in the royal assembly have X
proclaimed Rama as regent. Be gracious unto me, O Kaikeyi,
O Child, O Giver of Delight ! Grant imperishable rulership
to Shri Ramachandra and endear thyself to me. O Kaikeyi,
thus shalt thou obtain great renown.
" O Thou of beautiful face, let Rama be installed, so shalt
thou cause pleasure to Shri Ramachandra, to Bharata, to the
court, nay to the whole world."
Then the pure-hearted sovereign, his eyes reddened in his
distress burst into a flood of tears, but the wicked Kaikeyi
disregarded both his flattery and his weeping.
The king, realising the exile of Shri Rama could not be avoided,
tell senseless to the earth. Signing deeply at every moment,
King Dasaratha passed the night in great anguish.
At dawn, the royal musicians striking up to awaken the great
monarch, were ordered by him to be silent.
chapter 14
The king is overcome by grief ; the queen summons Shri Rama
KAIKEYI beholding the king distracted with suffering, undecided
how to act, and restless as a fish on dry land, said : —
" O King, what is the meaning of thy grief and sorrow ?
Having promised me two boons, wilt thou incur the sin of
default ? Those versed in the secret of righteousness, call truth
the essence of virtue. I ask thee but to protect truth for thine
185
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
own good. O King, in ancient times, thy forbear, King Shivya
fulfilled a promise given, by yielding up his body to a hawk
and thus acquired a high spiritual state. Thus also the illustri-
ous Alarka gladly taking out his own eyes gave them to a blind
brahmin versed in the Veda. The Lord of Waters, the ocean,
paying due regard to truth, does not pass beyond its boundaries
at the time of the full moon. Truth is Brahman. Truth is
the crown of righteousness. The imperishable Veda proclaims
the glory of truth. When the heart is purified by the practice
of truth, Brahman is realised. O King, if thou holdest truth
to be the fruit of virtue, then following truth grant me the two
boons, O Bestower of Boons. For the sake of safeguarding thy
future happiness, send Rama into exile ! Send Rama into exile
at my request. Thrice I repeat my desire. If thou failest to
exile Rama, I shall not survive the dishonour and shall yield up
my life in thy presence."
Hearing the words of Kaikeyi, King Dasaratha found himself
bound and unable to escape, like King Bali of old in the presence
of Vamana.1 Distraught, his mind agitated, his countenance
pallid, the king resembled a bullock tottering between the yoke
and the wheel. Anxiety and grief overwhelmed the king ; with
a supreme effort, mustering his courage and controlling his
senses, his eyes distended, he addressed Kaikeyi ; " O Sinful
Woman, at the time of our nuptials, in the presence of the
sacred flame, I took thy hand in mine, but to-day, I reject thee
and the son born of thee, Prince Bharata. O Devi, the night
is nearly passed and the sun about to rise. My Guru and the
elders will urge me to perform the installation ceremony. Let
the preparations made for the installation be used for my funeral
rites. Let no part therein be taken by thee, O Kaikeyi, as thou
dost oppose the installation of Shri Rama. How shall I look
upon the faces of these people now filled with joy in anticipation
of Rama's enthronement, that will soon become overcast and
melancholy ? "
The night illumined by the moon and stars passed away as
the King was speaking, and day dawned. Then Kaikeyi,
eloquent in speech but full of iniquity, transported with anger,
spoke passionately : —
1 Vamana — The holy Dwarf, a divine Incarnation.
186
AYODHYA KANDA
" O King, why dost thou speak like one affected by a grave
disease? Send for thy son Ramachandra to come hither.
Install my son on the throne and send Rama into exile. Then
shalt thou have accomplished thy duty."
The king, like a well-bred horse smarting under the lash,
replied : " I am caught in the net of dharma, I am bereft of
understanding, let me behold my eldest son, Shri Rama."
The morning had now dawned, and the night had fled ; the
sun had risen and an auspicious planet was in the ascendant.
The blessed Lord Vasishtha endowed with every excellent
quality, surrounded by his disciples, holding the sacred articles
required for the installation, came to the great door. Passing
through the capital, Shri Vasishtha observed the streets swept
and watered. Flags were fluttering everywhere in the breeze,
flowers of many kinds were strewn on the roads and garlands
hung here and there. All the inhabitants looked happy ; shops
and stalls displayed a variety of merchandise, while incense
mixed with ambergris and sandalwood perfumed the ah*. Every-
where people were celebrating the festival and eagerly awaiting
the coronation of Ramachandra.
Having passed through the city of Ayodhya, which resembled
Amaravati, Shri Vasishtha came to the royal palace, and beheld
at the gate an assembly of brahmins and teachers who enhanced
the scene. Innumerable priests, skilled in the ritual of sacrifice,
courtiers and leaders of the warrior class, as well as merchants
were gathered there. Shri Vasishtha penetrated to the private
apartments and delightedly entered there. At the door he
beheld the charioteer Sumantra of pleasing looks and the holy
sage begged him to announce his arrival to the king and inform
his majesty that he had brought the sacred water of the Gunga
in golden vessels, and various seeds, fragrant herbs and gems of
different kinds. There was also honey, curds, clarified butter,
parched rice, kusba grass, flowers and milk, together with
eight beautiful virgins and a white elephant, A chariot drawn
by four horses, an excellent sword and bow, a palanquin with
bearers and a canopy resembling the moon in purity. Two
white chamaras, a narrow-necked jar of gold, white heifers,
a lion with great teeth, a fine steed, a lion throne, a tiger skin,
sacrificial fuel and fire. Musicians of every kind, beautifully
187
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
adorned women singers, teachers, priests, cows, deer and birds ;
representatives of the people and merchants with their families
were gathered there. These and many people inspired by
affection and of gentle speech, had come with their leaders
to see the coronation of Rama.
Shri Vasishtha ordered Sumantra to inform the king with
all haste that Rama should be installed when the Fushya star
was in the ascendant. Sumantra instructed by the royal Sage
Vasishtha, and having access to the person of the king, entered
the palace crying " Jai ! Jai ! to his majesty ". The guards
permitted him to enter without hindrance, and Sumantra,
approaching the king, ignorant of his condition, began to praise
his royal master, according to the prevailing custom. With
great humility he addressed him, saying : " O Gracious Sover-
eign, as the sun at the breaking of day gives pleasure to the sea,
so do thou give us joy by thy radiant countenance. Add to our
delight, O Mighty Lord ! As in the morning Indra was adored
by his charioteer, whereafter he defeated the asuras, so do I
salute thee. I come to wake thee as the Vidyas and Vedas
waken Brahma. As sun and moon stimulate the earth which
supports all men and life, so do I come to waken thee, O Great
Ruler. Awake, O Maharaj and rejoice the hearts of the people
by thy sight. Don thy royal robes and adorn thyself with the
great gems, resplendent like the sun on the crest of Mount
Mem. O Sire, may the Moon, the Sun, Shiva and Kuvera
be auspicious to thee. May Varuna, Agni and Indra grant thee
success. The lovely night has passed and the auspicious day
has dawned. O Royal Sage, arise and perform thy duties ;
preparations for the installation of Rama are completed, the
leading citizens and the inhabitants of the capital are waiting
in reverence at the gate ; the blessed Sage Vasishtha, with his
disciples, is at the door. Command us, O King, to inaugurate
the coronation of Rama immediately ; as cattle without a
keeper, an army without a general, night without the moon,
cows without a bull, so is thy kingdom without a king
to-day."
The king hearing the peaceful words of Sumantra was
once more submerged in the sea of sorrow ; though over-
come with grief, his eyes red with wrath, he answered him :
188
AYODHYA KANDA
" O Sumantra, thy words of praise inflict great pain on me."
Sumantra, beholding the miserable condition of his master,
and hearing his anguished words, joining his palms in submission,
stepped backwards, tongue-tied.
Then Kaikeyi, skilled in achieving her own purpose, addressed
Sumantra : " O Sumantra, being overjoyed on account of the
installation of his son, the king has not slept this night. Being
fatigued, he is now overcome with sleep. Go thou, therefore,
and bring the illustrious Ramachandra hither ; this matter
requires no deliberation."
Sumantra reflected that the arrival of Shri Ramachandra
would pacify the mind of the king : he speedily went to summon
him and on the way reflected, " Why has Queen Kaikeyi
summoned Rama in haste ? " The charioteer believed the
eagerness of the king had prompted him to summon Shri
Ramachandra for the purpose of his installation. Sumantra,
happily came to the beautiful palace of Shri Rama which
resembled a small island in the sea, and beheld there many
people standing at the gate.
He beheld many kings and great chieftains assembled in their
allotted places.
CHAPTER 15
Sumantra hurries to Prince Rama's palace
When night had given way to the dawn, brahmins well-versed
in the Veda, together with the king's priests, came to the palace
gate. With them came the counsellors, the chiefs of the army
and leading merchants to witness the installation of Rama.
The sun having risen and the Pushya planet with Karrata1
being auspicious,' it being the time at which Rama was born,
brahmins brought vessels of gold filled with water, a finely
1 Cancer.
1 In the right conjunction aatrologically.
I«9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
decorated throne and a resplendent chariot with a seat spread
with a tiger skin. Water was brought from the confluence of
the Gunga and Yamuna and from the holy rivers, lakes and
wells, from the westward flowing streams and those descending
from great heights and flowing through the plains. From the
seas also water was provided and stored in shining vessels of
gold and silver, wherein lotus blooms floated and on whose
surface sticks of Gular1 and banyan were sprinkled.
Honey, curds, clarified butter, kusha grass, and flowers were
also provided. Beautifully adorned singing women were like-
wise present. Chamaras with handles of gold set with jewels,
a beautiful canopy, scintillating and round as the moon, were
furnished for the ceremony, also a white caparisoned steed, a
young elephant of great size, and eight virgins gracefully attired.
Musicians with vinas, bards and those who proclaim the
king's praise; everything required for the installation of a
sovereign of the dynasty of Ikshwaku was furnished by command
of the king. Not beholding King Dasaratha at the appointed
time, those present said : " Who will announce our arrival to
the monarch ? The sun has risen, but the king has not come
forth ; every preparation for the installation of Rama is now
complete."
While they were thus speaking, Sumantra, honoured servant
of the state, addressed the royal guests, and maharajahs, saying :
"As commanded by the king, I purpose to bring Shri Rama
before him. On my return, I will ask his majesty for you who
are worthy of honour, the reason for the delay."
The aged Sumantra came to the door of the inner apartment
and entered, unannounced. Praising the royal dynasty of Raghu,
he reached the chamber where the king was lying on the ground.
Pouring forth his praise, he approached the arras hanging before
the king's chamber, and said : " O Sovereign, may Surya,
Kuvera, Varuna, Agni and Indra grant thee victory. The
Goddess Night, has departed, dawn has come, arise O Lion
among Kings ! Brahmins, ambassadors and chiefs of the forces
have assembled and are desirous of seeing thee."
The king, rousing himself, said to his chief minister, Suman-
tra: "Bring Shri Ramachandra hither speedily. Why dost
> Gular — Twigs of a fragrant resinous tree.
190
AYODHYA KANDA
thou delay ? I do not sleep, go bring Shri Rama with all haste."
Sumantra, Bowing to the king, went forth to execute his
commands. Thinking the installation of Rama to be near, he
set out for the palace, passing joyfully along the royal route
gay with flags and banners. Hearing on all sides, people
conversing of the coming event, he mingled with the happy
throng and after walking some distance, saw Shri Rama's
palace, white as the peak of Mount Kailasha and fair as Indra's
abode.
The turrets, adorned with golden images, studded with
coral and jewels, rendered the palace resplendent, like the
winter clouds on the caverns of Mount Sumeru. The main
gateway, decorated with wreaths of gems and pearls, was
fragrant with sandalwood and ambergris, sweet-scented like
the Malaygiri mountain and abounding with cranes and pea-
cocks. The doors and walls of the inner apartments were
decorated with paintings of lions, tigers and wolves, pleasing
to the eye and mind.
The palace of Rama, resplendent as the sun and moon,
furnished like the palace of Kuvera and equalling the abode
of Indra, was surrounded by many kinds of birds who sported
there. Men from distant lands in bejewelled apparel waited
bearing gifts in their hands, eager to behold Rama. The
spacious palace was sumptuously furnished and the attendants
serving there were men of small stature.
Shri Sumantra, delighting the people, in his chariot drawn
by horses, came to the door of the palace which was filled with
untold wealth and surrounded by deer and peacocks gladdening
the heart.
Entering the gates and greeting those dear to Rama, Sumantra
reached the door of the inner apartment. There also he heard
everyone conversing of Shri Rama and he rejoiced to hear them
speaking of his glory. He beheld the inner inclosure, resplen-
dent and lofty as Mount Meru, which was rendered charming
by the presence of many deer and birds. There, too, he beheld
those from various lands, descending from their chariots,
bearing gifts.
He observed an elephant equal to a hill in height, resembling
a dark cloud, who had never known the touch of a goad and
191 o
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
whose forehead was dripping with sweat. Its name was
Shatrunja, and it stood prepared to carry Rama. •
Proceeding further, Sumantra beheld many charioteers and
horsemen ready with their caparisoned horses. Continuing on
his way, Shri Rama's chief minister saw countless artists and
poets gathered there.
Passing through the multitude, he came to the private apart-
ment of Shri Rama. Unchallenged, the great Sumantra,
resembling a cloud, entered the apartment as a crocodile enters
the gem-filled ocean.
CHAPTER 16
Shri Rama in Ms chariot drives swiftly to the king
Passing through a further doorway, thronged with people,
Sumantra came to another gate where no guard stood. He
beheld there many young men, alert, vigilant, and devoted to
their master, armed with bows and axes, and wearing beautiful
ear-rings. Beyond these, Sumantra saw aged men, clad in red,
gorgeously attired, holding staves in their hands, guarding the
apartments of the Queens. Seeing the virtuous Sumantra
approaching with others, they stood respectfully at attention.
Sumantra, addressing these humble and experienced attend-
ants, said : " Be pleased to inform Shri Ramachandra that
Sumantra waits at the door."
They, ever desiring the good of Rama, informed the prince
and Sita of the arrival of Sumantra. Knowing Sumantra to be
in the confidence of his royal father, Shri Rama affectionately
caused him to be summoned.
The charioteer, entering there, perceived Shri Ramachandra
resembling Kuvera himself, seated on a golden couch, spread
with soft cushions and richly ornamented. His brow was
anointed with pure and fragrant sandalwood-paste, the colour
of the blood of a wild boar.
By his side the Princess Sita, as beautiful as the moon attended
192
AYODHYA KANDA ■
by the Chitra1 planet, was seated, holding a chamara in her
hand.
Sumantra, versed in the customs of the court, offered respectful
salutations to Shri Rama who appeared as resplendent as the
noonday sun. With joined palms, Sumantra humbly enquired
as to the prince's welfare and addressed him who was thus
seated on the couch, saying : " O Excellent Son of Queen
Kaushalya, the king desires to see thee in the apartment of
Queen Kaikeyi, be pleased to go thither without delay."
Thus addressed, that Lion among men, the most illustrious
Ramachandra, filled with joy, on receiving the summons, replied :
" Be it so, I will go thither with all speed." Then turning
to Sita, he said : " O Devi, my mother Kaikeyi, and my father
have consulted each other concerning those matters relative to
my installation. O Princess of Beautiful Eyes, my mother
Kaikeyi, ever benevolent and accomplished, knowing the king's
desire, is influencing him for my good ! That daughter of the
great King of Kaikeya, ever obedient to my royal father desires
my welfare. He, with his beloved queen, has sent for me
through Sumantra, who is ever well-disposed to me, and desires
what is pleasing to me, as does the king, my sire, and the queen,
my mother. Assuredly, to-day the king will proclaim me regent.
I shall go to my royal father in all haste, do thou converse
happily with thy maids of honour."
Hearing these courteous words, spoken by her lord, the
lotus-eyed Princess Sita reciting the Peace Chant, followed
Shri Ramachandra to the door. She said : " O Maharaj, the
kingdom has many learned brahmins who will crown thee, as
Indra was crowned by Brahma. When the preliminary initiation
is completed and thou dost perform the Rajasuya* sacrifice and
I behold thee dressed in an antelope skin with the deer's horns
in thy hand, do thou then allow me to pay thee homage. May
Indra in the east protect thee, may Yama in the south protect
thee, may Varuna in the west protect thee, may Kuvera in the
north protect thee."
Having taken leave of Sita, Shri Rama left his palace with
Sumantra. Shri Rama, going forth from his palace, as a lion
1 Chitra — Spica virginis.
1 Rajasuya sacrifice — a great sacrifice performed at a king's installation.
193
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
issues from his cave, beheld Shri Lakshmana humbly waiting
at the door.
At the middle gate, Shri Rama encountered his friends and
honoured those who had gathered there to witness his coronation.
Then that lion among men, the son of King Dasaratha,
mounted his chariot resplendent as name, spread with tiger skins
and which, on its course, made a noise like thunder. Inlaid
with gold and gems, it dazzled the beholders as does the
brightness of the sun. The horses yoked to the chariot, equalling
young elephants, galloped as swiftly as the steeds of Indra.
Shri Rama, seated in his resplendent chariot moving rapidly
with a sound as of thunder issuing from the clouds, appeared
like the moon coursing in the heavens. His younger brother,
Prince Lakshmana attended him standing behind him in the
chariot, with a chamara in his hand.
On every side, shouts of " Jai ! Jai ! " arose, while the
multitude followed Shri Rama's chariot with its cavalcade of
mounted horsemen and mountain-like elephants. Warriors
whose brows were anointed with sandalwood paste and amber-
gris, preceded the royal chariot bearing naked swords in their
hands. Then followed the musicians and bards singing their
praises and the shouts of warriors resembling the roaring of
lions. The chariot went forward amid a rain of flowers showered
down from the balconies and windows by beautifully adorned
women, of faultless limbs, who thus offered salutations to Rama
and desirous of his welfare chanted hymns of adoration, saying :
" O Delight of Thy Mother, whose heart to-day is raised in
exultation because of thee ; to-day thy royal mother will see
thee in possession of the throne.
*' The Princess Sita, exceedingly dear to Rama is esteemed the
most fortunate woman in the world by womankind who, believing
her to have practised a high degree of virtue and ascetism in
a previous birth, say, "As the planet Rohini1 found union with
the moon, so has the Princess Sita found union with
Rama."
Hearing the delightful eulogies of the women, Raghava
pressed on, listening to the converse of the citizens and those
come from afar, concerning his approaching coronation. Some
1 Rohini — fourth of the lunar aiterum*.
»94
AYODHYA KANDA
said : " To-day, Shri Ramachandra, our lord, will acquire
limitless wealth and power through the favour of his royal sire.
Those people over whom he holds sway, will obtain their heart's
desire and the fulfilment of their ambitions. Should he enjoy
the kingdom for long, it will be our gain, since no distress will
visit the kingdom while he is king."
Thus preceded by neighing horses and the praises of his
dynasty sung by chroniclers and bards, Rama advanced like the
god Kuvera, while on every side he beheld the decorated high-
ways filled with male and female elephants, chariots, horses and
people and stalls overflowing with gems and merchandise.
CHAPTER 17
He advances to the palace amidst the plaudits of Ms friends
Seated in his chariot, the prince beheld his delighted friends
and the city, white as a cloud, adorned with flags and banners
fluttering here and there, fragrant with the perfume of incense,
filled with a multitude of men and enriched by stately buildings.
Passing through the scented highways where heaps of sandal-
wood were burning, and rare perfumes, wool and silken cloths,
unpierced pearls, and innumerable gems being exposed to view,
with stalls replete with articles of food and drink and merchandise
of every kind, he beheld the royal highway adorned like the
pathway of the gods in heaven, with every auspicious mark,
such as curds, rice, sandalwood, parched grain and milk.
Traversing the cross-roads gay with flowers and fragrant objects,
amidst the blessings and salutations of his friends, he acknow-
ledged their praise with humility. Those advanced in years,
were crying : " O Prince, thou who art to be crowned to-day,
let thy rule resemble thy grandfather's and thy great grand-
father's, thus shall we prosper as in the days of thine ancestors,
may our happiness exceed even those times. Neither do we
require the comforts of this world, nor those of the other world.
Beholding Shri Ramachandra returning after his coronation,
195
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
our delight will exceed all else. Nothing is dearer to us than
the installation of Shri Ramachandra of limitless glory."
Thus did Raghava advance, amidst the eulogies of his friends
the focus of every eye and heart, serene and imperturbable.
Those who were unable to behold him or were unnoticed by
him, became objects of contempt to others, nay, they were a
reproach to themselves. The all-compassionate Ramachandra
looked on each of the four castes with equal condescension.
Each loved him according to his capacity.
Passing the temples, the sacred groves and pavilions, Shri
Ramachandra circumambulated them in reverence. He now
beheld the royal palace, resembling a white cloud, its towers
like the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kailasa, its balconies
seeming almost to reach the skies like the fire chariots of the
gods ; the pleasure houses set with precious gems, caused the
whole palace to excel all those on earth and rival even the abode
of Indra.
Approaching his father's palace, Shri Rama passed through
the three gateways guarded by archers, and proceeded on foot
through the fourth and fifth enclosures. There, leaving his
attendants, he entered the private apartments of the king.
The multitude seeing Rama enter the palace were filled with
joy and awaited his coming forth as the sea awaits the coming
of the full moon.
CHAPTER 18
He sees the Mug full of anguish and speechless ; Kaikeyi utters
the cruel words
Entering the private apartment, Shri Ramachandra beheld
King Dasaratha full of distress, his countenance pale, seated
with Kaikeyi on the royal couch. First placing his head at the
feet of his royal sire, he then respectfully offered salutations
to Mother Kaikeyi.
The king, his eyes filled with tears, his throat choked with
196
AYODHYA KANDA
emotion, could only utter the word " Rama " and nothing more.
As the heart of a man who accidentally touches a serpent is filled
with fear, so was the heart of Rama on beholding the king's
misery. The king agitated by grief and remorse, sighing bitterly,
filled with anguish, resembled the ocean which, calm by nature,
is agitated by a mighty storm, or Rahu1 causing the sun's eclipse,
or the soul of a sage stirred by the utterance of falsehoods.
Without knowing the cause of the king's distress, Shri Rama
became agitated like the sea on the day of the full moon. Shri
Ramachandra, ever engaged in seeking his father's welfare,
reflected : " Why is my father not happy to see me to-day ?
Formerly, when displeased, on beholding me he was pacified,
but to-day, beholding me, he is troubled. Why is he overcome
with grief and bereft of his glory ? "
Making obeisance to Kaikeyi, he said : " If by an involuntary
offence, I have caused my father displeasure, then O Mother,
propitiate him for me. Erstwhile, even when displeased, my
father showed favour to me, but to-day, I behold him pale
of countenance, and deeply distressed, nor does he speak to me.
Is my revered father suffering any physical or mental distress ?
It is rare indeed for a man to be consistently happy. Has his
majesty seen any grievous fault in the amiable Prince Bharata
or the valorous Shatrughna, or in my mothers or in me ? I do
not desire to live a single instant if his majesty is not satisfied
with me, or is displeased or if I have disobeyed him. Why
should not man obey his parents, who are the source of his
birth and who are living gods ? Hast thou spoken harsh words,
in vanity, to the king, on hearing which his heart is lacerated ?
O Devi, answer my question truly. Tell me the cause of this
unprecedented grief in my sire."
Kaikeyi thus addressed by Shri Rama, dead to all shame
and skilful in defence of her selfish purpose, spoke arrogantly :
" O Rama, the king is not angry nor is he suffering physical
pain, he has something on his mind which he fears to disclose
to thee. He loves thee dearly and so hesitates to tell thee this
unpleasant matter. It is for thee to fulfil what he has promised
to me and to act in accordance with it. Having formerly granted
1 Rahu — a mythical demon, said to cause the eclipse of the sun and moon
by iwallowing it.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
me a boon, he now repents it like a common man. To promise
a boon and then seek to evade it, is like the setting up of a dam
when the water has gone. O Rama, have a care lest the king
abandon truth for thy sake. Among holy men, truth is said
to be the root of dharma. Should the king command thee
and thou fulfil his command without further deliberation, then
will I reveal the whole truth to thee. The king may not
communicate with thee directly, therefore, be ready to execute
what I command on his behalf."
Shri Rama, highly agitated, replied to Kaikeyi in the presence
of the king : " For shame, O Devi, to speak thus to me. At
the command of my father I am willing to do anything, even
to casting myself into the fire. At the bidding of the king
my parent and author of my welfare, I will gladly drink deadly
poison or throw myself into the sea. O Devi, disclose to me
his will, I vow to fulfil his command. Be assured, O Mother,
Rama does not utter falsehood."
To the ever truthful Rama, Kaikeyi answered in these wound-
ing words : " O Ramachandra, long ago the Maharajah fought
against the asuras and fell wounded on the field. I then
preserved him and he promised me two boons. For these I ask
the installation of Prince Bharata and thy exile to the Dandaka
forest. O Great One, if thou desirest that thou and thy father
should uphold truth, then hear roe. In obedience to thy father,
now go into exile for fourteen years. Let the preparations made
for thine installation be used for the enthronement of Bharata.
Giving up thy claims to the kingdom, do thou with matted hair,
wearing a deer skin, live in the Dandaka forest for seven and
again seven years. Let the earth be ruled by Prince Bharata.
This kingdom filled with an abundance of gems, horses and
elephants must be his. On account of this is the king distressed,
his countenance pale and he is unable to look on thee. O Rama,
obey the king and preserve him by fulfilling his command."
At these cruel words of Kaikeyi, Shri Ramachandra betrayed
no sign of distress, but the king realising the future suffering
of his son was overwhelmed with grief.
198
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 19
Shi Ramackandra betrays no sign of distress and prepares
for exile
The slayer of his foes, Shri Ramachandra, hearing the words
of Kaikeyi, keen as the pangs of death, was in no way moved
by them, and answered : " Be it so ! To honour the promise
made by the king, I will leave for the forest immediately, with
matted locks, attired in raiment made of bark, but I desire
to know why the illustrious sovereign does not address me ?
O Devi, fear not, I vow, in thy presence that I shall dwell
in the forest, dressed in bark with matted locks j rejoice, there-
fore ! Whatever command the benevolent monarch, ever
mindful of my welfare, shall lay upon me, I will gladly execute
to please him. There is nothing I would not do for him without
hesitation, but one painful thought still lingers in my mind.
Why does the king not speak to me himself of Bharata's
enthronement? O Mother, by thine order, I am willing to
surrender to my brother Bharata, not only the kingdom, but
also Sita, together with every object of desire, my wealth and
my life. How much more would I do for my father, that he
may preserve the vow of truth and serve thy purpose. Render
this matter clear to the king. How is it that I behold my father
with bowed head, shedding tears ? Let messengers on swift
horses summon Prince Bharata immediately from his uncle's
house, while I, without considering the merit or demerit of
my sire's injunctions, enter the Dandaka forest for fourteen years."
Queen Kaikeyi highly pleased by the words uttered by Shri
Ramachandra and assured of his exile, urged him to depart,
saying : " So be it ; messengers on swift footed horses will
summon Bharata immediately from his uncle's home. O Rama,
being ready to enter the forest, do not delay : depart, therefore,
with all speed. Overcome with shame, the king dare not ask
thee to depart, but do thou disregard this. 0 Ramachandra,
the king will neither bathe nor partake of food till thou hast
entered upon thine exile."
The king, hearing the words of Kaikeyi, cried " Woe ",
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Woe ", and, stricken with grief, fell senseless on die golden
couch. Raising up the king, Shri Ramachandra, urged on by
the words of Kaikeyi as a horse under the lash, prepared to enter
the forest in all haste. His heart unmoved by the queen's cruel
words, he replied : " O Devi, I did not desire the kingdom
to acquire wealth and power, but becoming regent, I wished to
preserve dharma. Know me, like the sages, to be a protector
of dharma. If I can render any service to my father at the cost
of my life, it is as if already accomplished. There is no greater
good in this world than service to one's sire by thought, word
and deed. On this command, not issued by the king but by
thee, I will dwell for fourteen years in the uninhabited forest.
O Sati, thou hast been my mother and yet art unacquainted
with my nature. If thou had'st known me, no need would
have arisen to consult my father on so insignificant a matter.
Now I go to take leave of my mother, Queen Kaushalya, and
offer consolation to my Sita. Let Bharata rule the kingdom
according to dharma and serve our royal father faithfully. This
is a son's abiding duty."
Hearing the words of Shri Ramachandra, the king, speechless
and overcome with grief, wept aloud, shedding bitter tears.
The most illustrious Rama made obeisance to his father lying
pitifully there and, then bowing to the feet of Kaikeyi, left
the apartment. Having circumambulated the King and Queen
Kaikeyi with extreme reverence, Shri Ramachandra came forth
from the inner chamber and beheld his friends standing at the
door. Shri Lakshmana full of wrath, his eyes suffused with
tears, followed Rama.
Shri Rama circumambulated the sacred articles prepared for
the installation ceremony in great reverence, and prayed that
they should be dedicated to the installation of Prince Bharata.
Then turning from them, without a backward glance he slowly
withdrew.
The abandoning of the ceremony failed to impair the serenity
of Shri Ramachandra, the splendour of his countenance remained
unchanged as the moon suffers no diminution of its beauty in
the waning period. On renouncing the kingdom and departing
for exile, Shri Ramachandra resembled a great yogi and none
observed any change of mood in him.
AYODHYA KANDA
Relinquishing the royal canopy, the beautiful chamara and
bidding a respectful and affectionate farewell to his friends and
the people's delegates and guests, remembering the sorrow
occasioned to them, and restraining his senses, the prince went
to the apartments of his mother, to break the distressing tidings
to her. Those about him found no change in him, neither in
the adornments of his body, donned in preparation for the
royal ceremony, nor in the cheerfulness of his countenance.
Such was the truthful Ramachandra. As the autumnal moon
does not lose its splendour, so the cheerfulness of the mighty-
armed Rama did not diminish. Addressing those standing near
with sweetness and respect, he approached his mother Kaushalya.
The most valorous Prince Lakshmana, the sharer of his
brother's joys and griefs, followed him. Aware of the great
distress that would arise in the hearts of his friends, Shri Rama
for his mother's sake entered the palace in a serene and cheerful
mood.
CHAPTER 20
Queen Kaushalya is afflicted and helpless with sorrow
Perceiving that Lion among men, Shri Ramachandra, his palms
joined in a gesture of farewell, coming forth from his father's
apartments, the ladies of the inner chamber began to lament
loudly, saying : " Shall Shri Rama, who fulfilled all our desires
without awaiting the injunction of his royal sire and who is
our sole refuge, to-day go into exile ?
" From his birth he has honoured and respected us as his
own mother, Queen Kaushalya. When we have spoken harsh
words to him, he was never angry, nor did he ever give any
cause for displeasure. That prince who ever reconciled those
who were affronted, is to-day going into exile. Our king,
acting like an ignorant man, is determined to destroy his subjects
and is sending Rama, who is the sole support of all beings,
into exile."
Thus, weeping bitterly, all the maids of honour and maid-
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
servants of the king lamented like cows bereft of their calves.
The king hearing their cries of distress, deeply afflicted with
grief for his son, overcome with shame, fell down on his couch.
Shri Ramachandra, grieving for the woes of his relatives,
breathing like a mighty elephant approached his mother's apart-
ments with Lakshmana.
Entering there, he beheld at the first gate the venerable and
aged guardian of the door and his attendants, who rose on
perceiving the prince, crying " Jai " " Jai " to him. Reaching
the second gate, he met with the aged brahmins honoured by
the state for their great learning. Saluting them, he entered
the third gate where women, the aged and children were keeping
guard. The women gave their blessings to the prince and went
to inform the Queen Kaushalya of Shri Rama's arrival.
According to scriptural injunctions, the queen had spent the
whole night worshipping Shri Vishnu, desirous of her son's
good. Gad in a silken sari, she was pouring oblations into the
sacred fire, with joy. Shri Rama, entering the chamber of his
mother, beheld her offering oblations into the sacred flame;
he beheld there the sacrificial articles prepared for the worship
of the gods ; curds, rice, butter, sweetmeats, rice cooked in milk,
garlands of white flowers, sesamura seed, fuel and jars filled
with pure water.
Shri Rama saw the fair complexioned queen in a white robe,
emaciated through long fasts. After a time, perceiving her son,
Shri Ramachandra, she ran towards him as a mare runs to meet
its foal. Embracing him, inspired by maternal love, she
addressed the great Rama with gende and affectionate words :
" O my Son, mayest thou become aged and righteous like the
royal sages. Mayest thou attain the age appropriate to thy
dynasty. Mayest thou acquire renown and fulfil thy family
duties. O Dear Prince, now approach thy truth-loving father,
who awaits thee to-day to appoint thee regent of the kingdom."
Offering her son a seat, she placed before him sweetmeats ;
Shri Rama, touching them only, with joined palms humbly
addressed her; he, ever affectionate and now showing even
greater tenderness in protecting his mother's honour, said:
" O Goddess, thou art not yet acquainted with the great calamity
that threatens us. I must go to the Dandaka forest and have
AYODHYA KANDA
come to seek thy sanction. It is the season of sorrow for thee,
Sita and Lakshmana. Now, entering the forest, my seat will
be of kusha grass and there, residing for fourteen years, I shall
live on honey, roots and fruits. The king has conferred the
regency on Prince Bharata and I, giving up royal fare, must
enter die forest to eat the food of ascetics there. By the king's
command, Bharata will be installed as regent. For fourteen
years, it is ordained that I shall live in the forest, practising
asceticism far from the haunts of men. The forest from
henceforth will be my home; roots and berries will be my
food!"
Hearing these words, the queen fell to the ground like the
bough of a fir tree severed from the trunk, by an axe !
Resembling a nymph fallen from heaven or a phantom tree
struck down, she fell. Shri Ramachandra raised her to her
couch, her body soiled with dust, like a steed that has rolled
on the earth and gently brushed away the dust with his own
hands. The queen, worthy of every happiness, seated by her
son, filled with distress, addressed him in the presence of Shri
Lakshmana: —
" O Child, O Rama, hadst thou not been born of my womb,
I should have suffered the distress of being childless, but I
should have been spared this sorrow. O My Son, were I a
barren woman, I should not have been thus afflicted, for a barren
woman has but one grief, that of being childless. The fortune
that befalls a wife, alas ! was not to be enjoyed by me for long !
Having a son, I looked for happiness, but now, though chief
queen, I must bear the piercing words of my rival consorts,
no longer showing me deference. What greater calamity can
befall a woman? The insults that will be heaped upon me,
without thee, will prove unendurable. Alas ! This is the
season of unfathomable grief and affliction ! O My Son, when
thou art gone, I shall cease to live. As chief queen, I have
already borne great provocation ; now, serving Kaikeyi, I shall
be deemed lower than her maidservant, indeed some say I
am already her slave. Those who attend me, will desert me
on beholding Bharata made regent."
Then Queen Kaushalya growing angry, began to utter bitter
203
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
words, saying : " How shall I, thus afflicted, look on the face
of Kaikeyi ? O Rama, seventeen years have passed since thou
didst receive the holy thread.1 Since then, I have lived in
expectation of thine installation and the termination of my
sorrows, but now X must suffer further. I shall not be able
to endure this. O Rama, I shall not be able to suffer the
contumely of the other queens in my old age. O Child, not
beholding thy countenance resembling the full moon, how shall
I bear this miserable life? I have kept innumerable fasts,
worshipped the gods and nourished thee till now, yet un-
fortunate as I am, it has proved to be in vain. Surely my heart
is made of stone that it has not broken to-day, it resembles
a river in the rainy season that does not overflow under continued
rain. Surely death has forgotten me or there is no room in
his abode. Had it not been so, he would have carried me hence
to-day like a doe carried away by a lion. Assuredly my heart
must be as hard as iron that it is not riven under this affliction.
O why does not the earth open and engulf me ; it seems one
cannot die before the time appointed. Those sacred austerities,
fasts, meditation and penance undertaken for the prosperity of
my child have proved vain, like seeds sown in a barren field.
If at this time of sorrow, I might die, threatened with thy
separation, I should embrace death as willingly as a cow deprived
of its calf. O My Son, of what use is life now to me, robbed
of the sight of thy face resembling the full moon ? Kay, I will
follow thee to the forest like a feeble cow following its calf."
Queen Kaushalya, the mother of Rama, afflicted and helpless,
realising her own unfortunate position, and her son to be bound
in the service of truth, lamented like a kinnari whose offspring
has been made captive.
1 A brahmin boy is invested with the holy thread at about eight yean of age,
the ceremony is called Upa-naya.
It is possible that Shri Rama received it earlier.
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 21
Shri Rama, in spite of the laments of the queen and Shri
Lakshmana, prepares for departure
Shri Lakshmana, overcome with grief, addressed Mother
Kaushalya in words suited to the occasion. He said : " O Mother,
it cannot be pleasing to thee that Rama, at the command of the
king, who is subject to a woman, and oblivious of the prosperity
of the kingdom, should go to the forest. Old age has impaired
the intellect of the monarch who, impelled by desire, is no longer
master of his senses ; what words will he not utter ? I see
no fault in Ramachandra for which he should be exiled and
deprived of his kingdom. I know no man whether friend or foe
who can find fault with Rama even in absence. Like a god,
he is guileless, self-controlled and forbearing even to his foes ;
what righteous king would abandon such a son without cause ?
What son versed in the discharge of a sovereign's duties would
give obedience to so puerile a king ? "
Addressing Rama, Lakshmana continued : " O Brother, before
the multitude become acquainted with these tidings, assume
the reins of the kingdom, I will assist thee in the undertaking.
0 Raghava, who will dare oppose thee, when like death itself,
1 stand by thy side, armed with my bow ? If two or three,
nay if all the people of Ayodhya resist thee in thine undertaking,
I will destroy them. If all the supporters of Bharata oppose
thee, not even one shall escape. The meek are ever oppressed.
Should our father, inspired by Kaikeyi, become our enemy,
then, though worthy of protection, I will undoubtedly slay him !
Even should a spiritual preceptor, prompted by egoity, follow
the evil path and do what ought not to be done, he must be
restrained.
" On what authority does the king confer the kingdom on
the son of Kaikeyi, when the son of the chief queen, rightly heir
to the throne, still lives ? O Slayer of thy Foes, who will dare
to incur our enmity and give Bharata the kingdom ?
" O Mother, I swear by the truth, by my bow, by the laws
of charity, by the merit acquired in worshipping the gods, that
205
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
I am Shri Rama's willing servant. 0 Devi, should Rama enter
the blazing fire or the dark forest, know I shall have preceded
him. O Goddess, do thou and Shri Ramachandra behold my
prowess by which I shall destroy all your sufferings, as the sun
destroys darkness. I will also slay the king enslaved by Kaikeyi,
who is aged, contemptible, of unsubdued mind and in his
second childhood."
Hearing the words of the noble Lakshmana, Queen Kaushalya
was overcome with grief and said to Shri Ramachandra : " O
Child, thou knowest the content of thy brother's heart, now act
as thou considerest meet. It does not befit thee to abandon
thy sorrow-stricken mother at the unjust words of her rival.
0 Righteous One, if thou art established in dharma, then remain
here, serve me and acquire virtue. There is no higher duty
than service of the mother. I am, with the king, equally an
object of thy reverence, and I command thee not to go to the
forest. In thy separation, there is no occasion for rejoicing,
neither do I desire to live, but with thee I will gladly live,
sustaining myself on herbs alone. If thou, leaving me afflicted
with grief, go to the forest, then shall I refuse food and yield up
my life. Then, O My Son, being responsible for my death thou
wilt, like Samudra,1 unmindful of thy mother, enter hell."
Seeing his mother, the Queen Kaushalya, thus lamenting,
the righteous Ramachandra spoke to her dutifully, saying : " O
Goddess, I cannot disregard my father's commands, therefore
1 bow before thee and entreat thy favour and sanction to enter
the forest. Know that the Sage Kandu, a great pundit,
acquainted with his yogic duty, slew a cow in obedience to his
father's commands, knowing it to be a sin, which was thereafter
not charged against him.
" In ancient times, likewise, in our own dynasty, the sons
of King Sagara, digging the earth, sacrificed their lives at their
father's behest. At the command of his father, the son of
Jamadagnya, Parasurama, with his axe, cut off the head of his
mother Renuka. O Devi, these and other godlike men have
obeyed their rather resolutely. I, too, without hesitation, shall
perform that which benefits my father. O Mother, not I alone
obey my father but all those virtuous men, mentioned by me,
1 Samudra — the Lord of riven who killed a brahmin.
206
AYODHYA KANDA
have been obedient to their father's will. I follow no new law*
nor one contrary to the traditions of the royal dynasty, but tread
the path of my illustrious ancestors. I am accomplishing nought
which has not already been accomplished in this world. He
who acts in accordance with his father's commands does not
fall from virtue."
Having spoken thus to his mother, Shri Rama addressed
Lakshmana, saying : " O Lakshmana, I am acquainted with
thine immeasurable love for me, thy valour and thy prowess ;
none can withstand thee. O Lakshmana, my mother endowed
with every good quality is now subject to misery and grief
through ignorance of dharma and lack of resignation. O
Brother, dharma is the highest good on earth, Truth and
dharma are one. My father's command is founded on dharma,
hence it is superior to my mother's ruling. O Hero, it is
unworthy in one seeking the supreme fruit of dharma, not to
fulfil the promise made to his father, mother or a learned
brahmin, I cannot, therefore, disregard my father's command.
O Hero, inspired by my father, Mother Kaikeyi has urged me
to this course, therefore, 0 Lakshmana, relinquish the idea of
bloodshed and embracing the state of virtue, follow me."
Thus lovingly addressing Lakshmana, with bowed head and
in great humility Rama turned to Queen Kaushalya and said :
" O Goddess, now grant me permission to go into exile. In
my absence pray for me. Having honoured my vow, I shall
return, like King Yayati who falling to earth from heaven, again
ascended thither. O Mother, comfort my unhappy father.
Have no anxiety, O Mother, I shall return after fourteen years
as desired by my father. Do thou, Sita, Lakshmana and
Sumitra obey my royal sire. This is the ancient tradition. O
Mother, disregarding the preparations made for mine installation,
let thy mind be freed from grief and allow me to go into exile
as ordained by dharma."
Hearing the words of Rama, inspired by righteous motives,
spoken with courage and equanimity, Queen Kaushalya as one
restored to life, gazed steadfastly at Rama and said : " O My
Son, if thou art versed in dharma and art mindful of the good
done to thee by thy parents, then am I as woithy of thy respect
as thy father. O My Son, do not abandon thine unfortunate
207 p
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
mother and enter the forest. O My Child, of what use is my
life without thee ? The earth, the region of the pittris, heaven
and the region of Mahaloka, which are the abodes of highest
bliss, for me are all void without thee. An hour with thee is
my greatest delight O My Son."
Shri Rama, hearing his mother's lament, was agitated, like
a king who is perturbed, when on a dark night his torch-bearers
are assailed on the way.
Then the dutiful Rama again addressed his mother rendered
almost senseless with grief and Lakshmana distressed and
disquieted, and spoke to them for their good, in words that were
full of integrity : —
" O Lakshmana, I know of thy prowess and the intensity of
thy devotion to me, but now in opposition to my purpose, thou
dost increase my mother's misery. O Brother, there are three
means to happiness in this world, they are righteousness,
prosperity and pleasure. Those who love righteousness should
pursue it as a wife acquires merit by being obedient to her
husband, and pleasure by endearing herself to him and prosperity
by becoming a mother. That undertaking which does not
ensure these three, should be given up and that by which they
are secured should be carried out. He who pursues prosperity
alone, is without friends and has many enemies, and he who is
devoted to pleasure, which is not based on righteousness, is an
object of contempt. O Brother, the king is firstly our preceptor,
secondly our father and thirdly he is an aged man. From the
point of view of dharma, I must obey his commands, whether
they are inspired by anger or desire. As a righteous man, I
must fulfil his behests. Rare is the son so ruthless as to disobey
his father. How can I evade the behests of my sire, who is
my parent and has full authority over me as a king, and further
is the consort of my dear mother Kaushalya ? How, therefore,
should the queen, abandoning the virtuous king, her lord, follow
me like a widowed woman ? O Goddess, grant me permission
to leave for the forest whilst thou dost recite the Peace Chant,
that my vow may be accomplished.
" Like King Yayati of old who returned to heaven, inspired
by his love of truth, I, too, shall return. O Mother, I dare not
208
AYODHYA KANDA
disobey my father for the sake of a mere kingdom ! Life is brief
and I have no desire for the rulership of the world through
the sacrifice of virtue.*'
The mighty Rama thus acquainting his mother with his
intention of entering the forest as demanded by Kaikeyi, circum-
ambulated the Queen Kaushalya, fixing his heart on his
departure.
CHAPTER 22
He appeals to Shri Lakshmana not to grieve
Shki RAMACHAMDRA then turned to Shri Lakshmana, who unable
to endure his distress, full of wrath against Kaikeyi, his eyes
distorted, was breathing heavily like a mighty elephant. Address-
ing him in terms of affection as a beloved brother and friend,
patiently calming his fears, Rama said : " O Brother, give up
grief and anger and arm thyself with patience, forgetting the
preparations made for mine installation, make thyself ready for
my departure to the forest. O Lakshmana, prepare with the
same zeal as thou didst prepare for my coronation. The mind
of my mother, Kaikeyi, is clouded with suspicion on account
of my proposed enthronement, therefore, O Lakshmana, act so
that her suspicions may be allayed. O Brother, Mother Kaikeyi
believes thou wilt use force to place me on the throne. This
I cannot endure, nor can I suffer her to experience anxiety.
At no time, do I recollect that I have voluntarily given cause
for offence to my parents. O Lakshmana, let us relieve the
apprehensions of our royal father, ever truthful and valiant but
now fearful lest his future life be jeopardized. If I do not
abandon the desire for the crown, the distress caused to the
heart of the king, at the violation of bis vow, will be mine also.
O Lakshmana, because of this, I desire to enter the forest
without delay, abandoning the project of mine installation.
Thinking her purpose accomplished, Queen Kaikeyi will to-day,
if I depart for the forest, cause her son Bharata to be summoned
209
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and will make over the kingdom to him with joy. The heart
of Kaikeyi will find no rest till I, dressed in a deer skin, with
matted locks, enter the forest. I cannot grieve her, who has
urged me to go to the forest and contributed to my resolution,
therefore> I will depart without delay. O Lakshmana, the
acquisition of the kingdom is not part of my destiny. If
providence had favoured me, Kaikeyi would not have desired
to send me to the forest. O Dear One, thou knowest no
distinction was made by me between my three mothers, nor
has Kaikeyi looked on me as different from Prince Bharata,
but to-day to frustrate my coronation and send me into exile,
she has uttered cruel and pitiless words. This is the will of
God and nought else. Had it not been so, how should Kaikeyi
the daughter of a king, of gentle disposition and noble nature,
speak thus like a vulgar woman in the presence of her husband ?
Whatever is inscrutable to man should be known to be the
decree of providence ; even Brahma cannot evade the conse-
quences of karma.1 It is this unalterable and fixed decree that
has created the dissension between Kaikeyi and me, not to be
understood by man.
" Pleasure, pain, fear, anger, profit and loss, life and death,
and similar matters come into being as a result of our karma.
Even the sages practising great austerities, prompted by their
karma, abandoning asceticism have been swept away by
concupiscence and avarice. This sudden happening, never
apprehended, this frustration of a well-devised plan is the work
of karma. Therefore, I in no wise regret my resolve nor the
cancellation of my coronation. Do thou also abandon grief
and following me forget the preparations for the coronation.
O Lakshmana, with these vessels of water brought hither for
mine installation, let my dedication to the ascetic life, be made.
Yet what use have I now for these sacred waters ? From now
on, I shall draw water with mine own hands for every ritual.
" O Lakshmana, do not grieve that the installation ceremony
remains unperformed. We know by reason and discernment
that there is little difference between ruling a kingdom and living
in a forest. O Lakshmana, do not for an instant blame Queen
1 Karma — The law governing the behaviour of matter in all its grow and
subtle form*.
AYODHYA KAND;A
Kaikcyi for obstructing my coronation ; prompted by karma,
men say what is unlawful."
chapter 23
Shri Lakskmana offers to defeat all those who obstruct Shri
Rama's installation
Instructed by his brother, Lakshmana, his head bowed, was
filled with distress on account of Shri Rama's impending
departure, yet glad to learn the secret of dharma. Remaining
in the cave of anger awhile, breathing like a snake provoked in
its hole, his frowning mien resembling an enraged lion, swaying
like the trunk of an elephant, with quivering limbs, averting
his gaze, he addressed his elder brother, saying : " O Brother,
in this evil hour, thou art subject to a great delusion. Ill-timed
is this assertion that disobedience to a parent is contrary to
dharma. It does not become one virtuous as thou art to speak
thus. Thou, a leader among warriors, canst control thy fate,
yet like a weak man thou speakest of it as irrevocable. Dost
thou respect these wicked beings,1 O Virtuous One ? Dost thou
not know how many deceivers appear as righteous men ? Take
note how the king and Kaikeyi for selfish ends deceive thee
and send thee into exile. If this matter of the boons granted
to Kaikeyi were true, then why was it not revealed 'ere the
preparations for thy installation were made ? If it can be said
it was done in error, then that error is a calamity. It will cause
dissension among the people. How can the younger take
precedence over the elder in matters of state ? I cannot suffer
this, O Great Hero, pardon me. This law thou praiseth, by
which thy mind is governed, is incomprehensible to me. Thou
who art powerful, why must thou submit to Kaikeyi ? Wilt
thou obey the unjust command of thy father, contrary to the law
of dharma ? Dost thou not perceive their duplicity, in frus-
trating thine installation under the pretext of granting a boon ?
1 The King and Kaikeyi.
211
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
I consider the pursuit of such a course to be worthy of
condemnation. This is die reason for my distress. Though
our parents, the King and Kaikeyi, desire to harm thee and are
swayed by passion, who, except thee, would countenance then-
design ? Yet thou attributest this matter to the decree of fate.
This action is unpleasing to me. Let the weak and the cowardly
trust in so uncertain a fate, heroes and men of patient resolve,
do not accept the dictates of karma. He, who by his own
endeavours, conquers fate, never suffers. Let it be seen to-day
whether fate or exertion prevail.
"That destiny1 which prevents thine installation, which
resembles an elephant refusing to respond to the goad, and
having broken its fetters, is wandering about unchecked, that
decree will I conquer by my prowess.
'* Neither the guardians of the four quarters, nor all the
dwellers in the Three Worlds, united as one, can prevent thine
installation, how much less then, my father ? Those who have
planned thine exile, shall themselves pass fourteen years in exile.
I will frustrate the hopes of my father and Kaikeyi, who,
depriving thee of the kingdom, seek to enthrone Bharata. The
power of karma will not bring such adversity to those opposed
to us as my valour shall inflict on them ! After ruling a
thousand years, do thou retire to the forest, leaving thy sons
to govern the kingdom, then, like our ancestors, who, becoming
aged, withdrew to a hermitage, do thou continue to live in the
forest. Formerly, kings in their declining years, giving over
their subjects to the governance of their sons and grandsons,
used to retire to the forest as ascetics. If, O Rama, thou fearest
to rule against the behests of the king, thinking the administration
would be insecure, I will protect thy kingdom as the shore
protects the earth from the inroads of the sea. If I fail, may I
never be called a hero ! Now fix thy mind on thine enthronement
with these auspicious preparations ; singlehanded I can effect
the defeat of the kings who obstruct thine installation. These
two arms of mine are not for show, nor is my bow a mere
decoration. My sword was never meant to dangle at my side,
nor are my arrows designed to be kept in the quiver ! All these
axe dedicated to the task of destroying the enemy. I will not
* The remit of one's karma.
AYODHYA KANDA
brook the existence of my foes. With my keen bright sword, I
will hew their bodies to pieces, even if it be Indra himself. I will
cut to pieces elephants, horses and men with my sword, creating
large heaps and rendering advance impossible. To-day, my
enemies shall fall like clouds rent by lightning. Donning the
godha,1 lifting up my bow, I shall strike the enemy with many
shafts and large numbers of them with a single arrow. I shall
destroy innumerable soldiers, horses and elephants by piercing
their most vulnerable parts with my shafts. To-day I shall
demonstrate the power of my weapons and establish thy
sovereignty. To-day these two arms accustomed to be adorned
with ornaments and sandalpaste and used to distributing charity
and to protecting friends, shall prove their prowess by opposing
those who obstruct thine installation. O Ramachandra, I am
thy servant, tell me who is thy foe and command me to oppose
him so that severing them from their fame and friends, the
kingdom be placed in thy hands."
Shri Ramachandra, hearing the words of Lakshmana, wiping
away his tears, consoled him, saying : " O Dear One, know
my chief valour to be obedience to the will of my father ; it
behoves the virtuous to fulfil their father's command."
CHAPTER 24
The queen realises she has no power to restrain Shri Rama's
resolution
Seeing the righteous Ramachandra determined to obey his sire,
Queen Kaushalya, her eyes filled with tears and her throat
choked with emotion, said : —
" O Rama, thou hast never experienced hardship. Fruit of
my womb and the seed of King Dasaratha, thou, following
dharma, hast ever spoken sweetly to all, how wilt thou be able
1 A guard of leather and metal, worn on the left arm to protect it from the
bow itnng.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to endure living in the forest? He whose servants live on
sweetmeats and butter, how will that Rama of mine be able
to live on roots and fruit? Who will not feel insecurity,
knowing King Dasaratha to have banished his illustrious and
virtuous son ? If he acts thus to such a son, what of myself ?
If Ramachandra, beloved of all, is compelled to enter the forest,
then undoubtedly destiny (past karma) rules our joys and
sorrows. O Child, the fire of grief in my heart, fanned by the
wind of thine absence, fed on lamentation and affliction ;
stimulated by tears, emitting the smoke of anxiety, will utterly
consume and destroy me, like a forest fire at the end of winter
reduces the bushes, creepers and grass to ashes. O Child, as
a cow runs after its calf, so shall I follow thee wheresoever
thou goest."
Rama, listening to the sorrowful speech of Queen Kaushalya,
replied : " O Mother, the king is sorely distressed by the deceit
of Kaikeyi, and I also must leave him when I go to the forest.
The Maharajah will not survive if thou also come with me.
No more cruel act can a woman perform than to leave her
husband ; it is not to be countenanced. As long as my father
lives, it is for thee to serve him. This eternal dharma must
be followed by thee."
The virtuous maharani listening to the advice of Shri
Ramachandra, he who overcame difficulties with ease, replied
submissively to him : ** O My Son, thy words are true.*'
Shri Rama then addressed her who was suffering deep distress,
saying : " O Goddess, both thou and I must obey my father.
He is first my preceptor, secondly my father, thirdly thy husband
and finally the protector, master and lord of us all. Having
cheerfully passed fourteen years in the forest, I will return and
do thy bidding."
Queen Kaushalya, her eyes brimming with tears, she who
did not merit suffering, answered Shri Ramachandra, saying :
" O My Son, how shall I endure dwelling with my rivals ?
If thou art resolved to enter the forest at the command of thy
father, then like a wild doe take me with thee."
To his weeping mother, Shri Rama replied : "As long as
a woman lives, she should consider her husband as her master
and her lord. The king is our master, how should we be
ai4
AYODHYA KANDA
masterless while the king lives ? Bharata also is virtuous,
humble and devoted to the good of all. He will undoubtedly
treat thee with respect and not oppose thee. When I am gone,
let not the king surfer on account of my separation, and let him
not be overcome by this great grief. The king is now aged,
it becomes thee to serve him with every care. Even a virtuous
woman, devoted to piety and fasting, if negligent towards her
consort, comes to a sinner's state, but she who is devoted to
her lord attains heaven. The woman who is ever devoted to
her husband and ever ready to seek his welfare, attains heaven,
even if she has not worshipped any god. Service of the husband
is a duty sanctioned by ancient tradition, by the Veda and by
the scriptural law. O Mother, undertake those rituals promoting
universal peace and serve the gods with floral offerings. For
my sake, give hospitality to pious and learned brahmins and
await my return. Performing the discipline of daily purification,
give up savoury foods, and existing on simple fare, serve the
king. Should the king still be living when I return, truly it
shall be well."
The queen, her eyes suffused with tears, distressed on account
of the impending separation from her son, replied to Shri
Ramachandra : " O Child, thy resolution to enter the forest
being fixed, I have no power to restrain thee. O Hero, fate
is irrevocable, therefore, enter the forest without anxiety,
mayest thou be happy. On thy return, my sufferings will cease.
O Auspicious One, when thou returnest on the fulfilment of
thy vow, rendering back the debt thou owest to thy father,
my joy will be complete. None can comprehend the warp of
fate.1 It is fate that urges thee to oppose me. O Prince, now
depart and return safely, promoting my delight with a pure
heart. O Child; I pray that thou wilt return soon, and that I
shall behold thee in robes of bark with matted locks."
Queen Kaushalya, knowing that Ramachandra was eager to
enter the forest, reverently gave him her blessings, uttering
auspicious words.
1 The result of accumulated thought and action through counties lives.
215
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 25
The queen gives her blessing and the brahmins pronounce
the benediction
Restraining her grief, sipping a few drops of pure water from
her hand, Queen Kaushalya, purifying herself, performed the
benedictory rites for the well-being of Rama. She said : " O
Prince of the House of Raghu, I may not restrain thee, therefore
now depart, and on thy return, tread the path of the virtuous.
O Great Raghu, may that dharma which thou hast practised
with courage, preserve thee. May the gods thou hast worshipped
in the temples and on the highways and the great sages protect
thee. May the weapons given thee by the wise Vishwamitra
protect thee. O Mighty One, preserved by this service rendered
by thee to thy father, mother and the truth, mayest thou live
long. May the sacrificial kusha grass, sacred grass rings, altars,
temples, sacred places, mountains, trees of every kind, lakes,
rivers, birds, snakes and lions ever protect thee ! May Brahma,
Pusha,1 Aryama,* Indra and Lokapala3 all be auspicious to thee !
May the seasons, the months, the weeks, the years, the day
and night favour thee! O My Son, may holy meditation,
concentration and dharma, together with the injunctions,
ordained in the Veda protect thee ! May the Lord Sanat-
Kumara,4 Mahadevas with Uma,9 Brihaspati, the seven holy
Rishis7 and Shri Narada bless thee ! May all the perfect beings
adored by me, ever protect thee ! May the mountain ranges,
the seas as also Varuna their lord, space, the earth, the rivers
and the stars with their deities, the planets and the day and night
protect thee in the forest ! May the six seasons, the twelve
months, the whole year and the divisions of the hour promote
thy happiness ! May the devas, the adhityas8 and the asuras,
wandering in the forest in the guise of hermits, protect thee !
1 Pusha or Pushan — the Sun.
1 Aryama — chief of the pittris or ancestors.
* Lokapala — guardian of the four quarters.
* Sanat-K.umara — mind-born son of Shri Brahma.
1 Mahadeva— Great God, a title of Lord Shiva.
* Uma— Parvati, Shiva's consort.
' Seven Holy Rishis — Angira, Atri, Adhitya, Kraft, Poulastya, Vaiishtha and
Vasu.
* Adhityas — sun gods.
2X6
AYODHYA KANDA
" May no rakshasas,1 pisachas.,2 those who practise cruelty,
that which is ill-omened and the eaters of flesh, ever cause thee
injury ! May no monkeys, scorpions, gadflies, serpents or
reptiles approach thee ! O My Son, may no elephant, lion,
tiger, bear or beast with awful jaws, or buffaloes and those with
dangerous horns, be hostile to thee ; propitiated by me, may
they not cause thee injury in the forest ! May thy way be
blessed, may thine undertaking be crowned with success ! O
My Son, mayest thou ever find fruits, roots and the means of
subsistence ! Mayest thou ever tread the forest unhindered !
May all things between heaven and earth protect thee at all
times ! May Indra, the Moon, the Sun, Kuvera and Yama
worshipped by thee, protect thee from thy foes ! May Agni,
Vayu, Dhuma,3 and the sacred formulas, taught by the Rishis,
protect thee when inadvertently contacting the untouchables !
May the Lord of the world, Brahma, Vishnu and the gods not
mentioned by me, protect thee in the forest ! "
Then the illustrious Kaushalya worshipped the gods with
flowers and sandalwood, offering oblations and kindling the
sacred fire for the health and peace of Shri Ramachandra with
the aid of the pious brahmins, learned in rituals. With butter,
white flowers, sacrificial fuel and mustard seed prepared for
the oblation by Queen Kaushalya, the learned and pious
brahmins performed the Hawan* ceremony for the welfare of
Rama.
Then the mother of Rama asked the brahmins to pronounce
the benediction and present the oblations to the Lokopalas, the
priests receiving the remainder. With honey, curds, rice and
clarified butter, the brahmins pronounced their blessings and
the queen having offered them abundant alms and whatsoever
they desired, addressed Rama, saying : " O Rama, may the
same blessing bestowed on Indra on the destruction of Bratra-
sura6 be thine. May the blessing bestowed on Garuda6 when
conveying away the amrita,7 be thine, by the power of my
Rakshasas — demons.
Pisachas — ghosts.
Dhuma — god of smoke.
Hawan — an ancient fire ceremony.
Bratrasura or Vratrasura or Vritra — an asura killed by Indra.
Garuda — king of birds, vehicle of Shri Vishnu.
Amrita — the nectar of immortality.
217
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
worship of Vinata.1 May the blessing attendant on Indra, the
bearer of the mace, at the time of the raising of the amrita from
the ocean at the instance of his mother, Aditi, be thine. O
My Son, may the good fortune attendant on the blessed
Trivikrama3 when measuring the world in three strides, be
thine also. O Rama, may the seasons, the ocean, the islands,
the Vedas and the cardinal points contribute to thy happiness."
Thus, scattering rice over the head of her son, die large-eyed
Queen Kaushalya, applying sandal paste to his forehead,
bestowed on Rama the healing wood ' Vishalya Karina '. For
his protection, the queen silently repeated the mantrams, and
though her heart was filled with distress, appeared as one
content. Embracing her son, and kissing his head, she said :
" O My Son, now go in peace. Mayest thou, having fulfilled
the commands of the king, return in health to Ayodhya. O
Child, my joy will be complete, when I behold thee at thy
coronation. My troubles ended and my ambitions fulfilled,
on thy return from exile, beholding thee occupying the throne,
I shall know supreme happiness. Having fulfilled the injunc-
tions of thy father, thou wilt return, and I, beholding thee clad
in royal apparel with innumerable gems, shall then find peace.
O Prince, now depart and accomplish the desire of Princess Sita
and me."
The queen reciting the Peace Chant, her eyes suffused with
tears, embracing her son again and again, circumambulated him,
gazing on his face.
Touching her feet repeatedly, the illustrious Ramachandra,
resplendent in the light of the perfection of Self,8 left for the
palace of Princess Sita.
» Vinata— Garuda'j mother.
* Trivikrama — Another name of Vamana, the holy Dwarf, i
of Shri Vishnu.
1 Self— the Divine in man.
2X8
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 26
Skri Rama acquaints Princess Sita of his resolution
SHRI Ramachandra, ever devoted to virtue, taking leave of his
mother, ready to enter the forest, passed through the crowded
streets, by his excellent qualities inspiring peace in the hearts
of the multitude.
The ascetic Princess Sita, not being acquainted with what
had happened, her mind full of joy in the thought of the coming
coronation of her consort, worshipping the gods and proficient
in every duty, awaited the approach of her lord with a happy heart.
Meantime, Rama dressed in his customary apparel, his head
bowed in humility, entered the palace filled with joyful and
richly attired persons.
Seeing Ramachandra unadorned, the princess was filled with
consternation and fear, and rose trembling from her seat.
Rama beholding the princess, dearer than life to him, could not
restrain his distress. Sita, seeing the countenance of Rama,
sad, pale and moist with anguish, addressed him : " O My
Lord, what is this ? To-day, the Pushya planet and the moon
are in conjunction, and Brihaspati in the ascendant, this is the
time fixed for thy coronation by the holy brahmins, why art
thou thus distressed ? Why do I not behold the canopy, pure
as foam, set with a hundred stars over thy head ? Why are
the chamaras, white as the moon or the swan, not waving to
and fro over thee ? O Great One, why do I not hear the bards
to-day eloquently voicing thy praise, or the pundits reciting
the Chant of Peace ?
" Why have the learned brahmins not anointed thee with
honey, and curds as a mark of thine enthronement ? Why art
thou not attended by ministers, citizens and courtiers sumptu-
ously attired ? Why do four swift steeds with golden trappings,
fleet of foot, not precede thee ? I do not behold the great
elephant resembling a cloud, possessed of every auspicious mark,'
in thy tram? Why dost thou appear downcast when the
preparations for thy coronation are completed ? O My Lord,
why does thy countenance manifest no signs of joy ? "
Hearing the sorrowful words of the Princess Sita, Rama
219
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
replied : " O Sita, my honoured father has commanded me
to go into exile. O Princess, born of an illustrious family,
acquainted with the law of dharma and eminent in virtue, hear,
while I tell thee what has befallen me. Long ago my father,
a lover of truth, granted two boons to my mother Kaikeyi.
Beholding the preparations for my coronation, Kaikeyi demanded
the fulfilment of her boons and has now gained ascendency over
his mind. In accordance with the two boons granted to her,
it is mine to pass fourteen years in the Dandaka forest and
Prince Bharata to be installed as regent. I am now going into
exile and have come to bid thee farewell. Let no words in
praise of me be repeated to Prince Bharata, lest he withhold
his protection from thee. It is for thee to submit to his will
for the sake of thy support The king has conferred the regency
on Prince Bharata forever. It behoves thee to act in such
a way that he be not displeased with thee. O Wise One, now
I go to the forest in obedience to my father's behest, remain
here with a quiet heart. O Sinless One, when dressed as a
hermit I leave for the forest, then do thou also cease to adorn
thyself. Rising early, do thou worship the gods according to
the prescribed rituals, then, approaching my father and mother,
offer obeisance to them. My mother, Queen Kaushalya, having
grown old, is afflicted on account of my departure, it becomes
thee to serve her with respect. My other mothers should be
honoured and served by thee like Queen Kaushalya, their hearts
are also full of love towards me. like my own mother
Kaushalya, they have also cherished me, therefore I deem them
worthy of the same honour. My brothers Bharata and Shat-
rughna should be regarded by thee as thy brothers or thy
sons. It behoves thee never to provoke Prince Bharata, from
now ruler of the kingdom and chief of the family. Served
with sincerity, a king is pleased, but if provoked, he becomes
full of wrath. A monarch renounces his own offspring if
they oppose him and receives even strangers, as friends, who
have promoted his welfare. O Kalyani, obeying King
Bharata, remain here, seeking his good. O Dear One, I shall
enter the great forest, it behoves thee to remain here; I
charge thee to act in such a manner that no one will be
displeased."
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 27
She entreats Rama to allow her to accompany him
The sweet-speaking Sita, worthy of Rama's love, thus being
instructed to remain in Ayodhya, though filled with affection,
indignantly replied : " O Offspring of a great king, O Rama,
how canst thou speak in such wise? O Prince, thy words
evoke laughter. O Chief of Men, father, mother, son and
daughter-in-law live according to their merit and dependent
on it, but a wife enjoys the fortune of her husband since she
is a part of himself. I am therefore entitled to share thy
father's command and also go into exile.
" The happiness of a woman depends on her husband, neither
father, mother, son, relative or companion avail her at death ;
in this world and in the other world, the husband alone is her
all-in-all. If thou to-day depart for the forest, I will precede
thee on foot, clearing the thorns and kusha grass from thy path.
0 Hero, relinquishing anger and pride, take me with thee
without hesitation. There is no fault in me that merits my
remaining here, without thee. The joy experienced by lords
of men whether dwelling in a palace or transported in an aerial
chariot through the heavens or possessing the eightfold psychic
powers, is far inferior to the joy of the wife in the service of
her lord. My royal father has instructed me fully in the duties
of a wife and, therefore, I have no need of further instruction
in the matter. Assuredly I shall accompany thee to the forest,
uninhabited by men, filled with savage beasts, such as bears
and bulls. O My Hero, I will dwell in the forest as happily
as in the palace of my father, having no anxiety in the three
worlds save the service of my spouse. O Hero, I will wander
with thee in the forest according to the ancient spiritual
ordinance, free from desire for pleasure, traversing the honey-
scented woodland. O Lord of my Life, since thou canst
protect and support innumerable people, canst thou not more
easily protect me? without doubt to-day I shall enter the
forest with thee, O Fortunate Prince, none can break my resolve.
1 shall live happily on fruits and roots with thee in the forest,
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
causing thee no anxiety. Under the protection of one as wise
as thee, O Lord, I desire to enjoy the beauty of lakes, mountains
and rivers without hindrance. O Rama, I long with thee to see
the beautiful lakes where swans and kavandava birds1 play and
charming lotuses bloom. There will I bathe with thee, O My
Lotus-eyed Lord, sporting there with thee. Thus would I pass
a thousand years with thee, the happiness enjoyed in thy
company renders even the delights of heaven distasteful to me.
O Prince, without thee, heaven itself would not please me. I
long to enter the forest with thee where deer, monkeys and
elephants roam. O Prince, serving thy holy feet, I will pass
the time there as happily as in my royal father's house.
Recogni2ing no other, in thee my mind finds its highest delight ;
separated from thee, I shall surely die. O Master, be gracious
enough to take me with thee, assuredly I shall not burden thee."
Shri Ramachandra hearing the humble and piteous words
of Shri Sita, unwilling to let the princess accompany him,
sought to dissuade her by describing the hardships of a forest
life.
CHAPTER 28
Shri Rama seeks to dissuade Her
The virtuous Ramachandra, devoted to truth reflecting on the
hardships to be borne in the forest, in spite of Sita's entreaty
was unwilling to grant her request.
Once more, he addressed the weeping Ska, insisting she
should not accompany him, saying : " O Sita, thou art nobly
born and devoted to the practice of virtue ; remain here
continuing to act righteously. O Frail Princess, act according
to my will. Life in the forest is fraught with misery, O Sita,
relinquish the thought of sharing my exile, many are the dangers
there. The forest is named 'Antara ', meaning it is unfit for
human habitation. For thine own well-being, I advise thee
to remain here ; in the forest there is no comfort The rivers
1 Kavandava bird — a species of duck.
222
AYODHYA KANDA
issuing from the mountains are difficult to cross, the lions
roaring in the mountain caves strike terror in the heart and
render the forest perilous ; therefore, remain here. O Sita,
many wild beasts wandering at will in the forest may assail thee,
therefore life there is full of danger. The deep marshes and
the rivers infested with crocodiles are difficult to cross, even
an elephant may find them impassable. Many savage elephants
wander here and there j assuredly the forest is replete with perils.
Waterless are the paths covered with thorns and poisonous
creepers, there the hoarse cry of wild fowl re-echoes ; the forest
is a source of suffering. Wearied by journeying the traveller
finds no silken pillows nor a soft couch, but at night must sleep
on the bare earth, his bed the fallen leaves ; verily the forest
is a source of suffering ! O Sita, in the forest, there is nought
to eat save the fruit that has fallen from the trees ; with this
the traveller must be satisfied day and night, therefore the forest
is a source of suffering ! O Daughter of Mithila, fasting to
the utmost extent, with matted locks, wearing robes of bark,
one must constantly worship the devas and pittris and offer
respectful hospitality to the unexpected guest. Thrice daily
must ablutions be performed by those who live according to
the prescribed ordinance, therefore, the forest is a source of
suffering. O Youthful Princess, it is necessary to make offerings
of flowers on the altars, plucked by one's own hand, as ordained
by the sages. A dweller in the forest must be satisfied with
whatever food he can obtain, therefore the forest is a source
of suffering. Great storms visit the forest, covering it with
darkness by day; constant hunger and many other perils
prevail there, therefore is it a source of suffering. O Beautiful
One, great snakes and pythons dwell in the forest, serpents
as tortuous as the currents of the river live in the waters
and obstruct the traveller's path, therefore the forest is a
source of suffering. O Delicate Princess, scorpions, poisonous
reptiles, hornets and mosquitoes afflict one constantly in the
forest; therefore the forest is a source of suffering. O Charming
Princess, the forest is filled with briars, harsh grass and gnarled
trees obstructing the way, it is therefore a source of suffering.
Life in the forest is full of conditions adverse to the body and
manifold dangers, it is therefore a source of suffering. O Sita,
223 Q
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
a dweller in the forest must relinquish anger and avarice and
practise severe penances, nor must fear visit him in the midst of
alarms.
" Do not, therefore, consider entering the forest which is
not meant to be thy lot. Reflecting carefully, I see nought
but suffering in the forest for thee."
Thus Rama disclosed his mind to Sita and sought to dissuade
her from entering the forest, but the princess, sorely distressed,
unable to consent to his counsel, then made answer.
CHAPTER 29
Sita continues her entreaties but the prince is unwilling
to consent to her departure
Shri Sita hearing Rama's words, was greatly distressed and
with tears coursing down her cheeks, answered in a low voice : —
" O Rama, the sufferings of a life in the forest described
by thee, will, through my love for thee be transmuted to joys.
Deer, bear, lions, elephants, sarabhas,1 birds, bulls and other
woodland beasts, on beholding thy matchless countenance,
will flee away stricken with terror. All fear thee, O Lord !
Instructed by my elders to remain in thy company, it behoves
me to go with thee ; separated from thee, I cannot live. When
near to thee, O Rama, even Indra the King of the Devas
dare not do me injury. O Rama, thou hast taught me
that a woman must not be parted from her lord. O Most
Wise Lord, long ago, in my father's house, I was told by one
conversant with the movements of the planets that I should
have to dwell in the forest. O Mighty One, since I was told
by that brahmin skilled in occult sciences, of my life in the forest
with thee, I have looked forward to the time with joy. O, what
felicity to live with thee in the forest ! O Dear One, thou
must grant me permission to go to the forest with thee. I must
go with thee, it cannot be otherwise, thus shall I prove my
1 Sarabha — a legendary animal with right legs.
224
AYODHYA KANDA
fidelity, enjoined by my elders. The time for the fulfilment
of the brahmin's prophecy is at hand. O Hero, I know all the
miseries of life in the forest, but it is those of unsubdued mind
who suffer them. While still living in my father's house, a pious
and saintly woman predicted in the presence of my mother,
that I should live in the forest. O My Lord, formerly I have
begged thee to let me sport with thee in the woods. The time
is now come, grant my prayer and let me go with thee 1 O
Prince, may the undertaking be propitious. Glad am I to
accompany thee to the forest, to serve thee there will be my
great delight. O Lord, relinquishing envy, accompanying thee
in the forest, all my sins will be washed away through my
devotion to thee. I have no other god but thee, if death
overtakes me I shall not experience happiness in the other world
without thee. I have heard from the brahmins that a woman
given by her father according to the sacred ordinance to a man,
becomes his wife in this world and also in the other world.
O Prince of Beautiful Locks, in perfect devotion to thee, filled
with humility, regarding pain and pleasure as equal, sharing
thy austerities, permit me to accompany thee. If thou art still
unwilling to take me, a woman distressed, to the forest, then I
will seek death by poison or drowning."
In this wise, Sita entreated Rama to let her accompany him,
but Still the great prince was unwilling to consent. Seeing
Rama disinclined to grant her request, Sita was filled with grief,
and her hot tears fell, moistening the earth. Shri Rama, seeing
the princess flushed with anxiety and indignation still sought
to divert her from her purpose.
CHAPTER 30
Seeing her fixed resolve Shri Rama grants her request
Shri Rama again stressed the dangers of the forest and sought
to persuade Sita not to accompany him ; but Sita, with fixed
resolve, trembling with fear yet urged by love and pride, spoke
as in jest : "O Rama, if my father the Lord of Mithila, had
225
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
known thee as a man in form only, but a woman at heart, he
would never have united me to thee. Alas ! that men in
ignorance speak of Rama as resembling the sun in splendour,
when in reality he is not so. O Rama, what makes thee sad ?
Whence thy fear that thou, abandoning me who am devoted
to thee, shouldst go to the forest ? O Hero, know me to be
to thee what Savitri1 was to Satyavanta, the son of the valiant
King Dyumatsena.* O Sinless Prince, I have never looked on
any, even in thought, but thee, nor do I resemble those women
dishonouring their family's name who look on other men ;
therefore, let me go with thee.
" O Rama, why dost thou desire to surrender me to Bharata,
I, who, long resident with thee, thy youthful spouse, am solely
devoted to thee ? Whether living as an ascetic or hermit or
residing in heaven, I will follow thee. Journeying in the forest
will not weary me ; by following thee, I shall experience the
same delight as walking in the gardens or sporting with thee
in the woods. O Rama, in thy company the thorny briars
such as kusha, sarpat and shara will seem to me as soft as
deer skin. The dust raised by the storm, covering my body,
will be as sandalpaste to me. I shall share with thee the couch
of grass with the same delight as a bed of silken down. What
ever leaves, roots or fruits thou dost bring for me will be as sweet
and satisfying as ambrosia. Enjoying with thee, the fruits and
flowers of every season, I shall not call to mind my mother,
rather and home. No anxiety will be caused to thee by my
presence in the forest, neither shall my sustenance be a burden
to thee. I tell thee the forest will be heaven in thy company,
and without thee even the palace will be hell to me. Be
pleased, therefore, to let me go to the forest with thee. I
fear nought in the forest, but if thou still refuseth to take me
with thee, then will I end my life by poison ; never will I
dwell among strangers. O My Lord, without thee nothing is
left to me but death ; abandoned by thee, it were better to die.
I cannot endure the grief of thy separation even for an hour,
how then shall I suffer it for fourteen years ? "
1 Savitri — daughter of King Aswapati, who rescued her husband Satyavanta
from the God of Death and restored him to life. The full story is found in
riii- Mahabharata Vana Purana.
» DyumaUena — Prince of S'alva.
226
AYODHYA KANDA
Thus Sita, lamenting and embracing Shri Rama, wept aloud.
From her eyes, like a she elephant wounded by poisoned arrows,
long-restrained tears issued, as fire is kindled by the friction
of wood. Crystal drops fell from her eyes as water slips from
the petals of the lotus flowers. The face of the princess
resembling the full moon, withered by the fire of intense grief,
looked like a lotus withdrawn from water.
Shri Ramachandra, taking Sita, afflicted and fainting, in his
arms, spoke to her in the following wise : " O Devi, I do not
desire even to enter heaven if it causes thee pain ! Nought
do I fear ! Like Brahma, I am wholly fearless ! Though able
to protect thee in every way, yet not fully knowing thy mind,
I declined to let thee share my exile. Seeing thou art destined
to share my exile, I do not desire to abandon thee, as a man
of virtuous conduct determines not to sacrifice his good name.
0 Beautiful One, following the example of the good of yore,
1 shall act in the same manner ; do thou follow me as Suvarchala1
follows the sun. O Daughter of King Janaka, I am not entering
the forest by my own desire, but to obey the injunctions of my
father. O Devi, it is the duty of a son to obey his parents,
I could not endure life if I failed to observe my father's
command. Fate is invisible, who can control it, but the parents
and the spiritual preceptor are visible deities and their orders
must be obeyed. What in the world is so sacred as the worship
of that which grants dharma, prosperity and pleasure ? By
this worship, homage is paid to the three worlds. O Sita,
observance of truth, charity and sacrifice accompanied by
suitable offerings (dakshina) is of less avail in obtaining the
spiritual realm than the service of parents and the Guru. Those
who serve their parents and the spiritual preceptor obtain
heaven, wealth, learning and progeny and nothing is impossible
for them. Those who are devoted to their parents and their
Guru obtain entrance to heaven and the regions of the devas,
the gandharvas and Brahma. This is eternal righteousness — to
obey the command of thy parents, fixed in the practice of truth.
O Sita, not knowing thy mind, I advised thee not to accompany
me* but now seeing thy fixed resolve I desire to take thee with
me. O Princess, whose eyes sparkle like wine, thou art destined
1 Suvarchala — consort of the Sun.
227
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to be my companion, do thou assist me in the performance of
my duty. It is well that thou didst desire to be with me in
accordance with the custom of our forbears. O Sita, prepare
to go into exile without delay ; without thee, even heaven does
not please me. Bestow thy jewels on the brahmins in charity
and offer food to the poor ; hasten, make no delay. Give to
the brahmins, jewels, ornaments, rich apparel, whatever thou
possessest or is employed for my entertainment, all that is mine
and thine, couches, coverlets, and vehicles give in charity to
the brahmins and what remains distribute among the servants."
Shri Sita, happy at the acquiescence of Prince Rama and
knowing her departure to be fixed, began to distribute all her
possessions. Free from anxiety, Sita bestowed on the pious
brahmins her wealth and all her jewels.
chapter 3 I
Shri Lakshmana is resolved to accompany them
Shri Lakshmana being present, hearing the converse of Rama
and Sita, was afflicted and unable to restrain his grief, and
weeping bitterly, spoke as follows : " If thou art resolved to
enter the forest in which dwell many wild beasts and elephants,
I will accompany thee with my bow and arrows. I will wander
with thee in the beautiful forest to the delightful sounds of
birds and deer abounding there. O Ramachandra, without
thee I do not care to dwell even in the region of the gods nor
do I desire immortality or dominion over other abodes."
Seeing Prince Lakshmana determined to accompany him to
the forest, Shri Ramachandra sought to dissuade him, but Shri
Lakshmana answered : " O Brother, having already granted me
permission to accompany thee, why dost thou now prohibit me ?
O Sinless One, I would fain know what prevents thee from
taking me with thee ; my mind is clouded with fears."
Shri Ramachandra perceiving Lakshmana humbly standing
before him ready to accompany him, said : " O Lakshmana,
thou art most dear to me, virtuous, brave and constantly engaged
228
AYODHYA KANDA
in righteous deeds, thou an as dear to me as my life. Thou art
my younger brother, my servant and my friend. If I grant
thy request, who will protect the renowned Kaushalya and
Sumitra in thine absence ? O Brother, the king who granted
their desires, as a cloud responds to the need of the earth,
is still under the bondage of pleasure desire. When Kaikeyi,
the daughter of King Ashvapatti, becomes the queen mother,
she will not treat her rival consorts well. She will not heed
the needs and comforts of Queen Kaushalya and Sumitra, nor
will Bharata, governed by his mother, respect them. Therefore,
O Lakshmana, remaining here, winning the king's favour,
render Queen Kaushalya happy. O Brother, heed my instruc-
tion. O Knower of Dharma, acting thus, thou wilt demonstrate
thy great devotion to me and also serve thy mother and thereby
earn great merit. O Lakshmana, reflecting on these words,
follow my injunction. Bereft of us, our mothers cannot be
happy."
Rama having uttered these words, the eloquent Lakshmana
replied in gentle accents: "O Hero, Bharata will assuredly
have due regard for the Queens Kaushalya and Sumitra. If
Bharata, having obtained this mighty kingdom, through evil
counsel and pride should not protect the queens, I will assuredly
slay that wicked wretch. O Noble One, Mother Kaushalya
can well command thousands like me. That illustrious queen
can easily protect my mother and herself and countless others.
Make me thy humble attendant, there is no wrong in this.
Thus shall my highest desire be accomplished and thou shalt
also find satisfaction. Armed with my bow and arrows, a spade
and basket, gathering wild fruit and flowers, I shall precede
thee, pointing out the way. Each day, I shall provide thee with
ascetic's food, leaves and other suitable offerings. Do thou,
with the daughter of the King of Videha, enjoy thyself on the
mountain slopes. Sleeping or waking, I shall do all for thee."
Shri Ramachandra listened to the loving words of Shri
Lakshmana with delight and answered : " O Lakshmana, seek
the permission of thy mother Sumitra, and other relatives to go
with me. O Lakshmana, fetch, without delay, the dread bows
given by Vanma himself to Rajarishi Janaka at the time of the
great sacrifice, also the impenetrable armour and the celestial
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
quivers, the two swords bright as the sun, decorated with gold,
which King Janaka presented to me at the time of my nuptials
and which were deposited with care in the house of Shri
Knowing his exile to be certain, Shri Lakshmana bade farewell
to his relatives and, bringing the weapons decorated with fresh
flowers from the home of Shri Vasishtha, presented them to
Ram .
Tl" i Shri Ramachandra spoke joyfully to Lakshmana and
said : " O Handsome Prince, thou art welcome at this hour,
O Bi ther, I desire to offer all my substance in charity to the
brahrrins and ascetics, do thou assist me. To those brahmins
dwellu g in the city devoted to their Guru, to them and to my
servants distribute all my wealth. Summon the excellent
Suyajna, the son of Shri Vasishtha, and bid him come here
without delay. Having duly honoured him and other pious
brahmins, I shall set out for the forest."
CHAPTER 32
Shri Rama bestows fas wealth upon the brahmins, fas friends
and servants
Commanded by Shri Rama, Lakshmana went to the house of
the Rishi Suyajna. Beholding the rishi seated in his sacrificial
pavilion, he made obeisance to him and said : " Renouncing
the kingdom, Shri Ramachandra is entering the forest, come
in all haste to see him embark on this arduous undertaking."
Having performed his evening devotion, the Rishi Suyajna,
in company with Prince Lakshmana, entered the beautiful and
enchanting palace of Shri Rama. Perceiving this knower of
the Veda tc have come, Shri Rama and Sita rose and with
joined palms welcomed the rishi with reverence. Offering him
salutations, Shri Rama bestowed on him alms, beautiful orna-
ments, jewelled earrings, necklaces of precious gem. "*ning on
230
AYODHYA KANDA
golden thread, amulets and other jewels, and at Sita's instance,
said : " O Peaceful Rishi, be gracious enough to accept this
necklace and gold which Shri Sita offers to thy spouse, also
the bracelets and rings of beaten gold and jewelled bangles ;
about to enter the forest, Shri Sita offers them to thy wife.
Accept also this soft pure couch with a coverlet embroidered
with precious stones, pearls and tassels. This elephant also,
named Shatranjaya, which my uncle gave me, I present to thee,
O Great Rishi, together with a thousand golden coins."
Suyajna, requested by Shri Rama, accepted all the gifts, and
gave his blessings to Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Then Rama,
ever of sweet speech, addressed Lakshmana as Brahma addresses
Indra, saying : " O Lakshmana, call hither the two excellent
sons of the Rishi Agastya and Shri Vishwamitra, and honour
them with gifts of gems. Give to each in abundance as a field
of corn is visited by rain, a thousand cows, gold, silver, jewels
and ornaments. To that brahmin, versed in the Taittirya1
who daily, with devotion, gives his blessing to Queen Kaushalya
and Sumitra, who is learned in the Vedanta and experienced
in all matters, give vehicles, silken robes and women attendants,
so that he may be wholly satisfied. To my confidential adviser,
Chitaratha, who has served me over a long period, give precious
jewels, cloths and abundant wealth, and to the brahmacharis,
my fellow students who study the Veda and are of excellent
conduct, following no profession, living detached, enjoying good
food, yet dependent on alms, give to each of these a thousand
cows. O Lakshmana, bestow on them eighty camels apiece
loaded with jewels, a thousand bullocks loaded with rice and
two hundred bulls for tilling the ground. O Lakshmana, give
them cows so that they may enjoy butter, milk and curds, and
to each of the brahmacharis attending on Queen Kaushalya give
a thousand cows and a thousand golden coins and give them
abundant alms so that my mother may be pleased with us.*'
Obeying the commands of Prince Rama, Shri Lakshmana
offered hospitality to the brahmins. Like Kuvera, he gave to
every brahmin abundant wealth as instructed by his brother.
Then Shri Rama, seeing his servants standing near him weeping,
1 Taittirya Sanhita — A collection of teachings from the Black Yajurveda,
instructions on the performance of sacrifice.
231
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
bestowed on them sufficient wealth for their entire lives and
said : " Until I return from die forest, keep watch on the palace
belonging to Shri Lakshmana and myself."
Then all wept overcome at the thought of his departure, and
Rama turning to his treasurer said : " Bring hither my wealth,"
and they heaped quantities of gold and silver before him,
wonderful to behold. Then Rama with the aid of Lakshmana
distributed it among the aged, the sick and the needy.
Now, there was a certain brahmin of the family of Garga,
whose name was Trijata, whose complexion was pale on account
of much privation. He, toiling honestly, went to the forest
daily with spade, axe and plough, maintaining his family on the
fruits and flowers of the forest. His wife, worn down with
much poverty, gathering her young children together, addressed
her husband, saying : "Abandoning thy plough and spade,
follow my instructions. Go with all speed and approach the
virtuous Shri Ramachandra, undoubtedly thou shalt obtain
something there.**
The brahmin, covering himself with a few wretched rags,
set out for Shri Rama's palace, his countenance, in lustre,1
resembling that of the Rishi Bhrigu or Angiras.
Entering the fifth gate unchallenged, he came to where the
multitude were assembled and approaching Shri Ramachandra,
said : " O Illustrious Prince, I am destitute of wealth and having
many children, subsist on what I find in the forest, look upon
me with compassion/'
Shri Rama answered jestingly : " I have still many thousand
cows not yet bestowed on any. Casting thy staff from this spot,
I will bestow on thee as many cows as can stand in the space
between thee and where the staff has fallen."
Trijata, hearing these words, binding his rags firmly about
his waist, twirling his staff, threw it away with all his might.
The staff fell on the further bank of the river Sarayu where
thousands of royal cows and bulls were grazing. Shri Rama
ordered all these to be driven to the brahmin's hermitage and
thus addressed him : " Be not displeased, O Brahmin, that I
jested with thee ; I desired to test thy great powers. Now, the
1 It is here implied that the exalted state of the brahmin expressed itself in
the form of spiritual radiance.
AYODHYA KANDA
cattle will be driven to thine abode, ask further whatsoever thou
desirest. O Brahmin, I will bestow anything thou asketh on
thee ; all my wealth is to be given to the brahmins. Nothing
so pleases me as the bestowal of my wealth on brahmins such
as thou, bringing me renown."
Then the brahmin Trijata highly gratified, taking the cows,
departed with his wife, full of power, renown and devotion,
blessing Shri Ramachandra.
Thereafter, Rama bestowed the remainder of his wealth,
acquired through virtue, upon his friends, honouring them with
marks of respect. There was not a brahmin, servant, pauper
or beggar that he did not honour with charity at that time.
chapter 33
He goes, with Sita and Lakshmana, to King Dasaratha's palace
Shri Rama, having with Sita, distributed riches in abundance
to the brahmins in charity, went with Lakshmana and Sita to
see King Dasaratha, followed by their servants bearing weapons
adorned with flowers and sandalwood.
The people of the capital mounting to the top of high buildings
and the roofs of seven-storied houses to view them, were
dispirited. Some said: "Behold now Shri Rama, formerly
attended by four divisions of the army, is to-day only followed by
Sita and Lakshmana." Others answered, " Shri Rama, having
tasted the delights of sovereignty and experienced in all the joys
of life, he who confers wealth on the needy, prompted by duty,
desires to render fruitful the promise of his sire. To-day, Sita
never beheld before even by the birds, is exposed to the view
of the common people on the highway."
One said : " Surely, the king is possessed of an evil spirit
or he would never send so dear a son into exile." And another,
" None ever banished even a traitor, how much less Shri
Rama who has won the affection of the whole world by his
excellent conduct ? He is not only virtuous but is innocent,
233
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
compassionate, learned, truthful, self-controlled and of subdued
mind. His subjects are as distressed at the thought of his absence
as the water-fowl during the summer drought. The sufferings
of Rama, Lord of the world, afflict all, as does a tree uprooted
from the earth. The glorious Ramachandra, knower of dharma,
resembles the root of a tree of which the flowers, fruit,
leaves and branches are the people. Let us, abandoning our
gardens, fields and homes, sharing his woes, follow Shri Rama.
Our houses deserted, their treasure removed, their courtyards
neglected, without grain or stores, their beauty gone, will be
buried in dust. The devas will no longer visit them, but
mice scurrying hither and thither will fill them with countless
holes. Without water, covered with soot, uncleansed, no daily
rites will be performed there. Fallen in ruins, strewn with
broken vessels, as if cursed by the king or by divine decree,
all these, utterly forsaken by us, let Kaikeyi enjoy.
" We pray that this city abandoned by Shri Rama may be
converted into a wilderness and the forest where Rama dwells
become a flourishing city. May the snakes forsake their holes,
the deer and birds abandon their abode in the mountains and
valleys, and the lion and elephant leave the forest, in fear of us
and come and dwell in the capital of Ayodhya. May the city
abandoned by us, bereft of hay and grain having become the
resort of serpents, deer and birds, be ruled by Kaikeyi and her
son and may we, dwelling in the forest with Rama, enjoy fully
every happiness."
Shri Rama passing by, hearing their converse, was not in any
way disturbed, but proceeding slowly, like a young elephant,
with majestic stride approached the palace of his father which
resembled the Meru mountain. Shri Rama entering the royal
palace guarded by seasoned troops, beheld Sumantra standing
there disconsolate. Shri Rama, with a smiling countenance,
passing the people who were afflicted and filled with grief,
approached his father's apartment, desirous of serving him.
Before entering the royal chamber, he requested Sumantra,
dejected on account of Rama's departure, to inform the king
of his arrival. Desirous of fulfilling the command of the
virtuous monarch, Shri Rama, determined to enter the forest,
requested Sumantra to make known his presence to the king.
234
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 34
The king gives his blessing while the whole palace is filled
with lamentation
The dark-complexioned, lotus-eyed Ramachandra, that peerless
prince, instructed his minister to announce his arrival to the
king. On this, Sumantra entering the royal apartment, beheld
the king sorely distressed, lamenting bitterly, like the sun under
eclipse or a fire buried in ashes or a lake without water.
The learned Sumantra with joined palms, addressed the
sorely grieving monarch by praising him in a fitting manner
and offering obeisance, he said : " Jai to thee, O King."
Then, falteringly, in low and gentle accents he added : " O
King, thy son Rama, that Lion among men, is at thy door,
having distributed his whole wealth to the pious brahmins and
servants ; now having taken leave of his friends, he wishes to
approach thee. Clothed with every excellent quality as the sun
with its rays, he is about to depart for the forest, be pleased
to receive him, O Sire.**
The virtuous monarch, the knower of dharma, profound as
the sea, pure as the sky, spoke : " O Sumantra, summon the
ladies of the court, I wish to see Rama in their presence.**
Entering the private apartments of the queens, Sumantra
said : " His majesty demands your presence, go to him without
delay.** Thus addressed by Sumantra, in obedience to the
wishes of their consort, they prepared to approach the king.
Three hundred and fifty women, their eyes reddened with
weeping on account of Rama's departure, surrounding Queen
Kaushalya, slowly advanced towards the king. They being
present, the king commanded Sumantra to bring his son before
him.
Sumantra bringing Shri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita with him,
speedily entered the apartment of the king. The monarch
beholding Shri Rama approaching, rose from his seat, and ran
towards him in haste, with his consorts, but ere he reached
him fell senseless to the earth.
235
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then Shri Rama and Lakshmana advancing, lifted up the
king who had been rendered unconscious by grief and suffering.
The palace resounded with the lamentations of a thousand
women crying, " Rama, Rama **, "Alas I Alas ! " the tinkling
of their ornaments, drowned in the tumult of their cries.
Shri Rama and Lakshmana supporting the king in their arms,
conveyed him to the couch, and after a long time, he revived.
Then Shri Ramachandra addressed the monarch who was
sinking in the ocean of grief, and said : " O Great King,
Master of All, I am about to enter the Dandaka forest, be
gracious enough to look on me with favour. Grant also that
Lakshmana and Sita accompany me, since they, setting aside
my counsel that they should remain here, have with fixed
purpose, resolved to follow me. O Sire, giving up grief,
command us, as Prajapati commands his subjects."
His eyes filled with compassion, fixing his gaze on his beloved
son, the king, knowing him to be about to enter the forest
with a serene heart, said : " O Ramachandra, I have been
deceived by Queen Kaikeyi by reason of a promise, do thou,
setting me aside, seize the kingdom of Ayodhya by force."
Hearing the king's words, Rama, eminent in virtue, spoke
eloquently and humbly : " My Lord, may God grant thee yet
a thousand years to live and rule the earth! Desirous of
following truth, I shall assuredly enter the forest, dwelling there
fourteen years. I shall then return to serve thee and offer thee
Held fast in the toils of truth, the king, urged on by Kaikeyi,
wept and full of distress, answered : " O Child, to attain felicity
in the other world and renown on earth and for the sake of
thy return, enter the forest with a peaceful heart. May no fear
from any source visit thee on the way. O Ramachandra, firm
in truth and in the performance of duty, none can divert thee
from the path of righteousness. O My Son, do not yet depart,
stay one more night with thy mother and me. Satisfied after
the night, early in the morning, do thou set out for the forest.
My Child, for my sake, thou hast undertaken that which none
can accomplish. For my good and my future happiness, thou
hast chosen to enter the forest. O Child, in truth, I cannot
suffer thy departure but am helpless. Deceived by Kaikeyi,
236
AYODHYA KANDA
whose designs resemble a file covered with ashes, I am caught
in this snare, but why must thou also suffer ? O Child, what
wonder that thou, my eldest son, should desire thy father to
uphold the truth."
Hearing the words of his afflicted parent, Shri Rama, deeply
distressed, answered : " O Father, if to-day I should remain
happily in the royal palace, what of to-morrow ? Therefore,
with thy permission, I would fain leave at once. Let thy
kingdom, filled with wealth and grain, inhabited by thy subjects,
surrounded by tributary states, be given to Prince Bharatal
O Giver of Boons, my resolution to enter the forest is fixed.
Thus hast thou ordained! I shall reside in the forest for
fourteen years with the ascetics. Do thou, without delay, give
the kingdom to Bharata ! I desire nought, nor is happiness
as dear to me as obedience to thy commands. O My Father,
do not grieve, nor be distressed ; the mighty ocean, Lord of the
Rivers, does not overstep its bounds. O Sire, I desire neither
kingdom nor pleasure, nor even Janaki,1 nor delight, nor heaven,
nor life itself, but only wish to see thee the votary of truth.
0 My Father, thou art as a god to me, I vow by the truth
and the merits acquired by me that my words are free from
the taint of hypocrisy. O My Father and Lord, I cannot remain
here a moment longer ; restrain thy grief, nothing can move me
from my resolve. When Kaikeyi commanded me to enter the
forest, I answered " I will go ", therefore, true to my word,
1 shall depart. Do not be distressed, O My Lord, I shall live
in the forest where peaceful deer abound and birds sing their
beautiful lays. O Father, a father is said to be the god of gods ;
knowing thee to be a supreme deity, I am obedient to thy
behests. O August King, I shall easily pass fourteen years in
the forest and then return to thee. Now it becomes thee to
pacify those afflicted and sorrowful. O Lion among men, fulfil
thy duty and do not fall a victim to grief. I renounce the
capital the kingdom and the earth ; let them be given to
Bharata. Without hesitation I shall follow thy command and
enter the forest. Let this kingdom adorned by high mountains
and deep forests, filled with cities and villages, be ruled by
Prince Bharata according to dharma. Let thy word be fulfilled.
1 Janaki — a name of Sita.
*37
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
0 King, my heart is not given to delights nor to any object
of pleasure, all I desire is to carry out thy commands, approved
by virtuous men. O King, give up all sorrow for my sake ;
1 neither desire happiness nor wealth, nor the earth, nor Janaki,
nay not even life. I desire the world to know thee as the votary
of truth. O My Lord, be happy. I, entering the forest filled
with many kinds of trees, viewing the mountains and rivers,
shall dwell joyfully, living on fruits and roots."
The king filled with anguish, embraced his son and fell
senseless to the earth. The queens all began to lament, save
Kaikeyi alone. Then the aged Sumantra also fell unconscious
and the whole palace was filled with lamentation.
CHAPTER 35
Sumantra arraigns Queen Kaikeyi
Coming to his senses, the minister Sumantra, overcome with
anger, breathing heavily, grinding his teeth, wringing his hands,
beating his head, his eyes growing red, his colour altered,
showed every sign of distress. Perceiving the Queen Kaikeyi
to have forfeited the king's regard, Sumantra pierced her heart
with words as keen as arrows, causing her to tremble.
Penetrating to the most vulnerable parts of her being, Sumantra
exposed the hidden defects of the queen by his barbed words.
He said : " O lady, thou hast abandoned thy husband the
nourisher and supporter of the movable and immovable.
There is nought undesirable in the world that thou hast not
accomplished. I consider thee the murderess of thy husband
and the destroyer of thy family. By thy vile deeds, thou hast
smitten King Dasaratha, who is unconquerable, who resembles
Indra and who is immovable as a mountain. O Kaikeyi, do not
insult the aged king who has conferred these boons upon thee.
Obedience to her husband should, in a woman, far exceed the
love of a thousand sons. It is the ancient tradition of this
dynasty, that the eldest son succeed his father, but thou seekest
238
AYODHYA KANDA
to revoke it and make thy son ruler while the aged king still
lives. Let thy son Bharata rule the kingdom, we will follow
Kama wheresoever he goes. No one of good report will remain
to help thy son in the administration, since thou seekest to
repudiate the immemorial usage. I wonder the earth does not
open and swallow thee for thy misdeeds. Why do the holy
sages not condemn thee utterly ? What fool cuts at the root
of a sweet mango tree with his axe in order to plant a nimba1
tree in its place, which does not bear sweet fruit even if watered
with milk. It is a common saying that honey does not flow
from the nimba tree. I perceive thee to be as wicked as thy
mother. The sins committed by thy mother are known to me,
I have heard of them on trustworthy report. Thy father, by
virtue of a boon granted to him by a Yogi, understood the
language of all creatures ; of every bird, he understood the
voice. Once, returning to the capital, he heard the converse
between two ants and laughed, whereupon thy mother grew
wrath and threatened to take her life, saying : ' I must know
the cause of thy laughter.' The king replied, saying : 'OLady,
if I tell thee the cause of my laughter, it will undoubtedly lead
to my death.' Then thy mother spoke to her husband, Kaikeya
saying : ' I care not if thou livest or diest, tell me the cause
of thy laughter. If thou wen dead, thou couldst not insult
me with thy laughter '."
The king approaching the Yogi, told him the whole story,
and the Yogi said : " O King, let thy wife return to the house
of her father or die, do not thou reveal the secret to her." Then
King Kaikeya with a contented mind abandoned thy mother,
and lived free like Kuvera. O Sinful Queen, thou also followeth
the evil path, deceiving the king and urging him to evil ways.
It is a true saying * The son follows the father and the daughter
the mother '. Do not follow thy mother, but obey thy husband,
the king, our protector, by regarding his word. Cease to be
ruled by evil and do not lead thy husband into the way of
unrighteousness. The king will not rescind the promise made
to thee. O Lady, entreat the king to bestow the crown on Rama
who is the eldest son, who is generous, virtuous, a fulfiller of his
duty, and a protector of all living beings. If Shri Rama goes
1 Nimba Tree or Nima Tree, a tree with exceedingly bitter leaves.
239 R
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to the forest, the whole world will speak ill of thee. Let thy
mind be at peace and let Rama be crowned. If any other than
Rama rule the kingdom, it will not profit thee. If Rama
becomes regent, then the king following the ancient tradition
wjll doubtless retire to the forest"
Thus did Sumantra with harsh words arraign the queen in
the assembly, but Kaikeyi was in no wise moved, neither did
she show any sign of repentance, nor did her countenance change.
chapter 36
She disregards the words of the chief minister and the king
Then King Dasaratha, deeply distressed on account of his vow,
addressed the weeping Sumantra, saying : " O Sumantra,
prepare four divisions of the army laden with wealth to
accompany Shri Rama. Let beautiful and eloquent women
and merchants follow in his train, together with rich traders
who can set up stores stocked with those things necessary for
the army of Shri Rama. Let those personal attendants pleasing
to Rama, having received abundant wealth, accompany him. Let
chosen citizens accompany Rama with instruments of war and
vehicles, and those who know the forest paths, go also. Shri
Rama hunting the deer and elephants, drinking fresh honey
and enjoying the beauty of the rivers will call those left behind
to remembrance. Let all my wealth and grain be sent with
Rama to the uninhabited forest. Observing sacrifices with the
sages in sacred places, bestowing alms upon them, Shri Rama
will dwell there happily. Prince Bharata will govern the people
here and Rama set out abundantly provided."
Kaikeyi was seized with fear on hearing the words of the king,
her mouth dried up and she was unable to speak. Trembling
with agitation, she then said : " O Chief of men, Bharata will
not accept the kingdom stripped of its wealth and people,
resembling unfermented wine."
The eyes of the king reddened with anger at the cruel and
240
AYODHYA KANDA
shameless words of Kaikeyi, and he replied : " O Wicked
Wretch, why dost thou seek to crush me with this load of sorrow ?
When thou didst demand Rama's exile, thou didst not add
he should go empty handed ? "
At the king's words, the fury of Kaikeyi was redoubled,
and she said : " Of thy dynasty, King Sagara sent his son
Asumanjas into exile. Let Rama depart in the same
manner."
At these words, King Dasaratha cried, " Woe, alas ! " and
all the people felt ashamed, but Kaikeyi remained unmoved.
Then the chief minister, Siddhartha by name, a virtuous
man, much favoured by King Dasaratha, addressed Kaikeyi,
saying : " O Lady, Asumanjas, seizing the children playing in
the street, threw them into the river Sarayu, for this he was
considered an exceedingly wicked man. The people of the city,
disgusted with his cruel deeds, entreated King Sagara to banish
him, saying : ' Wilt thou preserve us or Prince Asumanjas in
the city ? ' King Sagara enquired of them the cause of their
fear and they said in reply : * Prince Ansumanjas has become
insane, catching our children while at play and throwing them
into the river ; he rejoices in this act.' King Sagara, therefore,
abandoned his malevolent son and placing him on a carriage
with his wife, clothing and other necessities, proclaimed :
'Asumanjas is banished for life.' Asumanjas, armed with an axe
and basket, wandered about in the forest and reaped the fruit
of his evil deeds. The righteous Maharajah Sagara banished
his son on account of his evil conduct but, O Queen, what
wrong has Rama done that he should be exiled by thee ? I see
no fault in Rama. It were as easy to find a taint in the moon !
O Lady, if thou hast found any fault with Rama, then declare it
openly and he will be banished from the kingdom. O Kaikeyi,
it is an unrighteous act to abandon one following the path of
virtue, without substantial reason ; such an act would destroy
the splendour of Xndra himself. O Lady of Beautiful
Countenance, do not destroy the prosperity of Shri Rama-
chandra and become a source of ignominy to the people."
Hearing the words of the minister Siddhartha, King Dasaratha,
overcome with grief, spoke to Kaikeyi, in broken accents and
said : " O Sinful One, dost thou disregard the words of my
241
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
minister ? Art thou blind to thine own welfare and mine ?
Art thou determined to follow the evil path ? Giving up my
wealth and substance and the comforts of the palace, I will
follow Rama. Do thou rule at ease with Bharata for ever."
CHAPTER 37
Despite the instruction of Vasishtha, Shri Sita still desires
to enter the forest
Hearing the words of the chief minister Siddhartha and those
of the king, the gentle prince humbly made the following reply :
" O King, having renounced all pleasures to live on the products
of the forest, what need have I for wealth, an army or other
requisites ? Who will concern himself with the ropes binding
the howdah to the elephant when he has parted with the
elephant? O Great One, such am I, what occasion have I
for an army in the forest ? Let it be given to Prince Bharata,
Bring me garments of bark. I go to pass fourteen years in
the forest, and need but a spade to dig for roots and fruit
and a creel and basket. I wish to start without further delay."
Hearing his words, Kaikeyi rose up and brought the robes
of bark, and in the midst of the assembly without shame,
addressed Prince Rama saying : " Put them on."
Shri Ramachandra receiving the raiment from Kaikeyi,
discarding his rich apparel, put on the dress of bark. Shri
Lakshmana also putting off his beautiful robes, put on the dress
of an ascetic in the presence of his father. Shri Sita dressed in
a lovely silken sari, seeing the robes of bark proffered her,
was startled, like a doe at the sight of the fowler's snare.
The Princess Janaki, endowed with excellent qualities,
received the bark dress, in shame and distress. Versed in the
duties of a faithful spouse, she, addressing her god-like husband,
her eyes suffused with tears, said : " How do the ascetics put
on the robes of bark ? "
Shri Sita, ignorant of the custom, remained confused.
242
AYODHYA KANDA
Unskilled in the art of wearing robes of bark, putting one end
of the vestment round her neck and holding the other in her
hands, she stood perplexed. Then Ramachandra, chief of the
good, approaching the princess, fastened the robe of bark over
her silken sari. All the ladies of the court, perceiving Rama
assisting Sita in putting on the dress of bark, began to weep
and timidly addressed the illustrious Rama : " O Beloved Prince,
thy father has not granted Shri Sita permission to enter the
forest. Do thou enter the forest in accordance with the king's
behest, but let not Janaki go with thee, Let our life be fruitful
beholding her face. Let Lakshmana go with thee for thy
protection, but the beautiful Sita is not fitted to dwell in the
forest like an ascetic. O Rama, prompted by dharma, go
without delay as thou desirest but, we entreat thee, leave
Princess Sita with us."
Shri Rama, knowing that Sita was not willing to stay there
in his absence, disregarding the request, helped Sita to don
the bark raiment. Shri Vasishtha, the king's preceptor, seeing
Sita attired in the habit of an ascetic, was displeased, and said
to Kaikeyi : " O Destroyer of thy Dynasty, O Evil-minded
Kaikeyi, thou hast deceived the king and now exceed the boons
granted to thee, thou art dead to all good sense. It is not
for Princess Sita to enter the forest, let her rule in the place
of Rama till he return. The wife is, as it were, half of her
spouse, therefore, what is his due is hers also. Shri Sita being
the half of Shri Rama is in his absence entitled to the throne.
Should Shri Sita accompany Rama, then I and all the people
of Ayodhya will follow him. Where Rama goes with Sita,
there will follow the guards, the people of the kingdom and
the citizens of the capital. Yea, even Prince Bharata and
Prince Shatraghuna, assuming the robes of ascetics will accom-
pany their elder brother. Then this kingdom abandoned by
men, peopled by trees alone, will be governed by thee, O Thou,
bent on the destruction of thy subjects. Know well, that is
no kingdom where Shri Rama is not king, but the forest in
which Rama dwells becomes the kingdom. The king unwillingly
consenting, may bestow the kingdom on Bharata, but Bharata
will never accept the crown, nor will he honour thee as his
mother, if he be the true son of King Dasaratha. Even if thou
243
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sliouldst die, yet will Prince Bharata, acquainted with the
ancient law, refuse to rule the kingdom as long as his elder
brother, Shri Ramachandra lives. Thou, desiring the advance-
ment of thy son, Bharata, seeking to make him king, art in
reality bringing him to grief, since all will follow Shri
Ramachandra. O Kaikeyi, thou shalt see beasts, snakes, deer,
birds and even trees, bend before Rama, swayed by his love,
not to speak of men. O Lady, remove the dress of bark and
let Sita be attired in royal robes, the ascetic's garb ill befits her."
The Guru Vasishtha forbade Sita to don the robe of bark
and said to the queen : " O Daughter of the King Kaikeya,
thou hast demanded the exile of Rama alone, let Sita be clad
in royal robes when accompanying Rama. The boon exacted
by thee did not imply the exile of Shri Sita, therefore, let the
princess, beautifully arrayed and adorned, enter the forest in
a royal chariot."
Despite the instruction of the resplendent sage, chief among
the brahmins and the king's preceptor, Shri Sita, not relinquish-
ing the ascetic's dress, desired to enter the forest, attired like
her lord.
CHAPTER 38
Shri Rama requests the king to protect his mother during his
absence
Seeing Sita, like a widow though possessing a husband, putting
on the habit of bark, all the people present condemned King
Dasaratha. The king hearing their murmuring lost all interest
in life, virtue and fame, formerly cherished by him. Sighing
deeply, he said to his consort Kaikeyi : —
" O Kaikeyi, it is unfitting for Sita to enter the forest wearing
the habit of an ascetic. Our holy Guru Vasishtha has spoken
truly. Sita is not fitted for life in the forest, that frail princess
is worthy of perpetual happiness. Has the daughter of the great
Emperor Janaka caused injury to any, that amidst the people
244
AYODHYA KANDA
she stands mute, dressed in a robe of bark, like an ascetic ?
I gave no promise that the daughter of King Janaka should put
on the dress of a devotee. Let this princess enter the forest attired
in an auspicious manner, with all her ornaments. My death is
not far distant and my mind is in confusion ; by promising
these boons to thee, I have been brought to nought. This act is
consuming me as is the bamboo by its flowering.1 If it be said
that Shri Rama has done thee injury, O Sinful One, what barm
did Janaki ever do to thee ? Of what dost thou accuse the
daughter of King Janaka, whose eyes resemble the gazelle's
and who is meek and gentle.
" O Wicked One, by sending Rama without reason to the
forest, thou shall assuredly enter hell ; what else will not befall
thee on account of thy evil deeds ?
" When Shri Rama approached me on the eve of his installa-
tion, then didst thou forbid him to inaugurate the ceremony
and charged him to enter the forest with matted locks in an
ascetic's garb. By my silence, I gave consent, but now, desirous
of plunging thyself into hell thou requirest Sita to enter the
forest robed in the habit of a recluse."
King Dasaratha, lamenting, saw no end to his distress. At
length, helpless and overcome with grief, on account of his son,
he fell to the ground.
Shri Rama, his head bowed, ready to enter the forest,
observing his father's distress, said: "O King, my mother
Kaushalya, devoted to her lord, aged and of a generous
disposition, who never speaks ill of any, bereft of me will be
drowned in a sea of sorrow. She who has hitherto known no
suffering is now worthy of thy special regard. O Father, thou
to whom honour is due, regard my mother with affectionate
attention, that she may not suffer in the separation from her son
and the bearing of many woes, but live dependent on thee.
O Emperor, equal to Indra in power, protect my mother in
my absence that she may not languish and die."
1 When a bamboo flowers, the whole clump ii laid to perish.
245
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 39
As they prepare far departure the palace resounds with grief
Hearing the words of Rama and beholding him in the guise
of an ascetic, the king lost consciousness and his consorts turned
away in distress. Overcome with grief, the wretched monarch
could neither look on Rama nor utter a word to him and for
a space remained insensible. Then, regaining consciousness,
the long-armed king, remembering Rama, began to lament :
" Now, without doubt, I know that in some previous birth,
I separated many calves from their mothers and deprived many
beings of their lives, on account of which all this has befallen
me. The vital airs do not leave the body before the appointed
time ; though tormented by Kaikeyi, yet death does not claim
me. Alas ! I behold Shri Ramachandra, resplendent as fire,
divested of his royal robes and attired in ascetic's garb. This
evil caused by Kaikeyi, through guile and the desire for personal
advantage is the source of universal distress."
The king's eyes were suffused with tears and crying : " Rama,
Rama," his throat choked, and he could utter no more. After
some time, still shedding tears, he addressed Sumantra, saying :
" Yoke the best steeds to the chariot and convey Shri Rama
out of the city. Now it is made clear that a man's virtue leads
him into affliction, since so wise and valiant a son is being
banished by his parents."
As instructed by the king, Sumantra yoked the most excellent
of steeds to a richly decorated chariot and bringing the golden
car with the best steeds yoked thereto, before the prince,
said humbly : " The chariot is at hand."
The king then summoned his upright and trustworthy
treasurer and spoke to him in words suitable to the place and
time : " Bring hither for Janaki, costly apparel and ornaments
to serve the princess for fourteen years." As instructed by
the king, the master of the treasury brought the various articles
and delivered them to Princess Sita. The highly born Sita,
attiring herself in a sumptuous robe and ornaments, made ready
to depart for die forest. Thus attired, Shri Janaki illumined
the palace as the rays of the rising sun illumine the sky.
246
AYODHYA KANDA
Queen Kaushalya embraced the princess of virtuous conduct
to her bosom and blessing her said : " The world is filled with
undutiful wives, who cease to regard their lord when he has
fallen into distress. Such is the nature of those who having
enjoyed great pleasures, on finding their consort involved in
trouble, condemn and sometimes even abandon him. Many are
the women, untruthful, heartless, unchaste, devious1 and vain,
full of evil passions, the destroyers of long-honoured ties.
Neither a worthy family nor duty, nor the instruction of the
Guru, nor gifts, sway them, nor do they honour the marriage
ties, their minds being fickle. But those women devoted to
their husbands, of virtuous conduct, honouring the tradition
of their family, truthful, following the instructions of then-
preceptor, regard their lord as the chief of men. Therefore,
do not condemn my son, now ready to enter the forest, who
should be regarded by thee rather as a deity, whether in poverty
or prosperity.**
Shri Sita, understanding the import of these words, inspired
by dhanna, humbly replied : O Noble Lady, I will fulfil thy
commands. It is known to me that a woman should serve
her lord, and my parents have instructed me in the matter.
Do not deem me a false woman. I am as unable to forsake
the path of virtue as the sun's light the moon. As a lute is
useless without strings, as a chariot cannot move without wheels,
so is a wife bereft of her husband, even if she have a hundred
sons.
" Father, mother or son can give but a small measure of
happiness, but a husband is the source of limitless joy. What
woman is so unworthy that she will not obey her husband ?
I am acquainted with all the duties of a wife, being instructed by
those eminent in virtue. A husband is as a god to his consort,
never shall I not honour him."
The simple-hearted queen, shedding tears of distress on
account of the separation from her son, hearing Princess Sita's
words, was comforted.
Then Rama said : " O Mother, when I am in the forest,
do not look on my father with a reproachful countenance, the
term of my exile will soon be ended. The fourteen years will
1 Whose minds are not easily known.
247
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
pass like a dream. Surrounded by my friends, thou shalt behold
me soring my sire."
Speaking thus to his mother Kaushalya, Shri Rama reflected
how to address the three hundred and fifty other consorts of
the king. To these who were bitterly lamenting, he spoke with
humility. "While living amongst you, if I have ever, in
ignorance, offended you, be gracious enough to pardon me."
These pious and humble words of Rama, inspired by dharma,
touched the hearts of the queens, causing them to shed tears
and their lamentations resembled the sound of krouncha birds.
The palace of the king, formerly resounding to the beating
of drums resembling the crash of thunder, was to-day filled
with the wailing of the sorrow-stricken queens.
CHAPTER 40
All Ayodhya is distressed to see Shri Rama's chariot depart
Shri Rama overcome with grief, touched the feet of his sovereign
and bowing down, with Lakshmana and Sita, circumambulated
the king. Having taken leave of his sire, Rama with Sita paid
reverence to the sorrow-stricken Queen Kaushalya.
Then Shri Lakshmana bowed before the Queen Kaushalya
and embraced the feet of his mother Sumitra. His mother
weeping, desiring her son's good, blessed Lakshmana and said :
" O My Son, Shri Rama was born of Queen Kaushalya for the
protection of the world, and I have borne thee so that, devoted
to Shri Rama, thou shouldst accompany him to the forest. O
My Son, do not neglect the service of Shri Rama. O Sinless
One, whether in fortune or in adversity, regard him as thy life I
It is the duty of the good to be subject to their elders. The
tradition of thy dynasty is the giving of charity, the performance
of sacrifice, death on the field of battle and implicit regard for
thine elders."
Speaking thus, Sumitra seeing Rama ready to depart for the
forest, again and again exhorted Lakshmana in this wise : " O
248
AYODHYA KANDA
My Son, enter the forest with Rama. O Child, have no anxiety,
do not grieve either for thy father, mother, home or country,
esteem Rama to be Dasaratha, Janaki as myself and the forest
equal to Ayodhya."
Sumantra now addressed Rama with humility as Matali1
addresses Indra : " O Illustrious Prince, be pleased to mount
the chariot, I will take thee wheresoever thou desirest. Let
the period of thine exile enjoined by Kaikeyi begin to-day."
Then the beautiful daughter of King Janaka, adorned with
the jewels, bestowed on her by the king, cheerfully mounted
the waiting vehicle, which shone like the sun. Shri Rama and
Lakshmana also swiftly ascended the chariot enriched with gold
and weapons.
Having regard to the period of exile, King Dasaratha had
bestowed on his daughter-in-law, robes and jewels and ordered
arms and mantra-charged weapons, armour and shields to be
placed on the chariot. Seeing that all were mounted, Sumantra
set the chariot in motion guiding the horses swift as the wind.
Rama having started for the Dandaka forest, the whole city,
young and old, men and women, soldiers, elephants and horses,
distracted and full of indignation and distress, became as beings
demented. The loosing of elephants, and the loud neighing of
horses filled Ayodhya with tumult and ferment. Young and
old, distraught, ran after the chariot of Rama as men overpowered
by the sun plunge into water. Some running beside the royal
car, some behind looking up towards Rama, others weeping
and lamenting, cried to Sumantra : " O Charioteer, drive slowly,
draw in thy steeds, so that we may see the face of Rama so soon
to be hidden from us. Surely the heart of his mother must be
made of steel that it did not break on seeing the godlike prince
departing for the forest. Great indeed is Shri Sita, who follows
her husband like a shadow, as the light of the sun that never
forsakes the Meru mountain. O Lakshmana, perfect art thou,
constantly serving thine amiable and godlike brother. This is
perfection, this is prosperity, thus to attend thy brother is the
way to heaven."
Thus lamenting, following the chariot of Rama, the people
could not restrain their tears. The afflicted and wretched
1 Matali — Indra's charioteer.
H9
THE R<AMAYANA OF VALMJIKI
monarch, King Dasaratha, overcome with grief, coming forth
from the palace barefooted, surrounded by his queens, cried
out : " I must again behold my beloved son." Then he heard
the lament of the women wailing like she elephants when their
mates axe bound in chains, and like the full moon in eclipse,
King Dasaratha was bereft of bis splendour.
Shri Rama, free from anxiety, urged the charioteer on, saying :
" Faster ! faster ! " and as he spoke, enjoining Sumantra to
drive more speedily, the people cried, *' Stay, stay ", so that
the charioteer knew not how to obey both commands. The dust
raised by the wheels of Rama's chariot was laid by the tears
of the people. As Shri Rama left the city, the people weeping
and bewildered were distraught, the tears of the women falling
like drops of water on lotus leaves, when fishes leap. The
people following Rama's chariot and perceiving the anguish
of the king, wept in sympathy. A great tumult now arose
from the ladies of the palace and the king's attendants all
weeping and crying, " O Rama ! O Kaushalya ! " and hearing
the wailing and lamentation of the people Shri Rama looked
back and beheld the king and his mother Kaushalya, bare-
footed, following his chariot, and was filled with sorrow.
Shri Rama, bound by the cord of duty, turned his eyes from
his parents, as a foal not permitted to follow its dam. Perceiving
his royal parents, unacquainted with suffering, worthy of
excellent chariots, running barefooted towards him, he said to
Sumantra : " Drive on speedily ! " unable to bear the sight
of his parents' distress, as an elephant is unable to bear the goad.
His mother Kaushalya trembling and tottering, ran towards him,
like a cow hearing the cries of her calf that has been bound,
crying, " O Rama ! O Sita ! O Lakshmana ! " The king
calling, M Stay ! Stay ! " to the charioteer, with Rama crying,
" Go forward speedily ", caused the heart of Sumantra to be
riven, like one standing between two rival armies.
On this, Rama addressed him, saying : " On thy return to the
palace, when charged by the king with disobeying his commands,
do thou say : 'Amidst the noise of the rolling wheels, I was
unable to hear.' Further delay will prove calamitous." Shri
Sumantra regarding the words of the prince, signalling the
people following to return, urged the horses on.
250
AYODHYA KANDA
The chariot outstripping the king, caused him to halt with
his household and mentally circumambulating Rama, he returned
to the palace. The courtiers now said to the king : *' None
follows a friend far, whom he wishes to see return." King
Dasaratha hearing this injunction, bathed in perspiration, utterly
wretched, stood gazing at the receding chariot.
CHAPTER 41
The whole world grieves for Prince Rama
THAT Lion among men, Prince Ramachandra, having in humility
departed, a great cry of distress arose among the ladies of the
inner apartment. They cried : " Where is Ramachandra, the
only asylum and refuge of the orphaned, the weak and the
suffering ? Where is Prince Rama, who when provoked, showed
no anger, who caused no agitation to any heart, who appeased
those who were wrathful, and considered others' distress as his
own ? Where is that Rama now, who treated us with the same
regard as he showed his illustrious mother, Queen Kaushalya ?
Where is he wandering now, that Rama, Protector of the World,
who has gone to the forest, persecuted by Kaikeyi, and exiled
by his father ? O, how insensible the king has grown, that he
has sent the virtuous and truthful Rama, the object of universal
love, into exile." In this way, all the ladies of the court wept
aloud like cows who have been bereft of their calves. The king
overwhelmed with grief on account of separation from his son,
suffered increasingly on hearing the loud and piteous cries of
the ladies of the palace. On the prince's departure, no brahma-
chari performed the fire ceremony, no householder prepared food
but passed the day in deep distress. The elephants cast off
their trappings and the cows refused to nourish their calves,
mothers showed no delight at the sight of their first-born.
Trishanku, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus and other in-
auspicious planets gathered round the moon, pulsating there ;
the stars lost their brilliance and the planets their splendour.
251
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Vishaka,1 growing dim, was scarcely distinguishable in the sky.
The clouds, driven by a strong wind, overtaking each other,
resembled waves rising in the sea. When Shri Rama departed,
an earthquake caused the city to tremble, the ten cardinal points
were covered in darkness, neither were the planets nor the stars
visible. All the inhabitants of the city were overwhelmed with
misery, none partook of food that day or found pleasure in any
pastime. All the people of Ayodhya, sighing heavily, were filled
with sorrow and grieved for the king. Those walking in the
streets wept and nowhere was there any sign of joy. No
cool breezes blew, nor did the moon shine, the rays of the sun
were weak and the whole world mourned for Rama. Sons
gave no thought to their parents, husbands were indifferent to
their wives and brothers showed no affection to each other ;
all were sunk in grief. The friends of Rama, unconscious of
themselves and filled with distress, were bereft of sleep. Without
Rama, Ayodhya resembled the earth with all its mountains,
suffering from drought. Every household was consumed with
grief and the cries of elephants, horses and warriors filled the city.
chapter 42
Without Rama the king's heart finds no rest
So long as the dust raised by the wheels of Rama's chariot could
be seen, so long did the king not withdraw his gaze from the
way. So long as King Dasaratha could see his beloved and
most virtuous son, Shri Ramachandra, so long did he stand
gazing after him, and when the dust was no more visible,
the wretched monarch, stricken with grief fell to the earth.
Then Queen Kaushalya taking hold of his right hand and
Queen Kaikeyi his left, ministered to him. The virtuous and
upright king beholding Queen Kaikeyi near him, said : " O
Wicked Queen, touch me not, I do not desire to see thy
countenance. Thou art neither my consort, nor do I desire
1 Vishaka — a lunar aitritm, appearing in October.
252
AYODHYA KANDA
relationship with thee ; thy servants are no longer my servants,
nor am I their master. Thou, who hast abandoned obedience
to thy lord, I now repudiate. Thy hand, accepted by me
when circumambulating the sacred fire, I relinquish, and
renounce the worldly and spiritual pledges given thee in the
ceremony. If Bharata, receiving this kingdom, is satisfied,
then let him not perform my obsequies."
Queen Kaushalya, torn with grief, raised the king, soiled with
dust, and conveyed him to bis chariot. The king sorely afflicted,
remembering his son in ascetic's garb, resembled one who has
murdered a brahmin or touches a blazing fire with his naked
hand. Turning again and again towards the path that the
chariot had taken, the king's countenance resembled the sun
in eclipse. Conceiving his son Rama to have passed beyond
the city boundary, and thinking of him, he again gave way
to grief, crying : " I see the marks of the hoofs of the horses
that were yoked to the chariot of my son, but him I do not see.
Alas ! My Son, who perfumed with sandalpaste, slept on soft
pillows, fanned by beautiful women, to-day sleeps beneath a tree
with wood or stone for his pillow. In the morning, he will awake
on the hard ground, his mind oppressed, his body smeared
with dust, sighing deeply like a bull rising from beside a spring.
The dwellers in the forest will behold Rama rising like an orphan
and wandering as one forlorn. That daughter of King Janaka
worthy of every happiness, her feet pierced with thorns, hearing
the roar of animals like tigers, will be struck with terror ; O
Kaikeyi, thy ambition is fulfilled, now rule the kingdom as a
widow for I cannot support life without the chief of men."
Thus lamenting, the king returned to the capital, like a man
having cremated one supremely dear to him. He beheld courts
and houses deserted, the markets forsaken and the temples closed,
while on the royal highway only the feeble and afflicted
were to be seen. Seeing the city desolate and remembering
Shri Rama, weeping bitterly, the king entered the palace as the
sun enters a cloud. As the presence of an eagle deprives a lake
of its serpents, rendering it still, so did the capital appear when
Shri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita had gone into exile.
Then the king in distress, his throat choked with grief, spoke
in faint and trembling accents : " Take me speedily to the palace
253
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIK1
of Queen Kaushalya, the mother of Rama, nowhere else can I
obtain peace."
The attendants carried the king to the apartments of Queen
Kaushalya and placed him on a couch, but the king's heart
could find no rest ; the palace without Rama, Lakshmana and
Ska appeared to him like the sky bereft of the moon. Finding
no delight there, the king lifting up bis hands, cried : " O
My Son, O Rama, art thou leaving me ? How blessed are they
who seeing Rama return, will embrace him."
Finding the night dark, resembling the hour of death, the king
at midnight thus addressed Kaushalya : " O Kaushalya, I do
not see thee, my sight has followed Rama, nor has it yet returned,
therefore, reach forth thy hand and touch me, O Queen."
Seeing her royal consort merged in the remembrance of Rama,
the queen, sighing, seated herself by the king and began to
lament in sympathy with him.
chapter 43
The lament of Queen Kaushalya
Queen Kaushalya, deeply afflicted by the separation from her
son, seeing the king lying on the couch merged in grief, said :
" O King, that evil Kaikeyi having discharged her poison on
Shri Rama, will wander about at will, like a snake that has cast
its slough. That sinful woman, having accomplished her design
and sent Rama to the forest will ever inspire me with terror,
like a venomous serpent in the home. If her demand had been
that Rama should dwell in the city on alms or had she condemned
him to be her slave, it were better than exile. She has cast out
Rama, as the oblation offered to the asuras is cast away by those
who tend the sacrificial fire. The long armed Rama, the wielder
of the great bow, walking like the king of elephants, must by now
have reached the forest with Sita and Lakshmana. O King,
consider how thy son Rama, who has never before experienced
suffering, is banished by thee, urged by Kaikeyi 1 O What fate
254
AYODHYA KANDA
will befall them now? Without wealth, exiled in his youth
when a king's happiness should have been his portion, how will
he be able to live on roots and berries in the forest ? Will the
time ever come when I shall see Rama, Lakshmana and Sita
return, putting an end to my sorrow ? When will that glad day
dawn, when the illustrious capital rilled with rejoicing crowds,
decorated with flags, banners and garlands, welcomes Rama ?
0 will that auspicious hour ever strike, when the citizens hearing
of his return will be filled with gladness, like the sea at the time
of the full moon ? When will Shri Rama with Sita, enter the
city, like the bull who, at dusk, preceding the herd of cows,
returns to the town. When will the people of the capital,
waiting to scatter rice over him, gather in thousands on the
highways to welcome Rama, the subduer of his foes ? O,
when shall I see my sons, resplendent as two mountain peaks,
return to Ayodhya, adorned with earrings, bearing the sword
and scimitar. When will the two princes, circumambulating
the city with Janata, receive gifts of flowers and fruit from the
hands of virgins and brahmins ? When will the virtuous and
sagacious Rama run towards me, leaping like a child ? Surely
my love pours forth for him, as the breasts of mothers when
suckling their infants. O Great King, because of this, Kaikeyi
has increased my love for my child ; bereft of him, I am like
a cow whose calf has been forcibly carried away by a lion.
My only son Rama is versed in all the classics and endowed
with every excellent quality ; without such a son, I cannot live.
O Great King, I cannot sustain life in the absence of my brave
and beloved son ; the fire of grief caused by the separation
from my son is consuming me, as the rays of the sun in summer
consume the surface of the earth."
255
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 44
She finds peace in the consolation of Queen Sumtra
The righteous Queen Sumitra hearing the lament of Queen
Kaushalya addressed her in reasonable words : " O Queen,
why dost thou weep in abject fashion, for thy son, the chief
of men, endowed with every virtue ? O Noble Lady, Shri Rama
has renounced the throne and entered the forest to render his
father illustrious, as the votary of truth. Shri Rama, honouring
his father, has conducted himself as the best of men and secured
the future glory of his sire. There is no cause for grief, since
Rama is treading the path of dharma, neither is there cause
to grieve for Lakshmana, ever compassionate to all, sinless,
serving Rama and in every way worthy of the highest good.
The tender-limbed Janaki, too, is following thy virtuous son.
O Queen, the exile of Rama is no cause for sorrow since he is
the protector of all beings and the follower of virtue. O Queen,
the banner of bis good name waves over the three worlds.
Consider the purity of Rama ; even the sun dares not cause him
suffering by its rays. In his presence, the hot winds of the forest
in summer will grow cool and like the spring breeze bring him
refreshment ! When asleep in the forest at night, the moon,
like a father, will succour him with its cool beams. That
Ramachandra, to whom the Brahmarishi Vishwamitra gave
celestial weapons on the death of his son Shambara, that valorous
son, that lion among men, depending on the strength of his arms
will dwell in the forest as fearlessly as in his own palace. That
hero whose arrows destroy his foes, is certain to be succoured
by the earth. That Rama, endowed with great prowess, power
and courage, will soon return on the termination of his exile,
to claim the kingdom. O Lady, Shri Rama, who illumines
the sun which gives light to the whole world, who gives
splendour to the fire, who is the supreme ruler of rulers, who is
the tame of fame and the essence of forgiveness, who is the chief
of beings j wherever he dwells, in the forest or the city, all is one
to him. Shri Rama, this great hero, will speedily regain his
kingdom, together with Sita, the earth and every prosperity.
256
AYODHYA KANDA
Shri Rama for whom, when departing for the forest, the people
of Ayodhya filled with grief, shed tears, will soon regain the
kingdom. Nought is difficult to obtain in the world by him,
who, though invincible, entered the forest, dressed like an ascetic,
followed by Sita, who is Lakshmi1 in another form.
" What should be difficult for him, who, armed with bow
and sword, is preceded on his way by Lakshmana ? O Lady,
abandon grief and infatuation, assuredly thou wilt behold Shri
Rama returning from his exile. O Thou who art irreproachable,
O Kalyani, O Auspicious One, thou wilt behold thy son like
the rising moon, placing his head at thy feet. Thou wilt shed
tears of joy, seeing thy son installed on the throne and in
possession of the king's treasury. O Lady, neither grieve nor
let thy mind be troubled, I see nought that is inauspicious in
respect of Rama. Soon thou shalt behold thy son with Sita
and Lakshmana. O Sinless Queen, it becomes thee to encourage
others, therefore, why dost thou now cause thy heart distress ?
O Devi, do not grieve, there is none in the world more virtuous
than Rama. Seeing Rama returning from the forest with his
friends, making obeisance to thee, then wilt thou shed tears
of joy, like the clouds in the rainy season. In brief, I tell thee,
thy son Shri Rama, returning to the capital, will press thy feet
to him with his tender bands. Seeing thy son bowing to thy
feet thou wilt cover him with tears as the clouds cover the
mountains with rain."
Thus did the beautiful Sumitra, ever persuasive and benevo-
lent to all, offer words of consolation to the Queen Kaushalya
and having spoken, became silent. The chief queen, the mother
of Shri Rama, hearing the words of Queen Sumitra, found peace
and forgot her grief which resembled the rain of the autumn
clouds that swiftly disappears.
1 Labium— The Contort of Shri Vishnu.
257
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
chapter 45
The lament of the brahmins who follow Shri Rama
The people of the capital, deeply devoted to Shri Rama, the
Upholder of Truth, followed him on his way to the forest.
Though King Dasaratha, on the advice of his ministers, turned
back, the citizens of Ayodhya continued to run beside the chariot
of Rama. The inhabitants of the city were devoted to Rama
whose virtues rendered him resplendent like the full moon, and
weeping piteously, implored the holy prince to return, but Rama,
determined to prove his father to be true to his word, pressed on
towards the forest. They, looking on Rama as a thirsty man
looks on water, were addressed by him with tender affection
as a father addresses his children.
He said : " O Ye People of Ayodhya, for my sake bestow
the love and honour shown to me, in even greater measure,
on Bharata ! Prince Bharata, who is of an excellent disposition,
will assuredly deal benevolently with you and endear himself
to you. Though young, he is wise, gentle and endowed with
great courage. Warm-hearted and charitable, you will have no
cause for fear on his accession to the throne. King Dasaratha
has appointed him heir-apparent in consideration of his great
virtue, we should therefore obey the king. When I am absent
in the forest, you should so act towards him as to occasion him
no distress. Do you, desirous of pleasing me, obey the
king."
Rama, instructing the people to obey the king again and again
only increased their desire to see him as their sovereign. It
appeared that Rama with Lakshmana drew the distressed and
weeping inhabitants of the city after them as if bound by a
cord.
Among the elders in age, wisdom and austerity, the first,
their heads trembling with advanced years, calling from a
distance, said : "O Ye Swift and Excellent Steeds, return,
return, do not proceed further and favour Rama. All beings
are endowed with perception, but you excel in the sense of
hearing, therefore hear our entreaty and turn back. We know
258
AYODHYA KANDA
the heart of our master to be simple and gentle, we know him
to be a hero firm in his vows, therefore, return to Ayodhya,
do not carry Rama away from the city to the forest."
Hearing the lament of the aged brahmins and perceiving their
distress, Shri Rama, causing the chariot to halt, dismounted.
With Lakshmana and Sita, he walked towards the forest,
followed by the multitude, proceeding slowly on foot. The ever
virtuous and compassionate Rama was unable to endure the
sight of the aged brahmins walking on foot, far behind the
chariot.
The brahmins seeing Rama did not return, despite their
supplications, but still proceeded towards the forest, were
troubled and overcome with distress, cried : " O Rama, thou
art a friend of the brahmins and the whole caste is following
thee with the sacred fire borne on their shoulders. See, we are
carrying the holy canopies, like autumn clouds, obtained by us
by observing the Vaja-peya1 ceremony. By covering thee with
their shade, we will protect thee from the rays of the sun. O
Child, formerly thy mind was set on the study of the Veda,
but now thou art determined to enter the forest. Our only
wealth, the Veda, we have stored in our memory and our
consorts are at home, protected by their conjugal devotion.
There is no cause for further reflection, we are determined to go
with thee ! If thou dost not walk in the path of dharma,
who will follow it ?*
" O Rama, what more can be said ? We, whose heads are
white like swan's down, offer humble salutations to thee.
Among us, some have entered upon their sacrifices, O Rama,
their completion depends on thee. Not we alone, but beasts,
birds and trees, entreat thee to return ; have pity on all these.
Trees desiring to follow thee, prevented by their roots which
penetrate deep into the earth, implore thee not to depart, their
branches bending low in the wind. See the birds, forgetting
to seek their food, sit motionless on the trees, supplicating thee
who art compassionate to all."
Thus lamenting, the brahmins beheld the river Taxnasa as if
obstructing the path of Rama, preventing his further progress.
1 Vaja-peya. — A sacrifice at which a drink of this name is prepared for the god*.
■ That u, show implicit obedience to the brahmins.
>59
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then Sumantra, loosing the tired horses, let them roll on
the ground to relieve their fatigue and gave them to drink
causing them to bathe in the river, and allowing them to graze
on the banks of the Tamasa.
chapter 46
Shri Rama, with Sita and Lakskmana and the charioteer
drive on alone to the forest
Shri Rama, reaching the beautiful banks of the river Tamasa,
gazing on Sita, addressed his brother Lakshmana : " O Son
of Queen Sumitra, this is the first night of our exile, there is
no cause for anxiety. The forest looks deserted and melancholy,
the birds and beasts having retired to rest. Doubtless the
capital of Ayodhya with its inhabitants and my royal sire are
deeply distressed on account of our departure. The king, seeing
in us many virtues, looks on us with deep affection. O
Lakshmana, I fear lest my father and my illustrious mother
become blind with incessant weeping. Yet Prince Bharata of
upright conduct, will assuredly oner consolation to my parents
in dutiful and pious words. O Mighty-armed Prince, reflecting
on the compassion of Prince Bharata, I have no fear for my
parents. O Hero, thou hast done well in accompanying me
to the forest, had it not been so, my solicitude for Sita would
have been great. O Lakshmana, there is an abundance of roots,
fruits and berries here, but to-night I desire to partake of water
alone."
Having thus addressed Prince Lakshmana, Shri Rama said
to Sumantra : " O Gentle Friend, attend to the horses with
great care." The sun having set below the horizon, Sumantra,
fastening the horses to a tree, placed tender grass before them,
heedful of their welfare. The time of Sandhya1 having come,
the charioteer observed his devotions according to the rules of
his caste, then, with the help of Lakshmana, prepared a bed
1 Sandhya — Evening devotion*.
260
AYODHYA KANDA
for Rama. Perceiving the bed made with tender leaves, on the
banks of the Tamasa, Shri Rama with Sita and Lakshmana
rested there.
Finding Shri Rama and Sita sleeping, Lakshmana, leaving
his seat, recounted the excellent virtues of Rama to the
charioteer. Lakshmana thus passed the whole night till the
sun rose, conversing with Sumantra on the attributes of Rama.
In this manner, on the banks of the Tamasa, among herds
of cattle, Shri Rama and those who had followed him, passed
the night. At dawn, Shri Rama rose and seeing the people
still asleep, said to his virtuous brother Lakshmana : —
" O Lakshmana, see how these people, abandoning their
homes and property, to follow uss are sleeping under the trees.
It seems that they, vowing to bring us back, will give up their
lives rather than be false to their determination. Let us,
therefore, O Brother, leave this place before they wake. When
we have crossed the Tamasa, there will be no further cause
for anxiety. By our silent departure, the people of the capital
of King Ikshwaku, will not, like us, be compelled to sleep
under the trees. It is the duty of a prince to preserve them
from suffering and not make them the companions of his
Shri Lakshmana answered Ramachandra, saying : " O Wise
One, I accept thy resolve, let us mount the chariot immediately."
Rama then said to Sumantra : " Speedily prepare the chariot,
I will proceed towards the forest, let us therefore depart from
hence without delay."
The charioteer, hastily yoking the horses to the chariot,
humbly addressed Rama, saying : " O Great Prince, the chariot
is now ready, please ascend with Lakshmana and Sita ; may
prosperity attend thee."
Shri Rama with his bow, quiver and other weapons, mounted
the chariot and passed over the swiftly flowing river. Crossing
the Tamasa, at a short distance from the shore, they traversed
a rugged path overgrown with briars, and then came to a wide
road, where they could travel with ease and which was safe from
any danger. To elude the citizens, Shri Rama said to Sumantra:
"O Charioteer, drive first towards the south. Having thus
261
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
driven for a space, return again, so that no trace of us may be
found."
Shri Sumantra, following the instructions of Rama, drove
forward, then returning, stood before Rama. The son of
Dasaratha, the augmcntcr of the glory of the house of Raghu,
spoke from the chariot, saying : " NowdrivetowardsTapovana."
Sumantra, turning the chariot towards the north, proceeded
in the direction of the forest.
chapter 47
Those who have followed Prince Rama find themselves alone
The night being over and the day having dawned, the citizens
awoke and not beholding Rama, were overwhelmed with grief,
not knowing how to act. Seeking here and there, their eyes
bathed in tears, they were unable to discover by what path
Shri Rama had departed. Wretched and pale with distress,
with quivering hearts and utterly dispirited, they broke into
piteous exclamations, saying : —
"Cursed be the sleep that veiled our perceptions, now
we shall not behold the full chested and large-eyed Rama.
How fruitless is our devotion, since Rama has gone to the forest
leaving us, his faithful friends, here. Why has Rama who ever
treated us as his children, left us to enter the forest ? Either we
will find death here or go to the Himalayas and perish in the
snow. What avails life without Rama ? Here is dried wood,
let us collect it and kindling a fire, perish in the flames. What
shall we say on our return? Shall we tell others we have
abandoned the mighty armed Rama, who is free from envy
and a votary of truth ? Alas ! we cannot do so. The wretched
city with the women, the aged and the children, seeing us return
without Rama, will be plunged in grief. Having abandoned
our homes to follow that self-controlled prince, how can we
venture to face the people without him ? "
262
AYODHYA KANDA
Thus lamenting, with uplifted aims, filled with distress, they
resembled cows bereft of their young. , Following the track of
the chariot wheels, they pressed forward, till, losing their trace,
they became prostrate with grief. Finding no further path to
follow, they turned back crying : "Alas ! what shall we do ?
Fate is against us ! " Then, by the way by which they had
come, they retraced their steps to Ayodhya.
Shri Rama, failing to return, the people became restless, and
seeing the capital cheerless, despondent and sorrow-stricken,
they wept, murmuring to each other : " The city, bereft of
Rama, has no beauty, it resembles a dried-up river, divested
of its snakes by an eagle." As the sky without the moon or
the sea without water, so did the city appear to the people,
causing their hearts to faint within them.
Sadly entering their magnificent dwellings, afflicted and
distraught, they were unable to distinguish one of their own
relatives from a stranger.
CHAPTER 48
Ayodhya without Shri Ramackandra is bereft of beauty
Thus afflicted, the people of the capital, their eyes streaming
with tears, longed to give up their lives. Having followed Rama
to the forest, they became melancholy and appeared to be almost
lifeless. In their homes, with their wives and sons, they
lamented bitterly. None rejoiced, none were cheerful, none
decked out their children to advantage, nor did the women
adorn themselves ; no fire burnt on the hearth of any home,
none was glad to recover the wealth he had lost and none
rejoiced at a sudden increase of riches. Mothers found no
delight in the return of their first-born after a long absence.
Every house was filled with wailing ; the husbands returning
without Rama were upbraided by their wives with bitter words,
aa an elephant is goaded by its driver. Everywhere was heard :
" Without beholding Ramachandra, of what use to us are our
*63
7HE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
homes, women, wealth, sons or pleasure ? There is only one
who is truly virtuous and it is Lakshmana, who has followed
Rama and Sita to the forest ! How fortunate are those lakes
and rivers filled with lotuses, whose waters, Rama, entering to
bathe, doth purify ! Beautiful forests, rivers with verdant banks,
lakes and mountains will be adorned by the presence of Shri
Ramachandra. Those mountains visited by Rama, recognizing
their beloved guest, will honour him with due hospitality.
" The trees also, their branches laden with flowers and buds,
in which the bees are humming and murmuring, will offer their
beauty to Rama. The hills will send forth flowers out of season
and yield fruit and blossom in his honour. The crystal waterfalls
of varied beauty will gush forth from the mountains to give
delight to him. The trees, growing on the slope of the
mountains, will enchant him. Where Rama is, fear and danger
are banished. The heroic sons of King Dasaratha, even now,
are but a little distance from us ; come let us follow them.
There is no happiness save in the service of the holy Feet
of that illumined One. Verily he is the only Lord of the world,
the Absolute, the Highest State and our sole support."
The women of the city, overcome with grief, addressing their
husbands said : " Let us follow Rama, we will serve Shri Sita,
you attend on Shri Rama. Remember, Rama will preserve and
maintain you in the forest, while Shri Sita will grant support
to us. Of what use is life where the heart is restless and the
mind bereft of purpose ? If Kaikeyi rule the kingdom setting
aside the moral law, what delight can we have in children and
possessions; even our lives will become valueless. Will Kaikeyi
be solicitous on our account, she, who has abandoned King
Dasaratha and her son Shri Ramachandra, for the sake of power?
We swear by our sons that while we live, we will never be slaves
to Kaikeyi. Who can live happily under the rule of that
shameless and evil woman who pitilessly exiled the son of the
king ? Without a ruler the defenceless kingdom will become
a prey to every misfortune and perish on account of Kaikeyi's
evil deeds. The king will not long survive the exile of Rama
and without him the kingdom will be destroyed. Our good
karma being exhausted we are miserable ; let us either have
recourse to poison, or follow Rama, or seek some other place and
264
AYODHYA KANDA
live there unknown. By exiling Rama, Sita and Lakshmana,
through false means we have been made subject to Bharata's
governance as beasts are lead to the slaughter. Shri Rama,
a source of delight resembling the full moon, the destroyer of
his foes, mighty-armed, Lakshmana's elder brother, whose eyes
are like lotuses, who speaks in gentle accents, who is brave,
guileless and beloved of the people, will assuredly adorn the
forest wheresoever he roams."
The women of the city distressed by their separation from Rama,
wept and mourned as do the friends of a dying man. Lamenting
thus, the sun set and the night fell, no sacrificial fires were
visible, nor did the brahmins, devoted to the study of the Veda,
intone the sacred texts, or recite the Furanas, and in no dwelling
was any lamp kindled. The city of Ayodhya, stricken and
destitute, the stalls of merchandise forsaken, was bereft of beauty
like the sky divested of stars. The women of Ayodhya, filled
with sorrow as if their own sons or brothers had been banished,
wept bitterly, Shri Ramachandra being dearer to them than
their own children. In the city, no songs or music was heard,
nor was there dancing or any sign of rejoicing. The merchant
ceased to expose their merchandise and sat sunk in dejection.
Thus Ayodhya, without joy or activity, appeared as desolate
as an ocean without water.
CHAPTER 49
The chariot crosses the boundary of Koshala
Shri Rama, remembering his father's command, had travelled
far through the night. Day dawned while he was still journey-
ing ; offering up his morning prayer, he continued on his way,
soon reaching the southern boundary of Koshala.
Enjoying the cultivated fields, the forests, and trees laden
with blossom, he drove on, drawn by swift horses. As he
passed, he heard the people of the villages and hamlets conversing
thus : " Woe unto King Dasaratha enslaved by concupiscence.
265
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Ah ! how hard is the heart of the wicked Kaikeyi, how cruel her
disposition ; violating the ancient tradition, she has performed
this evil deed, she who has banished the Prince of Light, who
is erudite, compassionate and self-controlled. How will the
daughter of King Janaka, brought up in ease, endure the
hardships of the forest ? Alas ! The king has no love for his
son or he would not have abandoned one so perfect, who is
devoted to the welfare of all."
Hearing the words of the villagers, Shri Rama pressed on
quickly and crossed the boundary of Koshala. Then fording
the river Vedasruti, 8 pure stream, he proceeded south. After
traversing a great distance, he came to the cool waters of the
Gaumati flowing towards the sea, with many cows grazing on
its banks. The swift steeds, restrained by Rama, crossed this
river and then the Syandika, on whose banks peacocks and ducks
were heard. Rama here showed Sita the land formerly given
by Manu to Ikshwaku, a spacious and open country of many
principalities. Then Shri Rama, whose voice resembled an
enchanted swan, addressed Sumantra, saying : " O Charioteer,
when will the day come, when I, returning from the forest in
company with my parents, will sport in the flowering woods
of Sarayu ? To hunt in the forest is the prerogative of royal
sages. It is the favourite pursuit of kings and others also incline
to it. I do not deem it evil and desire to engage in it when
the season of my austerities is over.*'
Thus firm in his purpose, Shri Ramachandra continued to
converse sweetly with Sumantra.
CHAPTER 50
They reach the river Gunga and meet the chief of ferrymen,
Guha
Having crossed the boundary of Koshala, Rama, turning his race
towards Ayodhya, with joined palms, addressed the city:
266
AYODHYA KANDA
" O Ayodhya, Chief of Cities, protected by the kings of the
House of Ikshwaku, I take leave of thee and of the gods thy
protectors who dwell with thee. Having fulfilled the command
of the king, I shall, returning from the forest, again behold thee
and my parents."
Then lifting up his arms, Shri Rama, the tears tailing
from his eyes, addressed the citizens of his father's kingdom :
"O Ye Who have treated me with the respect and affection
due to a master, it is not meet that you remain with me,
now return to your homes and discharge the duties of your
households."
Bowing down to Shri Rama, the people circumambulated him
with reverence and turned homewards, frequently halting,
weeping and lamenting. Shri Rama, seeing them weeping
and not yet satisfied with beholding him, told the charioteer
to drive on speedily and passed beyond their sight as the sun
sinks out of view at the time of evening.
Proceeding on his way, Shri Rama beheld prosperous towns
and villages full of men of charitable, righteous and fearless
disposition evidenced by the abundance of temples and sacrificial
pillars of their cities. The gardens filled with mango trees were
enriched by pools of translucent water with carefully tended
highways and herds of cattle grazing here and there. Everywhere
the recitation of the Veda could be heard. From his chariot,
Shri Rama surveyed the Kingdom of Koshala and passed beyond
its confines. The sagacious Rama, proceeding through the
extensive land inhabited by happy and prosperous people,
enriched by pleasant gardens, came to the southern boundary
of Koshala and beheld the holy Gunga, adorned by the presence
of tne sages, with its cool waters flowing in three directions.
Near the bank of the sacred river, he saw the beautiful
hermitages, frequented by holy men and pools of limpid water
visited by celestial nymphs at play. The holy Ganges, honoured
by deities, titans, celestial musicians and naiads, that sacred
current, displaying innumerable charming vistas, embellished
by the gardens of the gods, and which in heaven is named
the " Stream of Golden Lotuses ", that holy river, the sound
of whose clashing waves resembles deep laughter, which moving
rapidly, covered with foam white as snow, flows merrily forwards
267
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and falling from the heights on the rocks below, resembles a
maiden's plaited locks ; sometimes made beautiful by whirlpools,
here dark and deep, there with the roar of waters, proclaiming
the presence of Shri Gunga herself ; those sacred waters wherein
the celestial beings plunge and swim, where white lotuses float,
bordered by high banks or shelving sands ; there, where swans,
cranes, and chakur birds are heard, where trees adorn the banks
and waterlilies float or fields of lotus flowers whose buds re-
veal their tender beauty carpet the tide. Sometimes the waters,
reddened by the petals of lotuses, make the river appear like
a lovely woman attired in a crimson sari ; those sparkling waters,
green as emerald, where mighty tuskers sport and also the great
guardian elephants of the earth's four quarters, or those bearing
the gods, where the sound of Hara ! Hara ! resounds forever.
Shri Gunga, beautiful as a woman, tastefully adorned with
brilliant gems ; Shri Gunga, enriched with fruit, flowers and
birds of every hue, abounding in porpoises, crocodiles and
serpents ; that sacred stream, falling from the feet of the Blessed
Vishnu, divine and spotless, the destroyer of others1 sin, having
sported in the locks of Shri Shiva, thereafter descending on
earth, through the power of the penance of Bhagiratha.
Shri Rama, proceeding towards the city of Shringavera, seeing
the queen of the ocean, the holy Gunga, where the songs of
the krauncha bird are heard, watching wave on wave rising on
the sacred stream, that mighty warrior, Rama, said to Sumantra :
" O Charioteer, let us lodge here. There, under the Ingudi
tree,1 laden with verdant leaves and blossom, let us rest. O
Benevolent One, let us linger by the mighty river, whose
auspicious waters are worshipped by the gods, the danavas,
serpents, beasts and birds, and let us offer homage there."
Sumantra and Lakshmana answering " Be it so ", stayed
the chariot under the Ingudi tree.
Arriving there, Shri Rama and Lakshmana descended from
the chariot and Sumantra, unyoking the horses, respectfully
seated himself facing Rama, at the foot of the tree.
The king of that country was one, Guha, dear to Rama as
his own life, by caste a ferryman, but possessing an army and
designated " King of Watermen ". Hearing that that lion
1 Ingudi tzee — sacred Fig Tree.
268
AYODHYA KANDA
among men, Shri Rama, had come to bis territory, he to-
gether with his aged minister and relatives went forth to meet
the prince. Shri Rama, seeing the chief of ferrymen, from a
distance, went with Lakshmana to meet and welcome him.
Perceiving Shri Rama to be in ascetic's garb, Guha, distressed,
bowing before him, said : " O Prince, let this small kingdom
be as Ayodhya to thee, please issue thy commands, I am at
thy service. O Mighty-armed One, it is rare to receive a guest
so deeply beloved ! "
Guha then brought excellent dishes of delicious foods,
together with the arghya and said : " We are thy servants and
thou art our lord, accept this kingdom and rule it as thine own.
Here are dishes of various kinds, desserts, liquids, spices,
excellent beds on which to rest and provender for the horses,
all at thy disposal."
Shri Rama answered : " 0 Guha, thou hast come to welcome
me on foot out of affection, by this I am duly honoured, I am
pleased with thee." Then taking him in his strong arms and
embracing him, Shri Rama addressed him in cheerful accents,
saying : " O Guha, through my good fortune I behold thee and
thy friends in good health. Is all well among thy people and
with thy possessions ? O Friend, having renounced the accept-
ance of gifts, I am not able to partake of what thou hast offered
me with love ; know that having assumed the robe of kusha grass
and the antelope skin, I live on fruit and roots ; X am the pro-
tector of dharma and my father's servant. Being an ascetic, I
may only accept a little grass for the horses and nothing beside —
by this alone, I am fully welcomed. These horses of my father
Dasaratha are dear to him, they having received oats, grass and
pure water, I am honoured in full measure."
On this, Guha commanded his servants to provide drink and
provender for the horses. Then Rama assuming a dress of bark
performed his evening devotions, drinking the water brought
by Shri Lakshmana. Then Lakshmana washed the feet of Rama
and Sita who had laid themselves down beneath the Ingudi tree
and seated himself respectfully near them. Guha with Sumantra
seated near Shri Lakshmana who, armed with bow and arrow,
carefully guarded Rama, spent the night in holy converse.
Rama, the wise and illustrious son of King Dasaratha, deserving
269
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
every comfort and who now, lying on the ground, suffered
adversity, passed the night undisturbed in deep sleep.
chapter 5 x
The night is spent on the bank of the sacred river
Guha addressed Shri Lakshmana who was humbly guarding
his royal brother, and said : " 0 Friend, rest at ease on this
soft bed prepared for thee. We are fitted for the forest life,
but thou accustomed to ease, rest now, we will watch during
the night and guard Shri Rama from harm, none is dearer to me
on earth, I swear to thee in truth. To gratify Shri Rama, I
will acquire fame, righteousness, wealth and pleasure.1 I, with
my bow and arrow, attended by my kindred, will watch over
Shri Rama, now asleep with Sita. Wandering daily in the forest,
nothing there is unknown to me, even if a powerful enemy
attacked me in the forest, I could withstand him."
Lakshmana answered : " I have full faith in the power of
thy protection, nor do I fear any, but how, forgetful of dharma,
can I refrain from watching over Shri Rama ? Beholding the
chief heir of Dasaratha, sovereign of the earth, lying on the
ground with the daughter of King Janaka, how should I dare
to rest while he is sleeping ? "
See Nishada2 ! That Mighty Prince, Shri Rama, whom none
dared challenge, sleeps on a bed of straw. That Great One
obtained by King Dasaratha by the merit of charity, austerity
and devotion, having become an ascetic, his aged sire will not
long survive and then will the earth become a widow. O
Nishada, I deem the women wailing and lamenting at our
departure have become silent and the royal palace also, but
I fear the king, Kaushalya and my mother, will not outlast
this night. Consoled by Shatrughna, my mother may endure
a little while, but Queen Kaushalya, the mother of this hero,
1 The four legitimate aim§ in life.
1 The Nishada is the mountain tribe to which Guha belonged.
AYODHYA KANDA
will surely yield up her life without Rama. Alas ! Ayodhya,
the repository of wealth and inhabited by those who love Rama,
will perish through the distress caused by the king's death.
How can the king live without beholding his beloved and
virtuous eldest son? Queen Kaushalya also will perish, nor
can my mother long survive Kaushalya's death. Alas ! The
whole structure of the king's purpose has fallen in ruins; desiring
to appoint Rama as his regent, he will leave this world still
cherishing this hope. He is fortunate who, attending the last
hours of the king, performs his obsequies — and then ranges
the city full of charming courts, palaces and temples with
intersecting streets where lovely courtesans are seen ; that city
abounding in splendid chariots, horses and elephants, resounding
with trumpets, possessing every amenity, filled with happy
people, enriched by parks and gardens where conferences and
joyous gatherings are held daily. When shall we, returning
from the forest, walk in the royal city ? May King Dasaratba
continue to live, so that we may behold that excellent monarch
on our return, with Shri Rama the Upholder of Truth."
Thus lamenting and afflicted, Shri Lakshmana, keeping watch
over Rama, passed the night. Prince Lakshmana uttering words
of truth and affection concerning his parents and elders,
spoke thus to Guha who, grieving and disquieted, wept like
an elephant in pain.
CHAPTER 52
Sumantra is ordered to return ; Shri Rama, Sita
and Lakshmana cross the holy river
The day having dawned, the broad-chested and illustrious Rama
addressed the virtuous Prince Lakshmana. " Lo ! the goddess
Night has fled and the sun is about to rise. O listen how the
blackbird is singing and the peacock's cry is heard in the forest.
Let us cross the swift-flowing Bhagirathi, which runs towards
the sea."
27X T
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Shri Lakshmana, hearing Shri Rama's command, standing
before his brother, called Guha and Sumantra. Guha divining
Shri Rama's purpose, summoned his ministers and said to them :
" Speedily bring a good boat, stout and strong, capable of taking
Shri Rama across."
The minister according to Guha's instruction brought an
excellent boat and said : " Sir, the boat is ready." Then Guha,
with joined palms, approaching Shri Rama thus addressed him :
" O Lord, thy boat is at hand, what further dost thou require
of me ? O Lion among men, O Prince, O Thou observer of
great vows, the boat capable of crossing the river flowing towards
the sea, is here, please enter it."
The glorious Prince Rama answered Guha saying : " Thou
hast supplied me with all I could desire, now place the baggage
on the boat." The princes donning their quivers, and bearing
their bows, came to the place where the boat was waiting.
Then Sumantra approaching the righteous Rama with bowed
head and joined palms, said : " What commands hast thou for
me, O Lord?" Touching Sumantra with his right hand,
Shri Rama replied: "O Virtuous Sumantra, now return to
the king and serve him with vigilance, I no longer need thee.
O Friend, leaving the chariot, I will enter the forest on foot."
Sumantra receiving the order to return, imagined himself
already separated from Rama and full of grief exclaimed : " O
Lord, none in the kingdom desires thee to enter the forest with
Sita and Lakshmana like a common man. When I behold thee,
compassionate and guileless, facing great adversity, I regard as
vain, compassion, simplicity, the brahmacharya vow and the
study of the Veda ! O Prince, dwelling in the forest with Sita
and Lakshmana will bring thee renown equal to one who
conquers the three worlds ; but we, separated from thee, O
Rama, are doomed and will fall under the sway of the sinful
Kaikeyi."
The wise Sumantra, certain of Rama's departure, filled with
distress, wept long and bitterly. At length, restraining his tears
he purified himself with water, and was then addressed by Rama
who spoke to him in gentle accents, saying: "Among the
ministers of the house of Ikshwaku, none is so kind a friend.
Wilt thou, therefore, act in such wise that the king be freed
27a
AYODHYA KANDA
from grief? The Lord of the earth is aged, his mind confused
and he is tormented with desire, therefore I ask thee to minister
unto him. Whatever the king commands, through affection
for Queen Kaikeyi, do thou perform. Kings rule to fulfil their
desires. O Sumantra, act in such a way that the kitfg be not
displeased, and that he may not sink under the weight of
affliction. When thou dost approach him, who was hitherto
a stranger to suffering, offer salutations on my behalf and say :
* Having renounced Ayodhya and entered the forest, Shri Rama,
Lakshmana and Sita suffer no distress ; fourteen years having
passed, thou shalt soon see them return ! *
" Deliver thus my message of affection again and again to
the king, to my mother Kaushalya, the other queens and also
Kaikeyi. Bowing to the feet of my mother Kaushalya, tell hei
that all is well with me and also with Sita and Lakshmana.
Advise the king to send for Bharata speedily and when he is
come, let him be installed as regent. Taking Prince Bharata
in thine arms, appoint him king ; thou shalt thus be freed from
the grief caused by this separation. Thereafter, let Bharata,
on my behalf be instructed to treat our mothers with equal
affection and with the same honour as is due to the king. Let
him look on Sumitra and my mother Kaushalya as his own
mother Kaikeyi. Do thou say : * If thou accept the kingdom
to please the king, thy fame and happiness in both worlds
are assured '."
Having spoken thus, Shri Rama desired to dismiss Sumantra
from his presence bearing the message, but the minister, deeply
distressed, addressed him, saying : " O Ramachandra, forgive
me if I utter words lacking in reverence, urged by my devotion
for thee, nor deem me to be a hypocrite. O Raghava, Ayodhya,
by thy departure, resembles one afflicted by the loss of a son,
how shall I return there without thee ? Seeing the chariot
without thee, the people will be filled with distress, the heart
of the city will be riven in twain. Though thou hast travelled
far, yet in the hearts of the citizens of Ayodhya thou art still
present with them. Assuredly the people have neither partaken
of food nor water in thine absence. At the time of thy departure,
O Prince, thou wast acquainted with their grief, and didst witness
their weeping and lamentation. On beholding the empty
273
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
chariot, their sorrow will be increased a thousandfold. On
returning to Ayodhya, with what words shall I address thy
mother ? Shall I say * I have left thy son at the home of thy
brother, do not grieve.' ? How can I utter such a falsehood,
yet how -can I relate the truth to her? Those noble steeds
that have drawn the chariot bearing thee, Lakshmana and Sita,
how shall they be driven without thee ? O Sinless Prince, I
cannot return to Ayodhya without thee, therefore let me remain
with thee in the forest. If in spite of my prayer, thou still
renouncest me, I will, with the chariot enter a blazing fire. O
Prince, whatever beings seek to frustrate thy life of devotion
in the forest, I will repel with my chariot. Through thee, I
am enabled to drive the chariot, now be gracious enough to let
me enter the forest with thee. Accept me, therefore, as thy
protector and let me enter the forest, I ask thee with exceeding
love. O Hero, should these excellent steeds serve thee in the
forest, they will acquire a high spiritual state. O Prince, by
whatever means I may serve thee in the forest, I would esteem it
more than residence in heaven or in Ayodhya. Without thee,
I am unable to return to the capital, as the sinful Indra was
unable to enter Amaravati. It is my highest desire when thy
period of exile shall be over to convey thee to the capital once
more. O Rama, fourteen years with thee will pass like a moment,
while without thee, they will seem like a thousand years.
O Friend of those devoted to thee, I have resolved to stay in
the forest with the son of my lord. How can'st thou abandon
thy devoted friend, who only seeks to do bis duty ? "
Thus repeatedly besought by the minister Sumantra, Shri
Rama answered him saying : " O Lover of thy Master, I know
of thy devotion to me, but hear the reasons which prompt me
to send thee hence to Ayodhya.
" Seeing thee return to the capital, my mother Kaikeyi,
convinced I have entered the forest will be satisfied and will
no longer reproach the king, charging him with falsehood and
unrighteousness. I desire that my mother Kaikeyi should enjoy
the prosperous kingdom governed by her son Bharata, therefore,
to please me, return to the capital and deliver the message with
which I have entrusted thee."
Thus Rama, offering explanation to Sumantra then spoke
274
AYODHYA KANDA
words of reason and encouragement to Guha, saying : " O Guha,
it is not propei for me to dwell in the forest in which my friends
reside, therefore, constructing a hut of leaves and twigs elsewhere
I will live as an ascetic. For the spiritual welfare of my
father, I, Sita and Lakshmana, with matted hair following the
ascetic discipline, will reside in the forest. Bring me, therefore,
the milk of the Bhurja tree.1 Guha obeyed the instruction of the
prince, whereupon Rama poured the viscous liquid on his own
head and also on the head of Lakshmana ! Thus Shri Rama,
that Lion among men, and his brother Lakshmana appeared as
ascetics and in their robes of bark with matted locks looked
charming. Taking the vow of brahmacharya, the two brothers
addressed Guha saying : " O Guha, do not neglect thine armies,
thy treasury, thy forces of defence and thy people. A kingdom
is governed through diligence and exertion."
Taking leave of Guha, Shri Rama with Sita and Lakshmana
went quickly towards the Ganges. Seeing the boat near the
bank of the swiftly flowing river and desirous of crossing over it,
Rama said to Lakshmana : " O Lion among men, hold the boat
firm and aid the gentle Sita to board it, then you, too, enter it."
Acting on his brother's command, Shri Lakshmana first
assisted the daughter of the King of Mithila and then boarded
the boat himself. Then the resplendent Rama followed, being
the last to enter and Guha ordered his servants to row them
over the sacred river.
Occupying his seat in the boat, Prince Rama began to recite
the Vedic mantra for the safe conduct of all. Performing the
Achmana2 ritual, he offered salutations to Shri Gunga and
Lakshmana also made obeisance to the sacred stream. Shri
Rama once more bade farewell to the charioteer, the army and
Guha, and asked the helmsman to row to the other side. The
boat moved swiftly to the sound of the oars.
Arriving in midstream, the delighted Sita, with joined palms,
adored Shri Gunga, saying : " O Gunga, may this son of
Dasaratha, obeying the commands of his father, be protected
by thee. May he, passing fourteen years in the forest, 'return
again with Lakshmana and myself. Then, O Devi, O Blessed
1 Bhurja tree — a ipecacs of birch.
1 Achmana — a purificatory ceremony.
*75
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Gunga, returning with them, I will worship thee. 0 Gunga,
thou art the fulfiller of pious desires. O Thou Tripartite
Goddess, reaching to the abode of Brahma, and appearing in
the mortal realm as the consort of the ocean king, O Beautiful
One, I bow down to thee and adore thee. When, returning
safely from the forest, Shri Rama occupies the throne, then I,
desiring to gratify thee, will give a hundred thousand cows,
abundant grain and beautiful apparel to the brahmins in charity.
Returning to Ayodhya, I will offer a sacrifice of a hundred jars
of wine and rice to thee. I will worship all the gods dwelling
on thy banks and all the sacred places such as Prayaga and Kashi.
O Sinless One, grant that Rama and Lakshmana, free from sin,
completing the term of their exile, return again to Ayodhya."
Thus worshipping the Gunga, the Promoter of delight, they
reached the further bank. Then Rama, chief of men, leaving
the boat on the southern shore, proceeded to the forest with
Lakshmana and Janaki, and addressed Shri Lakshmana, saying :
" O Son of Sumitra, do thou carefully protect Shri Sita in the
lonely and also the frequented areas of the forest We must
guard her in this unknown and uninhabited place, therefore,
O Lakshmana, do thou go before and let Sita follow thee, I will
walk behind to safeguard you both, let us defend each other,
O Prince. So far, Shri Sita has not made trial of her strength,
but from to-day she must endure the hardships of a forest life.
To-day, the daughter of King Janaka will enter the forest where
no man dwells, nor are there fields or gardens there, but hard
and arid ground with yawning chasms everywhere."
Shri Lakshmana, thus instructed, went ahead with Sita
following him, Shri Rama coming after.
Meantime, Sumantra, on the further bank, followed Raghava
with his eyes, and overcome with grief, wept bitterly. Shri
Rama, resplendent as the earth's guardians, giver of boons,
having crossed the river Gunga, came to the land of Batsya.
Thereafter, the two brothers hunted the deer and wild boar,
and other beasts and growing hungry, fed on roots and berries,
as ordained, resting at eventide beneath a tree.
276
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 5 3
Determined to follow their destiny they enter upon exile
The Delighter of the World, Shri Rama, sitting beneath a tree
performed his evening devotion (Sandhya) and then addressed
Shri Lakshmana thus : " O Brother, this is our first night in
the forest without Sumantra, do not be dispirited. From now
on at night but one of us shall sleep, since the protection of
Shri Sita is our care. O Lakshmana, gathering leaves and
grass, let us prepare a bed and lay ourselves down."
Shri Rama, accustomed to a sumptuous and princely couch,
lay that night on the bare earth. Conversing with Shri Laksh-
mana, he said : " O Lakshmana, it may be that King Dasaratha
slept fitfully this day, but Kaikeyi having realised her ambition,
is surely satisfied. I fear that she, avid for the kingdom, will
slay the king 'ere Bharata returns. The aged monarch is
defenceless, a slave to Kaikeyi and subject to desire; bereft
of me, how will the wretched king safeguard himself? Viewing
the king's downfall and his subjection in matters of desire, it
would seem that concupiscence is more powerful than wealth
or virtue. O Brother, what foolish man, swayed by a woman,
would abandon an obedient son like me? Bharata alone is
fortunate, who, with his consort, having acquired Ayodhya,
will enjoy the kingdom.
" Prince Bharata will become the ruler of the whole empire
since the life of the king is drawing to its close and I have
entered the forest. He who gives up righteousness and dis-
regarding prosperity, seeks to gratify his desires, like King
Dasaratha, falls a prey to sorrow. O Handsome Prince, I deem
that Kaikeyi entered our house to destroy the king, to send me
into exile and to install Bharata as ruler of the kingdom. O
Brother, I fear that Kaikeyi, blinded by power, may persecute
Kaushalya and Sumitra, they being our mothers. Do thou,
lest Kaushalya and Sumitra suffer, go to Ayodhya, for my sake.
I, with Sita, will enter the Dandaka forest. Go thou to Ayodhya
and become the protector of the defenceless Queen Kaushalya.
The evilly-disposed Kaikeyi, through enmity to us, may cause
277
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
injury to our mothers. O Lakshmana, assuredly in some
previous birth, my mother has deprived other women of their
sons and is reaping the fruit of that action in this life. Woe
unto me, that I should have to abandon my mother who nurtured
me with exceeding love and should now enjoy felicity. O
Lakshmana, may no woman give birth to a son like me, who am
the source of infinite distress to my mother. O Brother, a
maina1 taught by me, cried in the hearing of my mother, ' Bite
the enemy's foot while you are in his mouth \a O Lakshmana,
my unfortunate mother is to-day sunk in an ocean of grief and I
am not able to succour her. Better it were that she had had
no son ! Assuredly she is an object of compassion, mourning
in my separation. Alas ! what extremity of grief is hers to-day !
O Lakshmana, should I give way to wrath, I were able to subdue
the world not to speak of Ayodhya, but for the upholding of
righteousness, I may not demonstrate my power. Should I do
so, I should incur sin and endanger the life hereafter ; never
will I take the kingdom by force."
Thus lamenting in the lonely forest, Rama, abandoning
restraint, passed the night in tears.
When, ceasing to lament, Lakshmana beheld Rama like an
extinguished fire or a calm sea, he thus addressed him : " O
Great Hero, deprived of thee, Ayodhya is without splendour,
as the night, at the setting of the sun, but, O Rama, it is unworthy
of thee to grieve, sapping the courage of Sita and myself.
Like fish without water, we cannot live an instant without thee.
O Great One, I do not desire to see my father, my brother
Shatrughna or my mother Sumitra, nor even heaven itself."
Hearing the words of Lakshmana, full of good counsel, Shri
Ramachandra arose and seated himself by Sita on the bed of
leaves. Determined to follow his destiny, Shri Rama entered
upon the period of exile. From that day, the two great princes
of the house of Raghu dwelt in the lonely forest, serene and
fearless like two lions dwelling on the summit of a mountain.
1 Maina or Mina — a small pcrcha, the size of a sparrow, able to repeat words.
1 The meaning is Rama had a bird which was taught to speak. Seeing aparrot
caught by a hawk, it cried out : " O, Parrot, bite the enemy's foot ." (That it,
before you are devoured.)
278
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 54
They spend the night at Prayaga in the hermitage of the Sage
As the sun rose in a cloudless sky, having passed the night
under a banyan tree, they set out from thence and proceeded
to where the Gunga and the Yamuna meet, flowing through
the vast forest. The two illustrious brothers journeying
onwards beheld beautiful vistas in the forest, hitherto unseen
by them, and they, sometimes reclining at ease, delighted in
the blossoming trees. The day being nearly over, Shri Rama
said to the son of Sumitra : " O Lakshmana, look towards
Prayaga,1 smoke is rising like the fire-god's banner ; undoubt-
edly, it is a sign that the hermitage of holy Bharadwaja is near.
We have assuredly reached the junction of the Gunga and
Yamuna, the sound of these mighty rivers clashing together
is clearly heard. Wood-cutters have hewn the logs from mighty
trees and many are cut down in the hermitage of the holy sage."
Conversing thus, as the sun was setting, the two great archers
reached the confluence of the Gunga and Yamuna, and the
hermitage of Bharadwaja. Desiring to look upon the holy sage,
they halted respectfully at some little distance from the place.
Then Rama slowly and reverently entered the hermitage,
beholding there the omniscient Sage Bharadwaja of mighty vows,
the conqueror of time by sacred discipline. Surrounded by his
disciples, offering oblations into the holy fire, they beheld the
rishi, and Rama with Sita and Lakshmana paid obeisance to him.
Rama said : " O Blessed and Mighty Sage, we are Rama and
Lakshmana, the sons of King Dasaratha, and this, my wife,
is the daughter of Videha's King, this fortunate one is following
me to the lonely Tapovana. My royal sire has sent me into
exile and the son of Sumitra, my younger brother, ever dear
to me, taking the brahmacharya vow, has followed me. O
Blessed Lord, fulfilling the behests of our father, we shall enter
the sacred forest and, practising dharma, live on roots and
berries."
1 Prayaga — The confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna, a lacied spot.
279
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The virtuous sage, Bharadwaja, hearing the words of Prince
Rama, offering them madhupaika1 together with the arghya,
and water wherewith to wash their feet, thereafter gave them
various roots and fruits. Then the holy sage prepared a resting
place for them. The Maharishi Bharadwaja, seated amidst the
deer and birds, thus honoured Rama, enquiring as to bis welfare.
Rama receiving the worship of the great rishi, reflected on the
words spoken to him : " O Prince, I behold thee after a long
time, I have heard that thou wast exiled without cause. Remain
here at ease and in peace, at this sacred and pleasant place
where the two great rivers meet.'*
Shri Rama, ever devoted to the good of all, answered : " O
Lord, thy hermitage is close to the abodes of men and many
will come hither to gaze on Sita and myself. I therefore do
not deem it wise to linger here. O Blessed One, do thou inform
me of a lonely place, where Sita, the daughter of Janaka, may
live in happiness."
In gentle accents Shri Bharadwaja replied : " O Child, ten
miles from here, there is a mountain, purified by the presence
of many sages who dwell there, beautiful and pleasing to the
sight, there do thou abide. Monkeys, bears and chimpanzees
wander there freely. That mountain is Chittrakuta, delightful
as Gandhamadana. Those beholding the peaks of Chittrakuta,
obtain spiritual merit, their minds admit no sin and, living there,
they win divine rewards. Many sages, performing austerities
there for thousands of years, have entered heaven in their
embodied state. 0 Rama, this lovely place is a fit residence
for thee, I deem, if thou will not remain here with me until the
period of thine exile be past." Thus Bharadwaja honoured
Rama with Sita and Lakshmana offering them every mark of
hospitality due to their royal state. So in the hermitage of
the great sage at Prayaga, Rama spent the night in converse
on ancient times. Relieved of weariness, Shri Rama with
Lakshmana and Sita passed the night pleasantly in the sacred
hermitage. When morning dawned, Shri Ramachandra,
approaching the great sage made resplendent by virtue of austere
practices, thus addressed him : " O Thou devoted to truth,
1 Madhuparka — A traditional offering, a mixture of curds, butter, honey
and the milk of coconut.
280
AYODHYA KANDA
we have passed the night at ease in thy hermitage now grant us
leave to depart to the place appointed by thee."
Shri Bharadwaja then made answer. " O Rama, set out for
the mountain Chittrakuta abounding in honey, roots and fruit,
worthy to be thy dwelling, covered with trees and the abode
of heavenly beings ; there, peacocks cry and mighty tuskers
roam. Go then to that sacred place, which is pleasant and filled
with fruit and flowers, and where elephants and deer wander
through the woods. There, lingering with Sita by the springs
and waterfalls, the mountain slopes and peaceful caves, thy mind
will find delight. O Rama, do thou depart to dwell on that
high and lovely mountain thronged with elephants and various
beasts, where the tittibha1 and the kokila* sing."
chapter 55
They cross the Yamuna and travel on
Shri Rama and Lakshmana, the conquerors of their foes, having
passed the night in Prayaga, offered obeisance to the sage and
proceeded towards Chittrakuta. On their departure, Shri
Bharadwaja gave them his blessing as a father blesses his son
and addressing Rama, that hero of the region of truth, said :
" O Great One, proceeding west of the junction of the rivers,
on the bank of the Yamuna, which flows into the swiftly-moving
Gunga, thou wilt find a worn-out ferryboat. Do thou pass over
the stream by means of a rod to which, at either end, an
upturned pitcher is hung. On the opposite shore, thou wilt
behold a mighty green-leaved fig-tree surrounded by many
others. The leaves of this tree are of a dark green hue and it
is frequented by siddhas. Reaching that place, do thou, with
Janaki pray for the accomplishment of thy legitimate desires.
Rest there awhile, then pass beyond it ; reaching Nilvan at a
mile's distance, there many sala, jamnu and badri3 trees are seen,
1 Tittibhm — A bird Parra Jacana or GocnsU.
1 Kokila — The black or Indian cuckoo.
* Sala, jamnu and badri trees — for trees see separate glossary.
28l
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
that is the way to Chittrakuta and often have I journeyed on
that path. Beautiful it is and fixe from thorns and there is
no danger there of a forest fire."
After pointing out the way to Shri Rama, the sage turned back
to his own hermitage.
Offering salutations to the saint, Shri Rama, having taken
his leave, said to Lakshmana : " O Lakshmana, surely we are
fortunate in that the holy Rishi has treated us so graciously."
Conversing thus, the two princes proceeded onwards, Shri Sita
walking before them, and came to the bank of the swiftly-flowing
Yamuna. Then they began to consider how they should pass
over it, and collecting some wood constructed a raft, tying
together lengths of dried bamboo and filling the interstices
with kusha grass. Then Lakshmana, spreading the branches
of jambu and vettas trees, made Sita a comfortable seat. Shri
Sita shyly holding the hand of her lord, Shri Rama placed his
Beloved on the raft with her clothing and ornaments beside her.
Thereafter placing the axes and the chest covered with deerskins,
containing their weapons there, the two brothers began to sail.
Arriving in mid-stream, Shri Sita, bowing low, prayed to the
holy river saying : " O Devi, forgive us for passing over thee,
grant that my lord may fulfil his vow without obstructions.
When I return, to please thee I will offer a thousand cows
in charity." Then with joined palms, she said : " May the
Lord of the House of Ikshwaku return in peace to the
capital."
Having crossed the rippling Yamuna, the swift daughter of
the sun, they reached its southern bank; there abandoning the
raft, they entered the woods and the river bank and came to
the heavily shadowed fig tree.
Shri Sita said : " O Mighty Tree, I make obeisance to thee,
may my lord fulfil his vow, so that I may again behold Shri
Kaushalya and Queen Sumitra."
Then Sita circumambulated the tree with reverence and Rama
beholding the lovely Sita praying for his welfare, said to
Lakshmana : " Do thou go forward with Sita of whom no ill
word has ever been uttered, who is ever obedient to me and is
dearer than life itself. 0 Chief of Men, I, with my weapons
will follow after. Whatever fruit or flower the daughter of
282
AYODHYA KANDA
Janaka may desire in the forest, do thou gather for her, so that
her mind may find delight,"
Shri Sita, between the two princes, walked like a female
elephant guarded by two tuskers ; the daughter of Janaka,
beholding many things, formerly unknown to her, questioned
Rama concerning every tree, shrub and climbing plant. Seeing
many beautiful trees covered with blossom, Shri Lakshmana
brought the princess all she desired. Viewing the river and its
sandy banks caressed by the waves, where swans and cranes
called, Shri Sita was filled with happiness.
Having travelled some distance, the two valiant brothers slew
many deer for food, then, with Sita, passed through the pleasant
woods, ringing with the cries of peacocks and frequented by
elephants and monkeys.
Perceiving a delightful and sheltered place which found
favour with Sita, they lodged there free from fear.
CHAPTER 56
They reach the mountain Chittrakuta and build a hut
The night being past, Shri Rama, slowly waking, roused the
sleeping Lakshmana and addressed him, saying : " O Laksh-
mana, how beautiful are the parrots, cuckoos, mainas and other
birds which are heard here ! O Parantapa,1 this is the hour
to pursue our journey, let us go hence, O Prince ! "
Shri Lakshmana, renouncing sleep, shook off his drowsiness
and rose refreshed. All of them rising and bathing in the river
Yamuna, offered up their morning prayers. Then, taking the
path through the palasa* forest, they proceeded towards Chitt-
rakuta as directed by the holy sage.
Walking with Lakshmana, Rama now spoke to the lotus-eyed
Sita, saying : " O Daughter of King Videha, see how the spring
has dressed the palasa trees in sweet-scented blossom, these
1 Parantapa — Oppressor of the enemy.
* Palais or Palauut or Panata — bread fruit.
283
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
crimson flowers glowing like fire and the branches decked with
flowers as if adorned with garlands. How rich in bloom are
the bilwa1 trees untouched by man who is not able to approach
them. Here we can easily gather food. See, O Lakshmana,
hanging on the trees, the honeycombs at least a drona* in size,
covered with bees. How charmingly the waterbird is singing
and the peacock answering with its call, and look ! the earth
is half concealed with flowers. Here are the lofty peaks of
Chittrakuta where countless birds sing and herds of elephants
wander. Somewhere on Chittrakuta a level field must he midst
groves of trees, a pure and stainless place, where we will dwell."
The two brothers, in company with Sita, conversing thus,
reached the pleasant and captivating mountain of Chittrakuta.
Coming to that place, on which there were birds of many
kinds, abounding in various roots and pleasant fruits and clear
transparent pools, Rama said to Lakshmana : " O Gentle
Brother, how pleasant is this hill covered with shady trees,
creepers and fruits of many kinds, appearing delightful and
where we may abide unmolested. Within the forest, many sages
dwell, this place is meet to be our hermitage."
Thus resolving, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita came to the
hermitage of the Sage Valmiki and, with reverence, offered
obeisance to him. The virtuous sage, full of joy, paid homage
to them, asking them to be seated saying : " You are most
welcome ! "
Shri Rama, presenting himself together with his brother and
Sita, related the cause of his exile to the sage and then addressed
Lakshmana, saying : " O Brother, bring strong wood and let us
build a hut in this place. O Excellent Prince, here do I wish
to dwell."
Shri Lakshmana thereupon brought many pieces of wood,
hewn from the trees, and erected a hut thatched with leaves.
When Shri Rama beheld that firm and pleasant hut furnished
with a door, he said to the devoted Lakshmana: " O Lakshmana,
bring venison with which we may worship the deity of the
dwelling-place 1 Since we purpose to live here long, we should
enter it with peaceful intention I O Son of Sumitra, having
1 Bilwa — bel tree or wood apple. — Aegle Marmdas.
1 Prona — a measure of corn approximately 99 pound*.
284
AYODHYA KANDA
killed a black deer, bring it here speedily. Let us follow the
scriptural ordinance in this matter."
Shri Lakshmana, having obeyed his brother's command, Rama
said : " Now dress the meat and we will offer it as a sacrifice.
Hasten, O Brother, this is an auspicious hour."
The illustrious son of Sumitra slew a black antelope and
roasted it in the flames. When it was dressed and the blood
drained from it, Lakshmana addressed Raghava, saying : " O
Godlike One, I have prepared the flesh of the black deer, now
offer up the sacrifice to propitiate the god."
The devout and resplendent Rama, skilled in silent prayer
and sacrifice, having bathed, recited the holy texts, offering
homage to the gods, then entered the hut, his heart filled with
joy. Having adored Rudra and Vishnu for the purification of
the dwelling, he read the Peace Chant and other propitiatory
prayers. Repeating the japa1 and bathing in the river, he offered
oblations for the expiation of sins. He then erected altars in
the eight directions for the worship of different gods and
gratifying the deities presiding over the elements with offerings
of flowers, garlands, fruits, cooked meats and the recitation of
Vedic mantrans, he, together with Sita, entered the delightful
hut, thatched with leaves, set up in a suitable place, sheltered
from the wind.
Shri Rama, of subdued senses, dwelt happily in that habita-
tion, built in the forest, the abode of beasts and birds, abounding
in trees and flowers, where elephants wandered and the cries
of wild beasts re-echoed.
Living on the pleasant mountain, Chittrakuta, by the banks
of the river Malati, Rama forgot the capital and remembered
his renunciation no more.
1 Japa — silent prayer— -usually the repetition of a sacred formula.
285
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 57
Sumantra returns to the stricken city of Ayodhya
Separated from Rama, Guha was filled with distress. Con-
versing long with the charioteer, he perceived Rama reach the
southern shore, and turned homewards.
Sumantra hearing fully from the men of Shrangverpira of
Rama's arrival at Prayaga, his meeting and residence with the
Rishi Bharadwaja and his journey towards Chittrakuta, bade
farewell to Guha and yoking his horses to the chariot, with a
sorrowful heart, started for Ayodhya. Speedily passing through
flower-laden forests and viewing the rivers, pools, villages and
towns, he reached the stricken city of Ayodhya on the evening
of the third day. Seeing the silent city, he reflected : " Has
the city with its sovereign, men, elephants and horses been
consumed by the fire of grief, caused by the separation from
Rama?"
Pondering thus, in his swiftly borne chariot, Sumantra reached
the gate of the inner city and entered it. There innumerable
people rushed towards the chariot and surrounding it, cried :
" Where is Shri Rama ? " " Where is Shri Rama ? " and
Sumantra answered : " Having reached the banks of the Gunga,
the virtuous Rama ordered me to return, therefore, I have come."
Then the people, finding Rama had crossed the sacred river,
their eyes filled with tears, sighing heavily, cried : " O Rama,
O Rama ! " and all exclaimed with one voice, " Alas ! We
are deprived of the sight of Rama, we are destroyed ! We shall
no more behold Rama, the distributor of gifts and performer
of sacrifices, who sat in our assemblies and who resembled the
beautifully adorned Meru mountain ! Alas ! Where is Shri
Rama, our protector, acquainted with the need of each and the
happiness of all!"
Then Sumantra, proceeding further, heard on every side,
through the lattices of the houses the wailing of women
mourning for Rama and hearing their lamentations on the royal
highway, the charioteer, covering his face, passed quickly on
towards the palace of the king.
286
AYODHYA KANDA
Descending with all speed from his chariot, he passed beyond
the seven gates and entered the royal residence. Seeing
Sumantra return alone, the women, seated at the balconies and
windows of the palace, seven-stories high, languishing in Rama's
separation, broke into loud lamentations. Exchanging glances,
their eyes streaming with tears, in broken accents they gave
expression to their grief. He heard, too, the feeble wailing
of the queens ofKingDasaratha, saying: " What will Sumantra,
who went forth with Rama and has returned alone, say to the
stricken Queen Kaushalya ? Surely the human soul suffers pain
and anxiety more readily than joy, since Queen Kaushalya still
lives separated from Rama."
Hearing the words of the queens and weighed down with
sorrow, Sumantra entered the residence of the king and passing
through the eighth door beheld in the white chamber, the
wretched king, disconsolate and wasted with grief on account of
bis son. Approaching the king seated there, Sumantra making
obeisance to him delivered the message entrusted to him by
Shri Rama.
The king heard it in silence, his mind agitated with pain
and grief and fell unconscious to the earth. The queens, seeing
the king fallen in a swoon, lifted him in their arms and covered
him with tears. Kaushalya and Sumitra raising the fallen
monarch from the ground addressed him, saying : " O Thou
Fortunate One, why dost thou not answer the messenger of Rama
who has accomplished his arduous task? O King, having
exiled Rama, why art thou now full of shame ? Arise, there is
no cause for this distress. O Lord, Queen Kaikeyi is not here,
in fear of whom thou dost not dare address Sumantra. Speak
without fear."
Thus exhorting the king, Queen Kaushalya fell insensible,
her throat choked on account of her grief.
The ladies of the court and the other queens, perceiving
Kaushalya lying on the ground lamenting, began to weep aloud.
Then all the people of Ayodhya, old and young, hearing the
wailing from the inner apartments of the palace, broke into
lamentation, as on the day when Rama had left the city.
2?7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 58
He delivers Skri Rama*s message to the king
The king, recovering consciousness after a while, summoned
the royal charioteer and turned his gaze upon him. Sumantra
reverently approached the aged monarch who was grieving and
restless, and sighing heavily like a newly-captured elephant.
Then the afflicted sovereign spoke to Sumantra who was most
miserable, his body covered with dust, his eyes suffused with
tears, and said : " O Charioteer, that virtuous one, worthy of
every comfort and happiness will now be seeking refuge under
a tree. O ! What will be his food ? How will Rama, the son
of King Dasaratha, who merits no suffering, who is worthy of
resting on a royal couch, sleep as one orphaned, on the bare
earth ? How can that prince, formerly accompanied by soldiers
and elephants, and whose chariot was drawn by matchless steeds,
now sleep in the lonely forest ? How will Rama and Sita be
able to dwell in the forest abounding with pythons and other
wild beasts ? O Sumantra, how can the tender and sorrow-
stricken Sita with the two princes, abandoning the chariot,
walk barefooted in the forest ? O Charioteer, thou art fortunate
in that thou hast seen the two princes wandering in the forest
like the Ashwini Kumaras on the mountain Mandara. O
Sumantra, when they entered the forest, what did Rama say ?
What did Lakshmana say ? What did Sita say ? O Charioteer,
tell me fully of Rama's dwelling, his sleeping and his eating,
thus shall I live a Httle longer, like King Yayati of old, on hearing
the words of the sadhus."
Thus questioned by his royal master, Sumantra, his throat
choked, his speech broken by sobs, replied : ** 0 Great King,
Shri Rama, the Upholder of righteousness, reverently joining
his palms and bowing his head, said : * On my command, offer
salutations again and again to the most praiseworthy sovereign,
renowned far and wide in the world as highly virtuous, and to
all the men and women of the inner apartment, carry tidings
of my welfare with salutations befitting their rank. Convey
the news of my welfare to my mother Kaushalya, with my
288
AYODHYA KANDA
deepest respect and admonish her not to neglect her duty. Let
her practise dharma and tend the sacrificial pavilion. Say to
her : ' O Goddess, honour the king, my father, as thou wouldst
a God. Abandoning family pride and royal prerogative,
serve my other mothers attentively. Kaikeyi is the king's
favourite, do thou attend to her as to the king himself.* "
" O King, Shri Rama has instructed Prince Bharata thus :
' Let it be known to the prince, that I am well and instruct him
to treat all his mothers with justice. Tell the illustrious Prince
Bharata that, though regent, he must continue in obedience
to his royal father. The king is far advanced in years, let not
Prince Bharata proclaim himself king. Let him obey the king
and act as co-adjutor.' " " Shri Rama charged me with tears,
saying : ' Let Bharata look upon my beloved mother as his
own.' The mighty armed and highly illustrious Rama of lotus
eyes addressing me thus, wept aloud.
"Then Shri Lakshmana growing wrath and sighing heavily,
said : ' What fault has this noble prince committed to be exiled ?
Assuredly the king has agreed to the foolish desire of Queen
Kaikeyi, granting her boons without considering if they were
proper or improper, through which we are all involved in misery.
If Rama has suffered exile to satisfy the stupidity of Queen
Kaikeyi, then assuredly it is an evil act. Even if the gods
decreed the exile of Rama, I see no reason for it. Acting with
imperfect understanding the king regardless of consequences
has banished Rama which will surely cause him untold suffering.
I see no parental affection in the king ; to me Shri Ramachandra
is brother, master, relative and father. The darling of the whole
world, Shri Ramachandra, devoted to the good of all, has been
banished, how can the people approve this act ? Having, in
opposition to the will of the people, exiled Shri Ramachandra,
who is virtuous and beloved, how can he claim to be a
king?
"The sagacious Janaki, O King, stood mute, her eyes fixed
and vacant, like one possessed by a spirit That illustrious
daughter of Janaka, unacquainted with suffering, wept with
grief and was unable to speak. Seeing the countenance of her
lord wet with tears, her mouth became parched, and gazing at
me, she wept bitterly. Thus Shri Rama, his face drawn with
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
grief, supported by Lakshmana, addressed me, seated in the
royal chariot, while the ascetic Sita fixed her gaze on me in
silence."
chapter 59
The king bewailing the absence of Rama is drowning in a sea
of sorrow
Sumantra said : " O King^when Shri^Rama entered the forest,
I returned and the weary horses halting, stood still, showing
signs of distress. Offering obeisance to the two princes, I
mounted the chariot and restraining my grief, went forward,
remaining a few days with Guha, in the hope that Shri Rama
might call me again and take me with him.
" O King, turning homewards, I beheld the very trees filled
with distress, their tender shoots, buds and flowers being
withered ! The water in the pools and rivers was slowly ebbing
away, the leaves in the woods were falling and the beasts were
motionless, the restless elephants no longer wandered here and
there. Afflicted by Rama's separation, the forest had become
silent. O King, the waters in the ponds had grown turbid and
the lotuses had submerged themselves, being unable to bear the
severance from Rama. The fishes and water fowl had deserted
their accustomed haunts and the aquatic plants and those that
grew on land no longer gave forth their fragrant scents, while
their fruits were devoid of taste. Gardens were bereft of beauty
and birds sat motionless in the woods.
" Entering Ayodhya, none appeared to be happy and the
citizens beholding the royal chariot without Rama were perpetu-
ally sighing. O Lord, seeing, from a distance, the chariot
returning without Rama, all were plunged in grief. The women
of the city, from their windows, balconies and roofs, seeing the
chariot without Rama, broke into lamentation. With tears falling
from their unpainted eyes, full of distress, they withdrew their
gaze from all. To-day, I am unable to distinguish friend or foe
290
AYODHYA KANDA
owing to grief. All men together with elephants and horses,
join in the suffering and mourning, all are afflicted in Rama's
separation ! The city of Ayodhya, neglected and wretched,
resembles Queen Kaushalya bereft of her son ! "
Hearing these words, the king became agitated and in trembl-
ing accents addressed the charioteer : " O Sumantra, deeply
penitent am I, that without deliberating with my able counsellors
and elders, I granted the boons to the evil-minded Kaikeyi,
under the sway of Manthara. This unpremeditated act was
performed by me, inspired by my desire for Kaikeyi, without
consultation with my friends and ministers. O Sumantra, this
great calamity is the result of fate and will destroy the House
of Ikshwaku. O Charioteer ! If I have ever done any good
to thee, then take me to Shri Ramachandra soon ; my life is
fast ebbing from my body, or do thou go to the forest and cause
Rama to return, if he be still obedient to me. If that Mighty
One be gone far from here, then take me in the chariot and
drive there speedily ; I desire to look on him but once more.
Where is Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, whose teeth
resemble the water lilies and who is a mighty warrior ? If I am to
live, I must see that virtuous one. If I do not behold Rama with
reddened eyes, wearing beautiful earrings, set with jewels, I shall
assuredly perish. O ! What can exceed my pain, that, at the
moment of death, I am unable to see Rama, the hero of the
House of Ikshwaku ? O Rama, O Lakshmana, O Patient Sita,
you do not know that I am dying in bitter anguish."
The king, his mind drowned in the sea of sorrow, cried :
" O Kaushalya, that ocean of misery caused by Rama's separation
is fathomless, severance from Sita are its shores, deep sighs
are the whirlpools rendered turbid by my tears, the stretching
of the arms are its restless motion, lamentations are the sound
of its thunder, dishevelled hair are the weeds, the words of
Manthara are the crocodiles and Kaikeyi is the tire in its depths,
the unscaleable cliffs are the boons which sent Rama to the forest.
Without Rama, I am sinking in this bottomless sea, living, I am
unable to cross over it. I desire to see Rama and Lakshmana
this day, but alas 1 I am unable to obtain my desire, as a result
of some great sin formerly committed by me."
Thus complaining, the king fell senseless on the couch. The
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
monarch, bewailing the absence of Rama, swooned away. Hear-
ing the king's words, the mother of Rama, Queen Kaushalya,
was seized with fear.
CHAPTER 60
The charioteer attempts to console Queen Kaushalya
Queen Kaushalya, lying trembling on the ground like one dead
or possessed by an evil spirit, now said to the charioteer : " O
Sumantra, take me to the place where Rama, Lakshmana and
Janaki dwell ! Life without them, even for a moment, is vain.
Speedily return there in thy chariot, either I must follow them or
enter the region of death."
Shri Sumantra, weeping and distressed, respectfully sought
to console the Queen, saying : " O Lady, abandon disquiet,
infatuation and anxiety born of grief! Shri Rama will live
happily in the forest ! Prince Lakshmana, self-subdued,
serving Rama and living in accordance with virtue will fashion
for himself an auspicious future. In the solitary forest, Shri
Sita, her mind wholly centered on Rama in devotion, will live
without fear, as in her own home. I see no lack of courage
in Princess Sita, it would appear that she was born to reside
in a strange land. As in former days, she enjoyed the parks
and gardens, so does she now enjoy the uninhabited forest. Sita,
whose countenance resembles the full moon, her mind absorbed
in Rama, depending on him, sports in the forest ; with her
heart and mind centred on him, she would hold this great capital
no better than a wilderness without Rama. Walking in the
forest, seeing the_ villages, rivers, towns and various kinds of
trees, she enquires of Rama concerning their history and origin.
To her, the forest is a pleasure garden in the neighbourhood
of Ayodhya. This I remember of Sita, but what she said of
Kaikeyi now slips my mind."
Sumantra, carefully withholding the reference to Kaikeyi
which had escaped from him through inadvertence and in order
aoa
AYODHYA KANDA
to propitiate Queen Kaushalya, addressed her further, saying :
" The lustre of the face of Janata is not marred by the fatigue'
of the journey or the winds or through fear of dangerous beasts
or through the heat of the sun. The countenance of the
Princess, resembling the full moon is not impaired by residence
in the forest. Her feet, no longer painted with vermilion,
appear as fresh as lotuses.
The princess ever exceedingly devoted to Rama, has not put
off her ornaments, but with her tinkling anklets trips happily
along, causing the very swans to envy her. Depending on the
power of Shri Rama, she suffers no fear at the sight of a lion
or tiger in the forest. O Lady, there is no cause for grief
for these three or for the king or thyself. The self-imposed exile
of Shri Rama, in obedience to his father's command, will remain
a subject for veneration to the whole world, as long as the sun
and moon abide. Having banished sorrow, Shri Rama pursuing
the path trodden by the sages, living on fruits and berries,
fulfils the behest of his sire."
Though consoled by the charioteer, Queen Kaushalya, torn
with grief, in the separation from her son, cried out : " O My
Darling, O My Son, O Rama," and continued to weep.
chapter 6 x
Queen Kaushalya reproaches the fang
The virtuous Rama, the upholder of dharma, having departed,
Queen Kaushalya weeping bitterly, addressed her royal consort :
" O King, Thy fair name is known throughout the three worlds ;
thou art esteemed compassionate, charitable and of gentle speech.
Yet, O Great One, tell me, how will thy two sons, brought up
in ease together with Sita, be able to endure the forest life ?
How will the young and tender Sita, worthy of happiness,
endure heat and cold? How will that large-eyed princess,
who lived on dishes prepared by skilful cooks, sustain life
on the wild lentils of the forest ? How will she, accustomed
293
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to the sweet strains of music, be able to bear the roaring of
man-eating lions ? How will the two mighty princes, whose
arms resemble the rainbow,1 sleep on the ground, pillowing
their heads on their arms. O When will I again behold the
lotus face of Rama, framed in beautiful locks, whose eyes are
like the water-lily and whose breath is fragrant as the nymphoea ?
Surely my heart must be as hard as a diamond that it does
not break into a thousand pieces, bereft of Rama. 0 King,
in banishing thy children, thou hast been merciless. Worthy
of every comfort, they are now wandering aimlessly in the forest.
Should Rama return, after fourteen years, will Prince Bharata
restore the kingdom and the treasure to him ? If those inviting
the pious and learned brahmins to the funeral sacrifice, first serve
their poor and deserving relations and subsequently the brahmins
these will not accept the food of that sacrifice, renouncing it
like wine. The learned brahmins regard it as a mark of
disrespect to be served even with that in which other brahmins
have already participated, which is like a bull shorn of its horns,
of lesser worth. O Master of thy People, will not Rama even
thus disdain the kingdom enjoyed by his younger and un-
deserving brother? A lion will not eat the food killed by
another, neither will Rama accept that which has already been
enjoyed by others. As the libations, butter, kusha grass and
pillars employed in the sacrifice, are not used again, so will Rama
not accept a kingdom which resembles a sacrifice without soma.*
Shri Rama will never suffer this indignity, as a lion will not
suffer the twisting of its tail. Do not all fear Rama as he appears
on the battlefield? He, himself, is righteous, indicating the
path of virtue to others, never will he seize the kingdom by force !
Is not the mighty-armed Rama with his golden shafts, able to
destroy all living beings and dry up the sea ? Yet to-day, that
Rama, powerful as a lion, is rendered impotent at the king's
command, as the spawn of fishes is devoured by their parents ?
O King, hadst thou regarded the scriptures and the eternal laws,
observed and inculcated by the learned sages, thy virtuous son
had not been exiled by thee. O Lord, the first support of a
woman is her husband, the second is her son, the third her
1 Probably in their span.
1 Soma — a sacred libation offered to the gods.
294
AYODHYA KANDA
relatives, but a fourth she has not ! Thou hast ceased to regard
me as thine, thou hast banished my son Rama, and I may not
follow him and leave thee desolate. O Lord, thou hast destroyed
me utterly ! O King, thou hast brought disaster on thy
counsellors, the whole kingdom, the ministers and thyself, and
I with my son and all the citizens of Ayodhya are utterly ruined."
Hearing the bitter reproaches of his consort, the king, reflecting
on the cause of this calamity, overwhelmed with grief, fell
senseless, drowned in the sea of sorrow.
CHAPTER 62
The king is overcome with grief
Filled with anguish on hearing the harsh words of Queen
Kaushalya, the king began to reflect on what could be done.
Regaining consciousness, he sighed heavily and began to ponder
within himself. He then remembered how, formerly, he had
slain a young ascetic inadvertently by a sound-directed arrow,
in the forest.
The monarch was now subject to a dual cause of grief, the
recollection of his former evil deed and his banishment of Rama.
Thus afflicted, with bowed head, the king addressed the queen
in faltering tones : " O Kaushalya, ever compassionate to thine
enemies, I entreat thee, with joined palms, not to look on me
with hostility. O Lady, to the wife, the husband is a deity
be he virtuous or worthless, this is the eternal law. I know
thee to be wise and acquainted with what is proper and improper,
it is not meet that thou shouldst utter these wounding words.**
Hearing this plaintive speech, tears welled from the eyes of
the queen like tailing rain and taking his hands in hers, she
addressed the king, saying : " O Lord, do not grieve, be at peace,
see, I lay my head at thy feet, do not entreat me, it is as death
to me I I have spoken what ought not to be uttered, pardon
my transgression 1 That woman is not nobly bred* who expects
295
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
her lord to solicit her with humble words. O Sire, I am
acquainted with a woman's duty and I know thee to be a lover
of virtue. What I have said was uttered involuntarily through
distress on account of my son. Grief destroys patience, grief
destroys the understanding, there is nothing more destructive
than grief! The blow of an unknown enemy may be endured
but the distress arising from grief is not easily borne, even with
resignation. This is only the fifth night since the exile of Rama
but to me they are as five years. Sorrow has driven away
every joy from my breast and because of Rama my pain increases,
agitating my heart as the waters of a swifdy flowing river
disturb the ocean."
While the queen was yet speaking, the sun declined and the
night fell. Consoled by the words of Queen Kaushalya, the
king, wearied with grief, sank into slumber.
chapter 63
He recalls a former evil deed which is the cause of his
present distress
A full hour having passed, the king awoke and was overcome
with distress. He began to ponder deeply, but his mind was
clouded with grief and though equal to Indra, death threatened
to seize him as Rahu1 seizes the sun.
The sixth night after Rama's exile, the king again remembered
his former evil deed and agitated by the recollection of his sin,
he addressed the Queen Kaushalya : " O Kalyani, O Auspicious
One, whatever man does, be it good or evil, he gathers the fruit
thereof. He is deemed ignorant who does not consider the merit
or demerit of his actions before performing them. O Queen,
he, who, enjoying the red flowers of the palasa tree, cuts down
the adjoining mango tree and yet desires to partake of mangoes,
will not realize his expectation when the palasa bears fruit. He,
1 Rahu — a mythical demon said to cause the eclipse of sun or moon.
296
AYODHYA KANDA
who, heedless of the consequences, enters into action, will in
the end repent like the man who waters the palasa tree.
" O Lady, I have cut down the mango tree and watered the
palasa tree, now, when the fruit is ripe, I too, having banished
Rama, repent bitterly. O Kaushalya, in order to be esteemed
as an archer, in my youth, I directed my arrows by sound alone,
and a grievous deed was committed by me. I am the cause
of this present distress. 0 Queen, as a child swallows poison
in ignorance, so have I destroyed my happiness by this deed
formerly committed in ignorance. As one beguiled by the
beauty of the palasa flower, waters it in expectation of the sweet
fruit (of the mango) so did I cultivate the fruit I now reap,
by shooting at a sound. O Lady, in those days we were not
united in marriage and I was heir-apparent.
"At that time, the rainy season being near, the increase of desire
having come, the sun drying up the earth, scorching the world
with its rays, entered the southern path. Then the heat subsided
and refreshing clouds covered the sky, delighting the peacocks,
the frogs and the swallows. The birds drenched with the rain,
passed the night in distress, tossed to and fro on the trees by
the humid winds. The limpid water in the streams dark and turgid
from deposits of the mountain soil, flowed onwards sluggishly.
" In that delightful season, taking my bow and arrows in my
chariot, I came to the bank of the river Sarayu, desiring to hunt.
Taking my stand at a ford, where buffaloes, elephants and tigers
came at night to drink, I heard the sound as of a pitcher being
filled with water in the darkness. Seeing nought and deeming
it to be the sound of an elephant, I took from my quiver an
arrow dipped in the poison of a snake and discharged it whence
the sound came. Having discharged the keen and poisoned
shaft, I heard the voice of a youth crying out, and he, pierced
in the side, fell exclaiming ' Who has shot an ascetic who
has no enemy in the whole world ? Desirous of drawing water,
I came here in the dead of night. What harm had I done
to him who has smitten me ? Why should I, who live on
fruits and roots in the forest, and have injured none by word
or deed, be slain by weapons ? What gain is there in destroying
one wearing bark and deerskin ? To whom have I done an
injury ? Such an act is unlawful, as one who does not respect
297
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the couch of his Guru is considered an abandoned person, so
he who has wrongfully smitten me, cannot be a virtuous man.
I do not grieve for the loss of my own life, but for what will
befall my parents, when I die ! To what condition will they
be brought on my death, that aged pair so long supported by me ?
My mother, my father and I have been killed by a single arrow !
By what foolish man have we all been slain ? '
" O Kaushalya, I, ever desirous of acquiring virtue and
eschewing what was evil, hearing this sad complaint, became
exceedingly distressed and the bow fell from my hands. The
lament of the sage caused me the deepest affliction and over-
whelmed with grief I advanced to where he lay, wounded by
my arrow. There I beheld him lying on the ground, his hair
dishevelled, his body besmeared with blood and dust, the water
flowing from his loshta1 which lay at some distance from him.
Seeing me standing there dismayed, he fixed me with his gaze
as if he would consume me, and said : ' O King, what harm
have I, a dweller in the forest, done to thee, that thou hast
wounded me while fetching water from the river for my aged
parents ? Thou hast inflicted a mortal wound by thine arrow
and have in this wise slain my mother and father also, who weak,
aged and blind and the victims of exceeding thirst, await my
return. Afflicted with thirst, they are watching for my return.
Alas ! what fruit have I earned by the practice of penance
and the hearing of the Veda and Puranas1 since my father does
not know that I am lying mortally wounded here ? Yet if he
knew, what could he do, since he is blind and a cripple ? As
a tree cut down cannot support another, so my parents blind
and crippled cannot assist me. O King, go speedily to my father
and inform him of my plight. I fear lest he curse thee and
consume thee as a fire burns up wood I O King, the path beheld
by thee leads to my parents' hut. Do thou go there and
propitiate them, O King, that they may not wax wrath and
curse thee. O King, free my side from this shaft ; this arrow
penetrating my body resembles a river that washes away the
long and sandy bank.'
1 Loshta — a small vessel of coconut or metal used for begging or ceremonial
purposes.
i Puranai — Legends, or ancient epic poems.
298
AYODHYA KANDA
" O Lady, I reflected that as long as the arrow remained fixed
he would not die, though suffering great pain, but should I
extract it, he would certainly perish. The son of the muni,
seeing me afflicted and reading my thoughts addressed me in
great agony and said : * O King, though in anguish and confused,
my body quivering with pain and about to die, yet I am able
to control my distress and am at peace. Dismiss thy fears,
OKing, though thy sin is grievous, thou hast not slain a brahmin.1
O King, I am born of a shudra mother and a vaishya father.'
"As he was speaking, his eyes rolling, his face blanched,
struggling and quivering on the earth, I withdrew the arrow
and he, looking up in agony, yielded up his breath.
" O Queen, deeply afflicted, I beheld that treasury of truth,
lamenting, his body bathed in sweat, in the act of giving up
his life."
CHAPTER 64
Overborne by grief the king yields up his life
The king, grieving over the separation from his son, continued
to describe the infamous deed, the slaying of the young ascetic,
to the queen and said : —
" O Kaushalya, having unwittingly committed this impious
deed, I, deeply distressed, reflected what could now be done
and decided to seek out the parents and propitiate them. Taking
the pitcher, filled with water, I bore it to the ascetic's hermitage
and there beheld his mother and father, aged and feeble, seated
together, like two birds bereft of their wings. Motionless,
deprived by me of their support, they sat, conversing of their son
and awaiting the water. My mind was clouded with grief and
X was smitten with fear, but seeing the aged pair, my anguish
was increased a thousandfold.
" Hearing the sound of my steps, the father spoke : * O My
1 A deadly sin, the five mortal sins being : the murder of a brahmin, the
drinking of intoxicating liquor, theft, adultery with the wife of the spiritual
preceptor or friendship with those guilty of the above.
299
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Son, why hast thou delayed so long ? Give me water speedily,
0 Child, why hast thou been diverting thyself in the water ?
Come quickly into the hermitage, thy mother is exceedingly
anxious. O My Son, if aught thy mother has done has displeased
thee, it behoves thee to forget it. Thou art our only support
who are blind and crippled; thou art our very eyes, our
lives are dependent on thee, why dost thou not speak to us ? *
" Beholding the muni, and as one sorely dismayed, I uttered
inarticulate words, then by force of will, controlling my speech,
1 related to him the whole misfortune. Slowly, I narrated to
the sage the distressing fate that had befallen his son and said :
' O Mahatma, I am not thy son, my name is Dasaratha and I
am a kshatriya. A sinful act has been committed by me of
which 1 now repent. O Lord, armed with bow and arrow I
came to the bank of the Sarayu to hunt the elephant, tiger
or lion, that might come there to drink. Hearing the sound
of a pitcher being filled with water and supposing it to be an
elephant, I discharged an arrow and coming to the bank of
the river beheld an ascetic lying on the ground pierced to the
heart by my weapon. O Lord, having mistaken thy son, who
had gone to seek water, for an elephant, I slew him by an arrow
discharged on hearing that sound. On his entreaty I extracted
the arrow from his heart causing him pain and he left this life
lamenting for his blind parents. Thy son was suddenly and
unknowingly slain by me without design ; what was to happen,
has been accomplished. Thou art a sage, now do what thou
considerest proper.1
" Hearing the tale of my evil deed from my own lips, the sage
retrained from pronouncing a curse on me. His eyes suffused
with tears and his heart distressed, he addressed me who
supplicated him with joined palms, saying : * O King, if thou
thyself had*st not confessed this evil deed to me, thy head had
instantly split into a thousand pieces by my curse. O King,
the killing of one dwelling in the forest by a kshatriya causes
him to lose his status, even if he be Indra. If anyone knowingly
attacks a sage or spiritual preceptor with a weapon, his head
is severed into seven pieces. Thou livest still, since the deed
was done by thee without design, else hadst thou and the whole
House of Raghu perished. '
300
AYODHYA KANDA
" O Kaushalya, the sage said : * Take me to the place where
the body of my son is lying, I wish to acquaint myself with
his final state. Alas ! Under the decree of destiny he is lying
lifeless on the earth, his body besmeared with blood, stripped
of the deerskin formerly worn by him.*
" 0 Kaushalya, taking the deeply distressed sage and his wife
to that place, they, with their fingers touched the lifeless body
of their son. Approaching the place, they embraced the dead
body of their child, the father crying : ' O Child, thou art to-day
not bidding us welcome, nor dost thou speak to me. Why art
thou lying on the earth, art thou displeased ? O My Son, if
thou art angry with me, regard thy virtuous mother. Why
dost thou not embrace me and speak tender words to me?
Now that half the night has gone, who will read the Scriptures
and Puranas in gentle accents to me ? O My Son, who will
perform our morning ablutions and after offering up his morning
devotions, serve and console us ? Helpless and destitute, who will
gather roots, berries and fruits for me in the forest, and feed me,
like a beloved guest ? O My Son, how shall I nourish and
support thy mother, blind, ascetic and devoted to her son?
O My Child, stay, stay, do not yet enter the abode of Yama.
To-morrow thy mother and I will accompany thee. Without thee
we are distressed, helpless and bereft of support, we will accom-
pany thee to the abode of Yama. Beholding the Lord of Death,
we shall say to him, "Forgive our transgressions of the past
which have caused us to be separated from our son and let
him yet be our support. Grant us this blessing, O Lord of
Death, and make us free from fear. Thou art just and the
renowned protector of thy realm ? O My Son, thou art innocent
and hast been slain by a sinful man, therefore, by the power of
truth, enter thou the abode of heroes. Go, my son to that high
state attained by those who follow truth and suffer death at the
hands of their foes, without retreating. Go to that high region
attained by Sagara,1 Shivya,* Dilipa,3 Janamejaya,* Nahusha8 and
1 Sagara — the king whose story has been told in a previous chapter.
1 Shivya or Sivi — King of Usinara whose charity and devotion are extolled
in the Mahabharata.
* DUipa — Father of Bhagiratha who brought the Ganges to earth.
4 Janamejaya — One of the great and virtuous kings of ancient days.
* Nahusha— Father of King Yayati. q.v.
301
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Dhundhumara.1 That state attained by those versed in the Veda
and practising austerity, be thine. That state, O My Son, of
those who attend the sacred fire, of those highly generous persons
who make gifts of land in charity, may that state acquired
by those who give thousands of cows in charity and serve
their Guru single mindedly, or those courting death by fire
in meditation, be thine. None born of thy family has ever
descended to a lower state but he who has slain our son shall
end in misery ".*
" Thus for a long time wailing in distress, the aged parents
began to offer ceremonial water for their dead son. The son
of that sage by virtue of his meritorious deeds ascending to
heaven in a celestial form, in the company of Indra addressed bis
parents with consoling words, saying : * By virtue of my
services to you, I have obtained this state, you, too, will soon
join me here.' Thereafter, that self-controlled ascetic ascended
to heaven in an aerial chariot. O Lady, that great sage with
his wife performing the water ritual, said to me standing near
with joined palms : * O King, now put an end to my life also,
I shall feel no grief in dying. This was my only son and by
slaying him thou hast rendered me childless. As he was slain
by thee, I pronounce a curse on thee. Mayest thou suffer the
the same grief that thou hast caused to me, through separation
from thy son, ending in thy death. O King, having slain the
sage unknowingly, the guilt of killing a brahmin will not be
thine. As the dispenser of charity receives the merit of those
gifts, so wilt thou suffer in the degree of the suffering thou hast
caused me, putting an end to thy life.'
" O Queen, having cursed me, they lamented for some time
and then gathering wood, kindled a fire, and entering it, departed
this life. O Lady, to-day recalling that evil deed, committed
thoughtlessly in my youth, by discharging the arrow by sound,
the fruit of my action has overtaken me, as illness follows the
partaking of unwholesome food. O Noble Lady, the time of
the fulfilment of the sage's curse has come."
Having said this, the king weeping and overcome with fear
on the approach of death, spoke again : " O Kaushalya, I am
1 Dhundhumara— Slayer of the demon Dhundhu, a title of the King
Kuvalayaiwa.
302
AYODHYA KANDA
about to yield up my life through grief for my son, I am unable
to sec thee, do thou draw near and touch me. Those about
to enter the abode of death distinguish nought. If Rama could
but touch me for an instant, or receive my wealth and the regency,
I might yet live. O Auspicious Lady, I have not dealt
justly with Rama, but what he has done to me is right. What
thoughtful man would abandon even a sinful son ? But what
son, sent into exile will not think ill of his father ? O Kaushalya,
I no longer behold thee, my memory is also fading. O Queen,
the messengers of death call on me to depart ; what affliction
is greater than this, that at the hour of death I do not behold
the virtuous Rama, the hero of truth ? The grief caused by
the absence of my son, who never opposed my wishes, dries up
my life as heat dries up water. They are not men, they are
gods, who will look on that lovely countenance of lotus eyes and
charming features after fourteen years ! Blessed are those who
will behold the face of Rama resembling the full moon, returning
to Ayodhya. Fortunate are they who will behold Rama in the
capital like the planet Shukra,1 completing its course in the
heavens. O Kaushalya, my heart is breaking, I have lost the
sense of touch, taste and sound. When the mind expires, the
senses are extinguished as the flame of a lamp subsides when
the oil is consumed. O Grief, thou art destroying me and
carrying away my life as a river bears away the banks by its
force ! O Prince, O Mighty Hero, O Sole Remover of my pain,
O Darling of Thy Sire, O My Master, My Son, where art thou ?
O Kaushalya, O Virtuous Sumitra, I depart! O My Cruel
Enemy Kaikeyi, destroyer of my family's felicity."
Thus lamenting, the king died in the presence of Rama's
mother and the Queen Sumitra.
Overborne by the grief caused by the exile of his son, that
generous and mighty king, at midnight, yielded up his life.
1 Shukrm— The planet Venui.
303
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 65
The palace is fitted with the sound of distress
The night having passed, at dawn, according to custom, the
bards arrived at the palace of the long, the traditional singers,
those versed in rhetoric and in the history of the dynasty, and
skilled musicians acquainted with rhythm and melody, began to
sing the praises of the king. The sound of their eulogies and
their songs filled the whole palace. Others uttering tributes
and clapping their hands recited the monarch's wonderful deeds.
The birds in the trees near the palace and those confined in
cages awoke and sang. Their notes mingled with the salutations
of the brahmins, the music of the vinas, the chanting of the holy
names of God and the praises of those describing the great deeds
of the king. Eunuchs and servants stood near, ready to serve,
as was their wont. Those who attended to the ablutions of
the king, brought water scented with fragrant perfumes, in
pitchers of gold. Charming and well-attired men and women
came with oil, unguents, mirrors, combs, towels and other
articles and all that was needed by the king was provided
according to custom. Till sunrise, all awaited the king, then
they addressed each other saying : " How is this, has his majesty
not yet risen ? w Then the women, other than Kaushalya, who
formerly attended on the king, began to waken their lord as was
their usage. Having with affection and skill touched the body
of the monarch, they found no sign of life in him. Then the
women, knowing well the motion of the pulse and understanding
the signs of sleep, began to tremble perceiving the king's
condition. Fearing that the king no longer breathed, they shook
like the narcal1 grass in the midst of a flowing stream, and slowly
became aware that their sovereign had passed away.
The Queens, Kaushalya and Sumitra, overcome with grief
on account of the departure of their sons, lay as if dead. Suffering
had rendered the chief queen pale and her body feeble. The
two queens, their splendour dimmed by sorrow, resembled the
stars hidden by clouds.
1 Narcal gram — a specie* of reed.
304
AYODHYA KANDA
Seeing the two queens lying insensible and the king dead,
the women wept aloud in distress.
At the loud wailing of the attendant women, like female
elephants bereft of their leader, Kaushalya and Sumitra came
to themselves. Touching the body of the king and finding it
cold, they fell senseless, crying : " O, My Lord," " O, My
Lord." Lying on the earth, covered with dust, Queen Kaushalya
resembled a star fallen from the skies.
The king being dead, the ladies of the inner apartments beheld
the queen lying on the ground like a female naga.1 The other
consorts of the king with Kaikeyi, overcome with grief, fell
unconscious to the earth.
The wailing of the women within, and those who now followed
them, filled the whole place. The royal dwelling, bereft of joy
and filled with the sound of distress, was thronged with afflicted
relatives and friends mourning and weeping. The queens
stricken with grief, lamenting piteously, like orphans cleaving
to their departed parent, clasped the arms of the mighty monarch.
CHAPTER 66
The inhabitants of Ayodhya mourn for their lord
Kaushalya placed the head of the dead king, resembling an
extinguished fire or a waterless ocean or the sun without lustre,
on her lap and oppressed with grief, thus addressed Kaikeyi :
" O Kaikeyi, thy ambition is fulfilled, now rule without further
opposition. Having abandoned the king, enjoy the kingdom
with thy son, O Thou of Evil Conduct ! Rama having departed
and the king also, I resemble a traveller on a dangerous and
difficult path bereft of his companions. There is no further joy
in life for me 1 Alas ! what woman bereft of her lord, her deity,
desires to continue to live? Kaikeyi alone is such a one,
having abandoned all virtue. The greedy disregard the con-
sequences of their acts, like a hungry man devouring poisonous
1 Naga— one of the icrpeat race.
305
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
food without considering its effects. Alas ! Kaikeyi has
destroyed the dynasty of Raghu at the instigation of a hunch-
backed woman ! How bitterly will King Janaka mourn, on
hearing that King Dasaratha, urged by Kaikeyi, has exiled Rama
together with his consort. The lotus-eyed Rama, not knowing
the king is dead, is unaware that I, to-day, am masterless and
a widow ! The daughter of King Janaka, the wretched Sita,
unworthy of affliction will suffer intensely in the forest. Hearing
the fearful roar of lions and tigers, in the dark night, she will
cling in terror to Rama. The aged Janaka, whose only child
is Sita, will assuredly die of grief, when acquainted with the
sufferings inflicted on his daughter ! I, to-day, in devotion to
my lord, will enter the blazing fire embracing his body."
Hearing these words, the chief minister, versed in the tradition,
drew Queen Kaushalya away from the body of the king, and
placing it in a vessel filled with oil, to preserve it, performed
the requisite ceremonies. The counsellors acquainted with the
time-honoured duties, were unwilling to cremate the body of
the king in the absence of the prince. As the body was lowered
into the oil-filled vessel, the women of the palace wept bitterly,
exclaiming : "Alas, the king is dead." Lifting up their arms,
shedding tears and wailing pitiably, they cried : " O King,
having separated us from the sweet-speaking Rama, why hast
thou, too, abandoned us ? How shall we live with the evil-
minded Kaikeyi, who has exiled Rama and slain her lord?
Alas ! Shri Rama, the chief support of our life, has gone to
the forest, relinquishing his royal portion. How can we live
under the reproaches and tyranny of Kaikeyi in the absence of
Rama and of thee ? Will not she who exiled Rama, the mighty
Lakshmana and Sita and abandoned the king, abandon us also ? "
Then the chief queens, the consorts of King Dasaratha,
overwhelmed with sorrow, shedding tears, felt themselves bereft
of all happiness. like the night without a moon or a lovely
and youthful woman bereft of her lord, the city of Ayodhya
appeared stricken. Filled with men and women weeping and
lamenting, the city was unswept, its ways unadorned ! The
great sovereign, having through grief at the separation from his
son, given up his life, the queens wept lying on the ground, till
the sun sank below the horizon and the dark night crept on.
306
AYODHYA KANDA
The friends and relatives of the monarch taking counsel
together being unwilling to cremate the body of the king, in
the absence of his son, laid it, therefore, in a vessel of oil.
The king being dead, the inhabitants of the city filled the
streets and courts, mourning for their lord, causing Ayodhya
to resemble the night bereft of stars. Men and women gathered
together, inveighing against the mother of Bharata, Queer
Kaikeyi. All were distraught and bereft of joy !
CHAPTER 67
The elders recommend that a member of the house of Ikshwaku
be appointed fang
To the inhabitants of the city, lamenting and weeping, the night
was as a high mountain, scaled with difficulty. The sun having
risen, the brahmin advisers to the kingdom came together in
the royal assembly, even those illustrious ones, Markandeya,
Vamadeva, Kasyapa, Gautama, Katyayana and Javali. These
renowned sages, together with the ministers, taking their seat
in the presence of Vasishtha the excellent and chief priest,
declared their mind, saying : " The past night has been like
a hundred years to us. Afflicted, on account of his son's
departure, the king has given up his life. The king is dead
and Shri Rama has entered the forest, together with the mighty
Lakshmana. The Princes Bharata and Shatrughna are in the
the capital of the kingdom of their maternal grandfather. A
member of the House of Ikshwaku must be appointed king
lest the country fall into ruin. On a kingdom destitute of a
ruler, clouds charged with lightning and thunder pour down
rain and hail ! In a rulerless land, the peasants sow no grain ;
fathers and sons oppose each other and wives no longer remain
subject to their husbands ! In a rulerless land, there is no
peace, thieves and brigands exercise their power; women,
unfaithful to their consorts, leave their homes ! Where women
lose their virtue, trust is also lost In a rulerless land, there
307
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
are no assemblies, nor do the people visit pleasant parks and
gardens or build temples and homes of rest. In such a land, the
self-controlled brahmins offer no sacrifice nor do those of pious
vows, assist them in the sacred rite. In a rulerless land, the
brahmins do not receive their due share of the sacrificial fees ;
neither do actors nor leaders of song or dance find joy in such
a land. The holy festivals promoting the land's prosperity are
no longer held, nor do those reciting the holy tradition give
satisfaction to their hearers. In a rulerless land, virgins adorned
with golden ornaments, do not frequent the flower gardens at
close of day, nor do the devotees of pleasure, riding swift chariots
in company with charming damsels, repair to the forest. In
such a land, the wealthy are not protected, nor does the
husbandman, the cowherd and the shepherd sleep at ease with
open doors. In a rulerless land, great elephants of sixty years
of age do not wander on the royal highways adorned with
tinkling bells. The twanging of the archer's bow is no longer
heard, nor do the merchants travelling the roads in security
bring their goods to sell from distant lands. In a rulerless land,
the self-controlled sage, fixing his mind, in contemplation, on
his identity with the all-pervading spirit, receives no hospitality
when night falls. Wealth is not unassailable, nor are man's
needs supplied, the armies have no leaders, nor can they match
the enemy in war. In a rulerless country, no man, gorgeously
apparelled, riding in an excellent chariot, drawn by swift
steeds, can go forth without fear ; nor can the learned disputant
propound bis doctrines in the city or forest. In such a land,
garlands and sweetmeats, alms or other gifts, are not offered
by worshippers as a sacrifice, nor in the springtime, do the
princes, like blossoming trees, adorned with sandalwood and
ambergris, walk abroad. A kingdom without a sovereign is like
a river without water, a forest without vegetation, or a cow
without a keeper. As a chariot is known by its standard, as
a fire is indicated by smoke, so the king, a light representing
the kingdom, has been extinguished. No man loves bis own
kind in a rulerless land, but each slays and devours the other.
Atheists and materialists, exceeding the limits of their caste,
assume dominion over others, there being no king to exercise
control over them. As the eyes continuously point oat what
308
AYODHYA KANDA
is dangerous to the body, promoting its welfare, so the king
ever regards the advantage of bis people, promoting truth and
ethical conduct. The king leads his people in the path of
righteousness and guides them in integrity, he is the parent
of bis subjects and the greatest of benefactors. In the path
of duty he excels even Yama, Kuvera, Indra and Varuna. The
king, discerning good and evil, protects his kingdom ; bereft
of him, the country is enveloped in darkness. O Holy Vasishtha,
while the king lived, we obeyed thy1 mandates as the sea keeps
within its boundaries. O Great Brahmin, consider our words
and the danger threatening this, our kingdom, and appoint
someone as king if he be of the house of Ikshwaku."
CHAPTER 68
Messengers are sent to Prince Bharata
Shri Vasishtha, having heard the pronouncement of the
ministers and brahmins, said : " The king has bequeathed the
kingdom to Bharata, who, with his brother abides happily in
the house of his maternal uncle, therefore, dispatch swift
messengers speedily, to bring back the two princes. This and
naught else should be done."
Then all said: " Be it so, O Lord."
Vasishtha then said to Siddartha, Vijaya, Jayanta, Asoka and
Nandana :a " Come hither and attend to what I command you
to do : On swift steeds set out for the city of Rajagraha and,
concealing all signs of grief, thus address Prince Bharata :' The
holy priest Shri Vasishtha and his counsellors salute thee and
inform thee that an urgent matter awaits thy attention in
the capital \"
" Have a care not to disclose to him the fall of the Raghu
dynasty nor speak of Rama's exile or the king's death. Take
with you silken robes and excellent gems for the King of Kaikeya
and for Prince Bharata, and depart without delay."
1 Shri Vasishtha — being the king's spiritual preceptor.
* Ministers of the king.
309
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The messengers received the commands of Shri Vasishtha
and taking provision for the journey went to their own houses.
Then mounting swift horses, accustomed to prolonged travel,
they started for the kingdom of Kaikeya. Having taken leave
of the holy Guru, equipped with provisions, they departed in
haste. Their course, along the bank of the Malini, lay south
between the Uparathala mountain and north of Pralamba.
They crossed the sacred Ganges at Hastinapura and proceeded
westward arriving in Panchala (the Punjab) by way of Kuru
Jangula. On the way, they beheld many lakes filled with limpid
water and translucent streams and passing speedily onwards,
reached the river Sharadanda, full of pure water and frequented
by many species of waterfowl.
On the bank of that river grew the sacred tree Satyapayachan,
to which the messengers made obeisance and then entered the
city of Kalinga. Passing through the village of Abikala, they
crossed the river Ikshumati issuing from the mountain Bodhi-
bhavana, a territory formerly belonging to the House of Ikshwaku.
There the messengers drank the water of the river from the palms
of their hands and encountered certain brahmins versed in the
Veda.
Traversing the land of Vahlika, they descried the mountain
Sudamana which bore the marks of the Feet of Vishnu, and
duly worshipped it. They beheld the rivers Vipasha and
Shalmali and many pools, lakes and reservoirs. Proceeding
further on their journey, according to the instructions of their
master, they saw lions, tigers, elephants and various other beasts.
After a long period, the horses became fatigued, but the
messengers pressed on to the town of Giribraja in the kingdom
of Kaikeya. For the sake of performing the will of their lord
and to preserve the royal dynasty and the honour of the House
of Dasaratha, without relaxing their pace, the messengers entered
the city at nightfall.
310
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 69
Prince Bkarata's inauspicious dream
On the night the messengers reached the city, Prince Bharata
had a most inauspicious dream. Seeing that evil dream, the
son of the emperor, when the night ended, was much distressed.
His intimate friends, the companions of his own age, seeing
him in distress, spoke pleasing words in the assembly and related
humorous traditions to distract his mind. Some played on vinas
for his entertainment, others danced, acted and narrated stories.
Despite the endeavours of his amiable companions, Prince
Bharata remained melancholy. At length, they addressed him,
saying : " O Friend, we have tried in vain to entertain thee,
why dost thou not smile ? "
Bharata replied : " Hear the cause of my sadness. In a dream,
I saw my father in faded apparel, his hair dishevelled, falling
from a mountain peak into a pit of cow dung. There, I saw
that great king, wallowing like a frog and drinking oil from
the palms of his hands ; afterwards, I beheld him eating rice
mixed with sesamum seed, his body besmeared with oil, he
being immersed in it. Again, in that dream, I saw the sea
dry up and the moon fall on the earth and the world plunged
in darkness. The tusks of the royal elephants were broken
in pieces and a blazing fire was suddenly extinguished. I saw
the earth rent and the leaves of the trees wither and the
mountains riven and emit smoke. I beheld the king on an
iron seat, clad in black and women attired in black and yellow
mocking him. That virtuous king, adorned with sandalwood
paste, wearing garlands of red Sowers, seated in a chariot drawn
by asses went southwards. I saw a female demon of monstrous
shape clothed in red deriding the king. This fearful vision
has been seen by me. Either myself or Rama or the king or
Lakshmana will surely die. When, in a dream, one is seen
riding in a chariot drawn by asses, the smoke of his funeral pyre
will soon ascend. On this account, I am distraught, nought
gives me joy, my throat is choked and my mind confused.
I see no reason for fear, yet I am apprehensive. I cannot speak
311
THE RAMAYAKA OF VALMIKI
or breathe, my body has lost its power, I am agitated and cannot
control my distress. Never have I seen so threatening a dream !
Reflecting on it, I am perturbed, fear has taken possession of
my heart and I know not if I shall ever again behold the king."
CHAPTER 70
The message is delivered; Bharata and Shatrughna leave
the palace
While Bharata was relating his dream, the messengers from
Ayodhya, overcome with weariness, entered the city of Raja-
grahapura within the impassable moat.
Having approached the King of Kaikeya and the heir-apparent,
Prince Yudhajita, and being received by them with due hospital-
ity, they addressed Prince Bharata saying : " The chief priest,
Shri Vasishtha and his counsellors send their greetings ! Return
speedily to Ayodhya, an urgent matter awaits thy attention there.
O Great Prince, taking these precious robes and jewelled
ornaments sent to thee, present them to thy maternal uncle."
Shri Bharata, accepting the gifts offered them to his maternal
uncle with great affection, then making provision for the
messengers and entertaining them duly, he afterwards said to
them : " O Messengers, is my father the king well ? Is the
great Ramachandra well, and my brother Prince Lakshmana ?
Is the Queen Kaushalya, the upholder of dharma, in good health ?
She who is virtuous and a patron of brahmins, who is ever
to be worshipped, who is wise and the chief queen ? Is the
second of my father's queens, Sumitra the mother of Lakshmana
and Shatrughna, well ? And my mother Kaikeyi, self-willed,
given to anger, arrogant and accounting herself wise, is it well
with her ? What message has she sent tome?"
The messengers thus addressed by Prince Bharata, answered
with respect : " O Lion among Men, those whose welfare is dear
to thee, are well. Prosperity awaits thee, therefore, summon
thy chariot"
312
AYODHYA KANDA
Prince Bharata said : " I will seek permission of the king
to depart and inform him I must go without delay.'*
Thus, dismissing the messengers, Prince Bharata approached
his grandfather and said : " Your Majesty, urged by the
messengers, I wish to return to my father in haste, I will come
again, when thou art pleased to call me."
King Kaikeya smelling the head of the prince, addressed him
in comfortable words, saying : " O Bharata, Kaikeyi is blessed
in thee, a virtuous son! Carry my greetings to thy mother
and father. Salute also the holy Sage Vasishtha, and the wise
and pious brahmins in my name and greet the mighty warriors
Rama and Lakshmana."
King Kaikeya, then, bidding Bharata farewell, commending
him, gave him great elephants and precious shawls, woollen
cloths and deerskins. He gave him also with great venera-
tion, much wealth, two thousand necklaces, coral and gold
ornaments and sixteen hundred excellent horses. He sent also
wise and trustworthy counsellors to attend him. Then Prince
Yudhajita gave Bharata two stately elephants named Iravata and
Indrasihra and many mules to transport his gifts. His uncle
gave him also certain tierce dogs, bred in the palace with large
teeth equalling tigers in strength.
Shri Bharata praised the gifts conferred on him and sought
permission to leave without delay. His heart was heavy on
account of his fearful dream and the urgency of the messengers.
The prince came forth from the inner apartments of the palace
and, surrounded by elephants and horses, stood on the royal
highway. Entering the king's apartment, unchallenged, Shri
Bharata bade farewell to all, then mounting his chariot with
Prince Shatrughna, he started on his journey. Servants, horses,
camels, bulls and mules followed the chariot of the prince.
Escorted by the private counsellors of the king, together with
the army, the patient and highly valiant Bharata together
with Shatrughna left the palace fearlessly, as the perfected ones
leave the region of Indra.
313
THE RAMAYAKA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 71
Prince Bharata sees Ayodhya fitted with unhappy people
That valiant and resplendent prince, turning eastward, came
to the river Suddama, and passing over it, reached the broad
Hladini and the Satali Sowing westward. Having crossed over
the river at Hadhana, he reached Parvata and the stream in which
all objects thrown are petrified, then proceeding further he
forded the Shalyakartana river. Then the righteous and truth
loving prince ascended the mountains and crossed the river
Shilavaha near the forest Chitraratha, arriving at the confluence
of the Ganges and Saraswati, and traversing the land of
Viramatsya, entered the Bharunda forest. At length, reaching
the swift and joy-inspiring Kulinga river, which descends from
the mountains, he crossed the Yamuna and allowed his army
to rest. There, the weary horses were refreshed and his
followers bathed and drank, taking water with them for future
use on the way. Thereafter, Prince Bharata entered the
uninhabited forest on a great Bhadra elephant, speedily travers-
ing it. Finding they were unable to cross the Gunga at
Unchudhana, they went to the place called Pragavata and
crossing there passed over another river named Kutikoshtaka ;
then with his army, he reached the village of Dharmavardhana.
Resting for a while at Varutha, the son of Dasaratha went towards
the east to the wood called Ujjihana which was filled with
kedumbra1 trees. Arriving at the groves of sala2 and bhanduka3
trees, Bharata, leaving his army to follow slowly, went forward
with haste, halting at the village of Sarvatirtha. Then crossing
the river Uttamika, he passed over several other streams with
the help of mountain ponies. At Hastiprastaka, he crossed the
river Kutika and at Lohitya, the Sukatavati. Arriving at the
forest of Sahavana, having crossed the Sthanumati near Eksala,
he traversed the Gaumati at Vinata. His horses being greatly
fatigued by the journey, the prince halted the night at Salawan
and at dawn beheld Ayodhya.
1 Kedumbra — a kind of acacia.
1 Sala tree — sal tree, Shorea robusta.
* Bhanduka — Calosanthes indica.
3'4
, AYODHYA KANDA
Having spent seven nights on the way, seeing Ayodhya from
a distance, the prince said to his charioteer : " O Charioteer,
this would appear to be the renowned and taintless city of
Ayodhya abounding in green lawns, but at a distance it resembles
a heap of yellow dust ; formerly the sound of the recitation of
the Veda was heard, intoned by the brahmins, and the city was
Frequented by royal sages. To-day, I do not hear the cheerful
cries of men and women in pursuit of pleasure ! The woods
at eventide were formerly filled with people, running here and
there in sport, but to-day they are deserted and silent. O
Charioteer, this is not like Ayodhya to me, but seems to be a
wilderness. None of the nobly born are seen coming and going
in chariots or riding on elephants and horses. The flower
gardens were erstwhile filled with cheerful people and the
orchards with those who made merry there ! These gardens,
once abounding in flowers and trees, with pleasant groves and
arbours, to-day seem to mourn. I no longer hear the cry of deer
or the birds singing with joy. O Friend, why do the breezes,
redolent with the scent of sandalwood and ambergris, not blow
as formerly, over the city ? In the past, the sound of drums
and the music of the Vina was heard by us, now all is silent !
I see portentous signs and evil omens, my mind is heavy on
account of these forebodings. O Charioteer, without apparent
cause my heart beats fast and painfully, my mind is clouded,
and apprehension freezes my senses."
Entering the capital by the northern gate, his horses being
overcome with weariness, the guards, enquiring as to his welfare,
sought to accompany him on his way. But Bharata, sick at
heart, declined their company, though with due deference.
He said : " O Charioteer, I behold the houses with their doors
set open, bereft of splendour and emitting no fragrance of incense
or sacrificial offering ! Filled with unhappy people and those
who are fasting, the houses are destitute of all splendour. No
garlands hang from any dwelling and the courtyards lie neglected
and unswept. The temples, without attendant priests, have
lost their former splendour, none worship the gods and the
sacrificial pavilions are deserted. The shops where formerly
flowers were sold and other merchandise, are neglected, and the
merchants appear dispirited and anxious over the cessation of their
3*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
trade. Birds in the sacred groves seem joyless and men and
women in soiled attire, weeping and lamenting, wasted with grief,
roam about the city."
Speaking thus to the charioteer and seeing the city's distress,
Prince Bharata drove towards the palace. Beholding the capital
once gay as Indra's city, with the roads and courts deserted
and the houses covered with dust, he was overcome with anguish.
Struck by these painful portents formerly unknown to him,
Bharata, with bowed head, his heart filled with dread, entered
his father's palace.
CHAPTER 72
Queen Kaikeyi begins to relate what has occurred
Not seeing his father in the palace, Bharata, desirous of
beholding his mother, went to her apartment. Kaikeyi, seeing
her son after a long absence, with a joyous heart, rose from
her golden couch. Observing the apartment of his mother,
divested of splendour, Bharata reverently touched her feet.
She, having kissed the head of her son, embracing him again,
seated him on her lap, and said : ** O Child ! How many days
have passed since thou didst leave thy grandfather's abode ?
Having journeyed in haste, I trust thou art not fatigued ? O
Child, are thy grandfather and uncle well ? Tell me, O Dear
One, hast thou been in health since thou hast visited that other
country ? "
Shri Bharata thus questioned, by his mother, related all that
had happened. He said : " 0 Mother, seven days and seven
nights have passed, since I left my grandfather's home. Both
he and my uncle are well. The parting gifts of wealth and gems
which the King of Kaikeya gave me, I have left on the way,
to follow me, the beasts of burden being weary ! The
messengers who conveyed the orders of the king, bade me return
with all speed. Now, O Mother, answer what I would feign
ask ? Why is this, thy golden couch, vacated by the king ?
3J6
AYODHYA KANDA
'Why do the king's subjects appear wretched ? The king was
wont to dwell principally in thy palace, where is he to-day ?
I have come hither to enter his august presence ! Where is
my father now, I have come to offer salutations to his feet ?
Is he in the apartment of my chief mother, Queen Kaushalya ? "
Kaikeyi, knowing all that had taken place but filled with
ambition, answered Prince Bharata, as yet ignorant of the matter.
Imparting the unpleasant news in honeyed accents, she said :
" That fate, which inevitably overtakes all beings, has befallen
that great soul, that renowned and mighty monarch the support
of his people, thy sire ! "
The guileless Prince Bharata, born of a great family, hearing
these words, overwhelmed by grief, instantly fell to the ground
and falling striking his hands on the earth, cried : "Alas ! I
am undone ! " That resplendent prince, deeply moved on
learning of the death of his father, began to lament, crying :
" On this couch, my father appeared like the moon in autumn,
to-day on account of his absence, this pleasant bed resembles
the sky bereft of stars or the ocean without water ! "
Heaving deep sighs, weeping bitterly and covering his face
with a cloth, the prince continued to mourn.
Queen Kaikeyi, seeing Bharata lying on the ground, over-
whelmed with sorrow, like the branch of a shala tree, severed
by the blows of an axe, raised him up and said to her godlike son
who resembled the moon, the sun or the elephant in splendour :
" O Son of a King ! O Most Illustrious One ! Rise ! Rise !
Pious men like thee, do not thus yield to grief! O Wise One 1
As the radiance of the sun "is fixed in that orb, so must thou
who art devoted to charity, sacrifice and good conduct and who
follow the injunctions of the Vedas, be calm ! "
Prince Bharata, rolling on the earth, wept for a long time
and then answered his mother sorrowfully, saying : " O Mother,
thinking the king was undertaking a great sacrifice, having
bestowed the throne on Shri Rama, I started for home with
great joy, but now I see matters are otherwise and my mind
is torn with anguish, since I no longer behold my ever
magnanimous parent I O Mother, from what malady did the
king suffer, that he was carried away in my absence ? How
fortunate are my brothers, Shri Rama and Lakshmana, who
3i7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
have performed the monarch's obsequies ! If the great sovereign'
had been aware of my return, would he not have bent his head
and embraced me ? Alas ! Where is that royal hand, the touch
of which filled me with delight and which cleansed my body
from the dust ? O Mother, where is my sagacious brother Rama,
whose servant I am and who resembles my father ? Tell me
quickly where he may be found? Since my virtuous and
enlightened brother has now become as a rather to me, I desire
to take refuge at his feet, he alone is my sole support ! O
Mother, what commands concerning me did the righteous and
learned king, the ever-tnithful monarch of firm vows, give ?
I desire to hear the last words of the great sovereign ? "
Thus questioned, Queen Kaikeyi openly answered, saying :
" The king, at the time of death, did not speak thy name
but cried ' O Rama, O Sita, O Lakshmana ' and thus gave up his
life ! Thy father, bound by the ties of fate and duty, like a
mighty elephant, caught in ambush, uttered these words at the
end : ' Those who see Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, returning
from the forest, will attain their desire V
As Kaikeyi revealed this unpleasant intelligence, the prince
grew yet more distracted and enquired of his mother : *' O
Mother, where is the virtuous Rama, where is he now with Sita
and his brother Lakshmana ? "
Thus questioned, the queen began to relate what had occurred,
supposing the news of the unpleasing event would be welcome
to her son.
She said : " O Child, that prince, clothed in robes of bark,
has entered the great Dandaka forest with Sita and Lakshmana."
Hearing from his mother that Rama had entered the forest,
Prince Bharata was alarmed, filled with misgivings and concerned
for the honour of his House. He said : '* O Mother, how is
this ? Has Shri Rama, without reason, slain any, either rich
or poor ? Or has he looked on the wife of another with desire ?
For what reason has Rama, versed in the scriptures, been exiled
to the forest ? "
Then the mother of Bharata, imbued with feminine qualities,
capricious and calculating, began to relate the whole matter.
Hearing her son's words, Kaikeyi, gratified, vainly imagining
herself wise, said : " My Son, neither has Rama robbed a
318
AYODHYA KANDA
brahmin of his wealth, nor has he slain any, rich or poor,
without reason, neither has Rama looked on another's wife
with desire ! My Son, having heard that he was to be proclaimed
regent, I requested thy father to banish Rama and bestow the
kingdom on thee ! Thy sire, in order to honour the promise
made to me, fulfilled my request. He sent Rama, together with
Sita and Lakshmana to the forest. Then that mighty monarch,
unable to endure the separation from his son, died. O Righteous
Prince, now do thou rule the kingdom ! For thy sake, I have
contrived all this ! My Son, do not grieve, do not afflict thyself,
the kingdom and the capital, being now without a ruler, depend
on thee for support. Therefore, seeking advice from Shri
Vasishtha and the learned brahmins, perform the funeral rites
of thy great sire and, without hesitation, accept the throne ! "
chapter 73
Prince Bharata reproaches his mother
Hearing of the death of his father and the exile of his brothers,
Prince Bharata, deeply afflicted, answered Queen Kaikeyi :
" What will the throne avail me, since I am stricken by the death
of my father and bereft of my brother, who was as a parent
to me ? Thou hast destroyed the king, and banished Rama,
causing him to become an ascetic ! Thou hast thus rubbed salt
into the wounds which thou hast inflicted ! Thou hast entered
this royal House for its extinction, like the night of death !
My father, unaware that thou wert an all-consuming fire,
supported thee. O Sinful One, thou hast deprived the king
of life ! O Thou Destroyer of the Family, overpowered with
avarice, thou hast shattered the peace of the hearth. Through
union with thee, my father, a lover of truth, has suffered untold
misery and grief ! Wherefore hast thou slain my virtuous sire ?
Wherefore hast thou exiled Rama ? Hard indeed were it to live
with such a mother ! How will Kaushalya and Sumitra now
endure life? My elder brother, Shri Ramachandra, ever
devoted to his duty and to the service of his Guru, treated thee
310 T
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
as his own mother. So also my elder mother, Queen Kaushalya,
knowing what would befall, yet acted towards thee as a true
sister, in a proper spirit. Thou hast sent her son to the forest
in ascetic's garb and still thou dost not grieve ? What hast
thou gained by sending that renowned hero, Rama, to the forest,
Rama, who was unacquainted with suffering ? Wert thou
ignorant of my great love for Raghava, that thou, possessed by
avarice, committed this great sin, O Mother ? By what power
can I rule, deprived of Lakshmana and that Lion among men,
Shri Rama ? King Dasaratha ever depended on that mighty
and valorous Rama, as the forest depends on Mount Meru !
How can I sustain the burden of the kingdom, without the
support of Rama ? How should a calf sustain the load that taxes
the strength of a full-grown bull ? Even if it were possible
for me to rule through wisdom and sound policy, yet would I
not allow thy evil intention in seeking the kingdom for thy son,
to prevail ! I should have abandoned thee, O Mother, did I
not know that Rama regards thee as his mother also ! O Thou
Evil-minded One, thou hast brought disgrace on the dynasty
of my ancestors ! How didst thou conceive such a purpose,
bringing shame into our lives ? It is the immemorial custom
of our House, that the eldest brother shall occupy the throne
and the younger brothers obey him. Thou art not acquainted
with the duty of a king nor dost thou know the rules of
government. In the House of Ikshwaku, the succession of the
eldest son is enjoined. To-day, thou hast cast into the dust
the glory and integrity of the House of Ikshwaku, that was
enriched by the noble conduct of its kings ! Thou, too, wert
born of a renowned and royal House, how earnest thou to
entertain this evil intention ? O Mother, let it be known to thee
that I will never fulfil thy evil desires, come what may, since
thou hast introduced that which is destructive of life into this
royal House ! I shall now bring my sinless brother, Rama,
back to the capital and thwart thee ! Not only will I cause Rama
to return from the forest, but I will serve him with my whole
heart!"
Thus reproaching Kaikeyi, himself afflicted, with harsh words,
Bharata spoke once more, roaring like a lion in the caves of
the Mandara mountain.
320
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 74
He laments the death of his father and the exile of Shri Rama
Shri Bharata denounced his mother in great anger, saying : —
" O Cruel-hearted One, O Wicked Being, thou art without virtue,
enter the forest, I am about to die ! Weep for me ; since thou
hast deserted thy consort, do not mourn for him. Tell me,
what harm had the king or the most virtuous Rama done
to thee, that thou hast slain the one and exiled the other ? O
Kaikeyi, the sin by which thou hast destroyed the dynasty
is equal to the murder of a brahmin ! Do thou enter hell !
Thou hast no right to inhabit the region to which the king
has gone ! Thy deed and guilt are infamous. In denouncing
Rama, who is beloved of all the world, thou hast secured me
a kingdom, but brought me ignominy. Thou art the cause
of my father's death and the exile of Rama, and also of my
dishonour. Thy heart is adamant, thou art not my mother
but an enemy in the form of a mother ! O Slayer of thy
husband, thou dost not merit that one should address thee !
O Defamer of the fair name of this dynasty, thou art the cause
of distress to my mothers, Queen Kaushalya and Sumitra !
Thou hast forfeited the title of daughter to the great King
Ashwapati ; thou art surety a demon born in that family to
destroy my father's line ! Thou hast banished Rama to the
forest, he, who ever delighted in virtue and thou hast deprived
my illustrious father of his life ! It is I who must bear the
weight of thine iniquity, who am fatherless, bereft of my two
brothers and an object of universal loathing ! O Thou Sinner,
O Traveller on the path of self-destruction, say what state shalt
thou attain, who hast deprived the virtuous Kaushalya of her
husband and her son ? O Evil One, didst thou not know that
Shri Rama was the chief asylum of his relatives, the son of
Kaushalya and a father to me ? All relatives are dear, but to
a mother, the son is dearest, since he is born of the body and
heart of the father. Hast thou forgotten this truth ? "
In ancient times, the cow Kamadhenu, worshipped by the
3«
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
gods, beholding two of her sons, weary with ploughing, swooned
away. At that time, the King of the Celestials, Indra, was
wandering on the earth and the fragrant tears of Kamadhenu
fell upon him. Experiencing the sweet odour issuing from the
body of the sacred cow, Indra realised her superior worth and
startled, looked upward and beheld, in the sky, the afflicted
Kamadhenu, weeping piteously. The Bearer of the Mace,1
distressed on seeing the renowned Kamadhenu shedding tears,
addressed her with humility and said : " O Benefactor of the
World, why dost thou weep ? Is it the premonition of some
future calamity which causes thee to lament thus ? "
The wise Kamadhenu, patiendy answered : " O Devaraj,
thou hast no cause for fear, I am afflicted on account of the
suffering of two of my sons. See, how wretched they are,
how wasted and oppressed by the sun's heat ! O Devaraj 1
The ploughman has struck them cruelly ! Born of my body,
I am filled with grief to see them yoked to the heavy plough !
Verily nothing is dearer to a mother than her son."
Indra, perceiving that the cow mourned over the wretched
state of two of her innumerable sons, recognised that to a mother
nothing is dearer than a son !
" O Mother, Kamadhenu extends her blessings equally to all
and has the power to fulfil the desires of others. If she, who
is constantly producing thousands of offspring, filled with
maternal love, mourns thus for two sons, how then, O Kaikeyi,
will Kaushalya bear the exile of her only son ? Thou hast
brought about the separation of Rama from his mother Kaushalya
and for this thou shalt not know happiness in this or in the
other world ! I shall perform the last rites for my sire and
then, with my heart and soul serve my brother and carefully
promote his honour. Having brought back Shri Rama to the
capital, I, myself, shall inhabit the forest. O Thou, of evil
intent, how shall I endure thine iniquity, when looked on by
the people of the capital with sorrow-stricken gaze ? Now it
befits thee to enter the fire or hang thyself in the Dandaka forest,
death alone is thy desert ! Only when Rama returns and that
Prince of Truth is by my side, shall I find peace and my purpose
be accomplished ! "
1 Indra was sometimes called the " Bearer of the Mace ".
322
AYODHYA KANDA
Bharata, lamenting and breathing like a serpent, fell to the
earth like an elephant tormented by the goad. His eyes red
with anger, his dress loosened, his jewels cast aside, he fell
like the banner of Indra, uprooted at the close of a ceremony.
chapter 75
He seeks to console Queen Kaushalya
The valiant Bharata, regaining consciousness, his eyes suffused
with tears, perceived his mother filled with distress. Seated
in the midst of his counsellors, he poured forth reproaches
on his mother saying : " It was never my desire to rule, nor
did I consult my mother in this matter ; I was not acquainted
with the king's intention to confer the crown on Rama, being
far from the capital with Shatrughna. I knew nought of the
exile of Shri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, nor how it came to
pass. My heart is filled with anguish."
Kaushalya, hearing the sound of Bharata's weeping, said to
Sumitra : " Bharata, the son of the cruel Kaikeyi, has come,
I wish to see the prudent Bharata."
The queen, pale and weak on account of her separation from
Rama, advanced trembling to where Bharata was, while the
prince with his brother Shatrughna started likewise for the
apartment of the queen. The two brothers beheld the wretched
queen proceeding with tottering footsteps and were filled with
distress. Bowing down to Kaushalya, they wept bitterly, then
the chief queen embraced Bharata sobbing with grief and said :
" It was thy desire to rule and thy cruel mother has accomplished
this matter without hindrance, but for what reason has this
pitiless queen sent my son to the forest in ascetic's garb ? Let
Queen Kaikeyi banish me also to that region where my illustrious
and golden-complexioned Rama abides ! If not, I will go
together with Sumitra to where Rama dwells, preceded by the
sacrificial fire. O Bharata, do thou take me to where my son,
that lion among men, in great affliction is practising asceticism,
323
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Queen Kaikeyi has made thee sovereign of this country, replete
with wealth, grain, horses, elephants and chariots."
Hearing the bitter words of Queen Kaushalya, Bharata was
pained as a man who suffers when his wound is probed by
a lancet. Agitated and confused, he fell at the feet of the queen
lamenting. Then growing composed, with joined palms, he
addressed the sorrowing queen : " O Mother, thou knowest
how great is my love for Rama and also that I am innocent
in this matter. Why dost thou reproach me ? May he, who
is the cause of the exile of Rama, forget the teachings of the
Vedas and the holy tradition. May he, who has given his
consent to the exile of Rama, become a slave of the lowest caste
or incur the sin of killing a cow. May such a man be subject
to the same punishment as one who withholds the wages of
his labourers. May he who has consented to the banishment
of the holy prince, bear the same guilt as one rebelling against
a king, who protects his subjects as his own offspring ! May
the guilt of a king taking the sixth part of the revenue of his
people and yet failing to protect them, be his, who exiled Rama.
" May the fruits of the sin incurred by one who, well-equipped
with elephants, horses and chariots and all weapons, does not
fight according to the law of righteousness, be his ! May he,
who agreed to the exile of Rama, forget the teachings of Vedanta
which ensure happiness, and all the secrets obtained from his
spiritual preceptor by serving him ! May such a one not live
to see the coronation of Prince Rama whose countenance equals
the sun and moon in splendour. May that wretch incur the sin
of one, who, partaking of milk and rice, does not make an
offering to his ancestors and guests or to the gods. May he be
guilty of not honouring his spiritual preceptor by offering
salutations to him in a fitting manner.
" May that wretch, who gave consent to the exile of Rama,
bear the same guilt as one who strikes a cow, reviles his Guru
or betrays his friends ! May he incur the guilt of one who
forswears his trust. May he, who participated in the exile of
Rama, reap the sin of one who does not do good to others.
" May the wretch, who ordered the exile of Rama, bear the
guilt of one, who, partaking of sweetmeats, fails to share them
with his servants, women, children or those surrounding him,
3*4
AYODHYA KA;NDA
or one who, living on excellent food, gives to his inferiors that
which is raw and ill-cooked. May he, by whom Rama was
sent into exile, die without marrying a woman of his own caste or
producing offspring or performing the fire ritual ! May he not
behold the offspring born of his spouse ! May his years be
brief ! May he be slain in battle, retreating from a superior foe
in fear, or may he be as one who slays a fleeing enemy. May he,
like one dressed in rags, demented, carrying a skull in his hand,
wander about begging from door to door ! May he who has
conspired to send Rama to the forest be given over to wine,
women and gambling and become an object of contempt on
account of his concupiscence and anger. May he ever indulge
in the practice of unrighteousness and forget his duty and
distribute immense wealth in charity to the undeserving !
May the accumulated wealth and extensive possessions of the one
who has furthered the exile of Rama, be stolen away by thieves.
May the sin of him who sleeps at sunrise or sunset be his !
May the sin of him who is guilty of arson or looks with desire
on the wife of his spiritual preceptor or who betrays his friend,
be his, who has advocated the exile of Shri Rama ! May he,
who acquiesced in the exile of Rama be deprived of the worship
of his ancestors and parents as also of the funeral rites ! May
such a one, even now, be driven from the society of good people
and lose the renown and merit of companionship with the
virtuous ! May his mind never be devoted to such deeds as
are undertaken by the righteous ! May that man who sought
to exile Rama, fail to obey his mother and ever be employed
n evil deeds ! May he maintain a large family in extreme
poverty ! May he, ever restless, be consumed with fever !
May he be guilty of that sin incurred by one, who fails to satisfy
a miserable suppliant who looks to him for succour ! May he
be deceitful, slanderous, base, depraved and ever walk in fear
of authority ! May he incur the guilt of one who disregards
his chaste and devoted wife, who approaches him in the season
of her flowering ! May he be dull-witted and abandoning bis
lawful spouse, may he live in sin with other women ! May
the guilt of a brahmin who abandons his children, who are
dying of hunger be his ! May he be like one who denies a
reservoir or administers poison to another! May that man
325
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
lose the power of his limbs, as he who seeks to impede the
hospitality to be shown to a brahmin, by speaking ill of him !
May his be the sin of one who drinks the milk of the cow that
possesses unweaned calves ! May he incur the sin of him, who,
having water in his dwelling, turns the thirsty man from his
door ! May he bear the guilt of him, who arbitrating between
two learned disputants, grants victory to the one he favours ! "
With these words, Prince Bharata, seeking to console Queen
Kaushalya for the separation from her son, fell to the ground,
overcome with distress.
The queen then addressed him, who, distraught and afflicted,
seeking to establish his innocence, had fallen to the earth, and
said : " My Son, my pain is increased by the words thou hast
uttered but fortunate it is that the hearts of Lakshmana and
thyself are fixed in love of thy brother. Assuredly thou wilt
enter the region attained by the blest"
Then the queen, taking the mighty-armed prince in her lap,
wept aloud.
The prince whose heart was rent with grief also wept in an
excess of sorrow. Caressed by the queen, lamenting wildly,
lying on the earth and sighing heavily, he passed the night
in this wise.
chapter 76
The prince commences the performance of the funeral rites
Skri Vasishtha, renowned among the sages, beholding Shri
Bharata overcome by grief, addressed him in sage words,
saying : " O Illustrious Prince, may happiness be thine, restrain
thy grief 1 The time has now come to perform the obsequies
of the great king!"
Bharata, lying on the earth, heard the commands of the holy
sage, and rising, began to perform the funeral rites.
The attendants now removed the body of the monarch from
the vessel of oil and laid it on the earth. Though the body
32«
AYODHYA KANDA
had assumed a yellow hue through being immersed in oil for
many days, yet it appeared as if the king slept.
They then laid the king on a couch set with gems and Bharata,
overwhelmed with grief, began to lament. He said : " O
Great King, I know not why, in mine absence, thou didst send
Rama to the forest. Whither art thou gone, leaving me bereft
of Rama, that Lion among men and the Doer of famous deeds ?
0 Great Sovereign, who with a constant mind is able to preserve
his mighty kingdom? Thou art dead and Shri Rama is
banished. O Mighty Ruler, this earth is widowed and divested
of all beauty without thee ! Without thee, the capital resembles
a moonless night."
Shri Vasishtha again addressed Shri Bharata, perceiving him
still to be a prey to grief and said : " O Mighty-armed Prince
this is no time for giving way to sorrow or procrastination,
now perform the last rites for the king."
Thus addressed, Shri Bharata with the aid of the brahmins
and the spiritual preceptor of the monarch, inaugurated the
funeral ceremonies.
In the sacrificial hall, the priests performed the fire ritual.
The servitors placed the body of the king on a litter and conveyed
it thence, weeping and lamenting. Scattering golden coins, and
silver flowers and laying cloths before the bier, they proceeded
on their way, while before the palace, sandalwood, ambergris
and incense were kindled.
On the banks of the river Sarayu, a funeral pyre of devadaru,1
sandal and other fragrant woods, was raised. Aromatic herbs
were thrown on the pyre and the body of the king laid upon it.
The sacrificing priests poured oblations on the funeral pile,
to the end that the monarch should attain the beatific state,
and intoned the traditional mantrams, whilst the brahmins,
acquainted with the Sama Veda,3 sang the Sama hymns.
The queens, carried in palanquins, attended by the royal
and aged guards, approached the funeral pyre, weeping. Then
they, overcome with grief, together with the priests circum-
ambulated the blazing body of the king. The piteous wailing
of the stricken Queens and the cries of distress of innumerable
1 Devadaru — -a species of pine.
1 Sama Veda— the third Veda.
327
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
women following them, resembled the call of the krauncha birds
in the mating season. Then the queens, abandoning their
vehicles, approached the bank of the river Sarayu and, together
with Prince Bharata, the counsellors and ministers, offered
libations of water ; thereafter, weeping bitterly, they returned
to the capital, where for the period of ten days they slept on
the bare earth.
CHAPTER 77
The ceremonies are continued
On the eleventh day, Prince Bharata purified himself and on
the twelfth day he performed the Sapindi1 ceremony, and
distributed jewels, gold, silver, gorgeous apparel and other
articles among the brahmins.
He also gave in charity countless white goats and cows, male
and female servants, chariots and horses. On the thirteenth
day, the mighty-armed Bharata, overcome with grief, went to
collect the ashes of the king and, standing near the funeral pyre,
spoke in a voice choked with emotion. He said : " O Lord,
my brother, Ramachandra, to whom thou hadst entrusted me,
has entered the forest and thou, also, hast abandoned me,
helpless and wretched as I am. O Father, where hast thou gone,
abandoning Mother Kaushalya, whose son is now exiled ? "
Seeing die white ashes of the king's bones and the body
wholly consumed, Bharata burst into fresh lamentation, and
weeping, fell on the earth. The people tried to raise the
prince who was lying on the ground like the banner of Indra,
its support broken.' The counsellors raised up Prince Bharata
as the sages formerly lifted up King Yayati, who had fallen
from heaven on the termination of the fruit of his merit.
Perceiving Bharata, overcome with grief, Shatrughna, remember-
ing his sire, also fell senseless to the ground.
1 Sapindi ceremony — the establishing of connection with kindred through
obsequial offerings.
1 An allusion to the Shakra-Dhwana ceremony, in which a banner is erected
on a pillar or tree, in honour of Indra.
328
AYODHYA KANDA
Being somewhat restored, they called to mind the excellent
qualities of their illustrious father and Shatrughna cried :
** The boons exacted by Manthara are the ocean inhabited by
the crocodile Kaikeyi, in which we are submerged. O Father,
where art thou gone, abandoning thy tender and beloved son
Bharata ? Why hast thou abjured us, thou who wast wont to
give us delicious food, fitting gifts, robes and ornaments ? Who
will now confer these favours on us ? Why is the earth not
riven, thus deprived of an illustrious and pious sovereign ?
Alas ! My father has departed to heaven and Shri Rama has
gone to the forest ! How can I continue to live ? Bereft of
my rather and brother, I shall enter the fire. I shall not return
to the capital, I shall go to Tapovana."
The palace attendants hearing the prince grieving so bitterly,
were afflicted and fell to the ground, tormented like bulls whose
horns are broken.
Then the excellent and wise Vasishtha, their father's chief priest
raising Bharata up, addressed him, saying : " O Prince, thirteen
days have passed since the cremation of thy illustrious father's
body. Do not delay longer, but collect the bones that remain.
Every man suffers the three pairs of opposites ; hunger and thirst,
pleasure and pain, life and death. Do not permit thyself to
grieve for that which cannot be avoided."
Then the wise Sumantra raised up Shatrughna and consoling
him explained the nature of birth and death that visits all beings.
Standing erect, those two lions among men, their eyes red with
much weeping, resembled the standards of Indra, bereft of glory
by the effects of sun and rain. Then the counsellors approached
the two princes and requested them to undertake the remaining
ceremonies.
329
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 78
The hunchback, Manthara, incurs Prince Shatrughna' s displeasure
As Bharata, still grieving, was considering how he should
approach Shri Rama in the forest, Prince Shatrughna spoke :
" O Brother, how is it that Shri Rama, the support of all beings
in distress and who is powerful, has been banished to the forest
with his consort ? -Even if Shri Rama were bewildered, why
did the mighty and courageous Lakshmana not defend him
and restrain his father? The king, falling under the sway
of desire, forsook the precepts of justice, Prince Lakshmana
who was acquainted with what was right, should have restrained
the king from this sinful act"
While Prince Shatrughna was conversing thus with Bharata,
the hunchback Manthara, attired in costly garments, adorned
with precious gems, appeared at the east door. Painted thickly
with sandalwood paste, wearing a robe and ornaments befitting
a queen, bestowed on her by Kaikeyi, her waist encircled by
a jewelled girdle, her whole body covered with precious stones,
she resembled a captive monkey. The guards seeing that
wicked and deformed slave, seized her and said to Prince
Shatrughna : " This is the sinful wretch who has caused the
exile of Shri Rama and the death of the king ; deal with her
according to thy pleasure."
On hearing the words of the guards, the prince smarting
with indignation, reflected on his duty and said to those in
the palace : ** Let this woman, the cause of the grief of my
brothers and the death of my father, suffer the consequence
of her acts."
Shatrughna then seized Manthara from amidst her companions
with such violence that her shrieks filled the palace ! The
women, perceiving Shatrughna so enraged, dealing thus with
the hunchback, ran away in all directions. They reflected
among themselves, saying : " The enraged prince will surely
put an end to us all, let us therefore take refuge with the
compassionate, liberal and illustrious Queen Kaushalya, she
alone will protect us."
330
AYODHYA KANDA
Prince Shatrughna, the conqueror of his foes, his eyes red
with anger threw Manthara on the ground and forcibly dragged
her hither and thither, while all her ornaments were scattered,
causing the palace to look like the autumn sky, studded with
stars ! Dragging Manthara in anger before Queen Kaikeyi,
who sought to deliver her, the prince reproached his mother
with bitter words. Pained by the harsh speech of Prince
Shatrughna, the terrified Kaikeyi fled to Prince Bharata for
protection.
Perceiving Shatrughna overcome by anger, Bharata addressed
him saying : " O Brother, women are not to be slain by any
living being, therefore pardon her and set her free ! If women
were subject to the law of retribution, and were it not that
Rama would forsake me as a matricide, I would have slain this
sinful woman long since ! If Shri Rama became acquainted
with our treatment of this deformed woman, he would never
converse more with us."
Thus instructed by Prince Bharata, Shatrughna restrained
his wrath and released Manthara, who fell at the feet of Queen
Kaikeyi, panting and lamenting. Perceiving Manthara full of
fear under Shatrughna's displeasure and trembling like an
imprisoned krauncha bird, Kaikeyi gradually calmed her.
chapter 79
Prince Bharata decides to go to the forest and bring back
his brother
EARLY on the fourteenth day, the king's ministers being
assembled, thus addressed Prince Bharata : " Our Venerable
Sovereign, King Dasaratha, having sent his eldest son, Shri
Rama and the mighty Prince Lakshmana, into exile, has, himself,
joined the circle of the gods. Thou art to-day our Lord, O
Mighty Prince. The kingdom is now rulerless and the king
bequeathed it to thee, it is not improper for thee, therefore, to
ascend the throne, nor will any censure thee on this Account.
33*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
0 Prince of the House of Raghu, all the articles for thy coronation
are made ready ; thy relatives, counsellors and ministers and
the citizens look to thee. O Great Prince, accept the kingdom
of thy paternal ancestors and cause thyself to be installed and
protect us all."
The Speaker of Truth, the illustrious Bharata, hearing these
excellent words, reverently circumambulating the articles
designed for the coronation ceremony, replied to those who thus
addressed him : " Hear, O My People, it is known to you that
according to the tradition of our Royal House the throne 'is
inherited by the eldest son of the deceased sovereign ; it is,
therefore, improper for you to make this request to me. Shri
Rama is my elder brother and, therefore, should be king. I
shall enter the forest and reside there during fourteen years
in his stead. Now order my whole army to hold itself in
readiness, I will go to the forest and bring my brother back,
taking with me all the articles necessary for his installation.
Rama will there be proclaimed king ! I will restore him like
the holy tire which is brought to the place of sacrifice. I will
never suffer the ambitions of Queen Kaikeyi to be fulfilled.
1 will enter the forest, hard to penetrate, and shall make Rama
king. Let the rough and uneven roads at once be repaired by
skilled artisans ; let them be followed by mechanics and
labourers."
The people were gratified to hear the auspicious words of
the prince and replied : " O Prince, may the Goddess of
Prosperity1 ever abide with thee ! Desirous of making Rama
our king, thy words are timely."
Then all present experienced great joy and shed tears of
delight. The happy courtiers, ministers and servants spoke
cheerfully, saying : " O Chief of Men, at thy command we are
summoning the workmen to prepare the way."
1 Shri Laluhmi, consort of Shri Vishnu.
332
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 80
A royal highway is constructed for the prince
Now, commanded by Prince Bharata, water diviners, expert
and industrious mechanics, builders of bridges, wheelwrights,
men able to perform all kinds of work, woodcutters, artisans
skilled in the sinking of wells, labourers, hewers of wood, cooks
and those acquainted with the way, set forth. The multitude
of people advancing, appeared astonishing, like the sea under
the full moon.
Those proficient in various ways, equipped with axes and
other implements, advanced in groups, cutting through trees,
shrubs, bushes and rocks, levelling them and hewing out a path ;
planting trees where these were needed, they cut back the
branches of others that obstructed the way. Strong men set
fire to tree trunks and cleared the road, levelling the uneven
places with clay and filling the ditches. Others bridged the
small rivers and brooks and swept the road clear of pebbles
and thorns, pulverizing the rocks that impeded the flow of water.
They speedily built barriers to dam the small streams and
deepened the ponds by digging in many places. They also
sank wells where water was scarce, and built platforms on which
men could rest. Lime was spread on the road, trees were
planted where birds sang and the highway appeared as if adorned
with banners. Sprinkled with the essence of sandalwood and
decorated with flowering branches, it resembled the pathway
of the Gods.
Those skilled in building prepared dwellings on pleasant sites
near fresh water and fruit trees. Camps were set up for the
army in accordance with Prince Bharata's instructions and all
that was needed was provided.
Those acquainted with the auspicious planetary positions
erected quarters for the illustrious Bharata. Bordered by deep
moats with intersecting roads, these camps were as lofty as the
blue mountain.
Stately white temples were set up, and rows of houses,
bordering the roads, were adorned with flags.
333
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The balconies on the buildings, elevated like dovecotes,
resembled the abode of the gods, and the whole arena rivalled
Indra's capital.
The way prepared for Prince Bharata, extended to the banks
of the Ganges in whose cool waters fishes glided, as it flowed
between woods and forests, and that royal highway, erected by
skilled artisans, appeared as beautiful as the night sky, adorned
by moon and stars.
CHAPTER 8 I
Vasishtha summons the royal assembly
Yet a little of the enchanting night still remained, when the
bards began to praise the prince ; three hours before the sun
rose, the great drums were struck with golden sticks, while
conches were blown and the sound of countless musical instru-
ments was heard.
The music filling the heavens increased the grief of Prince
Bharata, who commanded it to cease, saying : "I am not the
king." Then addressing Prince Shatrughna, he said : " Hear,
O Brother, how unfitting are the praises now sung at the instance
of Queen Kaikeyi. She has done us a great wrong. The king
has departed to the regions of the gods and left me desolate.
The future and the kingdom trembling in uncertainty, resembles
a ship without a pilot drifting on the ocean. My father is dead
and my mother, abandoning the path of virtue, has sent Shri
Rama into exile.'1
The women of the palace, hearing the great prince lamenting,
began to weep aloud pitifully. At this time, the great and
illustrious Sage Vasishtha, versed in the science of government,
appeared in the assembly hall, which was decorated with wrought
gold, encrusted with gems. Attended by his followers, the
spiritual preceptor of the royal dynasty, entered the council
chamber, as Indra enters the celestial hall named Sudharma.
Seated on a golden throne, which was covered with an excellent
334
AYODHYA KANDA
carpet with the swastika design, Shri Vasishtha said to the
messengers : " Go speedily and summon the learned brahmins,
the counsellors, the warriors and the leaders of the army;
matters of great importance await them ! Bring also the royal
princes together with their secretaries and ministers, Yudhajita
and Sumantra ! "
A great tumult now arose from those invited, who approached
in chariots and on horses and elephants.
The counsellors seeing Prince Bharata drawing near, were
gladdened by his sight as though King Dasaratha himself had
entered the assembly.
The presence of Bharata added to the splendour of the court
so that it appeared as when Ring Dasaratha was present, or as
the clear waters of the ocean are enhanced by whales, alligators,
shells and golden sand.
CHAPTER 82
The chiefs of the army prepare for departure
The wise Bharata beheld the royal assembly presided over
by the great Vasishtha and other venerable sages, resembling
the night made glorious by the full moon. IUumined by these
excellent ones, who occupied their seats, attired in splendid
apparel, the conclave was of incomparable brilliance. The
assembly of learned men resembled the beauty of the full moon
on a winter's night.
The virtuous priest, Shri Vasishtha, beholding all the ministers
and the chief counsellors, gently addressed Bharata, saying :
** O Child, King Dasaratha, having practised virtue in his life,
has bequeathed this rich and prosperous land to thee. Shri
Ramachandra observing the vow of truth, in obedience to his
father and in conformity with the duty incumbent on him, to
vindicate his parents, has not failed to accomplish his father's
command, as the moon does not abstain from shedding abroad
its radiance. Now enjoy the possession of this peaceful kingdom
335 «
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
given to thee by thy father and brother ! To please thy coun-
sellors, cause thyself to be installed. The kings of the north,
south and west, the peers and titular sovereigns of the western
boundary and the monarchs of many islands, will bring thee
countless gems as offerings."
Hearing the words of his spiritual preceptor, Prince Bharata
was distressed, knowing well that according to the ancient tradi-
tion of his dynasty, the eldest son inherits the kingdom. Calling
Rama to remembrance, Shri Bharata resolved to seek out bis
elder brother. The throat of the youthful prince was choked and
in tones resembling the cry of the swan, he plaintively reproached
the venerable Guru for the impropriety of his command.
Bharata said : " O Holy Lord, how can I usurp the legitimate
possession of one, who, learned in the Vedas and sciences,
acquired by dwelling as a servant in the house of his Guru,
knows their meaning well and follows them in practice ? How
can one, born of King Dasaratha, striving to fulfil the law of
dharma, take possession of the kingdom of Rama ? Not only
does the kingdom belong to Rama, but I also belong to him.
O Holy One, may thy counsels accord with righteousness |
King Dasaratha owned this kingdom as did King Dilipa and
Nahusha before him, so should the virtuous Prince Rama, the
eldest and most excellent son, inherit the kingdom !
" If, as instructed by thee, I accept it, it would be a great
sin and worthy of an evil-doer, not in accordance with the
way that leads to heaven and I should be adjudged the
destroyer of the House of Ikshwaku. I abhor the wrong com-
mitted by my mother, and I offer salutations to Rama residing
in the forest ; I will follow him, he alone is king and worthy of
ruling the three worlds ! It were easy for him to administer
this kingdom."
All seated in the assembly, devoted to Rama, having listened
to the righteous words of Bharata, shed tears of joy. Once
again Shri Bharata spoke, saying : " If I fail to bring back
Shri Rama then I will dwell there with him in the forest as
Lakshmana has done. O Ye Wise Men, accompany me to the
forest and with your good help, I will try every means to persuade
him to return ; skilled excavators, engineers and carpenters
have been sent forward by me to render the road passable."
336
AYODHYA KANDA
The lover of his brother, Shri Bharata, turning to the royal
counsellors, addressed the wise Sumantra seated near them and
said : " Go speedily and summon the army in my name to
accompany me to the forest and bring the leaders here."
Sumantra gladly carried out the commands of Prince Bharata.
The military commanders were filled with joy at the order of
Prince Bharata to proceed with the army to recall Shri Rama.
In every home, wives joyfully urged their husbands to go with
all speed and bring back Shri Rama.
The leaders of the army riding their swift horses or in bullock
carts and chariots gave the order to march. His preceptor the
Guru Vasishtha being near, Shri Bharata said to Sumantra who
was at his side, "Speedily prepare my chariot". Sumantra
replied with reverence " Be it so " and highly pleased brought
the chariot to which excellent horses were yoked. The Prince,
filled with fortitude, illustrious, of fixed vows and a hero of
the region of truth, resolving to recall Shri Rama from the forest,
addressed Sumantra saying : " O Sumantra, mobilise the army
and order my friends and the chiefs of the people to be prepared.
I desire to recall Rama for the good of the world."
As instructed by the great prince, Sumantra speedily issued
the command to the chiefs of the army and the friends of Bharata,
fully explaining its purpose. In every dwelling the brahmins,
the warriors, the merchants and the labourers brought together
camels, chariots, mules, elephants and excellent horses.
chapter 83
The whole army reaches the river Ganges
Early in the morning, the prince rose and mounting an excellent
chariot, set out in haste, desirous of seeing Rama. Shri
Bharata's chariot was preceded by ministers on horseback and
priests in coaches and shone like the vehicle of the sun. Nine
thousand richly bedecked elephants and sixty thousand carts
337
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with archers, together with a hundred thousand troops, accom-
panied the self-controlled prince, the devotee of truth. Kaikeyi,
Sumitra and the renowned Kaushalya riding in resplendent
chariots, went forward to bring Rama home. The multitude
of the twice bom proceeding from the capital, conversed solely
of Shri Ramachandra and listened only to that which related
to him. They said : " When shall we behold Shri Rama, that
cloud-complexioned, mighty armed one, of fixed purpose ; the
destroyer of the grief of the world ? As the rising sun ends
the darkness of the earth, so by the mere beholding of Shri Rama
will our grief disappear."
Conversing thus of Rama and embracing each other, the
citizens went forward, filled with gladness.
The foremost merchants of Ayodhya who had received
permission from Bharata to accompany him, also those who
had not been so favoured and others, went forward happily
to meet Rama. Skilful engravers, potters, weavers and workers
in gems, those who made fans of peacocks' feathers, woodcutters,
plasterers, workers in glass and ivory, masons and perfumers,
famous goldsmiths, makers of woollen cloth, washermen,
masseurs, appliers of unguents, physicians and those who
fumigated the dwellings with incense, also retailers of wine
were present. Fullers, tailors, chiefs of villages, cowherds,
dancing men and women, fishermen, and countless Vedic
scholars of subdued mind, devoted to Rama, followed Prince
Bharata in carts drawn by bullocks. All apparelled in pure
raiment, their bodies anointed with red sandalwood, mounted
on vehicles of various kinds, followed in the wake of Prince
Bharata. The leaders of the army joyfully accompanied the
prince, now going forth to bring Prince Rama home.
Mounted in chariots, palanquins, bullock carts or on horses
and elephants, the people proceeded a considerable distance
and reached the banks of the Ganges at Shrangaverapur, where
the friend of Shri Rama, Guha, dwelt with his people, guarding
his country with vigilance. Arriving at the banks of Shri Gunga,
the haunt of the chakravaka1 bird, those following the prince
halted. The eloquent Bharata, seeing the beautiful Ganges,
reviewed his troops and said to his ministers : —
1 Chakravaka bird — Brahmany duck.
338
AYODHYA KANDA
" Let the whole army camp here to-night, to-morrow we will
cross the river. Now I desire to offer a libation to the spirit
of my father, the king ! "
His counsellors replied, " Be it so, O Prince ", and caused
the people to halt there, each according to his rank. The saintly
Bharata alone in his tent, on the banks of the Ganges reflected
anxiously how he might best bring Shri Rama home.
chapter 84
Guha3 chief of ike ferrymen, is filled with apprehension
Observing the great army of Bharata encamped on the river
bank, Guha was filled with apprehension, and said to his
followers : " My Friends, this great army which is occupying
the river banks, is not to be numbered even in imagination.
Assuredly Prince Bharata has come here with evil intent, since
the flag of his dynasty flies over his tent. Either he is come
to bind and destroy me, or he is going to slay Rama who is
exiled by his father, and helpless ! Perchance the son of Kaikeyi
desires to slay Rama in order to gain complete possession of
the kingdom. But Rama, the son of Dasaratha, is my Lord,
my Supporter and my Friend, I command you, therefore, to don
your armour and take up arms, lining the banks of the Ganges
for the protection of Rama. Let my servants and the troops
living on fruit, roots and flesh guard the ferry boats of the
Ganges. Let five hundred boats be manned with their crews,
and let each be guarded by youthful watermen well armed and
accoutred. See that they are vigilant. If Prince Bharata be
well disposed towards Rama, his army may cross the Ganges
to-day."
Thus, mobilising his troops and servants, Guha the chief
of ferrymen, taking gifts of fish, flesh and honey, went to meet
Prince Bharata. Seeing Guha approaching, the excellent
Sumantra said to Bharata : " This Guha attended by a thousand
kinsmen is the king of this place, he is a native of these parte
339
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and is fully acquainted with the forest, he is a friend of thy
brother, Shri Rama. Therefore, O Prince, let him be admitted
in audience to thee, he assuredly knows the place where Rama
and Lakshmana dwell."
Hearing the words of the sagacious Sumantra, Bharata said :
" Go and tell Guha that I desire to meet him."
The sanction of Prince Bharata being given, Guha with the
chiefs of his people approached the prince and thus addressed
him : " O Lord, consider this country as thine own domain ;
not being acquainted with thine intention, I am unable to offer
thee a fitting welcome. This inconsiderable kingdom is thine
and we also are thine ! We entreat thee to abide in thy servant's
house. I have brought roots, fruits and flesh both fresh and
dried for thee and other products of the forest for thy use.
It is my hope that thine army remain here to-night as my guests ;
may we have occasion to serve thee, O Prince ; to-morrow thou
canst go forward with thine army."
CHAPTER 85
He is filled with joy on hearing of Prince Bkarata's intention
The wise Bharata listened to the words of the chief of ferrymen
and revealed his purpose to him, stating his reasons thus :
" O Friend of my elder brother, thy hospitality is great, since
thou desirest to entertain so great an army as accompanies me."
Prince Bharata then addressed Guha once more in gentle
and well-chosen words, and said : " O Chief of the Nishadas,
by what way shall I proceed to the hermitage of the Sage
Bharadwaja? The valley of the Ganges being flooded is
difficult to cross."
Guha, acquainted with all the paths and inaccessible parts
of the forest, replied with great humility : " 0 Illustrious Prince,
have no anxiety ! These, my kinsmen, armed with bows and
arrows, fully acquainted with the forest, shall accompany thee,
and I also shall follow thee in person. But observing thy great
340
AYODHYA KANDA
army, I am filled with apprehension. Art thou going to approach
Rama, urged by some evil intent ? "
Shri Bharata, whose heart was pure as the stainless heavens,
answered him in sweet accents, saying : " O Guha ! May the
time never come when I cause him distress. Do not look on
me with fear O Friend j Rama, my elder brother, is to me
equal to my father himself! O Guha, I go to bring back Shri
Rama from the forest. Do not impute any evil motive to me !
O Friend, this is the truth and the truth alone."
Guha was filled with joy on hearing the words of Prince
Bharata and again addressed him saying : " O Bharata, blessed
art thou. In the whole world, I see none equal to thee, since
thou desirest to relinquish a great empire that has fallen to thee
without any effort of thine own. Thy fame in the world will
live forever, since thou, suffering distress, didst go forth to
bring back Shri Rama."
While Prince Bharata and Guha were thus conversing, the
sun set and the night drew on. Gratified with the converse
and hospitality of Guha, his army fully refreshed, Shri Bharata
entered his tent to rest. But the prince, whose heart formerly
had been unacquainted with grief and who was patient and free
from sin, which is the chief cause of suffering, was yet overcome
by pain on account of Rama. Sorrow for Raghava consumed him
inwardly, as a fire consumes a withered and hollow tree in the
forest. The perspiration caused by the fire of grief ran down
bis body, as the snow flows from the Himalayan peaks melting
under the heat of the sun.
By the mountain, the peak of which was sorrow, the recollec-
tion of Rama the rocks, his sighs the mineral charged streams,
his desolation the forest, and weariness the promontories, his
deep anxiety the wild beasts, his restlessness the herbs, by
this mountain of affliction was Shri Bharata overwhelmed.
Assailed by unspeakable anguish, the prince sighed heavily
and almost bereft of reason, unconscious of his body, like a bull
driven from the herd, was deprived of all rest.
Guha approaching with his friends and kinsmen, embracing
Shri Bharata, gently began to reassure him, regarding his elder
brother.
34i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 86
Guha tells of Shri Rama's stay by the sacred river
The dweller in that dense forest, Guha, began to console the
virtuous and affectionate prince, whose love for the pious
Lakshmana and Shri Ramachandra was unwavering, and said :
" O Lord, when the valiant Lakshmana, well armed, was keeping
watch over the then sleeping Rama, I said to him, ' O Friend,
a soft couch is prepared for thee, sleep thereon at ease, O Prince
of Raghu, those dwelling in the forest are accustomed to hardship
but thou art worthy of comfort, we will keep guard over
Shri Rama this night. O Prince, there is none in the world
so dear to us as Rama. Be not anxious, we will keep watch
over Shri Rama ; do thou rest. By the grace of Rama, I hope
to acquire great renown and the limitless wealth of dharma
in this world. Therefore, O Prince, I will protect my friend,
Shri Rama who is reposing with Sita ! My kinsmen will keep
watch ; nothing in the forest is unknown to me, who constantly
traverse it ; I could challenge a great army with success, should
it venture to attack Shri Rama ! "
" O Lord, the illustrious Lakshmana, established in virtue,
answered me saying : ' O Guha, when the virtuous Rama and
Sita are resting on the naked earth, how should I occupy an
easy couch ? How can any of the comforts of life or life itself
be mine if Shri Rama does not also enjoy them ? O Guha,
behold Shri Rama, capable of subduing the gods and demons,
resting on a bed of grass. Through great austerity and
penance was Shri Dasaratha blessed with a son, like unto himself.
Assuredly, the king will not long survive the exile of Shri Rama,
and the land will soon become widowed. The women will
lament loudly and then grow silent. I fear lest my Father,
Queen Kaushalya and my mother Sumitra will not survive.
Perchance my mother will continue to live in expectation of the
return of Shatrughna, but Kaushalya, the mother of that great
hero will surely die ! The king desired to transfer the throne
to Prince Bharata, but this ambition will not be realised by him.
A great and honourable duty will be fulfilled in performing
34a
AYODHYA KANDA
the funeral ceremonies for my sire. The capital of the king
abounding with beautiful terraces and parks, pleasant highways
and tall houses encrusted with gems, crowded with horses,
elephants and chariots, resounding with music, furnished with
pleasure grounds, where happy and healthy people gather, is
blessed by those who walk therein. O Guha, shall we, returning
with Rama, the fulfiUer of firm vows, when the fourteen years
of exile are over, joyfully enter Ayodhya in his company ? "
Guha said: "O Prince, thus keeping watch, the mighty
Lakshmana, bearing his bow and arrows, passed the night.
When the clear sun rose, the two princely brothers, on this
selfsame bank of the sacred river caused their beautiful locks
to be matted and were then conveyed by me, in safety, over
the Ganges.
The royal brothers, heroic, resplendent and the subduers of
their enemies, their hair matted, attired in bark, armed with
bow and quiver, departed with Sita, looking back at me, like
mighty elephants.*'
CHAPTER 87
Horn Shri Rama spent his first night of exile
Having heard the moving tale related by Guha, Prince Bharata
began to reflect on Rama. That tender prince of powerful arms,
whose shoulders resembled a lion's and whose eyes were like
the lotus, who was patient, youthful and charming in appearance
yet sad at heart, at length sank to the ground unconscious,
like an elephant stricken to the heart by a goad.
Prince Shatrughna ever in attendance on Bharata, deeply
afflicted by his state, embracing his body, wept aloud. Then all
the mothers of Prince Bharata, emaciated with fasting and sorrow
for their deceased lord, surrounded him, lying unconscious on
the earth. The pious Queen Kaushalya approaching, raised
Bharata up and pressed him to her breast. The ascetic queen,
the lover of her son, straining him to her bosom as if he were
343
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
her own child, weeping, enquired of him, saying : " O My Son,
art thou afflicted by pain ? The life of this royal family wholly
depends on thee ! O Child, Shri Rama has gone to the forest
with Lakshmana, I live only if I behold thy face. King
Dasaratha being dead, thou alone art the protector of the people.
O Child, hast thou heard aught against Lakshmana or my only
son, who, with his wife is gone to the forest ? "
The renowned Bharata returning to his normal consciousness,
consoled the weeping Kaushalya and then addressed Guha :
" O Guha, where did my brother pass the night here ? What
did he eat, on what couch did he rest ? Where did Sita and
Lakshmana dwell ? "
Guha, the King of Nishadas, gladly related how he had
entertained his gracious guest, Shri Rama. He said, " O
Bharata, rice, other foods and fruit in abundance were placed
by me, before Shri Rama. To please me, that hero of the realm
of truth, Shri Ramachandra, accepted the gifts, but recollecting
his duty as a kshatriya did not partake of them. He said :
" O Friend, we are warriors and it is our duty to give all to
others, not accepting any gift for ourselves."
That night, the great-hearted Rama, having with Sita drunk
the water brought by Shri Lakshmana, retired to rest, fasting.
Shri Lakshmana finishing the water that was left over, all
observed silence and performed the evening devotion with con-
centration. Thereafter the son of Sumitra brought kusha
grass and spread it on the earth to serve as a couch for Rama.
As Shri Rama and Sita rested there, Shri Lakshmana washed
their feet in pure water and then moved to a distance to* mount
guard over them.
O Prince, here is that Ingudi tree, and here is the couch
of grass on which Rama and Sita slept. That hero, Shri
Lakshmana with his quiver filled with arrows, bound to his body,
donning gloves made of goha-skin, drawing the string of his bow,
paced round and round at a distance, guarding the royal pair.
X also, O Prince, surrounded by my kinsmen, armed with
an excellent bow, kept watch through the night, protecting
Shri Ramachandra, who resembled Indra.
' 344
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 88
Prince Bharata sleeps on the same spot where Shri Rama
had rested
Shri Bharata with his counsellors reverently approached the
Ingudi tree and looked with love on the grassy couch. He said
to his mothers : " This grass was pressed by the royal frame
of the illustrious Ramachandra, who passed the first night
of exile in this place. It ill became the great and wise son
of King Dasaratha to sleep on the bare earth ! How could
Shri Rama, who ever reposed on a soft couch, sleep on the
naked ground ? Shri Rama who dwelt in a seven-storied palace,
the floors of which were studded with gold and silver flowers,
overlaid with soft carpets of many a hue on which marvellous
floral designs were woven, the whole fragrant with the perfume
of sandalwood and ambergris, and which resembled the clouds ;
where the cries of parrots and mainas were constantly heard
and cool air flowed uninterruptedly through shafts ; where the
walls inlaid with gold and silver resembled the Meru mountain :
in such a palace, Shri Rama was accustomed to rest, awakened
each morning by the sweet music of the royal musicians and
the gentle tinkling of women's anklets, and duly praised by
the bards, panegyrists and ministers, in verse and song. To-day,
he sleeps on the naked earth and hears the cry of jackals and
other wild beasts. This matter is past belief, it resembles a
dream ! I consider nothing more powerful than the will of
the Lord ; how otherwise should the son of King Dasaratha
be seen sleeping on the earth ? How could the daughter of
King Janaka, that beautiful princess, the beloved daughter-in-
law of King Dasaratha, sleep on the naked ground ?
** O Mother, here is my brother's couch, on it he tossed,
crushing the grass by the weight of bis limbs. It would seem
that Shri Sita rested here also, wearing her ornaments, since
I perceive particles of gold lying here and there. O Mother,
see Sita's scarf became entangled here, for in this place I see
threads of silk ! Whether it be hard or soft, the couch of her
lord is sweet to a woman I See 1 The young and tender Sita,
345
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
devoted to her husband, experienced no smart, resting here.
Oh ! I am undone ! What a merciless wretch am I ! On
my account, Shri Ramachandra and his spouse lay on this hard
couch I Alas that Shri Rama, deprived of kingly felicity,
though born of a royal line, dear to all and the cause of universal
joy, whose complexion resembles the blue lotus, whose eyes
are slightly red,1 charming to look upon, not meriting tribulation,
should have to sleep on the naked earth.
" Blessed and fortunate is Lakshmana, who followed his
brother in the days of adversity ! Fruitful is the life of Princess
Sita who, thus accompanied her lord to the forest. Wretched
are we, bereft of Shri Rama ; nor are we certain that he will
allow us to serve him. King Dasaratha, being dead, and Shri
Rama having entered the forest, the earth appears to me like a
boat without a pilot. None desires to usurp the place spiritually
reserved for him, who dwells in the forest. To-day the capital
is empty and unprotected, horses and elephants wander here
and there unconfincd, there being none to control them ; the
gates of the city are left open and unguarded ; the army is
melancholy and indifferent to the defence of the capital!
Ayodhya externally without protection and bereft of purpose,
is in a sorry state. Even its enemies torn from it, as men
turn away from poisoned food !
" From to-day, assuming an ascetic garb, I will sleep on the
earth and live on fruit and roots. I shall live in the forest for
the remainder of the term which Rama has to discharge, so
that his vow may be fulfilled. My brother Shatrughna shall
dwell with me in the forest, while Lakshmana returns with Rama
to protect the capital ! The learned brahmins will install Shri
Rama in Ayodhya ! I entreat the gods to fulfil the desire of
my heart. If Rama, however, will not grant my request, I will
remain in the forest as his servant, but how should he reject
my appeal ? Is he not compassionate towards his devotees ? "
1 This is said to be one of the marks of a divine Incarnation.
34«
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 89
The army crosses the holy river
Bharata having slept on the same spot where Shri Rama had
lately rested, and the night being over, called Shatrughna, and
said to him : "Arise, O Brother, may good attend thee ! The
day has dawned, sleep no more ! Please summon Guha, the
chief of the Nishadas, so that he may convey our army across
the river."
Shatrughna answered : " O Noble One, I am awake. I was
not able to sleep, for like thee I have been meditating on Shri
Rama!"
As these two, die chiefs of men, stood conversing together,
Guha approaching, said with humility : " O Prince, didst thou
rest at ease, on the river bank ? Did any disturbance visit thee
or thine army ? "
Hearing these words of Guha uttered with affection, Shri
Bharata answered him, saving : " O King, we have passed this
night in peace, having been highly honoured by thee. Now
let thy servants convey our army over the river."
Guha hastily returned to his city and spake thus to his servants
and relatives : " Brothers, arise, awake, may you ever be
fortunate ! Bring boats to the bank and convey the army over
the river ! "
Thus addressed, the ferrymen arose and gathering five hundred
boats together, brought them to the bank. A special barge that
was seaworthy, named " Swastika ", hung with large bells and
flying banners with apertures for air, was also furnished, whereon
white woollen rugs were spread like carpets, small bells tinkling
melodiously when it sailed. This barque was steered by Guha
himself. On it stepped the illustrious Princes Bharata and
Shatrughna with the Queens Kaushalya and Sumitra, and other
ladies of high degree, preceded by their spiritual preceptors, the
priests and learned brahmins ; finally, the baggage was loaded.
At the time of departure, the noise of those burning the residue
left by the army, of those who plunged into the holy Ganges
end the porters bearing the baggage, ascended to the sky. The
347
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
boats, crowded with attendants, guarded by picked ferrymen,
sailing swiftly, conveyed them over the river. Many vessels
contained women only, while others were rilled with horses or
bullocks, carts, cattle and mules.
Reaching the other bank of the river, the people disembarked,
the ferrymen and Guha's relatives playing diverse games in the
water as they returned. Some of the elephants, resembling
mountains as they moved, were driven across by their mahouts,
others crossed in boats, some on rafts and some swam. Guha's
servants ferried the army over the river, before taking their
morning bath. During the period of Maitra, following on the
sunrise, the army crossed the sacred stream and entered the
charming forest.
Arriving at holy Prayaga, the magnanimous Bharata spoke
encouraging words to the army and ordered them to camp at
ease. Then the prince accompanied by the Guru Vasishtha
and other priests, went to see the Sage Bharadwaja.
Approaching the hermitage of that learned and illumined sage,
the son of Brihaspati, they beheld in the dense and delightful
forest, charming huts thatched with leaves.
CHAPTER 90
Prince Bharata with Shri Vasishtha visit the Sage Bharadwaja's
hermitage
Bharata, beholding the hermitage of the Sage Bharadwaja,
leaving his army a league behind and laying aside his weapons
and royal apparel, attired in a simple silken garment, proceeded
on foot, preceded by bis preceptor. Perceiving the sage himself,
he left his counsellors and followed Shri Vasishtha only. The
great ascetic Bharadwaja, beholding Prince Bharata approaching,
rising from his seat, commanded his disciples to bring the
arghya. The muni advancing to greet Shri Vasishtha, Prince
Bharata offered salutations to him, the sage recognizing him as
the son of King Dasaratha. The Sage Bharadwaja then calling
348
AYODHYA KANDA
for the ritual appointments presented them with the arghya,
and refreshed them with fruits ; he then enquired respecting
their welfare and if all were well in Ayodhya. Then he asked
concerning the state treasury and the ministers, but, knowing
the king to be dead, he made no enquiry concerning him.
In return, Shri Vasishtha and Bharata enquired as to the health
of the sage, the state of his body, the sacred fire, his disciples,
the deer and the birds. The great ascetic Bharadwaja informed
them respecting all these things and then, prompted by the
affection he bore for Shri Rama, said to Bharata : " O Prince,
what occasion has brought thee hither, who art now the ruler
of the kingdom ? Tell me all. King Dasaratha, urged by his
consort, banished Prince Rama to the forest, for the period
of fourteen years. I trust that thou, desirous of enjoying the
kingdom without reserve, art not the harbourer of ill-will to
thy brother ? "
Bitterly wounded by the rishi's words, Prince Bharata, his eyes
suffused with tears, his throat choked with emotion, said:
" O Lord, thou art all-knowing, if thou dost thus regard me,
then my life is vain. I am in no way implicated in the fate
of Shri Rama. Such villainy would never proceed from me.
O My Lord, why dost thou charge me thus ? That which
my mother has done, on my account, is not approved by me,
nor should I ever condone it. I go to gratify that great prince,
by offering salutations to him and with the intention of bringing
him back to the capital. O Divine One, this is my purpose,
be pleased to tell me where Rama, now the lord of the earth,
is to be found ? "
Requested likewise by Shri Vasishtha and the other priests,
Shri Bharadwaja, captivated by the words of Bharata, answered :
" O Great One, thou art born in the illustrious family of Raghu,
and it is therefore not a source of wonder that dutiful regard
for thy preceptor, self-control and the following of the path
of the wise, are all united in thee ! By my yogic powers, the
contents of thy heart were known to me, but I questioned thee,
that thy resolution might be established, and thy fame proclaimed
throughout the whole world. It is known to me where Shri
Rama and Lakshmana conversant with righteousness, abide.
They dwell on the great mountain Chittrakuta ; do thou go
349
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thither to-morrow. To-day, stay here with thy counsellors.
O Wise One, do thou accede to my request."
Then Bharata, the prince of great renown, accepted the offer
of the sage and remained all that night at his hermitage.
CHAPTER 91
Sage Bharadwaja entertains the whole army
Prince Bharata, having decided to remain in the hermitage,
the sage invited him to a repast. Shri Bharata said : " O Holy
Lord, thou hast already entertained me with water, fruit and
berries, I am wholly satisfied.*'
Shri Bharadwaja smilingly answered : " I know thee to be
pleased with whatever is lovingly offered to thee, but, O Prince,
I desire to entertain thy whole army, it is meet that thou accede
to my request. O Great Prince, why art thou come, leaving
thine army at a distance ? Why didst thou come unattended
by thine army ? "
Hearing these words, Prince Bharata answered with humility :
" O Lord, I did not come attended by mine army, in deference
to thee. It becomes a king or a king's son to protect the
hermitages of his kingdom 1 O Lord ! I am accompanied by
many horses and wild elephants occupying a vast area. Fearing
lest they should destroy the trees, the thatched huts and defile
the water of the ponds and wells, I came alone, leaving them
behind."
Then the Maharishi Bharadwaja said : " Bring thine army
hither."
Thus commanded, the prince brought his army thither.
Entering the sacrificial pavilion, the rishi drank three times of
the water there, and reciting a certain formula, sprinkled some
on his body. Then invoking Vishwakarma1 to provide the
entertainment, and speaking slowly, he said : " I summon the
celestial beings, Vishwakarma and Twashta, let them prepare
1 Vixhwakarma— the architect of the god*.
350
AYODHYA KANDA
dwellings for the army. I desire to offer Prince Bharata
hospitality, I therefore call upon the deities Yama, Varuna,
Kuvera and also Indra. Let them assist me in providing the
entertainment. I also summon all the rivers, flowing above
or below from east to west and from west to east. Let some
of these produce the delicious wine named Maireya1 and that
named Saura>2 and also cool, sweet water, like the juice of the
sugar cane. I summon further the heavenly musicians called
Haha and Huhu, together with other divine beings and nymphs.
I summon the dancing apsaras, Ghritachi, Vishwachi, Mishra-
keshi, Alambusha, Nagadanta, Hema and Soma, who dwell in
the Himalayas. I call on the dancing nymphs attendant on
Brahma and Indra; let them attire themselves in beautiful
apparel, bringing their instruments. I desire the celestial forest
Chaitraratha to appear here, the leaves of whose trees are formed
like beautiful damsels. I desire further foods of many kinds
that can be chewed, sucked or licked, and various drinks to be
prepared by the deity presiding over the moon. Let garlands
of fresh flowers be made ready and beautiful goblets and different
dishes of flesh be produced here instantaneously ! "
By his yogic power and the proper recitation of the sacred
mantras, the holy Sage Bharadwaja produced all that was
necessary. Facing the east in the posture of invitation, Shri
Bharadwaja sat in meditation for a space. Then, one by one,
the gods appeared before him. The cool, slow and fragrant
breezes blowing from the Malaya and Dadura mountains,
tempered the heat. The clouds rained down flowers and the
sound of the divine dundubhis (drums) was heard ; delightful
zephyrs began to blow, nymphs danced, the celestial musicians
sang and the notes of the vina were heard everywhere. The earth
and the sky were filled with sweet and harmonious sounds,
heard by all living beings. As the divine music continued,
Bharata's army beheld the wonderful structure wrought by
Vishwakarma. They perceived the whole area within a radius
of four miles, to be covered with a carpet of green and glistening
grass sparkling like a green emerald. Its beauty was enhanced
1 Maireya or Mireya — A kind of intoxicating liquor made of the blossoms of
Lythrum Fructicosum with sugar.
* Saura — a celestial drink, " Saura " meaning " relating " to the sun.
351 2A
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
by silwa,1 kapitha,1 amlaki1 and mango trees. A wood appeared
wherein people could wander, also a divine stream flowing
between banks adorned by various trees. Beautiful white
mansions were erected, with stables for elephants and horses.
Palaces with their balconies decorated with leaves and flowers
were to be seen, and others adorned with green and flowery
sprays and garlands of pure white blossoms sprinkled with
scented water. These dwellings contained square courts
serving as reception halls with space for palanquins, and coaches.
Food of all kinds, rice, the juice of sugar cane and every variety
of confection was to be found there, with curry puffs, pancakes
and other delicious dishes served in clean vessels, while excellent
carpets and seats were spread for relaxation, and couches with
spotless coverings and quilts.
Entering these mansions with the permission of the Sage
Bharadwaja, Prince Bharata was followed by his servants,
ministers and priests who, perceiving all to be well furnished,
were highly gratified.
In one of the mansions, a room was set apart containing
a throne where retainers holding the canopy and chamara were
in attendance. Bharata with his ministers, circumambulated
the royal dais as if it were occupied by Shri Rama and bowing
to it respectfully, Shri Bharata, holding the chamara, occupied
a lower seat, the counsellors, priests and army commanders
assuming positions in accordance with their respective rank.
Now, at the command of the holy sage, streams of milk,
thickened with rice, flowed before Bharata's eyes. Beautiful
houses, washed with quicklime, appeared on the river banks.
Twenty thousand youthful women, enchantingly attired and
wearing beautiful ornaments came there at the instance of
Brahma. Kuvera also sent twenty thousand lovely damsels
adorned with gold, gems and pearls. Further twenty thousand
nymphs from the region of Indra appeared, whose beauty caused
men to lose their reason. Narada, Gopha and other brilliant
musicians began to sing and play before Bharata, and the celestial
nymphs to dance in the presence of the prince, at the rishi's
command. All the flowers most highly esteemed in the celestial
gardens among the gods, were seen at Prayaga, through the power
1 For plants and trees, sec separate glossary.
35*
AYODHYA KANDA
of Bharadwaja. The trees applauded, the bahadur tree per-
formed on the cymbals and the pipal danced, through the
influence of the sage, and those named devaparna, tala and
kuraka assumed the form of dwarfs ! Plants by the name of
shingsapa, amalaki and jambu, and twining creepers such as
the jasmine and mallika, taking on the shape of women in the
hermitage of Bharadwaja, cried out : " O Wine-Bibbers, drink !
O Hungry Ones, eat kheeva ! Come, fill yourselves with the
various kinds of meat ! "
Each person was bathed in the cool river and attended by
seven or eight beautiful maidens with lustrous eyes, who
massaged their body with oil and unguents. Their bath
completed, many women dried them with soft cloths and gave
them sweetened water, tasting like ambrosia, to drink.
The keepers attended carefully to the horses, elephants,
mules, camels and bullocks. Those steeds belonging to the
royal stables and ridden by great generals, were fed by the
grooms on bundles of sugar cane and parched and sweetened
rice, their attendants and mahouts could hardly recognize their
charges. The soldiery were now intoxicated with wine and
indulging in every pleasure ! Each was gratified in whatever
he desired ; their bodies anointed with sandalwood paste and
united with the nymphs in amorous dalliance, they exclaimed :
" We will neither go to Ayodhya nor enter the Dandaka
forest ! Let Bharata live at ease and Shri Rama dwell in the
forest ! **
Thus did the warriors and grooms express themselves in the
state of inebriation, while thousands of soldiers, in exultation,
shouted aloud : " Verily, this is heaven ! " Running hither
and thither with garlands round their necks, innumerable soldiers
danced, sang and laughed. Though they had partaken to the
full of excellent dishes, sweet as nectar, yet when they perceived
fresh articles of food, they could not restrain themselves from
eating anew !
Thousands of messengers, servants and the wives of the
soldiery, putting on colourful raiment, displayed themselves
with pride. Elephants, horses, camels, deer and birds were
fully satisfied ; none wanted for anything ! No one, in the
army of Bharata, was seen in soiled garments or hungry or
353
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
unkempt, none was seen with an unclean countenance or
uncombed hair !
The men beheld countless dishes of mutton, pork, venison
and other meats cooked in fruit-juices and fried in butter with
cloves, caraway seeds and lentils simmering gently in them.
Thousands of vessels were filled with spiced rice, garnished
with flowers and flags. All were speechless with wonder on
beholding them ! Within a radius of five miles, the wells were
filled with frumenty (kheeva) and cows like Kamadhenu fulfilled
every desire I The trees dripped honey and the lakes were filled
with the sparkling wine Maireya, and banked with dressed
viands such as deer, chickens and peacocks. Hundreds and
thousands of dishes were provided, and myriads of vessels filled
with curds, mixed with caraway seeds, ginger and other fragrant
spices, were served there. Lakes of yoghourt and milk, together
with heaps of sugar, were to be seen on the river banks, as also
fragrant crushed leaves and unguents with large pots of sandal-
wood paste, mirrors and towels ! An abundance of sandals
and shoes were provided, whilst antimony, combs, brushes,
parasols, bows and quivers, armour and ornamental seats were
placed here and there ! Tanks, full of liquid mixed with herbs
to promote digestion, were taken to the banks of lakes where
descent was easy, and where the people could bathe freely and
drink when they pleased ! These lakes were filled with pure
water, abounding in lotuses and fringed with tender grass of
blue and emerald hue ; here, resting places for the beasts were
also to be found.
Prince Bharata's companions were astounded at the entertain-
ment provided by the Maharishi Bharadwaja. All passed the
night in amusement, as in the garden of Indra !
At dawn, the rivers, celestial musicians and nymphs took leave
of the maharishi and returned to their own abode. But Prince
Bharata's followers were still flushed and inebriated, their bodies
painted with sandalwood, the flower garlands in heaps like
mountains, lying everywhere, scattered and trampled on by men
and beasts.
354
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 92
Prince Bharata with the army departs for Mount Chittrakuta
Prince Bharata, having passed the night in enjoyment of the
entertainment provided, early in the morning, desirous of seeing
Rama, approached the muni.
With joined palms, he stood before the holy rishi who was
engaged in the fire ritual.
The Sage Bharadwaja enquired of him, saying : " O Sinless
Prince, didst thou pass the night in my hermitage in peace ?
Are all satisfied with the meagre entertainment provided by
me?"
Shri Bharata, offering salutations to the maharishi, who had
come out from his hermitage replied : " 0 Blessed Lord, I and
my whole army have been rendered completely happy in thy
hermitage, thou hast fully satisfied us all. My people have
passed the night agreeably, they have slept in excellent houses
and partaken of delicious dishes, and have lost all sense of
the fatigue caused by the journey. O Great Sage, now allow
me to take leave of thee and go to my brother ; look on me with
favour, I beg of the™,. O Wise One, how far from here is the
hermitage of the pious Rama and which is the way thither ? "
The sage, eminent in ascetic practices, replied to Bharata,
who desired to see his brother : " O Prince, at ten miles' distance
from here, in a field full of boulders, is the beautiful mountain
named Chittrakuta ! To the north of that mountain flows the
river Mandakini, winding through flowery forests, its banks
planted with blossoming trees. O Friend, close to that river,
on the Chittrakuta mountain, thou shalt find thy two brothers
dwelling in a thatched hut. O Fortunate Prince, on the southern
bank of the Yamuna, thou wilt see two paths, do thou take
the right path with thine army, horses and elephants I This
path will take thee to Shri Rama."
At the moment of departure the consorts of King Dasaratha,
descending from their chariots, came to the place where the
great sage was and stood encircling him. Among them the frail
355
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and trembling Kaushalya and Sumitra touched the feet of the
holy man. Then Kaikeyi, thwarted in her designs and despised
by the whole world, touched the feet of the sage and circum-
ambulated him. Grief-stricken, she stood at a little distance
from Bfaarata, as the holy Bharadwaja addressed the prince,
saying : " O Prince, I desire to be acquainted with thy mothers."
The ever eloquent Bharata answered humbly : " O Holy
Lord, here is my father's chief queen, wretched and weakened
through fasting, yet resembling a goddess. She is the mother
of that Lion among men, the highly intrepid Prince Rama !
Comparable to Aditi who brought forth Prajapati, she has
given birth to Raghava ! She, who leaning on her arm, stands
with a sorrowful heart, like the branch of the karnikara tree
stripped of its flowers, is the Queen Sumitra, the mother of
those heroes of truth, Shri Lakshmana and Shatrughna. O
Great Sage, she who has brought great affliction on these two
chiefs of men and caused the death of King Dasaratha by
separating him from his sons, who is given to anger and who
is vain and shallow, esteeming herself favoured, who is highly
ambitious and fickle and yet looks upon herself as free from
imperfection, that cruel and wicked Kaikeyi, is my mother ! O
Great Muni, it is she who has caused my great misfortune ! "
Unable to utter further, his throat choked with emotion, the
prince began to sigh heavily, his eyes inflamed, breathing like
a provoked serpent. Then the holy sage, acquainted with what
should come to pass, answered saying : " My Son, do not
reproach Queen Kaikeyi, the exile of Shri Rama will be
productive of great good and the gods and danavas and the
illustrious sages will gain great benefit from the presence of
Shri Rama in the forest 1 "
Hearing this, Bharata bowed low to the rishi and receiving
his blessing, circumambulated him with reverence. Then craving
permission from the sage to depart, he ordered his army to
prepare to march.
The leaders of the forces mounted their horses, while others,
ascending golden chariots, started on their journey. Elephants
with howdahs fixed by golden chains and adorned with fluttering
flags went forward, the bells hanging from the male and female
tuskers causing a sound like the thunder of the clouds at the end
35«
AYODHYA KANDA
of the rainy season ! The other vehicles large and small,
conveying members of the royal family advanced also.
Shri Bharata, intent on seeing Rama, riding in a resplendent
palanquin shining like the sun or moon, with his great army,
moved towards the south, covering the earth like a vast cloud.
The horses and elephants were all contented and the vast
concourse inspiring the wild deer and birds with terror, looked
splendid as it entered the deep forest.
chapter 93
They behold the hermitage of Shri Rama
As the mighty army traversed the forest, the leaders of the herds
of wild elephants with their companions, ran away in alarm.
Bears, leopards and other fierce beasts could be seen fleeing
on the hilltops and by the banks of the river.
Supremely gratified, Prince Bharata proceeded in the midst
of his soldiers who shouted as they marched. The army of
the illustrious Bharata, resembled an ocean, whose waves spread
over the earth or like the clouds covering the sky during the
rainy season. The ground for miles was covered with elephants
and horses, so that no trace of it could be seen.
Having marched a considerable distance, Shri Bharata,
perceiving his animals to be fatigued, addressed the holy priest,
Shri Vasishtha, saying: "This country appears to be as
beautiful as described to me, I deem that we have reached that
place spoken of by the Sage Bharadwaja. This mountain is
Chittrakuta, and this is the Mandakini river, and this is the
forest which, from a distance, resembled a blue cloud. These
are the glorious peaks of Chittrakuta, which are being trodden
by my great elephants ! See, O Holy Guru, as the dark clouds
pour down water in the rainy season, so do the elephants,
whose trunks are scarred by the waving branches of the trees,
scatter flowers on the hills.
"O Shatrughna, behold the lovely Chittrakuta mountain
357
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sought after by the gods ; everywhere herds of deer wander
about enhancing its beauty, like crocodiles swimming gracefully
in the sea. As clouds driven by the wind in winter adorn the
sky, so do these deer running before the army, render the forest
delightful.
" Our soldiers decorating their heads with flowers, resemble
the people of the south who crown themselves with blossoms.
See, O Shatrughna, the forest that appeared terrifying and
seemed to breathe by being filled with men, resembles Ayodhya
itself!
" The dust rising from the hoofs of the bullocks covers the sky
and settles there, till the wind quickly dispels it, as if those
things obstructing my vision of Shri Rama were being removed
from my eyes. O Shatrughna, behold these horses yoked to
the chariots with their charioteers, swiftly passing through the
forest ! And see those beautiful peacocks with long feathers,
running in fear towards their habitation on the mountain. O
Sinless Brother, this place appears enchanting to me and a fit
abode for ascetics.
" How lovely are the spotted deer wandering about with their
hinds ; they appear as if studded with flowers. Let my leaders
go forward and seek out the place where Shri Rama and
Lakshmana dwell."
Hearing the words of Shri Bharata, the warriors bearing
weapons in their hands, entered the forest and there perceived
a spot where smoke was ascending. On beholding this, they
returned to Prince Bharata and communicated to him their
belief, that the two royal brothers dwelt where the smoke arose.
They said : " If it be not Shri Rama and Lakshmana yonder,
then surely it is some devotee who can inform us concerning the
dwelling place of Raghava ! "
Hearing this pleasing report, Shri Bharata addressed the
leaders of the army saying : " Do you remain here, do not
proceed further, I, with the holy Guru Vasishtha and Sumantra
will go forward to that place."
Thus commanded the warriors halted and Shri Bharata
looked towards the spot where the smoke was visible. Observing
the smoke, the warriors, waiting at that place, rejoiced, believing
the time for the meeting with Shri Rama was at hand.
358
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 94
Shri Rama decides to spend his exile on the mountain
Shri Rama who had passed many days on that mountain,
gratified Shri Sita by showing her many scenes of natural beauty,
they themselves appearing as lovely as Indra and bis consort.
Shri Rama said : " O Fortunate One, beholding the beauty
of this pleasant mountain, no longer does the separation from
my friends or my country cause me pain ! O Centre of Delight !
behold the loveliness of these peaks abounding in metals of
various kinds, reaching the skies and frequented by birds of
every species ! These peaks, some of which shine like silver,
some of which are ruddy, some yellow, some glittering with
the splendour of the brilliant gems concealed in them ; some
sparkling with sapphire and crystal, and some resembling quick-
silver and glittering like the stars ! Though many lions and
leopards abound in the forest, yet influenced by the pure nature
of the ascetics dwelling here, they have ceased to follow their
cruel instincts. Many varieties of birds have their nests on
yonder hill, trees laden with fruit and flowers affording delightful
shade, render the mountain enchanting !
" Here are mango, jambu, asana, lohdra, piyala, panasa,
dhuva, ankotha, bhavya, tinisha, bilwa, tindura, bamboo,
kasanari, arista, varana, madhuca, tilaka, vadari, amlaka, nipa,
vetra, dhanwaria, vijaka and other trees.
" O Auspicious Princess, behold the ravishing loveliness of
these hills where the wise kinneras wander in pairs, their
swords and coloured apparel hanging on the branches. See the
charming retreats of the vidya dharas1 and their companions.
These mountains with their cascades and bubbling springs
appear like mighty elephants the ichor flowing from their
foreheads.
" What mind would not be filled with delight by the breezes
issuing from the caves of the mountain, redolent with fragrance,
pleasing to the senses ? O Peerless One, if it be for me to
1 Vidya Dharas — " Possessors of Knowledge ", a class of deities attendan
oa Indra.
359
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dwell here with thee and Lakshmana for innumerable years,
no grief or anxiety will visit me. O Lovely Lady, on the
mountain of Chittrakuta, rendered pleasant by a profusion of
flowers and fruits, whose delightful peaks echo with the sweet
song of birds, I am content to dwell ! By residing here, two
objects have been achieved, the fulfilment of my father's vow
and the satisfaction of Prince Bharata. O Daughter of King
Videha, behold this enchanting spot where self-control and
asceticism are easily exercised. Say, art thou happy here?
The discipline of residence in the forest is declared by royal
sages to be a means to liberation. Our ancestors such as Manu
have held that residence in the forest is the means of acquiring
the form of the gods. Behold, O Princess, yonder mountain,
adorned by thousands of rocks blue, yellow, purple and white.
At night, the healing herbs shine like fire, lighting the crags
with their radiance. See, O Princess, some of the caves
resemble houses, some appear like flower gardens, all enhancing
the glory of the mountain. It would seem that Chittrakuta
has sprung forth from the earth and from every side appears
incomparably beautiful. Observe, O Auspicious One, how
those devoted to pleasure, have spread couches here and there,
and covered them with azure lotuses overlaid with coverings
of bark. See the faded garlands cast aside by them and the rinds
of many fruits of which they have partaken.
" This mountain Chittrakuta, in variety of flowers and trans-
parent waters, has surpassed the capital of Indra in loveliness.
O Sita, I will pass the twelve years here with Prince Lakshmana
and thee ; pursuing the highest virtue and discipline, I shall
thus protect my kingdom and earn merit."
chapter 95
He points out the beauties of nature to Sita
Having pointed out the beauty of the hills to Sita, Raghava
now showed her the pleasant river Mandakini issuing from
the mountain. The lotus-eyed Lord addressed the daughter
360
AYODHYA KANDA
of King Janata, whose countenance resembled the moon,
saying : " O Princess, behold the river Mandakini with its
delightful banks frequented by swans, cranes and other water-
fowl, abounding in flowering trees of different kinds, which
cause it to resemble the river Sangandhika in the region of
Kuvera. Its pleasant fords, where I desire to bathe, the waters
of which have been rendered muddy by the herds of deer who
have come to drink and recently departed, all these attract the
heart. O Dear One, the ascetics attired in robes of bark and
deerskin, bathe at stated seasons in this river. O Princess
of beautiful eyes, here the munis observing strict and austere
vows, stand with uplifted arms, worshipping the sun. The
trees agitated by the breeze, cause the hills to appear as if they
were dancing. The blossoms scattered by the force of the wind
make it seem as if Chittrakuta were offering flowers to the river.
O Auspicious One, here the waters of Mandakini sparkle like
gems and there they form a sandy beach. Groups of perfect
beings frequent the banks. O Princess, behold the heaps of
flowers shaken down from the branches by the wind, and others
floating through the air and falling into the river to be carried
away by the water. O Kalyani, behold the wild geese standing
in the shallows, uttering sweet cries to summon their mates
or diverting themselves with them. O Lovely Sita, when I
behold the Chittrakuta mountain and the river Mandakini in
company with thee, I esteem it a greater joy than any Ayodhya
could yield me. Come, O Sita, and let us two bathe in the
river Mandakini, frequented by perfect beings who are endowed
with inner and outer control and are devoted to the practice of
austerity. O Princess, thou didst formerly play with thy maids
of honour in Ayodhya, to-day amuse thyself with me in the
Mandakini river, pelting me with red and white lotuses and
splashing the waters over me. O Dear One, imagine those
dwelling here to be the citizens of Ayodhya and the Mandakini
to be the river Sarayu. O Sita, I am happy with thee, who art
obedient to my command as is also Prince Lakshmana. O
Beloved, bathing thrice a day with thee in the river and living
on honey, fruits and berries, I feel no desire for the comforts
of the kingdom of Ayodhya. Who will not be happy, dwelling
on the banks of the river Mandakini, where herds of elephants
3«i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
wander and lions and monkeys come to quench their thirst;
and where flowers grow throughout the year ? "
Thus Shri Rama conversed on many wondrous things
concerning the Mandakini river with Sita and taking the hand
of the princess, wandered with her over the blue and beautiful
Cbittrakuta mountain.
chapter 96
They see the army approaching and Lakshmana vows
to destroy it
Having shown Sita the beauties of the river Mandakini, Rama
and Sita seated themselves on a rock. Feasting Videhi1 with
venison, Shri Rama, in order to please her, spoke in this wise :
" This meat is pure and is rendered delicious by being roasted
in the fire."
While thus conversing with Sita, he observed the dust rising
like a cloud, stirred up by the feet of the approaching army
of Bharata and heard the tramp of marching warriors at the
sound of which the leaders of the elephants with their herds,
ran hither and thither in agitation. Seeing the herds of elephants
fleeing at the tumult caused by the army, Shri Rama said to
Lakshmana : " O Lakshmana, Queen Sumitra is fortunate indeed
to be thy mother. Is this warlike clamour issuing from the
clouds ? The herds of elephants dwelling in the dense forest,
the wild buffaloes and the deer are fleeing away in terror !
Has any king or prince come to hunt in the woods, or has
some terrible and bloodthirsty beast entered the forest ? Enquire
into the matter, O Lakshmana ! Even the birds are not carefree
in their flight ; it becomes thee to seek out the cause of this
commotion."
Speedily climbing a shala tree, Shri Lakshmana looked in all
directions. First he examined the eastern quarter, then he looked
1 Videhi — a name of Sita, as daughter of the King of Vidcha.
362
AYODHYA KANDA
towards the north and there he beheld a vast army composed
of elephants, horses, chariots and well-armed infantry !
Describing the approaching army with its elephants, horses,
chariots and flags, Shri Lakshmana said to Rama : " O Great
One, put out the fire and let Sita enter the cave, do thou
arm thyself and take up thy bow and arrow."
Shri Rama answered Lakshmana saying : " O Child, ascertain
by the symbols on the flags to whom this army belongs."
The prince listened to Rama's words and burning with anger
desirous of consuming the army, replied : " Without doubt,
Bharata, having secured the throne has come to slay us both
in order to enjoy rulership, unopposed ! See, by that large
and beautiful tree is a chariot with a white flag bearing the sign
of a pomegranate tree. The soldiers mounted on swift moving
horses are coming towards me. I see the riders on elephants
also. O Hero, let us both, armed with bows and arrows, climb
the hill, or clad in battle array, stand here fully prepared. We
shall surely defeat Bharata. To-day, we shall subdue him on
whose account all our sufferings have come to pass. O Rama,
that Bharata, on whose account, thou, Sita and I, have been
deprived of our kingdom and cast into tribulation, is approaching
like an enemy. He must certainly be slain, O Prince, I see
no sin in destroying him. It were no sin to slay one who seeks
to injure thee. O Prince, he has already wronged thee ; by
slaying Bharata, thou canst acquire mastery over the whole
earth. To-day, Kaikeyi, avid for the kingdom, will see her son
slain in the field. Seeing Bharata slain by me, like a tree
uprooted by an elephant, Kaikeyi will suffer great anguish !
I shall slay Kaikeyi also, and her friends and Manthara too. O
Bestower of Honour, I will free the world of the sinful Kaikeyi ;
to-day I will let loose my long restrained wrath on the forces
of mine enemy, as a fire consumes dried grass. To-day, I will
drench the fields of Chittrakuta with the blood of mine enemies.
To-day, those elephants, wounded by my sharp arrows and
those men slain by me, will be dragged hither and thither by
wild beasts. To-day, I will redeem my vow, by destroying
Bharata and his army with my bow and arrow."
3«3
THE RAMAYAKA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 97
Shri Rama cannot believe Prince Bharata comes as an enemy
Seeing Lakshmana overcome with anger and desire for ven-
geance, Shri Rama sought to pacify him saying : " O Lakshmana,
the learned warrior Bharata, fully armed, is coming to see us
in person, of what value is shield or sword ? What should I do
with a kingdom obtained by slaying my brother Bharata, I having
undertaken to fulfil my father's behests ? I will never accept
riches obtained by the slaying of relatives and friends which
would be as acceptable to me as food mixed with poison ! O
Lakshmana, I promise thee, it is for the sake of my brothers
that I desire to pursue virtue, legitimately acquired wealth,
pleasures, and even the kingdom. O Lakshmana, I speak the
truth, by this sign, touching my arms, ' I desire a kingdom only
for the sake of supporting my brothers and securing their good \
O Charming Prince ! The acquisition of the kingdom is not
difficult to me, but O, My Brother, I do not even desire dominion
of the celestial region if it can only be acquired by unrighteous
means E O Dear One ! May the Deity of Fire consume all
that gives me joy, if it is not for thy good and to the advantage
of Bharata and Shatrughna ! It seems to me that when my
dearest brother, ever devoted to me, returned to Ayodhya from
the home of his maternal uncle, after hearing that we three,
robed in bark had entered the forest, he, overwhelmed by
affection and grief, set out hither to seek us ! I see no other
purpose for his advent here. Or it may be that Bharata, wroth
with his mother has reproached her with bitter words and has
come here to be reconciled with me. It is meet that Bharata
should see me and I cannot believe that he comes as an enemy.
What harm has Bharata ever done to us, O Brother, that to-day,
thou assumest him to be against us ? It is improper for thee
to speak ill or harshly of Bharata. Those bitter things thou
sayest of Bharata, thou hast in fact said of me. O Son of
Sumitra, how should a father slay his son, or a brother slay
his brother, whatever betide ? If thou hast said all this on
account of the kingdom, then I will desire Bharata to give thee
364
AYODHYA KANDA
the kingdom. O Lakshmana, if I say to Bharata ' Give the
crown to Lakshmana *, assuredly he will answer ' Be it so V*
Shii Lakshmana was profoundly humiliated by the words
of Rama, his limbs and muscles contracted and he was sunk
in shame. He said : " It appears that the Maharaja Dasaratha
himself has come hither to see us."
Seeing Lakshmana abashed, Shri Rama answered : " I also
believe my father is come to see us, and will seek to take us home
to the capital, knowing how grievously we suffer in the forest ! "
" It may be, too, that the king, knowing Sita to be worthy
of every happiness, will take her home. See, O Brother, two
excellent horses of noble breed, swift as the wind, appear in
view ! The great and aged elephant Shatrunjaya that carries
my illustrious father, marches before the army, but I feel
apprehensive for I do not behold the white umbrella of my
renowned Lord ! O Lakshmana, descend from the tree."
The prince having descended in obedience to Shri Rama,
stood before him with joined palms.
Shri Bharata meanwhile commanded his army not to approach
or disturb the hermitage of Rama. The army with its elephants
and horses occupied an area of seven miles and the prudent
Bharata who, to please Rama, had rid himself of all egoity and
employed only virtuous means, caused it to take up its position
at some distance from the Chittrakuta mountain.
chapter 98
Prince Bharata goes on foot to meet Shri Rama
That exalted one, Shri Bharata, truly obedient to the behests
of his Guru, perceiving his army well lodged, proceeded on foot
to meet Shri Rama. As soon as the army was encamped, he
addressed Shatrughna in these words : " O Excellent One,
thou with thy men and a few huntsmen, speedily search the forest
and seek out Shri Rama's hermitage. Let Guha attended by
8 thousand of his warriors, armed with bows, arrows and swords,
365
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
search for Shri Rama in the forest. I, myself, in the company
of the counsellors, citizens, elders and brahmins, will go on
foot through the forest I shall not rest till I have beheld the
saintly Rama, the valiant Lakshmana and the most auspicious
Sits. I shall not seek repose till I have looked on the shining
countenance of Shri Rama, my elder brother. My mind will
taste no peace till I have placed my forehead at the feet of Rama,
that bear the marks of royalty. My soul will find no delight
till I have placed Shri Rama on the ancestral throne and beheld
him anointed with the holy water at the time of his coronation !
Fortunate is Prince Lakshmana, who looks on the moon-like,
lotus-eyed resplendent face of Rama, each day. Blessed is the
daughter of King Janaka, who follows Shri Rama, the Lord
of earth and ocean ! Blessed also is Chittrakuta, equal to
the Himalayas, on which Shri Rama dwells, as Kuvera and
Chittraratha dwell in the forest. Blessed is this forest to-day,
abounding in poisonous serpents and difficult to penetrate,
because the mighty warrior Rama abides in it."
Thus speaking, the valiant Prince Bharata entered the forest
on foot. The chief of eloquent persons, the pious Bharata,
reached the centre of the forest, where blossoming and fruitful
trees adorned the mountain heights. Climbing a shala tree,
he saw the smoke rising from the fire in Rama's hermitage.
The prince with his friends rejoiced like those who have crossed
the ocean, to find the dwelling place of Rama. Finding that
Shri Ramachandra dwelt on the mountain frequented by ascetics,
Shri Bharata, leaving his army behind, in the company of Guha
speedily started for the hermitage.
chapter 99
The four brothers meet with tears of joy
Shri Bharata with great eagerness pointed out the indications
of the position of Shri Rama's hermitage to his brother
Shatrughna. He appealed to Shri Vasishtha to bring his mothers
366
AYODHYA KANDA
there speedily, while he, devoted to his elder brother, hastily
went on before. Sumantra followed Shatrughna, who walked
behind Bharata and who was equally anxious to behold Rama.
The prince, proceeding, at length descried the hut thatched
with leaves in the midst of the hermitages of the ascetics, and
beheld before it a heap of broken wood and flowers plucked
for worship. To mark the site of the ashrama, Shri Rama and
Lakshmana had bound kusha grass and strips of cloth to the
trees. He perceived also great heaps of the dung of deer and
buffaloe, dried for fuel, to be used in winter.
The illustrious and mighty Bharata going forward, spoke
measured words to his brother and counsellors, saying : " I
deem we have reached the place spoken of by the Sage
Bharadwaja, and that the river Mandakini is not far distant
from here ! Prince Lakshmana has bound strips of cloth to
the trees, so that when fetching water on a dark night, he may
know the way back to the hermitage. This appears to be the
road traversed by the great elephants who were roaring in the
forest. I perceive the black smoke rising from the ascetics'
sacrificial fire. Here, I shall behold that Lion among men,
Shri Rama, the great preceptor, seated in majesty, like a
resplendent sage."
Proceeding a little further, Prince Bharata reached the river
Mandakini on Chittrakuta, and addressing his companions, said :
" That chief of men, a very god among living beings, is seated
in this lonely forest in the posture of an ascetic Woe unto me,
wretched is my life and birth, on account of which the most
resplendent Lord of all, Shri Ramachandra is plunged in this
affliction and dwells in the forest deprived of all joy ! Despised
by men because of this, I will now fall at the feet of Rama
and Sita in order to propitiate them."
While still lamenting, Bharata perceived the hut thatched
with leaves, pure and pleasant, covered with the leafy boughs
of sala, tala and other trees, resembling an altar covered with
kusha grass.
Here and there mighty bows and shields covered with gold,
wielded in battle, hung, adding to the beauty of the place, and
nearby stood a quiver of arrows, bright as the rays of the sun,
and keen as the serpents with shining hoods of the Bhagawati
367 2B
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
river. There also were two scimitars in scabbards of gold and
two shields emblazoned with golden flowers, also many deerskins
and gloves with gold embroidered gauntlets. That habitation
was impregnable as a cave and unassailable by the herds of
wild deer.
Bharata discerned in this dwelling, Shri Rama seated near
the altar, resplendent as tire. For a long time, Shri Bharata
gazed on the beauty of the scene. He saw Rama sitting, his
matted locks coiled on the crown of his head, shining like a flame,
bis body clad in a robe of bark, covered with the skin of a
black antelope, bis shoulders resembling a lion's, his arms
were long, his eyes like lotuses, that ruler of earth and ocean,
the sovereign of eternal decrees ! Shri Bharata beheld that
righteous one with Lakshmana and Sita, seated on a platform
strewn with kusha grass, appearing like the eternal Brahma.
Beholding him seated thus, the pious Bharata was overpowered
with sorrow and affection, and ran towards him, his throat
choked with grief, weeping and lamenting. Though the pain was
past restraining, he yet mastered it and spoke : "Alas ! my
elder brother, worthy of a seat in the royal assembly, beloved
of his counsellors, is to-day associating with wild beasts in the
forest. He, deserving of apparel adorned with thousands of
golden coins, is sitting, clad in a deerskin, in order to practise
the obligations of righteous living. Shri Rama, who was
formerly adorned with garlands of different flowers, how can
he endure the weight of bis matted locks ? He, who should
have acquired merit by the performance of sacrifices aided by
the rishis, to-day increases bis meritorious deeds by the practice
of austerity. Now is the countenance of my elder brother,
formerly adorned with sandal paste, covered with dust 1 Alas !
it is on my account that Shri Rama, who formerly enjoyed
every delight, is to-day undergoing this distress. Woe unto
me, who am abhored by all."
Thus lamenting, the wretched Bharata, his face bedewed with
tears, sought to run and fall at the feet of Rama, but sank
unconscious on the way. Deeply afflicted, that great hero,
Prince Bharata, cried out : " O Excellent One," and uttered
no more. Exclaiming only, " O Noble Sire ", he could proceed
no further. Shatrughna, also weeping, embraced the feet of
368
AYODHYA KANDA
Shri Rama, on which Rama gathering them both in his arms,
melted into tears.
Then Sumantra and Guha approached Shri Rama and
Lakshmana, and it appeared as if the Sun and Moon, Jupiter
and Venus had conjoined in the heavens. The inhabitants of
the forest, beholding the four princes met together in their midst,
shed tears of joy.
CHAPTER IOO
Shri Rama enquires of Prince Bharata concerning the discharge
of his royal duties
Shki Ramachandra saw Bharata lying on the ground, clothed
in ascetic's garb, his hair coiled on the crown of his head, his
palms joined in supplication, resembling the sun bereft of
splendour, fallen to earth, at the time of the dissolution of the
world.
Taking hold of the hands of his brother, who was emaciated
and weak, Shri Rama raised him up and smelling bis head,
embraced him, clasping him in his arms and tenderly enquiring
of him : " O Child, where is thy father, that thou art come
to the forest alone? Had he lived, thou couldst not have
come hither unaccompanied ! Alas ! I grieve that I scarcely
recognize my brother, thin, weary and full of care. What
brings thee to the forest ? O My Brother, is the king well
and happy ? Or has grief brought about his end ? O Darling,
thou art yet a child, tell me, is ought amiss in that eternal
kingdom ? O Hero of Truth, hast thou served the king well ?
Say, is that Sovereign of men, devoted to truth and to duty,
the performer of the great sacrifice, in good health? Is
that highly learned monarch, master of the ascetic brahmins,
fully cherished? O Child, are Mother Kaushalya and
Queen Sumitra, mother of an illustrious son, well ? Is that
highly exalted Queen Kaushalya, happy? O Friend, dost
thou sufficiently regard that humble, experienced, highborn,
369
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
magnanimous companion of mine, he who is skilled in action,
the son of Shri Vasishtha ? Does the royal priest, highly versed
in the Veda, who is wise and beneficent, inform thee of the
time of sacrifice ? O Brother, dost thou offer full reverence
to the Gods, father, mother, Guru, thine elders, the physicians
and brahmins? O Friend, dost thou give due respect and
honour to Sudhama, skilled in the science of arms and
conversant with the mantra-driven weapons ? Hast thou made
those thy counsellors, who are trustworthy, patient, masters of
ethics and who have transcended avarice ? O Prince, the good
fortune of kings is secret consultation with those versed in the
spiritual laws. My Son, hast thou overcome sleep ? Dost thou
awaken betimes ? Dost thou in the late hours meditate on the
methods of acquiring legitimate wealth ? Dost thou reflect
alone on matters of moment and consult with thy ministers in
public ? Do other monarchs know of thy decisions before they
are applied ? When thou hast determined upon what must
and should be done, dost thou speedily accomplish it ? Are
lesser kings acquainted with thy determined resolve after the
event or before thou hast set it in motion ? Dost thou prefer
the society and advice of a learned pundit to that of countless
fools ? In times of adversity, it is of infinite advantage to have
the proximity of a learned man. If a sovereign surround
himself with ten thousand ignorant persons, he will receive
no help from them, but should a king be attended by a wise
minister, thoughtful, studious, versed in the moral laws
and government, he will reap a great advantage. O Brother,
dost thou employ men of exalted character in affairs of moment
and lesser ones in unimportant events ? Dost thou appoint
ministers who are pure of heart, full of integrity and of a noble
disposition, whose ancestors have served the crown in positions
of authority ? O Son of Queen Kaikeyi, do the arrogant and
proud, when incensed, offer thee or thy ministers insult ? As a
woman disregards one who has illicit connection with another's
wife or the priests condemn that man who has sinned while
offering the sacrifice, so is a king despised who levies harsh taxes.
That monarch who does not condemn a man to death, who has
through avarice and deluded by ambition, accused others who
are virtuous, and even threatened the life of the king, is himself
370
AYODHYA KANDA
destroyed ! O Brother, art thou attended by such persons ?
Has a commander-in-chief who is active, victorious over his
enemies, skilled in arms, patient in adversity, devoted to thee
and experienced, been appointed by thee ? Hast thou honoured
with suitable rewards, those men who are valiant, distinguished,
eminent in military sciences, resourceful and whose abilities
have been tested? Dost thou distribute remuneration and
provisions in a fitting manner when they are due ? Servants
who are not paid at the proper season, become incensed and
disregard their master. Dissatisfied retainers are a source of
danger.
"Are the liege warriors and chieftains devoted to thee ? In
time of need, are they ready to lay down their lives for thy sake ?
Hast thou appointed, as thine ambassadors, those who are citizens
of thy kingdom, who can divine the motives of others, who are
of sound judgment, eloquent, and able to overcome their
opponents in debate? Dost thou employ three spies, each
unacquainted with the other to master the secrets of the fifteen,1
excluding thy ministers, priests and the heir-apparent ? Dost
thou set a watch over enemies whom thou hast driven from
thy kingdom and yet who have returned ? Dost thou deem
them harmless ? Art thou attended by brahmins of atheistic
opinions? Such persons deem themselves wise but, in fact,
are fools, yet they may divert others from the path of virtue,
being skilled in dispatching souls to the lower regions. They
do not study the authorised treatises on the duties of men,
but indulge in arguments against the Veda and becoming
eminent in useless knowledge, discuss unworthy matters con-
tinually.
" O Friend, dost thou carefully preserve the capital Ayodhya,
the seat of our ancestors and great men, justly termed 'Invincible'
having strong gates and being filled with elephants, horses
and chariots, where brahmins engaged in spiritual duties dwell,
also warriors and merchants, and superior men who have
subdued their senses and are intent on various enterprises;
that progressive city which is replete with temples of many
1 The fifteen are : chamberlains, adjutants, treasurers, master of the rolls,
commanders-in-chief, police chiefs, lawyers, magistrates, keepers of the forests
and mountains, almoners, gaolers, doorkeepers, superintendents of public works,
priests and paymasters.
37'
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
forms, frequented by learned men. O Brother, ours is a capital
which has been the site of many great sacrifices, which contains
innumerable temples and lakes, frequented by cheerful men
and women, where festive assemblies are held, where no
portion of the earth is uncultivated, where elephants, horses
and cattle dwell in large numbers, where no one lives in jeopardy,
and which is irrigated by artificial means so that people need
not depend solely on rain ; which is delightful and where no
dangerous beasts like lions abound, which is free from wicked
men, which improves daily and which is protected by the spirits
of our ancestors, tell me is that city prosperous ? O Brother,
art thou satisfied with the husbandmen and those who live by
tending their cattle ? Dost thou provide what they need and
preserve them from harm ? Dost thou ever guard them and
provide them with sustenance ? O Brother, a king should ever
protect his subjects by righteous means. Dost thou propitiate
the women of thy realm ? Are they duly safeguarded by thee ?
Dost thou put thy confidence in them ? Dost thou communicate
thy secrets to them ? O Prince, dost thou, well adorned, show
thyself to thy people in the assembly hall 'ere noon ? Do those
who work for thee approach thee with assurance, or do they
hold back on account of fear ? Both these states are unprofit-
able. Dost thou treat thy subjects with moderation ? Are thy
forts well supplied with wealth, food, arms, water, armaments,
and furnished with archers and bowmen ? O Prince, does thy
treasury contain more than is needed for thine expenditure ?
Is thy wealth spent unprofitably on musicians and dancers ?
Is a part of thy treasure devoted to the gods, thy sisters, the
brahmins, the uninvited guests, warriors and friends ? Dost
thou condemn any through avarice, without regard for justice
or subjecting the offender to closer examination by those
eminent in law and who are of good conduct ? Are those who
serve thee, just men, innocent of lying and theft, and not of
iU-repute ? O Noble One, those who are apprehended for theft,
caught in the act and their guilt established on due examination,
are they able to obtain release by bribing the officials? In
a dispute between a rich and a poor man, do thy experienced
judges carry out justice uninfluenced by a desire for gain ? O
Prince of Raghu, the tears of those who are unjustly condemned
372
AYODHYA KANDA
by a monarch who lives at ease and is indifferent to justice
being meted out, destroy his children and his herds ! O Prince,
dost thou satisfy the aged, children and physicians by providing
them with their needs, treating them with affection and granting
them the benefits of wise administration ? Dost thou offer
salutations on meeting thy Guru or the aged, the ascetics,
strangers, sacred objects, and the brahmins who are learned
and enlightened? Dost thou use the time reserved for the
performance of thy duty, for the acquisition of wealth, or
dost thou waste the opportunity of fulfilling thy duty and
acquiring wealth by partiality to comfort and dissipation ? O
Chief of Conquerors, O Knower of the significance of time,
dost thou divide thine hours between the observance of thy duty,
the acquisition of wealth and legitimate diversion ? O Wise
One, do the learned pundits and the citizens pray daily for thy
welfare ? O Bharata, dost thou abjure the fourteen failings a
sovereign must eschew? Atheism, dissimulation, anger, in-
attention, procrastination, neglect of the wise, indolence,
surrender of the senses to external objects, disregard of counsel,
consulting those who advocate evil, the deferring of that which
has been resolved upon, the concealment of counsel received,
the abandoning of righteous conduct, the offering of respect
equally to the low and high born, and the ruthless conquest of
other lands.
" O King, art thou acquainted with the results of the following
and dost thou constantly reflect on them ? Hunting, gambling,
sleeping during the day, slander, inordinate affection, vanity,
concentration on dancing and music, lounging here and there
to no purpose ; the five fortifications ; by moat, by high banks,
by thickly planted trees, by waste land destitute of means
of subsistence and by a waterless region ; the four means to
success ; concluding peace, liberality, punishment and sowing
dissension in the ranks of the enemy ; the seven requisites of
administration : the king, the ministers, government, treasury,
territory, army and allies. The kinds of persons with whom
one should not contract friendship ; those who speak ill of others,
the bold, the curious, the injurious, those who take other's
property, the abusive, the ruthless, and the eight objects which
should be pursued; righteousness, acquisition of legitimate
373
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
wealth, suitable diversions, the study of the three Vedas, treaty,
stratagem, invasion, proper timing, and allying oneself with
the powerful ?
"Art thou acquainted with the five kinds of suffering caused
by celestial beings ; by fire, water, disease, famine and plague ?
Hast thou carefully considered the misfortunes occasioned
by officials, thieves, enemies and the king's favourites ? Dost
thou reflect that it is not proper to be intimate with a child,
one who is senile, one who has long been afflicted, one who
has been excommunicated, a coward, a terrorist, one who is
avaricious or who excites covetousness, one who is despised
by others, one who is voluptuous, one who consults everybody,
one who speaks ill of the brahmins, one who ascribes all to
fate, or who is afflicted by famine, or who wanders from
country to country without a purpose, one who has many
adversaries, one who does not act at the proper season, one
who is not devoted to truth, one who lives under foreign
domination and one who is aggressive ? Hast thou given the
following due consideration and found them to be in accord
with thee: thy subjects, women, the kingdom, those who
have lost their wealth, thine enemy, thy friend, those un-
friendly to thine enemy ?
" O Wise One, art thou acquainted with the preparations
necessary for a journey, the methods of punishment, the drawing
up of treaties, and who is to be trusted or distrusted ? O Prince,
dost thou enter into consultation with thy counsellors collectively
or separately, and dost thou treat each interview as private ?
Dost thou conclude thy study of the Veda with charitable gifts ?
Dost thou employ thy wealth in distribution of alms and legiti-
mate diversions ? Do thy marriages become fruitful of progeny ?
Dost thou practise what thou hast learned from the scriptures ?
Dost thou approve of acts of benevolence, duty, and worship
and regard them as productive of fame and longevity? O
Prince, dost thou follow the path of thy predecessors, which
promotes happiness and which all applaud ? O Bharata, dost
thou partake of delicious dishes by thyself? When amongst
thy companions, dost thou first present them with succulent
food and then partake of it thyself? Know, O Brother, that
monarch who is acquainted with the law and also knows how
374
AYODHYA KANDA
to administer justice and rules by righteous means, becomes
Lord of the earth and enters heaven on his death."
CHAPTER IOI
Shri Rama hears the account of his father's death
Bhakata, hearing these words of Rama, replied : " What will
the discharge of royal duties avail me, who am destitute of all
virtue ? O Great One, according to the tradition of our line,
the younger brother may not be king while the elder lives,
therefore, O Raghava, return with me to the auspicious city
of Ayodhya and for the sake of our family, cause thyself to be
installed as king. Some may consider the king a man, but I
hold him to be a god, since his conduct differs from others,
being inspired by duty and divine grace. When I was at the
home of my maternal uncle and thou exiled to the forest, King
Dasaratha, adored by the good, the performer of spiritual
sacrifices, departed to heaven. As soon as thou, with Sita and
Lakshmana, hadst left the capital, the king overwhelmed by
sorrow and affliction, passed away. O Chief of Men, offer
the traditional libations for thy father ; Snatrughna and I have
already carried out this ritual O Prince, it is said that the
water and rice offered by a beloved son, grants imperishable
bliss to one departed. O Raghava, thou wast indeed the beloved
of thy royal father ; through grief on thy account and the desire
to see thee, thy sire, his mind unceasingly fixed on thee,
overcome by sorrow, departed to heaven."
375
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 102
They are all afflicted with grief
On hearing the account of his father's death, from his brother,
Shri Rama fell unconscious.
Bharata's words proved as dreadful to Shri Rama, as the
mace of Indra falling on the danavas in battle. Wringing his
hands, Raghava fell to the earth like a tree severed by an axe.
The Lord of the World, Shri Rama, fallen on the earth, lay
like an elephant which, having borne away the river bank,
sinks under the load. His two brothers together with Sita,
perceiving him to have fallen in a swoon, sprinkled him with
water in order to restore him.
Recovering somewhat, Shri Rama began to lament. The
virtuous prince, conscious that his sire had passed away, uttered
these pious words to Bharata : " What should I do in Ayodhya
now my father has departed to heaven ? Who can preserve
the capital bereft of this illustrious monarch ? What can I,
worthless and wretched, do for that magnanimous one, my
father, who died through grief at my separation and whose
funeral rites I was not able to perform ? O Sinless Bharata,
thou indeed art blessed, by whom the last rites of thy warrior
parent were performed. Now when I return to the capital
after completing the term of my exile, none will instruct me
in what is good and what is evil. Formerly, in affection, my
father being pleased with my good conduct, enlightened me.
Who will now utter those words which fell pleasingly on my ears ? "
Turning his face towards Sita whose countenance resembled
the full moon, Rama thus addressed her : " O Sita, thy father-
in-law has left this life, O Lakshmana, thou art fatherless 1
Bharata has related this bitter news to us. O Lakshmana,
bring the pulp of the Ingudt fruit and change this apparel
of bark. I desire to offer libations of water to my royal sire.
Let Sita precede me and thou follow her ; on such occasions,
this procedure must be observed."1 Then Sumantra, the aged
1 When they descend into the water the order of the procession is that the
children go first according to age, then the women, then the men, the youngest
first, the eldest last. The order is reversed when they emerge.
37«
AYODHYA KANDA
retainer of the royal line, wise, intelligent, tender-hearted,
self-subdued, and humble, wholly devoted to Rama, comforted
the princes and led them to the river Mandakini whose waters
were sacred and meritorious.
Deeply afflicted, the illustrious ones approached the pleasant
river that passed through blossoming woods, and descending
into the pure, swift-flowing and un-muddied stream, they offered
the ritual water in the name of their royal father, saying : " O
Great King, may this water be thine." Then Shri Rama, filling
his palms with water, turning to the south, wept and said :
" O Mighty King, may this sacred water offered to-day by me,
be thine for ever in the region of thine ancestors."
Thereafter, Raghava with his brothers offered balls of rice
in memory of the king on the shores of the river Mandakini.
Having made a cake by mixing the juice of berries with the pulp
of the Ingudi fruit, Shri Rama spread it on kusha grass and
deeply afflicted, weeping, said : " O Mighty King, be pleased
to accept and partake of this food, for that which is man's
customary food, the gods approve."
Then ascending the hillside, Shri Rama returned by the way
he had come. The great Raghava, reaching the door of the
thatched hut, took hold of the hands of Lakshmana and Bharata,
and wept. The sound of the weeping of the four princes and
Sita re-echoed in the mountains like the roaring of a lion, and
the army hearing it were greatly perturbed and said among
themselves, " Shri Rama and Bharata have met and they are
bewailing the death of the king, their sire."
Leaving their camp and turning their faces to where the sound
of weeping arose, they went in haste to that spot. Some mounted
horses and elephants, some rode in gilded chariots, and others
on foot hastened towards that place, for though Shri Rama
had but lately left the capital, it appeared to them as if he
had been long absent from them. Desirous of seeing Rama,
they proceeded to the hermitage of the illustrious prince in
various kinds of vehicles and the sound of their advance and
the rolling wheels created a noise like thunder. Elephants
terrified by the tumult ran with their mates into other woods,
perfuming the forest with their ichor. Boars, wolves, buffaloes,
snakes, tigers, wild cattle and deer of many kinds were filled
377
THE RAMAYAKA OF VALMIKI
with fear. Ducks, waterfowl, swans, geese, cuckoos and herons
fled in every direction. The air was filled with birds, and the
earth with men, rendering both beautiful.
At length, the army reached the place where they perceived
the illustrious and innocent Rama, tile chief of men, seated on
the sacrificial seat, and seeing his condition they began to curse
Kaikeyi and Manthara and, approaching closer, wept bitterly.
Shri Rama, observing them so afflicted, embraced them like
a parent. Embracing those who were worthy of his affection,
offering salutations to some, he treated those of his age and his
relatives with the respect due to each.
The voice of their weeping filled the earth and sky, and
reverberated in the caves and in every quarter like the beat
of a drum.
CHAPTER 103
Shri Rama greets the queens
Shri Vasishtha, preceded by the widowed queens of King
Dasaratha, proceeding towards Shri Rama's hermitage, beheld
the slow-moving Mandakini and the holy place frequented by
Rama. Afflicted with grief, Queen Kaushalya wept and then
said to Sumitra and the other Queens : " O see ! here is the
place where the defenceless Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, deprived
by Kaikeyi of their kingdom, come to bathe. O Sumitra,
here meseems thy son Lakshmana unwearyingly brings water
for my son. Though engaged in this menial service, a kind office
performed for an elder brother is an honourable act ! Though
the carrying of water is a humble occupation, when Shri Rama-
chandra, persuaded by Bharata, returns to the capital) then thy
son, worthy of every comfort, will abandon these laborious
duties."
Queen Kaushalya of large eyes, now perceived the funeral cake
offered by Shri Rama in memory of his father. She beheld
how the sorrow-stricken Rama had laid the flour ball on the
ground in Ins great sire's remembrance, and she then addressed
378
AYODHYA KANDA
the widows of the departed king, saying : " See how this
has been offered by Raghava in memory of the great king of
the House of Ikshwaku. I do not consider this flour ball
mixed with the juice of the Ingudi fruit to be worthy of the
Mahatma Dasaratha, who was equal to a god ! How should
the sovereign of the earth enclosed between the four seas, find
this cake of Ingudi pulp acceptable ? Nothing is more painful
to me than this, that the illustrious Rama should offer this
paltry flour ball to his deceased father ! Why does my heart
not break into a thousand fragments, seeing this poor offering ?
It is a common saying among men that the food eaten by a man
is the food of his god and his ancestors. "
The consorts of the king consoled the chief queen and
proceeding onwards, reached the hermitage where they beheld
Shri Rama seated like a god descended from heaven. Seeing
Shri Rama withdrawn from every pleasure, they were deeply
distressed and wept bitterly.
Shri Rama, the Devotee of Truth, rose up and touched the
feet of his mothers, and the large-eyed queens with their tender
hands took tht dust from his feet. Shri Lakshmana, distressed
to see their grief, offered salutations to them with deep affection
and they, wiping the dust from the feet of Shri Rama,
manifested the same love to Prince Lakshmana, since he, too,
was the son of King Dasaratha. Sita also, full of grief, her eyes
suffused with tears, stood before the queens touching their feet.
Kaushalya, embracing Shri Sita who was emaciated through
the privations of her exile, addressed her as a mother her
daughter and said : "Alas ! Alas ! the daughter of King
Videha, the daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha, and the consort
of Shri Ramachandra, has undergone great privations in the
forest. O Janaki, I bum with the fire of grief when I behold
thy countenance scorched by the sun like the faded crimson
water lilies, or gold denied with dust, or the moon obscured
by clouds. I am being consumed by the pain arising from this,
like a piece of wood1 slowly consumed by fire."
While Queen Kaushalya was thus lamenting, Shri Rama-
chandra approached the Holy Vasishtha and touched his lotus
1 Videha is the name given to the two pieces of wood from which a fire is
kindled. There is, therefore, a play on the name of Sita, here.
379
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
feet. Having touched the feet of the great ascetic, who was
as resplendent as fire, like Indra offering salutations to the feet
of Brihaspati, Shri Rama sat down near him.
Then the pious Bharata accompanied by his counsellors, the
chief people of the city, and his generals, approached Shri Rama
and occupied a lower seat.
The heroic Bharata, with joined palms, seated by his elder
brother who was attired in ascetic's garb, appeared like Frajapati
seated before Brahma ! At that moment, the principal citizens
present were rilled with curiosity to know what Shri Bharata
would say to Raghava. The ever-truthful and valiant Rama,
seated with Bharata and Lakshmana, together resembled three
ritual fires in the place of sacrifice.
CHAPTER IO4
He requests Prince Bharata to ascend the throne
Shri Rama, together with Lakshmana, addressed Shri Bharata,
saying : " O Bharata, say why thou art come hither to the forest
in ascetic's garb, clothed in bark and deerskin? For what
purpose, O Prince, hast thou, abandoning thy throne, come to
the forest, attired in the skin of the antelope ? "
Thus questioned, Shri Bharata controlling his grief, answered :
" O Noble Sire, my father, the king, by my mother acting in
an improper manner, has died of grief through separation from
his son. O Mighty Prince, my mother has done an exceedingly
evil deed and forfeited her fair name. Widowed and over-
whelmed with affliction, she will fall into hell. Though the son
of Kaikeyi, yet am I thy servant. Be gracious to me and allow
thyself to be installed to-day and ascend the throne like Indra.
The elders of the people and my widowed mother have come
hither to entreat thee. Be pleased to grant our request, 0
Lord.
" Q Thou who payest due deference to all men, being the
eldest son of the king, shouldst by right occupy the throne.
380
AYODHYA KANDA
Accept the burden of kingship and gratify the desire of thy
friends. The earth, obtaining thee as her Lord, will rest satisfied
as the winter night in the presence of the moon. Not only
am I thy brother, but thy devoted follower and servant. I
and my ministers salute thee and beg of thee to look with favour
on our request
" O Chief of Men, let not these counsellors and those who
have traditionally held office, plead in vain."
Having spoken, Prince Bharata, his eyes suffused with tears,
placed his head at the feet of Shri Rama. Shri Rama lifting
him up embraced Prince Bharata who was sighing like one
distraught, and said : " O Bharata, why should a virtuous and
enlightened prince such as thou, act so that his elder brother
commit sin ? O Hero, I see no fault in thee, but it behoves
thee not to speak ill of thy mother. O Sinless One, the father
or the spiritual preceptor can order his disciple, his servant
or his wife as he will. Therefore, it must be known to thee,
that a wise son or devotee should ever manifest obedience.
I am, therefore, submissive to my sire.
" O Lovely One, we are subject to the king and it is one
if he send us to the forest, to the abode of ascetics, or retain us
in his proximity. O Chief of the Virtuous, a mother should
be revered even as the father. O Bharata, by the command
of my pious mother and father, I was sent to the forest, how
should I dare to disobey them ?
"Do thou, O Prince, return to the capital and acclaimed
by the people, ascend the throne, while I reside in the forest
as an ascetic. Remember, thus did the king resolve in the
presence of his people and now he has departed. The sovereign
is the instructor of his people and of thee also, and it was meet
he should do as he has done. O Bharata, do thou enjoy the
kingdom given thee by my father.
" O Beautiful One, I shall remain in the Dandaka forest for
fourteen years and enjoy what my father has conferred on me.
The illustrious monarch, my sire, honoured by the whole world,
has commanded me to come to the forest and to obey him
is my happiness.
" Meseems the sovereignty of the whole world is vain if it
be mine in defiance of my father's command."
381
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 105
Prince Bharata appeals to Shri Rama to return and rule
the kingdom
The princes surrounded by relatives and friends passed the night
sorrowing. The day having dawned, the brothers observed
the fire sacrifice and performed the repetition of silent prayer
on the banks of the river Mandakini, then entering the hermitage
of Rama, they sat in profound silence, no one uttering a word,
a great peace prevailing over all.
At length, Shri Bharata, in the midst of his friends, broke
the silence and thus addressed Shri Rama : " O My Brother,
our illustrious sovereign conferred the kingdom on me to satisfy
my mother and fulfil the obligation of his former boons and
my mother having given this kingdom to me, I now offer it
to thee, enjoy it without hindrance. When the dam bursts in
the rainy season, none can stem the tide, similarly none but thee
can protect this vast dominion. O King, as an ass cannot equal
the pace of a horse, nor an ordinary bird's flight that of an eagle,
so am I unable to rule the kingdom without thee.
" O Rama, happy is the sovereign on whom others depend,
but wretched is the one who depends on others. A tree
planted and watered, though it grow and spread forth great
branches that no dwarf can scale, and be covered with blossom,
if it bear no fruit, the one who planted it suffers obloquy. O
Mighty Hero, let this metaphor be understood by thee, that
thou, being the Lord of all, mayst guide thy servants. O
Lord, let us behold thee, the destroyer of thy foes, seated on
the royal throne, shining resplendent like the sun. May these
mighty tuskers follow thy chariot and all the queens dwelling
in the palace rejoice."
The people hearing Shri Bharata's words applauded them
saying, " Well said ! " " Well said ! "
Then the compassionate Rama perceiving Bharata afflicted
and lamenting, consoled him saying : " 0 Bharata, man is not
free, time1 drags him hither and thither. All objects perish, all
individualised souls must depart when their merit is exhausted ;
1 Time is the form of destiny.
382
AYODHYA KANDA
sons, friends, wives, all who live must die one day. Hoarding
and spending, prosperity and destitution, meeting and partings
life and death are all akin. When the ripe fruit falls, we are
not surprised, thus a man being born should not fear when
death claims him.
"As a building supported by stout pillars on becoming old,
falls into ruins, so man subject to age, must one day meet with
dissolution. O Bharata, the night once past, does not come
again ; so the waters of the Yamuna, flowing to the sea, do
not return. See ! the days and nights are passing away,
decreasing the period of our life's span, as the rays of the sun
in summer suck up the earth's moisture. O Prince, grieve for
thyself therefore, there is nought else worthy of grief ! Age
withers all whether movable or immovable. Death is ever at
our side, nor does it leave us when we travel to a distant place,
and it is still present at our returning !
" What shall a man do when his skin is wrinkled and grey hair
covers his head and he is stricken in years ? Man rejoices when
the sun rises and sets, heedless of the waning of his powers.
He welcomes the approach of each season, such as the arrival
of spring, yet the succession of the seasons devours man's days !
As pieces of driftwood, floating on the sea, come together for
a space, so wives, sons, relatives, wealth and property remain
with us a while, but in the course of time, leave us.
" One, sitting by the wayside, cries to a group of travellers
passing by, * Let me also go with you ! * why then should man
grieve to tread the road, which has been trodden by his
predecessors ? The life of man, like a river flowing, does not
return, thus our days diminish and we should perform those
righteous acts that bring us to the knowledge of Reality.
" Practising virtue, man should enjoy worldly pleasures ; our
rather, the illustrious Dasaratha, having performed benevolent
deeds and given fitting charitable gifts, has departed, clothed
in virtue. Having cherished his servants and nourished his
people, having levied those taxes alone warranted by moral duty,
having set up water tanks and created reservoirs and performed
many sacrificial acts, he has passed away. Leaving the world
after enjoying a variety of pleasures and offering countless
sacrifices, the king, at a great age, has gone to heaven.
383 2C
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" O Brother, it is not meet to grieve for the king, who, full
of years, having enjoyed the pleasures of the world, respected
by the good, has given up his life. Having abandoned his
worn-out frame, he has obtained the form of a celestial being.
"A wise, learned and enlightened man like thee, should not
grieve for such a sire. Exercising patience, thou shouldst cease
to lament and giving up sorrow return to the capital. O Chief
among the Eloquent, thy father has commanded thee to dwell
in Ayodhya. I too will perform the behests of him who ever
practised righteousness !
" I cannot disregard the commands of my illustrious father,
he is worthy to be obeyed by thee and me, being our parent
and our ruler. O Son of Raghu, I shall, therefore, obey his will
and dwell in the forest O Chief of Men, those who desire
felicity in a future state, and who are virtuous and benevolent
should obey their elders. O Great One, bear in mind the
behests of our father, a lover of truth, and return to the capital
to rule over the kingdom ! "
The magnanimous Rama, having uttered these sage words
relative to the need for obedience to his father, became silent.
CHAPTER 106
In spite of the entreaties exhorting him to return, Shri Rama
remains steadfast in his vow
Rama, the lover of his people, having spoken, ceased ; then
the pious Bharata answered Rama, putting forth persuasive
arguments of righteous purport, saying : " O Lord, who is there
in this world like thee ? Adversity does not move thee, nor
does any agreeable thing touch thee. All look on thee as their
superior, yet thou seekest counsel of thine elders !
" The man to whom the living and dead are one and who
is indifferent as to what he possesses or loses, for what reason
should he grieve ? O Lord, those who like thee, know, as thou
dost, what is the nature of the soul and its essence, are not
moved in the hour of distress !
384
AYODHYA KANDA
" O Prince of Raghu, like the gods, thou art magnanimous,
thou art ever forbearing and faithful to thy vows. Thou art
wise, thou knowest and seest all ! Thou art aware of the
motives of men's actions and the cause of their abandoning
them, therefore, that distress which is insupportable to others,
does not, in any wise, disturb thee."
Having spoken thus, Bharata continued : '* O Rama, be
gracious to me, though during my absence in a strange land,
my mother committed those sins which cause my affliction.
I am bound by the ties of duty, else would I have slain my
wicked mother. What is evil and what is good is known to me,
descended as I am from the righteous King Dasaratha, therefore
I am unable to act contrary to virtue. I cannot speak evil in
the assembly of my pious and aged rather, who has passed away,
and where is a man to be found so wholly acquainted with
the law of righteousness as was the king, yet what person
familiar with the moral law, would commit so great a wrong
prompted by the desire to please a woman ? There is an ancient
saving that, at the approach of death, man loses the power
of judgment ! The king has verily justified this adage to the
whole world ! Through fear of Queen Kaikeyi's wrath or her
threat of self-imposed destruction, or through mental agitation,
the king may have acted thus without consulting his subjects,
but thou art not bound by such a deed. He who imputes
the transgressions of his father to righteous motives is not
considered a good son ; as heir to the king, reveal not the errors
of thy sire, but conceal this unjust deed from the world.
" O Hero, it is thy duty to save my mother Kaikeyi, my father,
my relatives and myself from the consequences of this action
condemned by all. O Brother, remember thy duty as a warrior
and reflect on the outcome of thy sojourn in the forest as an
ascetic, but do thou also consider the good of thy people. It
becomes thee not to undertake this course of action. The first
duty of a warrior is to be installed so that he may be able to
protect his people. Say, why should a man giving up that which
is an established duty, embrace that which is wretched, cheerless,
visionary and undefined? If, O Blessed One, thou desirest
to undertake this mortification, why dost thou not seek it through
the arduous labour of ruling the four castes ? It is said that
3«5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the duty of the householder is the highest dharma, then, why
dost thou abandon it ?
" O Lord, hear me ; I am but thy child in respect of learning,
age and state, how should I be able to govern the kingdom ?
I, a child, void of understanding and virtue and in rank
also thine inferior ; how should I be able to live without thee
much less rule in thy stead ? Therefore, O Raghava, O Thou
Virtuous One, do thou, with thy relatives govern the kingdom
without opposition and acquire merit ! The great sage, the
Holy Vasishtha, is here present with the ministers and priests,
permit thyself to be crowned and return with us to Ayodhya !
"As Indra, having conquered his foes, entered heaven attended
by the Maruts, do thou enter Ayodhya, thereby discharging
thy duties to the gods, the sages, and thine ancestors, gratifying
the ambitions of thy friends ! Regard me as thy servant and
command me ! O Noble One, let thy friends to-day rejoice
at thine enthronement and let the evil doers flee to the uttermost
ends of the earth ! O Chief of Men, wash away the taint of
my mother's guilt and deliver our great parent from this heinous
sin. With my head bent in submission, I entreat thee ; as Shri
Vishnu shows his compassion to all beings, do thou show mercy
to us. Shouldst thou however reject my prayer and go hence to
some other forest, then will I follow thee there ! "
Shri Rama, thus entreated by Shri Bharata, who had placed
his head at the feet of his brother in humility, still remained
steadfast in his vow and did not waver or consent to return
to Ayodhya. Beholding the constancy of Shri Rama, all present
rejoiced to see him so faithful to his vow, yet bewailed his
determination not to return to the capital.
The merchants, the learned brahmins and the priests filled
with wonder, and the weeping matrons, praised Bharata and
unitedly entreated Rama to return.
386
AYODHYA KANDA
CHAPTER 107
He instructs Prince Bharata to return and be installed
Shri Rama, worshipped by Bharata, who sought to petition
him further, replied to his younger brother in the presence
of the other warriors, saying : " O Bharata, Son of Queen
Kaikeyi, and the mighty Dasaratha, what thou hast said is meet
and right. In ancient times when King Dasaratha, our sire,
sought thy mother, Princess Kaikeyi, in marriage, he promised
her father that he would be succeeded by a son of hers.
Furthermore, in the war between the gods and asuras, our
sovereign made the promise of two boons to thy mother in
return for her great services, in consequence of which thy
illustrious and charming mother asked two favours of the king,
holding him to his word.
" O Lion among Men ! By one boon was my exile secured
and by the other the kingdom was obtained for thee. O Chief
of men, as a result of the boon granted by my father, I have
consented to live in the forest for fourteen years.
" Determined to prove the truth of my lather's word, I have
entered the forest with Sita and Lakshmana, regardless of heat
and cold. O Great Ruler, it becomes thee also to prove thy
father to be a votary of truth and allow thyself to be speedily
installed. O Bharata, honour this debt, thou owest it to the
king, and thus protect his fair name. By occupying the throne,
shalt thou succeed in pleasing me and rejoicing thy mother,
Queen Kaikeyi.
" O Friend, I have heard that formerly a great monarch
named Gaya, when offering a sacrifice at Gaya, to the spirit
of his ancestors, said : 'A son is called " Puttra " because he
saves his father from hell and protects the spirits of his ancestors
by enjoined acts of benevolence. *
" To have many learned and virtuous sons is greatly to be
desired, for some of them may offer a sacrifice at Gaya and thus
deliver the spirits of their ancestors.
" O Son of Raghu, all the royal sages have approved this tenet,
thou shouldst also, therefore, accept it O Bharata* do thou
387
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
return to Ayodhya with Shatrughna and thy people and promote
the happiness of thy subjects there.
" O King, I shall speedily retire to the Dandaka forest with
Sita and Lakshmana. O Bbarata, be thou king of men and I
will be sovereign over the wild beasts. Do thou return joyfully
to the capital and I will cheerfully proceed to the forest.
" May the royal canopy protect thee from the sun's heat,
I shall seek shelter from its rays in the dense shadows of the
trees. O Bharata, Shatrughna of limitless understanding shall
attend thee, and I shall be attended by the illustrious Prince
Lakshmana. O Brother, do not be a prey to grief any longer,
thus shall we, the four sons of the great King Dasaratha, establish
his fame in the realm of truth."
CHAPTER 108
A brahmin utters words contrary to dharma
As Shri Rama thus instructed Bharata, a brahmin named Javali
uttered these words contrary to dharma : " Well-spoken, O
Raghava, but it is not for thee to think as common men, for
thou art a man of understanding and also a philosopher.
Consider well, O Prince, a man has neither a real friend nor
an enemy, he enters the world alone and leaves it alone also.
He who thinks * This is my father ' or ' This is my mother '
and becomes attached to this relationship is without sense.
From the standpoint of right reasoning, none belongs to any.
As a man travelling from his own village to another, remains
for the night somewhere on the way and leaves at dawn, so
father, mother, wealth and family remain with a man for a
brief space and the wise do not become attached to them.
" O Chief of Men, thou dost not, being youthful, merit the
path of suffering set with thorns ; it ill becomes thee to abandon
thy father's kingdom. Return to Ayodhya and rule over that
prosperous land. The goddess protecting Ayodhya, devoted
to thee, awaits thy return. O Prince, enjoy those chosen
388
AYODHYA KANDA
pleasures which befit a king and divert thyself in the capital
as Indta in Amaravati. Dasaratha is nought to thee nor thou
to him, the king is one person and thou another, therefore,
follow u^e advice I give thee.
" The father's seed is but the remote cause of man's birth,
since if it does not enter the mother's womb, it cannot fructify ;
the true source of conception is the womb of the mother. The
king has departed to the place destined for all mortals. Why
dost thou claim this false relationship and distress thyself in
vain, O Rama ? I grieve for those who, abandoning the
pleasures of the world, seek to acquire merit for felicity hereafter
and sink to an untimely death, I do not grieve for others. Men
waste food and other precious things by offering them up yearly,
as sacrifices in honour of their departed ancestors. O Rama,
has a dead man ever partaken of food ? If food that is eaten
by one, nourishes another, then those who journey need never
carry provision on the way. Relatives might feed a brahmin,
in his name, at home !
" O Ramachandra, these scriptural injunctions were laid down
by learned men, skilled in inducing others to give, and finding
other means of obtaining wealth, thus subjugating the simple-
minded. Their doctrine is * Sacrifice, give in charity, consecrate
yourselves, undergo austerities and become ascetics '. O Rama,
be wise, there exists no world but this, that is certain ! Enjoy
that which is present and cast behind thee that which is
unpleasant ! Adopting the principle acceptable to all, do thou
receive the kingdom offered thee by Bharata."
CHAPTER 109
Shri Rama replies in words based on the Vedas
Shri Rama, patiently giving ear to the utterance of Javali, replied
with a due sense of judgment and in words based on his belief
that those duties enjoined in the Vedas, should be fulfilled.
"O Muni, that which thou hast spoken with the desire to
389
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
please me, is not authorized, nor are thy admonitions just, since,
even the most cursory analysis proves them to be false. O Sage,
in the assembly of the good, men who are not self-subdued
and who are wanting in integrity and those who act contrary
to what is ordered by the scriptures, are not honoured. It is
his conduct that renders man virtuous, a coward or a hero and
transmutes impurity to purity. Should I embrace error and
abandon the authority of my elders, relinquishing rectitude
and honour, as also moral conduct and the Vedic ordinance,
then I, conforming to thy beliefs and sacrificing prudence,
would forfeit the respect of wise and virtuous men.
" Following thy counsel, were I to cease to pursue the way
of truth and tread the lower path, by what means should X
attain heaven ? Were I to depart from the moral code, then
every man might act according to his inclination, since the
subject mirrors the king, in action.
"Above all, a sovereign should manifest probity, benevolence,
his chief duty being to uphold truth; truth is verily the
kingdom, by truth is the world supported.
" The gods and sages esteem truth as the highest principle.
He who utters truth attains the supreme state. Men fear a liar
as they do a venomous serpent, truth is the root of all felicity
and the support not only of this world, but the best means
of attaining heaven !
" Whatever is offered in sacrifice, whatever austerity is
undertaken has its foundation in truth, so the Vedas declare,
hence truth is the most sacred of all things.
" One maintains a family, another governs the whole world,
another falls into hell, another attains heaven in accordance
with the fruit of his actions I Acquainted with the law of Karma
founded on truth, ought I not to prove my sire a devotee of
that truth ? Why should not I, who have pledged my word,
follow that which I have accepted as truth ? Honouring my
father's vow, I shall never abandon the way of truth either for
the sake of governing a kingdom or through being misled by others
or through ignorance or anger. Hast thou not heard that
neither the Gods nor the ancestors receive the offerings of one
who is irresolute, infirm of purpose and false to his word ?
" I hold truth as the supreme virtue of mankind. I desire
390
AYODHYA KANDA
to reverence that truth upheld by men of old. Should I follow
the duty of a warrior, I should be unjust. To do that which
is false is worthy only of mean, covetous and depraved souls.
Should I pursue that crooked path) indicated by thee, then I
should perpetrate falsehood, through the mind, the body and
the soul. Those who uphold truth acquire land, renown, fame,
and heaven also; therefore, let all men utter truth and act
according to truth !
" That which thou, after much deliberation, believest to be
true, and recommendest to me is wholly improper. O how
can I disregard the command of my sire, that I should reside
in the forest ? When I pledged my word in the presence of
my father, to enter the forest, Queen Kaikeyi was rendered
glad at heart, how should I now give her cause for distress ?
" Giving up falsehood and deceit, differentiating between what
should and should not be done, subduing the senses, possessed
of full faith in the Vedic injunctions, I shall devote myself to
the fulfilment of my father's will !
" By sacrifice, one acquires the state of Indra and enters
heaven. The sages by virtue of sacrifice have gone thither."
The illustrious and glorious Ramachandra, highly displeased
by the materialistic arguments of Javali spoke thus in terms
of refutation and reproof: " O Javali, by speaking the truth,
by pursuing the duties of their caste and station, by manifesting
their valour in time of need, by gentle speech, by service of
their spiritual preceptor, the gods and unexpected guests, men
attain heaven ' Therefore, those brahmins instructed in truth,
pursue virtue with a single mind in accordance with their caste
and station and eagerly await their entrance to Brahmaloka.1
O Javali, I perceive with regret the action of my illustrious
parent in permitting one of atheistic ideas, who has fallen from
the path of rectitude enjoined in the Vedas, to remain in his
court. Those who preach the heretical doctrine of the Charvaka
school, are not only infidels, but have deviated from the path
of truth. It is die duty of a monarch to deal with such persons
as with felons, nor should men of understanding and learning
stand in the presence of such atheists.
" O Javali, those versed in wisdom, who preceded thee,
1 Brahmaloka— the abode of Shri Brahma, the Creator.
391
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
performed many holy acts by virtue of which they acquired
eminence here and in the spiritual realm. Those sages have
ever practised harmlessness, truth, asceticism, charity, benevo-
lence and sacrifice.
" O Javali, those who fulfil their spiritual duty, who are the
foremost in deeds of charity, and who harm none, who frequent
the assemblies of the good and are revered by all men, they
are without sin, their name shall live for ever as that of our
illustrious Guru, Shri Vasishtha."
Rama, having uttered these harsh words to Javali, he, with
humility addressed Rama saying : " O Rama, I am no atheist ;
on this occasion, I assumed this atheistical disguise in order to
turn thee from thy purpose and persuade thee to return to the
capital ! "
CHAPTER I 10
Vasishtha proclaiming the tradition of the dynasty,
calls upon Rama to return
Perceiving Rama still to be indignant at the speech of Javali,
the holy Vasishtha said : —
" O Rama, the Sage Javali is a believer in the transmigration
of the soul ; he has thus spoken through his desire to persuade
thee to return to the capital. O Sovereign of Men, hear from
me concerning the creation of the world.
" In the beginning, all was water, and from that element
the earth was formed and after this, Brahma and other gods
came into existence. The eternal, imperishable Brahma was
begotten of akasha (ether) and from him came forth Marichi,
and from him Kashyapa was produced. From Kashyapa was
born Vivaswat, and the son of Vivaswat was Manu himself,
who was the first among the Prajapatis. Ikshwaku was the son
of Manu and to him the whole world was given by Manu, and
Ikshwaku became the first King of Ayodhya. The son of
392
AYODHYA KANDA
Ikshwaku was named Rukshi and his son was Vikukshi, whose
son was the resplendent and illustrious King Vana and the
great warrior Anavanya was his son. During the reign of the
virtuous King Anavanya there was neither famine nor scarcity
of rain nor any thief. The son of Anavanya was Prithu and
his son was Trishanku. So great was Trishanku's observance
of truth that he attained heaven in his embodied state. His son
was the mighty Dhundhumara. The son of Dhundhumara
was Yuvanashwa and his son was Mandhata. The illustrious
Susandhi was the son of Mandhata and Dhruvasandhi and
Frasenagita were the offspring of Susandhi. The renowned
Bharata was the son of Dhruvasandhi and from Bharata sprang
Ajita, against whom the great kings, Himaya, Talagangha and
Shashavindu declared war. Ajita laid siege to them by building
fortifications, but found their defeat beset with difficulties.
" Resigning his throne, he retired to the delightful Himalayas
to devote himself to spiritual practices. It is said that one of
his two queens was pregnant and the other gave her poison
to destroy the foetus. The Queen Kalindi approached the Sage
Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, who resided in the Himalayas
at that time, and paid him respectful homage. He, gratified,
knowing her to be desirous of a son, said : * O Goddess, thou
shalt bring forth a son who will be renowned, virtuous,
magnanimous, of excellent conduct, a promoter of his race
and a subduer of bis foes.*
" The Queen hearing this, saluted the rishi with reverence ;
she then returned home and brought forth a son, whose eyes
resembled the lotus and who resembled Brahma in splendour.
Being born with the poison that her fellow-consort had ad-
ministered to her, Kalindi's son was named Sagara.
" Consecrated at a fitting season, King Sagara drained the
ocean. His son was called Asamanjas, he oppressed the people
and the king ordered him to be banished on account of his
evil ways. The son of Asamanjas was Anshuman and his son
was Dilipa. The son of Dilipa was Bhagiratha. The son of
Bhagiratha was Kakustha whose son was Raghu from whom
the royal line has since been named. The sons of Shri Raghu
were known by the names of Pravriddha, Purushadaka, Kalmasha-
pada and Soudasa. The son of Kalmashapada was Shankhana
393
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
who rising to great power, by a curse, was destroyed wth his
whole army. The mighty hero Sudarshana was the son of
Shankhana and his son was Agnivama and Agnivarna's son was
Shighraga. His son was named Meru, and Meru's son was
Prashusvara, and his son was the great Sage Ambarisha. The
son of Ambarisha was the truthful Prince Nahusha, whose son
was the virtuous Nabhaga. Nabhaga had two sons, Aja and
Suvrata, and the son of Aja was the illustrious sovereign
Dasaratha. Thou art the son of the great monarch Dasaratha
renowned all through the world, who reigned over earth and
heaven.
" In the dynasty of Ikshwaku, the eldest son succeeds to the
throne ; while the eldest son lives, none else can become king.
It is not meet tor thee to violate this sacred tradition of the
House of Raghu. O Great One, reign over this earth filled
with treasures and those extensive dominions subject to thee,
as did thy sire t "
CHAPTER III
Prince Bkarata still entreats Shri Rama who is resolved
to follow his father's command
Having spoken thus, Shri Vasishtha continued, uttering words
of wisdom. " O Rama, when a man is born, he must regard
as his teachers, his father, his mother and bis spiritual preceptor.
" O Chief of Men, the parents bestow on man the physical
frame, but the spiritual preceptor confers wisdom on him, and
hence he is called Guru.
" I am the preceptor of thy father and of thee, mark my
counsel and do not over-ride the way of the good. O My Son,
here are thy relatives, the learned brahmins and the people
of the capital, as also the warriors and merchants. Fulfil thy
duty to them and do not exceed the limits of moral obligation.
" Here is thy pious and aged mother, whom thou shouldst
not disobey. That man is called virtuous who renders obedience
to his mother.
3S>4
AYODHYA KANDA
" O Prince, thou shall not have swerved from the path of
righteous action by acceding to Bharata's request that thou
shouldst occupy the throne."
Thus, having addressed Rama with mildness, the holy Guru
Vasishtha resumed his seat.
The mighty Rama then made answer, saying : " The good
that parents do to their son cannot easily be recompensed.
In childhood, they present him with beautiful attire and
delectable dishes, they put him to rest and tenderly rub his body
with oil of sesamum seed and manifest affection in gentle
counsels ; further they strive single-mindedly for his ultimate
good.
" The commands of my sire, the author of my being, shall
not be set aside."
The magnanimous Bharata hearing these words of Rama-
chandra, suffered great distress, and spoke to Sumantra, saying :
" O Charioteer, prepare a seat of kusha grass on this trestle seat,
I will place myself before Shri Rama till he be pleased to grant
my request. Like a brahmin, who is destitute, I will lie at
the door of this hut, fasting and covering my face, till Shri Rama
consents to return to the capital."
Sumantra looking towards Shri Rama, spread the kusha grass,
and Prince Bharata, full of grief, seated himself there, before
his brother.
Perceiving this, Shri Rama, chief of the royal sages, said to
him : " O Beloved Bharata, what wrong have I done that thou
shouldst sit thus before me? A brahmin may adopt this
measure towards his aggressor, but it is not meet that a crowned
head should do so. O Lion among Men, rise, abandon this
cruel vow and return speedily to the capital."
Bharata, afflicted, yet resolute, remaining firm, said to the
people of the capital and of the country who surrounded him :
" Why do you not also make entreaty to Shri Rama ? "
Then they answered saying : " We are unable to press
Kakustha1 further, since he is resolved to follow his father's
command."
Rama hearing their words said to Bharata : " O Prince,
consider the words of thy companions versed in righteousness
1 Kakustha — a name of Rama, as descendant of King Ikshwalcu.
395
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and weigh the matter carefully. Having reflected on their
words with attention, arise, O Raghava, and undergo that which
shall purify thee for having enacted that which does not become
a warrior. Do thou drink water and touch me also."
Bharata rising, said : " Hear, O Brahmins, Countrymen and
Warriors ! I do not desire the kingdom of my father, I did
not urge my mother to demand it. I knew naught of the exile
of Shri Rama. If it be required that someone shall dwell in
the forest in obedience to my father's command, then will I
reside there for fourteen years in his stead."
Shri Rama, astonished at his brother's resolution, addressed
the people present, saying : " Friends, whatever was bought,
pledged or sold by the king in his lifetime, can by no means
be cancelled by me or Bharata. Neither can I accept contumely
and permit Bharata to go as my representative to the forest.
What Kaikeyi demanded was rightfully granted by the king.
" I know Bharata to be disinterested and a true disciple of
his Guru, and that excellent one is a lover of truth. I herewith
declare that on my return from the forest, I shall accept the
kingdom and with my virtuous brother govern the country
with honour.
" O Bharata, I have discharged the boon granted to Kaikeyi
by the king and vindicated his honour. Do thou liberate the
king from the charge of falsehood and redeem the second boon."
CHAPTER 112
Following the advice of the celestial sages, Prince Bharata
is reconciled to becoming Shri Rama's deputy
The great sages who were present at the meeting of the two
illustrious brothers, were astonished. The royal sages, those
perfect ones also celestial beings, who were invisible, praised
the two princes and said : " Blessed is the king, whose sons
are highly virtuous and veracious, we are immeasurably gratified
to hear their converse."
396
AYODHYA KANDA
Desirous that the life and reign of Ravana should end soon,
certain sages approached Bharata and unitedly addressed him,
saying : " O Bharata, O Highly Resolute Prince, O Pious and
Renowned One, recollect that thou art born in a royal line,
let not the word of Rama be disregarded by thee, if thou art
wishful to bring felicity to the spirit of thy parent. It is our desire
that thy father who has entered heaven may be absolved from
every debt, having discharged his obligations to Queen Kaikeyi."
Having spoken thus, these celestial sages returned to their
abode.
Rama, gratified by their words, said : " By you, have I been
assisted in upholding virtue."
Prince Bharata with trembling accents again entreated Rama,
saying : " O Rama, he who is skilled in righteous governance
and who is the eldest, ascends the throne. Do thou, observing
the tradition, fulfil the desire of thy mother Kaushalya. I alone
have neither the courage to administer so vast a dominion,
nor should I be able to satisfy the people of the capital and
kingdom.
" Our relatives, friends, and warriors await thy conversion
to sovereignty as the husbandman eagerly anticipates the rain
clouds. Therefore, O Wise One, accept the crown for thou
alone art able to establish this kingdom."
Having spoken thus, Bharata fell at the feet of his brother
and fervently entreated him, crying : " O Rama, O Rama."
Shri Rama, raising up the young prince who, eloquent and
lotus-eyed, resembled a wild swan embraced him, and said :
*' That genuine humility which thou hast demonstrated will
furnish thee with sufficient courage to govern the kingdom.
Do thou consult thy ministers, counsellors and friends in the
great work of thy rule. The moon may cease from shining,
and the Himalaya abandon the snows, Mount Meru its splendour
or the ocean exceed its boundary, but I shall not relinquish
the vow made in the presence of my sire. O Beloved One,
it is not for thee to determine whether that which was brought
about by thy mother was done through love of thee, or through
ambition to see thee made king, it is for thee to treat her as
thy parent."
Then Prince Bharata answered Rama who resembled the sun
397
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in glory and the new moon in splendour, saying : " O Noble
One, place thy feet in these sandals adorned with gold, since
soon they will furnish our only means of support and protection."
The illustrious Rama having put on the sandals, took them
off and returned them to Bharata. He, bowing reverently to
the sandals addressed Rama thus : " From to-day I shall for
fourteen years, assuming matted locks and a robe of bark, live
on fruits and roots, awaiting thy return. Offering up the
management of the kingdom to these sandals for fourteen years,
if I do not see thee returning on the final day of that period,
I will enter the fire and be consumed ! "
Shri Rama embracing Bharata with great reverence answered
" Be it so." Then he spoke further saying : " Cherish thy
mother Kaikeyi, and be not angry with her. In my name and
in the name of Shri Sita, I adjure thee to reverence and protect
Queen Kaikeyi ! " His eyes suffused with tears, Shri Rama
then bade farewell to Shri Bharata and Shatrughna.
Bharata offering due reverence to the ornate and glittering
sandals, circumambulated Shri Rama and placed them on the
head of the mighty elephant belonging to King Dasaratha.
Then Shri Rama, immoveable like the Himalayas, in the practice
of virtue and the promoter of the honour of the House of Raghu,
made obeisance to his holy Guru, the ministers, citizens and
his brothers, and dismissed them.
His mothers, overcome with grief, were unable to utter
a single word. To them also Shri Rama offered reverent
salutations and sorrowfully entered his own dwelling.
CHAPTER 113
Prince Bharata commences the return journey
Then Shri Bharata, fully reconciled, taking the sandals from
the head of the elephant, placed them on his own and ascended
the chariot with Shatrughna, Shri Vasishtha, Vamadeva and
Javali of firm vows, with all the sagacious counsellors preceding
398
AYODHYA KANDA
him. Circulating the Mount Chittrakuta, they proceeded
towards the east, by the river Mandakini, where they beheld
countless veins of metal.
Shri Bharata with his army, went forward and at a short
distance from Chittrakuta, perceived the hermitage in which
the holy Bharadwaja and other sages dwelt. Approaching the
hermitage of the Sage Bharadwaja, Shri Bharata having dis-
mounted from his chariot, offered salutations to him. Bharadwaja,
full of joy, said to Bharata : " O Friend, hast thou beheld Shri
Rama ? Is thy purpose accomplished ? "
Shri Bharata, ever devoted to his brother, answered the sage,
saying : " O Lord, I and the holy Guru Vasishtha besought
Rama to return, but he cheerfully replied : ' My father's decree
that I should reside in the forest for fourteen years, shall be
faithfully observed by me \"
Then the learned and eloquent Shri Vasishtha, skilled in
wisdom, addressed Shri Rama in this wise : " O Wise One,
be pleased to bestow thy sandals, adorned with gems, on thy
deputy. Do thou bear the good of the capital in thy heart.
Shri Rama, in obedience to his holy Guru, turning towards
the east, put on the sandals and thereafter delivered them
tome.
" Now, frustrated in my design to bring back Shri Rama,
I am returning to Ayodhya with these sandals."
The Maharishi Bharadwaja, then uttered these auspicious
words : " O Prince, versed in the knowledge of virtue, thine
excellence is as little a source of wonder, as water ever flowing
towards a hollow. King Dasaratha, possessed of a righteous
and duty-loving son, such as thou art, has surely found
immortality."
Shri Bharata, touching the feet of the holy rishi, in great
reverence, with joined palms, circumambulated him and then,
with his counsellors, proceeded to Ayodhya.
The army following Prince Bharata, some riding elephants,
some horses, and some in bullock carts, crossed the Yamuna
with its singing waves and came to the sacred waters of the
Ganges.
Having crossed the holy river Gunga, with his companions,
Shri Bharata entered the town of Shringavera and from there
399 an
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
passed on to Ayodhya. Beholding Ayodhya, a stricken city,
deserted by bis father, King Dasaratha and his brother Shri
Ramachandra, Prince Bharata, deeply distressed, said to his
charioteer : " Behold the ruined capital bereft of its former
glory, unadorned and lacking all signs of festivity ! How silent,
how wretched is this city, formerly so full of life."
CHAPTER X I 4
He finds Ayodkya desolate
The prince, in his chariot, which gave forth a thunderous sound
as it rolled onward, entered Ayodhya. There he beheld the city
where cats and owls ranged, and where the doors of the dwellings
were closed, darkness and gloom reigning over all. The city
resembling the planet Rohini,1 that has lost its splendour on
the moon's eclipse, or a mountain stream, whose waters have
dried up in the sun's heat, deserted by the waterfowl, the fishes
all having perished.
Sad and wretched, on account of its separation from Rama,
Ayodhya resembled the sacrificial flame, which when the oblation
is poured into it, shines like a golden cone and then sinks into
smoking ash, or like a mighty army divested of its weapons
in battle, its horses, elephants, chariots and standards scattered
abroad and its heroic warriors slain. That city which looked,
as it were, like the waves of the sea whipped into foam by
the storm, rolling and breaking and then sinking into silence
with the dying out of the wind, or like the sacrificial pavilion
deserted by the priests who go forth in search of alms after the
sacrifice ; or lite kine bereft of the bull, who have ceased to graze
in the pasture and stand in the enclosure dispirited ; or like a neck-
lace stripped of its precious gems ; or like a meteor, its virtue
exhausted, fallen to earth, deprived of its splendour ; or like
a flowering branch, loaded with blossom in the Spring, visited
1 Rohini— The constellation of five stars (Taurus) containing Aldebaran,
which star is probably meant here. Called the " Red One " and said to be
the favourite consort of the moon.
400
AYODHYA KANDA
by a swarm of bees, that is suddenly consumed by a forest
fire.
The streets were deserted and the fairs and markets closed,
and no merchandise was offered for sale. Dark and fearful,
Ayodhya resembled the moon and stars obscured by heavy clouds
in the rainy season, or a deserted tavern, its revellers departed,
the liquor expended and naught but fragments of broken glass
and pots in wild disorder scattered here and there. Ayodhya
appeared like a tank sunk into the earth, the water being spent,
the foundations having collapsed, the jars and earthen vessels
lying scattered amidst the thirsty, standing there in despair ; or
it resembled the string of a great hero's bow that has been
severed by the arrow of his adversary and is lying on the earth ;
or an aged and ill-nourished mule, urged on by a soldier, slain
in the battle and left unheeded.
Viewing the desolation, Prince Bharata, seated in his chariot,
spoke to Sumantra, who was driving the equipage : "Alas !
How sad that this city, formerly so gay, to-day appears so
melancholy, the intoxicating fragrance of floral garlands and
the scent of incense, no longer filling it. O Sumantra, I do
not hear, as formerly, the sound of clattering chariots, the
neighing of horses and the prolonged roaring of elephants.
Alas ! Since Rama departed, the young men of Ayodhya have
ceased to adorn themselves with garlands of fresh blossoms and
sandalwood and men no longer walk abroad decked with flowers.
No longer are festivals observed and the people of the capital
are merged in grief; it seems as if the glory of the city had
departed with Rama. O ! Ayodhya is bereft of light, like the
night overcast with clouds at the time of the waxing moon.
When will my brother, Ramachandra, return like a festival,
diffusing joy in Ayodhya, as do the autumnal rains ? Formerly,
the royal highways of the capital were filled with richly attired
youths, but to-day they are all deserted."
Wailing and lamenting, Prince Bharata entered his father's
palace, which, bereft of the king, resembled a cave without
a lion.
Seeing the inner compartment in complete darkness, the prince
wept aloud, like the gods, when warring with the titans, arc
afflicted when beholding the darkening of the sun.
401
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 115
Prince Bharata retires to Nandigrama and rules the kingdom
from that city
The sorrowing Bharata, firm in his resolve, having brought his
mothers back to Ayodhya, said to the holy Guru Vasishtha
and the elders : —
" I crave your permission to retire to Nandigrama and there
endure the woes occasioned by Shri Rama's absence. The king
has departed and my elder brother has entered the forest. I
shall, therefore, await the return of Shri Rama, since verily
he alone is Lord of Ayodhya."
Shri Vasishtha and the counsellors, hearing the words of
Prince Bharata, answered him saying : " O Prince, thy words,
inspired by devotion to thy brother, are worthy of praise.
Verily, they do thee honour ! Who will dare oppose thee,
who art deeply attached to thy brother and who, in this land,
has reached such an exalted state ? "
Perceiving the counsellors reconciled to his purpose, the prince
said to Sumantra : " Bring hither the chariot ! "
The chariot having come, Bharata, after conversing with his
mothers, mounted the equipage with his brother Shatrughna.
Accompanied by the priests and ministers, the two princes
cheerfully proceeded to Nandigrama, the Guru Vasishtha and
the pious brahmins leading the procession.
Then the army, elephants, horses and chariots together with
the people of the capital, followed him unbidden. The peerless
Bharata filled with fraternal love, carrying the sandals of Shri
Rama on his head, at last reached Nandigrama. Dismounting
from the chariot, he addressed his spiritual preceptor and the
elders, saying : " My brother, Shri Rama, gave this kingdom
to me, as a precious trust, verily these sandals, decorated with
gold shall represent him."
Once more lifting the sandals reverently to his head, he
addressed the people of the capital, saying : " Ye Men of
Ayodhya, accept these sandals as symbols of the feet of Shri
402
AYODHYA KANDA
Rama. Let them rest beneath the royal canopy and wave the
chamara over them. These are the sandals of our supreme
Guru and by them will righteousness be established in the
kingdom. I shall preserve the trust lovingly reposed in me
by Rama, till his return. When he returns to Ayodhya, I,
myself, will assist him to put on the sandals. Then I, united
with him once more, will deliver the kingdom to him and like
a son will I honour him. By restoring the capital and kingdom
to Rama, I shall wash away the stigma of dishonour brought
on me by my mother. Shri Rama will be installed and his
subjects made happy ; then shall ill-fame pass away, and 1 shall
win exceeding honour from the people."
Thus lamenting, the afflicted Bharata, with the assistance of
his counsellors, retired to Nandigrama and ruled the kingdom
from that city. With matted locks, assuming the bark dress
of an ascetic, Shri Bharata dwelt in Nandigrama, protected by
bis army.
Residing in Nandigrama, obedient to Shri Rama and faithful
to his promise, Shri Bharata, placing the sandals on the royal
throne, spreading the canopy over them and waving the chamara
above them, committed the seals of the kingdom to their keeping,
he, himself, passing his life as a servant of Rama.
Every matter of import and all the business of state was first
laid before the sandals, and every gift brought to the king was
first offered to them, and afterwards treated as occasion required.
CHAPTER I I 6
The holy men of Chittrakuta depart, fearing the coming
oppression of the asuras
Bharata having departed to Ayodhya, Shri Rama perceived
that the ascetics living on Chittrakuta were filled with apprehen-
sion and desirous of withdrawing from that place.
Formerly, these holy men dwelling in Chittrakuta looked for
Shri Rama's protection, but now they sought to take their
403
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
departure. By the expression in their eyes and other signs,
they manifested their misgivings and could be observed convers-
ing secretly in low tones with one another.
Shri Rama, beholding their anxiety addressed them with
humility, saying : " O Blessed Ones, has my conduct towards
you suffered a change ? For what reason are your hearts filled
with dread ? O Holy Ones, has my younger brother involunt-
arily injured you ? Or has Shri Sita, ever devoted to my service,
given you cause for offence ? Perchance she has done that
which is not fitting for a woman ? "
Thus questioned, a great sage, an aged ascetic, his frame
emaciated by austerities, tremblingly answered the Ever-
Compassionate One, saying : " O Child, bounteous to all that
lives, Shri Sita is innocent of any breach of the traditional
attitude to any, least of all towards holy men. In truth, the
reason is that the asuras, through enmity to thee, have begun
to oppress the sages, and therefore, they being terrified, seek
how they may defend themselves in secret.
" Ravana's younger brother Kara, who dwells here, is casting
out the ascetics from their hermitages. O Friend, he is in-
exorable and he is a mighty warrior. He is brutal and cannot
endure thy presence here. Since thou hast come to dwell in
this hermitage, the asuras have increased the persecution of
the sages. Appearing in grotesque and terrible forms, they fill
them with terror, then to do them further mischief, they fling
unclean and inauspicious objects into the sacred precincts,
finally when meeting with guileless and pure-hearted hermits,
they slay them. Those evil-hearted asuras wander everywhere
covertly, till perceiving a sage to be alone and defenceless, they
put an end to his life.
"At the time of sacrifice, when the sacred fire is kindled by
the ascetics, then do the asuras, scattering the hallowed vessels
and ladles,, quench the fire by discharging water over it and
destroying the utensils. O Shri Ramachandra, weary of these
wicked asuras, the sages are urging us to abandon these
hermitages and depart hence.
" O Rama, those terrible asuras threaten to slay us all,
therefore, we are leaving this hermitage. Not far distant is
the wonderful Tapovana belonging to the Maharishi Ashwa ;
404
AYODHYA KANDA
it is rich in fruits and roots, there we would dwell. O Friend,
if it seem proper to thee, do thou come there, for thine oppression
is also planned.
" O Prince, though thou art able to defend thyself, thy sojourn
here with thy holy consort is fraught with peril."
Hearing the words of Kulupati and perceiving their anxiety
to be gone, Shri Rama sought to persuade them to stay, but
in vain, and the sages departed. Shri Rama accompanied them
a short distance then, taking leave of them and offering obeisance
to them, returned to his sacred dwelling. On leaving the holy
men, they instructed him lovingly in the path of duty and
bade him farewell.
Shri Rama did not then abandon the hermitage, which the
sages had deserted. Among them were a few who, inspired
by Rama's example, had surrendered their hearts to him, and
of them the prince was ever mindful.
CHAPTER 117
Shri Rama decides to leave the hermitage and comes to
the ashrama of the Sage Atri
The rishis, having left the hermitage, Shri Rama reflected on
the matter and judged it wisest not to dwell there longer.
Remembrance of his people, his mothers and Prince Bharata
who had been united with him there, caused him unending
distress. Further, the elephants and horses of Bharata's army
had defiled and laid waste the ground, rendering it squalid and
foul. On mature reflection, he thought " We will depart
hence " and taking Shri Sits and Lakshmana with him, he left
that place.
Proceeding further, he came to the ashrama of the Sage Atri,
and made obeisance to him, that holy one regarding him with
a fatherly affection. He bestowed his favour likewise on Sita
and Lakshmana and treated Rama with the hospitality due to him.
405
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The virtuous Sage Atri, ever devoted to the good of all,
summoned his aged and pious wife Anasuya, and respectfully
asking her to be seated, addressed his worthy and excellent
spouse. He said : " Shri Sita has visited our hermitage, do
thou take her with thee and receive her hospitably."
Then the Sage Atri said to Ramachandra : " Formerly when
rain was withheld for a period of ten years and the earth dried
up, this virtuous woman, Anasuya, by her great austerity,
produced fruits and berries for the sages and caused the sacred
Ganges to descend so that they might bathe therein ; thus by
her arduous ascetic practices, did she dispel the impediments
in the path of the sages. O Sinless Rama, this is the same
Anasuya, who at one time, to succour the sages, caused ten
nights to be reduced to one. This Anasuya is to be highly
revered for her age's sake, and is the object of reverence of all
beings. Do thou permit the Princess Sita to accompany the
meek and aged Anasuya. By her great and noble deeds, she
has acquired immeasurable tame. Let Janaki attend her."
Then Shri Ramachandra answered, " Be it so," and the
illustrious prince said to Sita : " O Princess, thou hast heard
the words spoken by the sage ; for thine own good do thou wait
on this aged ascetic."
Thereafter, Shri Sita went with Anasuya who was proficient
in every virtue. On account of her age, her physical form was
feeble and emaciated, her hair grey, whilst her body trembled
like a palm tree agitated by a strong wind.
Uttering her name, Shri Sita made obeisance to her, the gentle
saint returning her salutation with great humility enquiring as
to her welfare. The aged Anasuya, beholding Shri Sita offering
humble obeisance, spoke encouraging words, saying : —
" O Sita, fortunate art thou, that thou art attentive to the
duties owed to thy consort. It is supremely auspicious that
thou, forsaking thy people, thy individual comfort, thy wealth
and thy possessions shouldst accompany thy husband to the forest.
" She who is devoted to her spouse, whether in the city or
the forest, regardless whether he be a sinner or virtuous, that
woman attains the highest region. Whether a husband be cruel,
or the slave of desires, or poor, a virtuous wife will continue
406
AYODHYA KANDA
to worship him as a god. O Princess, I have studied deeply
and I do not think that a woman can have a better friend than
her husband, for he, in all circumstances, protects her.
" O Princess of Videha, those evil women who, enslaved by
desire, do not regard what should or should not be done, O
Princess of Mithila, they, imprudently commit unworthy acts
and becoming abhorrent, fall from virtue. But women such
as thou, acquainted with what is good or evil in the world, like
pious men, attain heaven. O Sati, thou hast ever been faithful
to thy conjugal duty and through thy virtuous acts, undertaken
in conjunction with thy husband, shalt attain merit and fame."
CHAPTER I I 8
Princess Sita receives gifts of love from the sage's wife
The blameless Anasuya having spoken, Shri Sita, approving
her words, gently answered : " O Noble Lady, the advice thou
hast given me, is in no wise a source of wonder to me, for it is
my conviction that the husband is in authority over his wife.
Even if the husband be poor and ignorant, yet women, such
as I, should feel no aversion for him.
" But the husband who is worthy of praise on account of
his excellent qualities and who is compassionate, self-controlled,
constant in his affections, fully acquainted with his duty and
who manifests the loving-kindness of a parent, excels all
expectation.
" Whatever love Shri Ramachandra bears to bis mother
Kaushalya, he bestows equally on the other queens, and not
this alone, but whoever the king has looked on with affection,
that woman he also regards as his own mother.
" When departing for the fearful forest, my mother-in-law,
Queen Kaushalya, imparted certain instruction to me, and I
inscribed her words on the tablet of my heart. I call to mind
also the advice given me by mine own mother at the time of
my nuptials.
4<>7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" O Righteous One, the crowning discipline for a woman
is the service of her lord. To-day, thou hast awakened in my
memory the counsels formerly given to me by my relatives.
"To-day, Savitri dwells in heaven through the service of her
spouse, thou also shalt enter the supreme abode through service
of thy lord. Rohini, a pearl among women and a dweller in
the celestial region, ever accompanies the moon. Thus many
others who have followed virtue, with fixed resolve, enter heaven
through their merits."
Anasuya rejoiced to hear Sita's words and kissing her head
in benediction, said : " O Sita, much merit has accrued to me
by prayer and fasting. O Princess, pure in heart, I desire to
confer a boon on thee by virtue of these merits. Tell me what
thou dost desire ? O Princess of Mithila, thy words have given
me extreme satisfaction. Now say what good I may accomplish
in thy name."
Shri Sita, hearing the words of the pious Anasuya, versed
in domestic duty, and being filled with astonishment, answered
smilingly : "Thy loving kindness has already fulfilled my every
desire."
Shri Anasuya hearing these words was gratified in greater
measure and said : " O Sita, fortunate am I to behold thee I
Let my joy bear fruit, ask a boon. I can give thee celestial
garlands, apparel and precious unguents to adorn thy person.
O Daughter of Janaka, my gifts would enhance thy beauty,
they will never fade and they will become thee well. Apply
this powder which I now give to thee ; thou shalt, by this,
augment thy husband's beauty as Lakshmi increases the glory
of the imperishable Vishnu."
The princess accepted the robes, powder and ornaments,
gifts of love, from the ascetic The illustrious Sita, having
received the symbols of affection from Anasuya, sat down near
her with joined palms.
Then Anasuya requested Shri Sita to relate something of
moment, saying : " O Sita, I have heard a brief account of
thy wedding, describe it to me now in detail."
Shri Sita obediently answered : " Hear me, and I will relate
it all to thee. The King of Mithila, that brave and virtuous
monarch, Janaka, the protector of his people as befits a warrior,
408
AYODHYA KANDA
once, when ploughing the earth to establish sacrificial ground,
beheld me like a daughter emerging from the furrow. At that
time, the king repeating the holy texts, was scattering the seed
of herbs and, seeing my body besmeared with dust, was
astonished. Being without issue, he took me in his arms and
said, * This shall be my daughter ', and treated me with extreme
love. Then a voice rang out from the heavens, saying : * O
King, verily she is thy daughter.*
" The king rejoiced in my possession and since my birth his
prosperity has increased. That sovereign, constant in the
performance of sacrifice, gave me into the care of his chief queen,
she nourishing me with maternal affection. When I came to
maturity, my father grew anxious, like an indigent man who
is bereft of all he possesses.
" The lather of a daughter, be he equal to Indra, must defer
to his son-in-law, whether in status he be his peer or his inferior.
My father was willing to submit to this eventuality and was
consumed with anxiety, as one desirous of crossing a river,
who finds himself without the means of transport.
"After much seeking, he was unable to find a suitable bride-
groom and was beset with fears. On profound reflection, he
resolved to convene a meeting of princes, that I might elect
a husband.
" In ancient days, on the occasion of a sacrifice, one of our
royal forbears received from Varuna, a great bow with two
quivers that should never lack arrows. The bow was so heavy
that many persons together could not move it and no monarch
could draw it, even in dream.
'* By his merit, my honoured sire had acquired the bow and
he, summoning the kings in council, addressed them, saying :
* Ye Sovereigns of Men, I will give my daughter in marriage
to him who is able to lift up and string this bow.'
" The kings, beholding the bow resembling a mountain in
weight, unable to lift it up, made obeisance to it and went
their way.
"After a long time, the resplendent Ramachandra came to
my father's sacrifice in company with the Sage Vishwamitra.
The king, my father, offered that truth-loving hero together
with the Sage Vishwamitra, abundant hospitality.
409
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Then Shri Vishwamitra said to the king : * These are the
two sons of King Dasaratha, who desire to see the bow. Be
gracious enough to allow these two princes to view it.*
" King Janaka commanded the bow to be brought as requested
by the Sage Vishwamitra.
" In an instant, Shri Ramachandra, lifting the bow, drew it.
Having been bent by the thong, the bow broke in two, creating
a sound like the crash of thunder. Thereafter, my honoured
father caused water to be brought and offered to Shri Rama-
chandra and prepared to bestow me on him, but Shri
Ramachandra did not consent to accept my hand till the inten-
tions of his own father were known.
" King Janaka then requested the aged King Dasaratha to
come thither and he, acquiescing in the matter, did so. With
his approval I was pledged to the great-souled Ramachandra ;
my younger sister, a guileless girl, Urmila, being wedded to
Shri Lakshmana.
" O Great Ascetic, thus was I bestowed in marriage and
since then have taken extreme delight in ministering to my
Lord, Shri Ramachandra, as is my duty."
CHAPTER 119
The holy ascetics bless the exiles who enter the forest
Shri Anasuya, faithful to duty, listened to this stirring narrative
and, taking hold of Shri Sita's hands, embraced her, savouring
the fragrance of her locks, then she addressed her, saying : " I
have heard thy tale brilliantly and lucidly set forth, which thou
hast so singularly related to me. O Sweet-speaking One, I
would tain hear more of thy story, but the sun has gone down
behind the Asatalachala mountain and the lovely night is near
at hand. See t the birds who have sought food far and wide
all the day, are now returning home to rest. Hark ! how
they sing ! The holy ascetics, too, are returning from their
bathing in their wet robes of bark with loshtas in their hands.
410
AYODHYA KANDA
The smoke, in hue resembling a pigeon's neck, rising from
the Sages' sacred fires is being driven by the wind here and
there. The bare trees, scarcely seen in the distance, appear
like dense clouds in the gathering darkness. The light is slowly
fading in every quarter. See, the rangers of the night are
abroad and the deer of the Tapovana forest are sleeping round
the sacred altars. Behold ! O Sita ! The night adorned with
stars is come and the moon diffusing her light has appeared
in the heavens.
"Do thou go, O Princess, and minister to thy lord, Shri
Ramachandra. How fortunate am I to have had sweet converse
with thee ! O Princess, do thou attire thyself in these robes
and ornaments, and thus increase my delight."
Shri Sita adorning herself in the gorgeous apparel, placed
her head at the feet of Anasuya and departed.
Shri Ramachandra, that most eloquent one, seeing Sita
adorned with the ornaments given to her by Anasuya, was filled
with joy. Shri Sita then told him of the liberality of the aged
ascetic, and showed him all her gifts. Rare indeed were those
gifts and Shri Rama and the great warrior Shri Lakshmana,
rejoiced over the bounty of Anasuya.
The night passed and day dawned, the two princes bathed,
performed their morning devotions and then approached the
ascetics for food.
The pious hermits then addressed Shri Rama and said : " O
Prince, it is dangerous to wander in the forest on account of
the presence of asuras. O Prince, wandering about in various
guises, these beings feed on human flesh and drink the blood
of men. These creatures like wild beasts kill and devour any
ascetic who is negligent or impure. O Prince, for our sake,
do thou destroy them. This path, O Prince, is the way by
which the sages go to gather fruit, let it be thy path also."
Then the holy men humbly blessed Shri Rama and he, the
harasser of his foes, entered the forest as the sun enters a dark
cloud.
END OF AYODHYA KANDA.
4«
GLOSSARY
(Note: For Flowers, Trees, and Weapons, see separate Glossaries.)
Achmana ceremony— purificatory rite, at which water is taken in
the palms of the hands, and poured on the head and breast.
Apiti. Mother of the Gods, representing space and infinity.
Adityas. Sun gods, sons of Aditi.
Agastya. A rishi, reputed author of several hymns in the Rig-Veda.
Agni. God of fire.
Ahalya. Wife of the Rishi Gautama, who was transformed into
a rock by his curse and ultimately restored by Shri Rama.
Alaka. The capital of Kuvera q.v.
Amaravati. The capital of Indra q.v.
Ammta. " The Nectar of Immortality " produced by the churning
of the ocean by devas and asuras.
Ananga. Bodiless. A name of Kandarpa, the God of Love.
Anasoya. A great saint, wife of the Rishi Atri.
Anga. The kingdom ruled over by King Lomapada, probably
Bengal.
Apsaras. "Ap " meaning water. " Yara " to emerge from— water
sprites, they were the wives of the Gandharvas q.v.
Arghya. A ceremonial offering of water, milk, kusha grass, rice,
durva, sandalwood, flowers, etc.
Akyamana. Chief of the pittris or ancestors.
Ashaba. When the sun enters the sign Gemini.
Ashoka. One of King Dasaratha's counsellors.
Ashrama. Hermitage.
ASWA-MSDHA. Horse-sacrifice of Vedic times, performed only by
kings.
Aswini-Kumajas or Aswins. The celestial horsemen, precursors
of the dawn, twin offspring of Surya the sun god.
Asota. A demon, enemy of the Gods.
Atharva Vbda. The fourth Veda.
Atri. One of the seven immortal sages.
Atyartha Sadaka. One of King Dasaratha's chief counsellors.
Ayodhya. Capital of Koshala, the kingdom ruled over by King
Dasaratha, probably Oudh.
Ayurveda. " The Veda of Life." A work on medicine attributed
to the Sage Dhanwantari.
4'3
GLOSSARY
B
Bahadur. A title of honour.
Bala and Atibala. A mystical science or magic formulae used for
the discharge of sacred weapons.
Bali or Vali. Brother of Sugriva, the monkey King. Bali was
slain by Shri Rama.
Bhagiratha. Descendant of King Sagara, whose austerities caused
the sacred river Ganges to come down to earth.
Bhagirathi. A name of the river Ganges or Gunga after the Sage
Bhagiratha.
Bharata. Brother of Shri Rama and son of Queen Kaikeyi and
Dasaratha.
Bharatvarsh. Ancient India.
Bilaradwaja. A Vedic Sage, to whom many Vedic hymns are
attributed. He received the sons of King Dasaratha in the forest
and entertained them there.
Bhrigu. A Vedic Sage, said to be the son of Manu, the Progenitor
of mankind.
Bhur, Bhuvah, Swah. Lower, middle and upper worlds.
Bibishana or Vibishana — Brother of Ravana, but a devotee of Shri
Rama, who conferred the Kingdom of Lanka on him after
Ravana's death.
Bishaka or Vishaka. A devotee of abstraction of mind, or the
constant contemplation of the Deity.
Brahman. The Absolute, The Highest Reality, Attributeless Being.
Brahma. The creative aspect of Divinity, Shri Vishnu being the
maintaining aspect as opposed to Shri Shiva the destructive
aspect.
Bramachari. Religious student, living in the house of a spiritual
Teacher, having taken certain vows.
Brahmacharini. Feminine of Brahmachari.
Brahma-Jnana. Knowledge of Truth or the Highest Reality,
Brahman .
Bratasura or Vratasuka or Vritka— An asura slain by Indra.
Brihaspati. Jupiter, the Spiritual Preceptor of the Gods, also the
Regent of the planet Jupiter.
C
Castes, the Four— priest, warrior, merchant and those who serve
the other three.
Chakra Vara. Brahmany duck or ruddy goose.
Chamara— Chowric, a fan made of Yak's tail, insignia of royalty.
Chandala. An outcaste.
Chttra. The planet Spica. The month Chitra or Chaitra is
approximately between February and March.
Chitraratha. King of the Gandharvas, celestial musicians.
Chijtrakuta. A sacred mountain, the residence of Shri Rama
and Sita in exile, still a holy retreat.
414
GLOSSARY
D
Daityas. Titans.
Daksha. Son of Shri Brahma ; his daughter Uma was the consort
of Shiva.
Dakshina. Traditional offering made after a sacred ceremony.
Dakavas. A race of giants, enemies of the Gods.
Dandaka. A vast forest lying between the rivers Godavari and
Narmada, the scene of Shri Rama and Sita's exile.
Dasaratha. King of Koshala, father of Shri Rama, Lakshmana
Bharata and Shatrughna.
Devas. The Gods or Shining Ones.
Devi. A title given to Parvati, Shiva's consort.
Dranuda. A name of Kuvera.
Dhara. Wife of the Sage Kasyapa.
Dharma. Traditionally ordained course of conduct, or duty. The
Law of Righteousness.
Dhristi. One of the chief counsellors of King Dasaratha.
Dhuma. God of Smoke.
Dhundhumara. Slayer of the demon Dhundu, a title of the King
Kuvalayaswa.
Dilipa. Father of the Sage Bharadwaja.
Dm. Daughter of Daksha, wife of Kasyapa, mother of the Daityas.
Divisions of Time, the Three — Past, present and future.
Drona. A measure approximating 92 lbs.
Dundhubi. The name of a giant, it also means a kettle drum.
Dusana. A demon slain by Shri Rama.
Dyumatsena. Prince of Srabra, father of Satyavanta.
Gadhi . Father of the Sage Vishwamitra and son of King Kushanaba,
hence the patronymic Kaushika.
Gandhamadana. A general of the monkey army, killed by Indrajita,
also the name of a mountain, " The Mount of Intoxicating
Fragrance ".
Gandharvas. Celestial musicians.
Ganges. The sacred river Gunga, also known as Bhagirathi,
Harasekhara or the Crest of Shiva, Khapaga, Flowing from
Heaven, Tripathaga, Three-way-flowing, Mandakini, Gently
flowing, Jahnavi after the Sage Jahnu.
Garuda. King of birds, the Vehicle of Shri Vishnu and the Destroyer
of serpents.
Gautama. A great sage, the husband of Ahalya, q.v.
Gayatri. The most sacred prayer of the Rig-Veda.
Godha. A piece of leather or metal worn on the left arm to protect it
from the bow-string.
Goha. A soft leather, possibly cow or doeskin.
Gbihi. A person who, having finished his education, marries and
becomes a householder.
415 2B
GLOSSARY
Guha. King of the Nishadas, a mountain tribe, a great devotee
of Shri Rama.
Guru. A traditional Teacher, one who dispels ignorance.
H
Hanuman. A monkey chief, son of Pavana and Anjana. Hanuman
was the ideal devotee and servant of Shri Rama.
Hari. A name of the Lord meaning " Captivating ", " Pleasing ".
Hawan. A particular offering to the Gods, an ancient fire ceremony.
Ikshwaku. Son of Manu, founder of the Solar race of Kings,
who reigned in Ayodhya.
Indra. The King of the Gods or Devas.
Ingudi Tree. Sacred fig tree.
Jagari. Coarse brown Indian sugar made from palm sap.
Jahnu. The sage who drank up the sacred river Ganges.
Jambudwipa. One of the seven continents of which the world was
said to be composed.
Janaka. King of Mithila, father of Sita.
Janaki. A name of Sita.
Japa. Silent repetition of a prayer or sacred formula.
Jatayu. King of the vultures, who fought Ravana when he was
abducting Sita.
Jaya. Producer of weapons.
Jayanta. King Dasaratha's counsellor.
Juta. The matted locks of a devotee.
Kabandha. An asura or demon.
Kaikeya. The kingdom ruled over by King Kaikeya.
Kaikhyi. Favourite Queen and consort of King Dasaratha, mother
of Bharata.
Kailasha. Sacred mountain, the abode of Shiva.
Kaundi. Wife of King Asit.
Kama or Kandarpa. Indian cupid or God of Love.
Kapila. A great sage, who destroyed the sons of King Sagara.
Karma. The law governing the behaviour of matter in all its gross
and subtle forms, according to the divine purpose.
Karttika. When the sun enters Libra (October).
Kakttikeya. God of war, son of Shiva, also called Skanda,
416
GLOSSARY
KasYAPA or Kashyapa. The great Vedic Sage, grandson of Brahma,
and father of Vivaswat.
Katyayaha. An ancient writer of great celebrity, author of the
Dharmashastra.
Kavpin. Loin cloth.
KAUSHALYA. Chief Queen of King Dasaratha and mother of Shri
Rama.
Kaushika. Title of Vishwamitra after his grandfather.
Kaushiki. A river, said to be the sister of Shri Vishwamitra.
Kaustubha. Celebrated jewel, churned from the ocean and worn
by Shri Vishnu.
Kavandava. A species of duck.
Kavyahanas. A special class of celestial being.
Kesiini. Chief Queen of King Sagara.
Khara. A demon.
Khiva or Kheeva. Frumenty : hulled wheat boiled in milk and
sweetened.
Kinds of Taste. See under " Six ".
Kinneras. Celestial Beings attendant on Kuvera.
Kishkindhya. The country ruled over by Bali (possibly Mysore)
given to Sugriva by Rama.
Koshala. The kingdom ruled over by King Dasaratha.
Krauncha. A species of heron, Ardea Jaculator.
Krittikas. The Pleiades, nurses of the God of War.
Kshiroda. The ocean of milk.
Kubija. Hunchback.
Kumbhakarna. Brother of Ravana, a great warrior killed by Shri
Rama.
Kusha. One of the sons of Shri Rama and Sita. (See Lava.)
Kuvera. God of wealth.
Lagnas. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are considered as rising
above the horizon in the course of the day. The Lagna has
the name of the sign, its duration is from the first rising of
the sign till the whole is above the horizon. Lagna literally
means the point where the horizon and the path of the planet
meet.
Lagna-Karka. Cancer.
Lagna-Mbska. Pisces.
Lakshmana. Son of Queen Sumitra and King Dasaratha, favourite
brother of Shri Rama. Shri Lakshmana was said to be an
incarnation of the thousand-headed serpent Shssha who upholds
the world.
Lakshmi. The consort of Shri Vishnu also known as " Shri "
signifying prosperity.
Lanka. Ceylon, the Kingdom ruled over by the Titan King,
Ravana.
417
GLOSSARY
Lava. One of the sons of Shri Rama and Sita. (See Kusfaa.)
Lav ana. Son of Madhu, a demon.
Lohitanga. Mars.
Lokapalas. Guardians of the four quartets.
Loshta. A vessel of coconut or metal used for begging or cere-
monial purposes.
M
Madhuparka. A mixture of curds, butter, honey and the milk of
coconut, a traditional offering.
Madhusudana. Name of Shri Vishnu, meaning Destroyer of
Madhu, a demon.
Magda-phalguni. The season from the middle of January to the
middle of March.
Maghavan. A title of the god, Indra.
Mahadbva. Great God, a title of Shiva.
Mahatma. Great-souled One, title given to a Sage or Rishi.
Maina. Mina or Mynah, a small percher, about the size of a swallow,
which can be taught to repeat words.
Maireyi or Mikeya. Liquor extracted from the blossom of the
Lythrum Fricticosum tree mixed with sugar.
MAITRA. Period of the early morning.
Manasorovara. Lake on Mount Kailasha (literally : Lake of the
Mind).
Mandavi. Bharata's wife.
Mandodari. Wife of Ravana.
Manthara. The hunchbacked maid of Queen Kaikeyi.
Mantras or Mantrams. Sacred formulas.
Mantra-Pala. One of King Dasaratha's chief counsellors.
Maricha. A demon.
Markandeya. A sage, remarkable for his austerities, author of the
Markandeya Parana.
Maruts. Storm Gods.
Matali. Indra's charioteer.
Maya. The deluding power (Shakti) of the Lord, by which the
universe has come into existence and appears to be real.
Megha. Regent of the clouds.
Minaka. A mountain north of Kailasha.
Mithila. The city ruled over by King Janaka, capital of Videha.
Mlecchas. Foreigners, barbarians, eaters of flesh.
Muni. A holy sage, a pious and learned person, title applied to
rishis and others.
N
Nagas. The serpent race.
Nahusha. Father of King Yayati. Nahusha'a curious story is found
in the Mahabharata and Puranas.
4i8
GLOSSARY
Nakshateas. The Hindus, beside the common division of the
Zodiac into twelve signs, divided it into 27 Nakshatras, z{ in
each sign. Each Nakshatra has its appropriate name : —
1. Aswini. 2. Bharani. 3. Krittika. 4. Rohmi. 5. Mr'gas-
iras. 6. Ardea. 7. Punarvasu. 8. Pushya. 9. Alesha.
10. Magna. 11. Purva-phalguni. 12. UttaraphaJguni. 13.
Hasta. 14. Chitra. 15. Svati. 16. Vishaka. 17. Anuradha.
18. Jyesatha. 19. Mula. 20. Purvashadha. 21. Uttara-
shraddha. 22. Abijit. 23. Sravana. 24. Sravishtha or
Dhanishta. 25. Shatabhishaj. 26. Purva Bhadrapada. 27.
Uttara-Bhadrapada. 28. Revati.
(The last used if 22 Abijit is omitted.)
Nala and Nila. Monkey chiefs, allies of Shri Rama, who built
the bridge from India to Ceylon.
Nandigrama. The city fiom which Shri Bharata ruled in the
absence of Shri Rama.
Nandimukha. Distribution of cows in charity after a sacred
ceremony.
Narada. A great rishi, son of Shri Brahma ; many hymns of the
Rig Veda are attributed to him.
Narayana. A name of Shri Vishnu, " He whose abode is the
waters ".
Nishadas. A mountain tribe dwelling in the Vindhya mountains
subsisting on hunting.
Pampa. A beautiful lake on the banks of which Shri Rama and Sita
stayed during their exile.
Parantapa. Oppressor of the enemy, title of respect.
Parasurama. Rama with the axe, 6th Avatara or Incarnation of
Shri Vishnu, the son of Yamadagni and Renuka.
Parvati. A name of Uma, consort to Lord Shiva.
Fatal a. The infernal regions.
Favana. The father of Shri Hanuman.
Payasa. A special preparation of rice in milk.
Pisachas. Ghosts.
PiTTRis. Spirits of the Ancestors.
PouLASTYA. One of the seven Great Sages.
Frajapati. " Lord of Creatures," a creator, title given to Shri
Brahma as also to his mind-born sons.
Prayaga. The confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, a sacred
spot.
Punarvasu. The 7th and most favoured Nakshatra q.v.
Puranas. Legends and tales of ancient times in epic form, eighteen
in number.
Pusha or Pushan. The sun.
Pushpaka. The aerial chariot used by King Ravana and later
Shri Rama.
4*9
GLOSSARY
Pushya. The name of the 6th lunar mansion, also of a constellation
of three stars.
Puttmsti. Ceremony for extending the race by having sons.
Raghava. Title of those belonging to the House of Raghu to which
King Dasaratha and Shri Rama belonged.
Rahu. A mythical demon said to cause the eclipse of sun and moon.
Rajasuya sacrifice. A great sacrifice performed in ancient times
at the installation ofa king.
Rakshasas. Demons.
Rama or Ramachandra. The Incarnation of Shri Vishnu, and the
eldest son of King Dasaratha. It is round this great figure
that the Ramayana is constructed.
Rama-Katha. The recitation of Ramayana which has been a
tradition in India for thousands of years.
Rambha. An apsara (q.v.) symbolising the perfection of female
beauty from Indra's realm.
Ravana. King of Lanka, a ten-headed demon who abducted Sita,
Rama's consort.
Rism. An illumined sage. There are four classes of Rishi :—
Rajarishi— a royal Rishi,
Maharishi — a great Rishi,
Brahmarishi— a sacred Rishi,
Devarishi — a divine Rishi.
Rishyasringa. The " Deer-horned " Son of the Sage Vibhandaka
who married the daughter of King Lomapada, Shanta, and later
performed the Puttresti ceremony (q.v.) for King Dasaratha.
Rishya-Mukha. A mountain, the abode of Sugriva, the monkey
Sadhyas. Demi-gods.
Sampati. The vulture, brother of Jatayu q.v.
Samudra. Lord of rivers, guilty of slaying a brahmin.
Sakat-Kuhara. Mind-born son of Shri Brahma, the Creator.
Sapindi ceremony. The establishing of a connection with kindred
through funereal offerings.
Sapurna. A name of Garuda q.v.
Sarabha. Legendary animal with eight legs.
Sarayu. Sacred river, the Sarju river.
Satyavanta. The husband of Savitri q.v.
Satyavati. A sister of Shri Vishwamitra, transformed into the
Kaushiki river.
Satya-Yuga. The Golden Age. There are four ages :—
The Satya or Golden Age.
The Treta or Silver Age.
4»
GLOSSARY
The Dwapara or Copper Age.
Kali or Iron Age.
Saura. Literally relating to the sun, a divine potion.
Savitri. Daughter of King Aswapati who rescued her husband
Satyavanta from the God of death.
SHABALA. The wish-fulfilling cow belonging to Shri Vasishtha.
Shabari or Shibri. A female ascetic, great devotee of Shri Rama,
whom he visited in the forest.
Shakra. A name of the God India.
Shakra-Dhwaza. A ceremony in honour of Indra.
Shanta. Daughter of King Lomapada, married to the Sage Rishya-
sringa.
Sharabhanga. A hermit Sage visited by Shri Rama and Sita in
the Dandaka forest.
Shastra. Teachings of divine or recognised authority.
Shatananda. Son of the Sage Gautama and spiritual preceptor
at the Court of King Janaka.
Shatrughna. Fourth son of King Dasaratha, son of Queen Sumitra.
Shri or Sri. A name of Lakshmi the consort of Shri Vishnu. Also
a title of honour of Gods, kings and heroes.
Shiva. Lord of Bliss, He who destroys ignorance.
Shivya or Shivi. A king of the Raghu dynasty who rescued the god
Agni who had transformed himself into a pigeon and was pursued
by Indra in the form of a hawk, by offering the weight of the
pigeon in his own flesh.
Shona. A sacred river.
Shruta-Kirtti. Wife of Shatrughna.
Shudra. Lowest of the four castes.
Shukra. Brilliant, bright, name of the star Venus.
Shurparnakha. Sister of Ravana, a female demon, mutilated by
Shri Rama and Lakshmana.
Siddharta. One of King Dasaratha's counsellors.
Siddhas. Semi-divine beings who dwell between the earth and the
sun.
Sindhu. The river Indus, also a country east of Koshala.
Singhika. A female demon, who imprisoned the shadows of her
victims.
Sita. Literally " a furrow ". Daughter of King Janaka, consort
of Shri Rama.
Six kinds op taste. Sweet, bitter, acid, salt, pungent, acrid or harsh.
Skanda. God of war, son of Shiva.
Soma. The fermented juice of Asclepias-adda, used as a beverage
or libation in sacred ceremonies.
f^J^^ Jcountrics east of Koshala.
Suchbna. Son of Varum, Lord of the waters,
4"
GLOSSARY
Sugriva. Monkey King, a friend of Shri Rama who gave him the
Kingdom of Kishkindhya.
Sumantra. Prime minister of King Dasaratha.
Sumati. Younger wife of King Sagara, who gave birth to a gourd
containing sixty thousand sons.
Sumitra. One of the queens of King Dasaratha, mother of Laksh-
mana and Shatrughna.
Suprabha. A goddess who created divine weapons.
Suras. A name of the Gods.
Sutikshna, A hermit sage who dwelt in the Dandaka forest.
Suyajna. A spiritual director of King Dasaratha.
Swyambhu. The Self-existent, a name of the Creator Shri Brahma.
Tapovana. A forest much frequented by holy sages.
Tara. The daughter of Brihaspati q.v.
Taraka. A female demon.
Three Divisions of Time — Past, present and future.
Three Worlds, The— Bhur, Bhurah, Swah, Lower, middle and
upper worlds.
Tripathaka. Traverser of the Three Worlds, a name of the sacred
river Ganges.
Tripura. A demon slain by Shiva.
Trishanku. A King of the Solar race who desired to enter heaven
in his physical form and later became the planet of that name
through the powers of the Sage Vishwamitra.
Trishira. A demon slain by Shri Rama.
U
Uma. A name of Parvati, Shiva's consort.
Upa-Naya. The ceremony of investitute of the sacred thread by
which act, spiritual birth is conferred on the youth and he is
reckoned a member of lite Twice-born (brahmins) class. The
age when this ceremony takes place is between eight and sixteen
years.
Upendra. A name of Indra.
Urmila. The wife of Shri Lakshmana.
Uttara-Phalguni. The twelfth Nakshatra q.v.
Vaidya. A physician.
Vairuntha. The abode of Shri Vishnu.
Vaisbyas. The merchant or agricultural caste.
Vaja-Pfya. A sacrifice at which an acetous mixture of meal and
water is offered to the Gods.
Valmiki. The Great Sage, author of Ramayana.
422
GLOSSARY
Vamadeva. A Vedic Rishi, author of many hymns.
Vamana. The Holy Dwarf, fifth divine Incarnation of Shri Vishnu.
Varuna. Lord of the waters, the Indian Neptune.
Varuni. Daughter of Varuna,, who symbolises wine.
Vasishtha. One of the seven great sages. He was the spiritual
preceptor of the House of Raghu.
Vasuki. King of the Snakes.
Vayu. God of the winds.
Veda. The Holy Scriptures of the Hindu religion. Fountain of
divine knowledge.
Vibhandaka. Son of the Sage Kasyapa and father of Rishyasringa.
Vidarbha. The country which is probably Birar, whose capital
was Kundinapura.
Vina. A stringed musical instrument.
Vinata. The mother of Garuda.
Virochana. A giant, father of Bali.
Vishaka. One of the Nakshatras (q.v.), also a month of the Spring
season.
Vishnu. The divine Maintainer of the Universe.
Vishwamitra. A great sage, whose story is told in the Ramayana.
Vratrasura or Vritra. See Bratrasura.
Yaksha, Yashini. Supernatural beings attendant on the God of
wealth, Kuvera.
Yama. The God of Death.
YAYATI. A forbear of King Dasaratha, his story appears in several
of the great classics, Vishnu-Purana, Mahabharata, etc.
Yoga. A school of philosophy of which the most important is the
Adwaita (non-dualist) system elaborated by Shri Shankaracharya.
Yojana. Approximately eight miles.
423
WEAPONS
Agneya. The fiery weapon.
Alakshya. That which cannot be seen in its course.
Ardea. The web (see Shuska).
Arhani. The thunderbolt.
Avangmukha. Weapon with head hanging.
Avarana. Weapon of Protection.
B
Brahma-Pasha. Net or noose of Brahma. (Pasha meaning a rope.)
Brahmashira. Brahma-headed.
D
Danda or Dunda. Literally staff. Rod of punishment.
Darana. To tear or split asunder.
DARPANA. Drying-up weapon.
Dashaksha. The ten-eyed weapon.
Dasha-Shirsha. The ten-headed weapon.
Ohana. Weapon of wealth.
Dhanya. Rice weapon.
Dharma Discos or Dharma Pala. The noose of the God of
Justice.
Dharma-Nabha. Of sacred navel.
Dharma-Pasha. One who has the power of entangling the foe.
Dhrishta. The active weapon.
Dhriti. Weapon of forbearance.
Disc of Dharma. Disc of virtue.
Disc of Kala. Disc of death.
Ditya. The titan.
Drirnabha. Of firm navel.
Dunda-Nabha. The Dunda navclled.
G
Gandharva. Weapon given by the Gandharvas, celestial musicians,
424
GLOSSARY
H
Haya-Shisa. The horse-headed.
I
Indka. The weapon of Indra.
Ishika. The ardent weapon.
Jyotishma. The luminous.
K
Kala Discus. See Disc of Kala.
Kala-Pasha. Death noose.
Kamaruchi. Able to do what it pleases.
Kamarupa. Able to assume any form at will.
Kandabpa. Creating sex desire.
Kankana. Weapon protecting the side (possibly some kind of
armour).
Kapala. A helmet.
Karavira. Weapon of the valiant hand.
Kinkini. A small beU.
Koumodaki. Giving joy to the earth.
Krovncha. From the bird of that name, q.v.
L
Lakshya. That which may be seen in its course.
Lohita Mukhi. Bloody mouthed.
M
Maha Nabha. Large navelled.
Maha Vahu. The great armed or handed.
Makasa. The sea monster.
Mail The necklaced.
Manava. Weapon of Manu.
Mathana. Weapon that hurts or injures.
Mayadhara. The great deception.
Modana. The weapon of inebriation.
Moha. That which causes loss of consciousness.
Mohan. The weapon of attraction.
Mushala or Moushala. A club.
N
Mandana. Joy-producing weapon.
Narayana. Literally— residing in water.
NrxASHYA. The discourager.
Kishkali. The peaceful.
O
GLOSSARY
P
Paisha Astra. The ghostly weapon, one belonging to the Pisachas,
ghosts or demons.
Paramo Dara Astra. Supreme clearing weapon.
Pashupata. The weapon sacred to Shiva.
Pinaka. Shiva's bow.
Pisbacha. Missile belonging to the Pisachas.
Pitryia. Connected with the ancestors (Pittris).
Prama Thana. The churner.
Prashamana. Weapon of destruction.
Praswaprana. To do with inhaling the vital airs.
Pratihardara. That which prevents the effects of other weapons.
Puramg Mukha. Having the face averted.
R
Rabhasa. The desolator.
Rati. Weapon of enjoyment.
RucHIRA. The approving weapon.
Rudra. Weapon sacred to Rudra (Shiva).
Samvartta. The covering weapon.
Sandhana. The arm weapon.
Santapana. One of the arrows of Kamadeva, the God of Love,
a weapon that scorches ana burns up.
Sarichimau. That which has force.
Sarpa-Natha. Lord of serpents.
Satya-Astra. The existence weapon.
Satyakirti. The justly famed.
Saura. The heroic weapon.
Shaktis. Powers.
Shakuna. The vulture-shaped.
Shankara. The cause of welfare — Shiva's weapon.
Shatavaktra. Hundred mouthed.
Shitesu. A sharp arrow.
Shatodara. The hundred-bellied.
Shoshana. A weapon used to dry up water and counteract the
Varshana weapon, g. v.
Shuchivanu. The pure-handed.
Shuska. The dry weapon.
Somastra. The dew weapon.
Soumanva. With a controlled mind.
Sunabhuka. Of fine navel.
Swapana. To do with the act of sleeping.
Swanabhuka. Rich-navelled.
426
GLOSSARY
T
Trimbhaka. The gaper.
Twashtra. Possessing the power of Twashtra, architect of the gods.
USIRATNA. A scimitar.
Varshana. Rain-producing weapon.
Varuna Pasha. Net of Varuna.
VATRA. Caused by wind (Vatri " Blower ").
Vayuvya. Having the power of the wind.
Vtddana. Weapon that rends or tears asunder.
Vidhuta. The strongly vibrating.
Vidya Dhaka. Weapon from the demi-gods.
Vilapana. Weapon causing wailing.
Vimala. The pure.
Vinidra. The somniferous.
Vishnu Discus. Disc of Vishnu.
W
X
Y
Y. Yogandhara. The united.
Z
FLOWERS AND TREES
(Note ; Many of the following have no English equivalent— wherever
possible the Latin term is given.)
Amlaka. A many-branched shrub resembling hemlock. Phyllanthus
Emblica,
Ankotha. AUangirium Hexapetalum.
Arista. Soap plant— Sapindus Saponeria.
Asana. Indian Almond — Terminalia Alata Tomentosa.
Ashoka. A coconut-like tree.
Ashwa-Karna. Vatica Robusta.
Ashwa-Lagma. Saul me.
427
GLOSSARY
B
Radsi or Vadri. Jujube plant — Zixyphus Jujuba.
Bhanduka. Calosanthes Indica.
Bhavya. A small fruit tree allied to the Magnolia-sillenia Spedosa.
Bilwa. A citrus fruit used in the manufacture of sherbet.
Burgad. Banyan tree — Ecus bengalensis. L.
C
Champaka. A species of magnolia.
D
Deva Paru. A variety of pine.
Deva Parna. Medicinal plant (the Divine Leaf).
Dhanwaxia. A special of twining plant— Echites Antidy Senteric.
Dhara. A variety of Acacia.
Dhatri. Sterosperraum Aciderifolium.
Dhuva. One of the Acacia family.
Durva Grass. Bent grass. Panicum Dactylon.
£
G
Guxak. A resinous tree, fragments of which are put into the water
in a loshta for ceremonial purposes.
Jambu. Rose apple. Eugenia Jamboliera.
Jamnu. Bird cherry. Prunus padus. L.
Kamranga. Averrhoa carambola.
Kapitha. Jack fruit.
Karnikara. Pterospermum Acerifolium.
KasanarI. Liquorice plant. Gmelina Arborea.
Kedumbra. A tree with orange-coloured fragrant flowers.
Kujaja. A medicinal tree.
Kuraka. OHvanum tree. Boswellia Thorifera.
Kusha or Darbha Grass. Sacred grass used in religious ceremonies.
A grass of long stalks and pointed leaves like rushes. Desmo-
stachya Bipennata.
438
GLOSSARY
L
Lodhra. Simplocos Racemosa. The bark of this tree is used for
dye.
M
Madhuca. IJlipi butter tree. Bossia Latifolia.
Madhura. Perennial Jasmine.
Mallika. Evening Jasmine.
Mango. Mangifera Indica.
N
Narcal Grass. A species of reed. Phragmites Karka Trin.
Nimba. Acadirachta Indica. A tree with bitter fruits, the leaves
of which are chewed at funerals.
Nipa. A species of Kedumbra tree, g. v. Naudea Cadamba.
P
Padmaka. A kind of fir.
Palasa or Palasha. Bread fruit. Butea Frondosa.
Panasa. Arto Carpus Intcgrifolia.
Pataia. Tropical evergreen climbing plant.
Pippala. Ficus Religiosa. Sacred Fig Tree.
Piyala. Chrongua.
Plaksha. Ficus Xnfectoria. Waved-leaf fig tree.
Q
R
Sala or Shaia Tree. Sal tree. Shorea Robusta.
Sallaka. Gum tree. Bignonia Indica.
Sarpat Grass. One of the sugar canes. Saccharium Bengalense
Retz. (S. Sara Roxb.)
SOLEA. A large bamboo. Cephalostashyum Capitatum Munro.
Shingsapa. An Ashoka, q. v. Dattergia Sisu.
Tala. A kind of palm, Borassus Flabellifbrmis.
Tilaka. A tree with beautiful flowers similar to the Sesamum
plant.
Tindura. Persimmon.
TlNlSHA, A climber with purple or white flowers,
429
GLOSSARY
U
V
Vadri. (See Badri.)
Vakana. Sacred medicinal tree. Crataeva Tapia.
Vetra. Ornamental palm.
Vf.ttas. Rattan cane. Calamus rotamg. L.
Vijaka. Citron tree.
W
X
Y
Z
THE
RAMAYANA
OF
VALMIKI
Translated by
HARI PRASAD SHASTRI
Vol. II.
ARANYA KANDA
KISHKINDHA KANDA
SUNDARA KANDA
SHANTI SAD AN
29 Chepstow Villas
LONDON, W . 1 1
•957
Hari Prasad Shastri began the translation of the Ramayana
of Rishi Valmiki about 1945, and he completed the work in
1948. The task of editing the translation, proof reading and
compiling the Glossaries has been entrusted to some of his
students, and the first of the three volumes was published in
1952 and was favourably received by the critics. A generous
recognition on the part of the Government of India brought
a grant towards the publication cost of the second and third
volumes which is hereby gratefully acknowledged.
The second volume of the Ramayana closely follows the
pattern of Volume 1 except that it has been decided to dispense
with footnotes so far as possible, and to expand the Glossaries.
The English equivalent of all Sanscrit words will be found in
these, although the names of some trees have not been traced.
The preparation of the manuscript of the third and last
volume is well advanced and publication is planned for next
year.
Shahti Sadan,
1957-
CONTENTS
Book III— Akanya Kanda
CHAPTER PAGE
1. Rama is welcomed by the Sages of the Dandaka Forest 3
2. The Demon Viradha carries off Sita - 4
3. The Struggle between Viradha and the two Brothers 6
4. Rama and Lakshmana slay the Demon Viradha 8
5. The Meeting with the Sage Sharabhanga and his Ascent
to Brahmaloka -------- 10
6. The Sages seek the protection of Rama - - - 13
7. The Meeting between Rama and Sutikshna - - - 15
8. Rama takes leave of Sutikshna 17
9. Sita implores Rama not to attack the Titans - - 18
10. Rama reminds Sita of his promise to the Ascetics - 20
11. Rama visits the different Retreats and hears of Agastya 22
12. Agastya receives Rama into his Hermitage 27
13. Rama goes to Panchavati on the advice of Agastya - 30
14. Jatayu reveals his Lineage to Rama 31
15. Rama takes up his Abode in Panchavati 34
16. Description of Winter by Lakshmana 36
17. The arrival of Shurpanakha at the Hermitage 38
18. The Mutilation of Shurpanakha ----- 40
19. Shurpanakha tells her brother Khara of her disfigurement 42
20. Rama slays the Demons sent by Khara 44
21. Shurpanakha urges Khara to fight Rama 46
22. Khara and his fourteen thousand Demons march against
Rama ----------47
23. The Titan Army advances amid evil Portents - - 49
24. The Combat opens between Rama and the Titans - 51
25. The Fight continues --------53
26. Rama destroys the Titans and slays Dushana 56
27. Rama and Trishiras meet in Combat. Trishiras is slain 58
28. The Combat between Rama and Khara 59
29. Rama and the demon Khara taunt one another - - 61
30. The Death of Khara 63
31. Ravana, the King of the Titans, hears of the Death of
Khara and determines to slay Rama 65
32. Shurpanakha upbraids Ravana and urges him to destroy
Rama ----------68
33. Shurpanakha's Speech to Ravana ----- 70
34. She urges Ravana to slay Rama and wed Sita 71
35. Ravana visits the Demon Maricha once again 73
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
36. Ravana reveals his Project to him ----- 76
37. Maricha seeks to dissuade Ravana from his Design - 78
38. Maricha describes his first Encounter with Rama - 79
39. Maricha again seeks to dissuade Ravana from pursuing
his Design ---------82
40. Ravana's Wrath ---------83
41. Further Counsels of Maricha to Ravana 85
42. Maricha, assuming the form of a Deer, goes to Rama's
Hermitage --------- 86
43. Sita is enamoured of the Fawn ----- 88
44. Rama slays Maricha --------91
45. Sita sends Lakshmana to Rama's Assistance 93
46. Ravana approaches Sita ------- 95
47. The Conversation of Ravana and Sita 98
48. Sita defies Ravana -------- 101
49. Sita's Abduction by Ravana ------ 102
50. Jatayu attacks Ravana ------- 105
51. The Combat between Jatayu and Ravana - - - 107
52. Jatayu being slain, Ravana resumes his Flight - - 109
53. Sita censures Ravana __.-___ na
54. Ravana returns to Lanka with Sita - - - - 114
55. Ravana implores Sita to become his Consort - - 116
56. Sita is guarded by the Titan Women - - - - 118
57. Rama sees terrible Portents ------ 120
58. Rama's Lament ---------122
59. Rama reproaches Lakshmana ------ 123
60. The Search for Sita -------- 125
6r. Rama's Plaint --------- 128
62. His Despair ._--___-- 130
63. He continues to lament ------- 131
64. Rama's Wrath --------- 133
65. Lakshmana seeks to pacify Rama ----- 137
66. Lakshmana seeks to inspire Rama with Courage - 138
67. Rama encounters Jatayu ------- 140
68. Jatayu's Death ___-_---- 142
69. Rama and Lakshmana meet Ayomukhi and Kabandha 144
70. Rama and Lakshmana sever the Arms of Kabandha - 147
71. Kabandha relates bis History ------ 149
72. Kabandha tells Rama how to find Sita - - - -151
73. Kabandha's Advice to Rama ------ 153
74. Rama visits Shabari -------- 156
75. Rama reaches the Lake Pampa ----- 158
CONTENTS
Book IV— Kishkindha Kanda
CHAPTER PAGE
i. Rama describes the Spring and the Sentiments it evokes
in him ---------- 163
2. Sugriva sends Hanuman to interview Rama - - - 171
3. Hanuman 's Meeting with Rama ----- 173
4. Hanuman brings Rama and Lakshmana into the
Presence of Sugriva - - - - - - -175
5. The Alliance between Rama and Sugriva - - - 177
6. Sugriva shows Rama Sita's Cloak and Jewels - - 180
7. Sugriva consoles Rama - - - - - - -181
8. Sugriva implores Rama for his help against Bali - 183
9. The Story of Bali and Mayavi - - - - - 186
10. The Origin of Bali's Hatred of Sugriva - 187
11. Sugriva tells Rama of Bali's Exploits - - - - 189
12. The Fight between Bali and Sugriva - 195
13. The Hermitage of the Saptajanas ----- 198
14. Surgriva again challenges his Brother to fight - - 200
15. Tara's Advice to Bah' ------- 201
16. Rama inflicts a mortal Wound on Bali - - - 204
17. Bali reproaches Rama ------- 206
18. Rama answers Bali -------- 210
19. Tara's Grief ----------215
20. Her Lamentations - - - - - - - -217
21. Hanuman's Speech - 219
22. Bali's last Words --------- 220
23. Tara weeps over the Body of Bali ----- 222
24. Sugriva's Remorse -------- 224
25. BaG's Funeral Rites 228
26. Sugriva is installed as King ------ 231
27. Rama describes Prasravana ------ 234
28. Rama describes the Rainy Season ----- 237
29. Hanuman urges Sugriva to honour his Promise - - 242
30. Description of Autumn ------- 244
31. Lakshmana goes to Kishkindha ----- 251
32. Hanuman's Speech -------- 254
33. Tara pacifies Lakshmana ------- 256
34. Lakshmana reproaches Sugriva ----- 261
35. Tara defends Sugriva -------- 262
36. Lakshmana is reconciled to Sugriva - 264
37. Sugriva assembles his Troops ------ 265
38. Sugriva goes to meet Rama ------ 267
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
39. The arrival of Sugriva's Forces ----- 270
40. Sugriva sends his Monkeys to the East in search of Sita 272
41. He sends other Monkeys to explore the Southern Region 276
42. Searchers are sent to the Western Region - 279
43. Other Monkeys are sent to the Northern Region - 282
44. Rama gives his Ring to Hanuman ----- 286
45. The Departure of the Monkeys ----- 287
46. Sugriva narrates his Travels through the World - - 288
47. The Return of the Monkeys ------ 290
48. Angada slays an Asura ------- ypi
49. The Monkeys search the Southern Region in vain - 292
50. Hanuman and his Companions enter the Rikshabila
Cavern ---------- 293
51. The Tale of the Ascetic ------- 296
52. Swaymprabha frees the Monkeys from the cave - - 297
53. Angada and his Companions consider what course to
adopt ---------- 299
54. Hanuman seeks to discourage Angada from his Design 301
55. The Monkeys decide to die of Hunger - - - - 303
56. The Intervention of Sampati ------ 304
57. Angada's Narrative -------- 306
58. Sampati tells the Monkeys of Ska's place of Concealment 307
59. He encourages them to pursue their Quest - - - 309
60. The Story of the Ascetic Nishakara - - - - 31 1
61. Sampati tells his Story to the Sage - - - -313
62. Sampati learns from him where Sita is - - - - 314
63. The Wings of Sampati grow once more - - - 315
64. The Monkeys are discouraged on seeing the Ocean - 316
65. The Leaders of the Monkeys, each state what they are
able to accomplish - - - - - - -317
66. Jambavan appeals to Hanuman to sacrifice himself for
the good of all-------- 319
67. Hanuman prepares to go to Lanka - 322
CONTENTS
Book V— Sundara Kanda
CHAPTER PAGE
1. The Departure of Hanuman ------ 327
2. Hanuman's arrival in Lanka ------ 338
3. He enters the City -------- 342
4. He observes the City and its Inhabitants - 345
5. He ranges the City without rinding Ska - 347
6. He explores Ravana's Palace ------ 349
7. Description of the Aerial Chariot Pushpaka - - - 351
8. Further Description of Pushpaka ----- 353
9. Hanuman searches the Inner Apartments - - - 354
10. He perceives Ravana in the midst of his Wives - - 358
11. Description of the Banqueting Hall - 361
12. Hanuman becomes despondent ----- 304
13. Hanuman's Dilemna -------- 365
14. The Ashoka Grove --------369
15. Hanuman sees Sita -------- 372
16. His reflections on seeing Sita ------ 375
17. Description of the Female Titans guarding Sita - - 377
18. Ravana goes to the Ashoka Grove - 380
19. Sita's Grief ---- 382
20. Ravana begs Sita to wed him - - - - - 383
21. Sita rejects Ravana with disdain ----- 385
22. Ravana's Threats --------- 388
23. The female Titans seek to persuade Sita to wed Ravana 391
24. Their Menaces --------- 392
25. Sita gives way to Despair ------- 395
26. Sita prophesies the Titan's Destruction - - - - 396
27. Trijata's Dream --------- 398
28. Sita's Lament ___-___-- 401
29. Sita observes auspicious Portents ----- 403
30. Hanuman's Reflections ------- 404
31. Hanuman praises Rama ------- 406
32. Sita sees Hanuman -------- 408
33. Hanuman's Converse with the Princess Sita - - 409
34. Sita's hesitations on seeing Hanuman - - - - 411
35. Hanuman makes himself known to Sita - - - 413
36. Sita questions Hanuman ------- 419
37. Sita refuses to be rescued by Hanuman ... 422
38. She gives Hanuman her Jewel ------ 426
39. Hanuman calms Sita's Fears ------ 430
40. He takes leave of Sita ------- 433
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
41. Hanuman destroys the Ashoka Grove - 435
42. He slays the Kinkaras ------- 43J5
43. He burns the Temple and Monument - 439
44. The Death of Jambumalin ------ 441
45. Hanuman slays the Sons of Havana's Ministers - - 442
46. He annihilates five Generals and their Forces - - 443
47. The Death of Aksha -------- 446
48. Hanuman allows himself to be taken Captive by the
Titans ---------- 449
49. His Astonishment on beholding Ravana - - - - 454
50. Hanuman is questioned by the Titans - - - - 455
51. His Words ---------- 456
52. Bibisbana pleads for Hanuman ----- 459
53. Hanuman is led bound through the City - 461
54. He sets Fire to Lanka ------- 464
55. Hanuman's Fears concerning Sita ----- 467
56. He takes Leave of her ------- 469
57. The Return of Hanuman - - 472
58. He recounts his Experiences ------ 475
59. Hanuman appeals to the Monkeys to rescue Sita - 484
60. Jambavan rejects Angada's Project - 486
61. The Devastation of Madhuvana ----- 488
62. The Fight between Dadhimuka and the Intruders - 489
63. Dadhimuka relates how Madhuvana has been laid waste 491
64. Sugriva consoles Rama ------- 493
65. Hanuman tells Rama of his Meeting with Sita - - 496
66. Rama's Grief --------- 498
67. Hanuman describes his Interview with Sita - 499
68. He repeats his Words of Consolation to Sita - - 501
Glossaries ---------- 505
BOOK III
A R ANY A K.ANDA
CHAPTER I
Rama is welcomed by the Sages of the Dandaka Forest
Entering the vast Dandaka Forest, the invincible Rama,
master of his senses, saw a circle of huts belonging to the
ascetics, strewn with bark and kusha grass, blazing with spiritual
effulgence scarce to be borne by mortal eye, as the noonday
sun is a source of torment to men.
This retreat, a haven to all beings, the ground of which was
carefully tended, was frequented by many deer and multitudes
of birds and rendered gay by the dancing of troops of apsaras.
Beautiful with its spacious huts, where the sacred fire burnt,
surrounded by ladles and other articles of worship such as
skins, kusha grass, fuel, jars of water, fruit and roots ; encircled
by great and sacred forest trees, bowed with the weight of
ripe and delectable fruits, the whole hermitage was hallowed
by sacrificial offerings and libations and re-echoed to the
recitation of Vedic hymns.
Carpeted with flowers of every kind, possessing pools
covered with lotuses, it had been the retreat of former hermits,
who subsisted on fruit and roots and who, wearing robes of
bark and black antelope skins, their senses fully controlled,
resembled the sun or fire. Now great and pious sages, practising
every austerity, added to its lustre. Resembling the abode of
Brahma, that hermitage resounded with the chanting of Vedic
hymns, and brahmins, versed in the Veda, adorned it with
their presence.
Beholding that sacred place, the illustrious Raghava, un-
stringing his bow, entered, and the august sages, possessed of
spiritual knowledge, highly gratified, advanced to meet him.
Seeing that virtuous one, resembling the rising moon, with
Lakshmana and Vaidehi of dazzling beauty, those ascetics of
rigid vows received them with words of welcome and the
3 b
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dwellers in the wood were astonished at Rama's handsome
mien, his youthful appearance, majesty and graceful attire and,
struck with wonder, gazed unwinkingly on Raghava, Lakshmana
and Vaidehi, as on a great marvel.
Then, those blessed sages, engaged in the welfare of all
beings, conducted Rama to a leaf-thatched hut, where, offering
him the traditional hospitality, those fortunate and pious men,
resembling fire itself, brought water that he might wash his
hands and feet. Experiencing great delight, those high-souled
ascetics, bidding him welcome, gathered flowers, fruit and
roots, placing the whole content of the hermitage at the disposal
of that magnanimous hero.
Thereafter, those ascetics, versed in the sacred lore, with
joined palms addressed him, saying: —
" O Raghava, a king is the defender of the rights of his
people and their refuge; he is worthy of all honour and respect,
he wields the sceptre, he is the Guru and partakes of a fourth
part of the glory of Indra ; he enjoys the highest prerogatives
and receives every homage. We, being under thy dominion,
should be protected by thee, whether living in the capital or
the forest ; thou art our Sovereign, O Master of the World !
" Having renounced all desire for revenge, subdued anger and
mastered our senses, do thou protect us in the practice of
virtue, as a mother protects the infant at her breast."
With these words they paid reverence to Rama, who was
accompanied by Lakshmana, offering him fruit, roots, flowers
and every product of field and forest, whilst other ascetics,
resembling the fire in lustre, observers of sacred vows, honoured
the Lord according to tradition.
CHAPTER 2
The Demon Viradha carries off Sita
Having received the homage of the ascetics, at dawn Rama
paid obeisance to them and followed by Lakshmana, entered
the forest, which abounded in every kind of deer and was
frequented by bears and tigers.
4
ARANYA KANDA
There, trees, creepers and shrubs had been trampled under-
foot, so that the paths were barely distinguishable and the
reflection from the pools and lakes was dazzling ; no birds
sang in that whole demesne, which was filled with the humming
of crickets.1
Followed by Lakshmana, Rama searched the depths of the
forest with his gaze and in that wood, abounding in ferocious
beasts, Kakutstha, accompanied by Sita, beheld a titan as
large as a mountain creating a great uproar.
Of formidable aspect, hideous, deformed, his eyes sunk deep
in his forehead, with a vast mouth and protruding belly, clad
in a tiger skin, covered with blood and loathsome to look upon,
he struck terror into the hearts of all beings ; it appeared as
if death itself were approaching with open jaws.
Three lions, four tigers, two leopards, four dappled deer
and the head of a great elephant with its tusks, from which
the fat ran down, hung from his spear.
Seeing Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, the Princess of Mithila,
he rushed upon them in fury, like Time8 at the destruction of
the worlds. Then, creating a great uproar, causing the earth
to tremble, he seized Vaidehi in his arms and began to carry
her away, saying : —
" O Ye, wearing matted locks, clad in robes of bark, accom-
panied by a common consort, ye are about to die ! Entering
the Dandaka Forest, armed with weapons, bows and spears,
whence have ye come, O Ascetics and why do ye dwell here
in the company of a woman ? Perverse and evil wretches, who
are ye, bringing disrepute on the sages ?
I am the Titan Viradha, this is my retreat and I roam the
impenetrable forest, armed with weapons, feeding on the flesh
of ascetics. This woman of lovely limbs shall become my
wife and, in combat, I will drink the blood of ye both, O
Miscreants 1 "
The daughter of Janaka, Sita, hearing the cruel and arrogant
speech of the wicked-hearted Viradha, rilled with dread, began
to tremble like a palm shaken by the wind.
1 The Commentaor explains that all this destruction was due to the presence
of the demon Viradha and that the birds had deserted the place in fear of him.
* Time in the form of Death, the Destroyer.
5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Rama, seeing Viradha bearing the lovely Sita away, growing
pale, said to Lakshmana : —
" O Friend, behold the daughter of Janaka, my chaste
consort, an illustrious princess, reared in luxury, held fast in
the arms of Viradha ! Alas ! Kaikeyi's desire has been fulfilled
to-day ! O Lakshmana, the enthronement of her son did not
suffice that designing woman, since she caused me to be banished
to the forest despite the love my subjects bore me. Now she
who reigns supreme in the midst of our mothers will be satisfied!
That another should have laid hands on Vaidehi is the greatest
of my misfortunes, worse even than the death of my sire or
the loss of my kingdom, O Saumitri ! "
Hearing the words of Kakutstha, Lakshmana, his eyes
streaming with tears, hissing like a wounded snake, said
harshly : —
" O Kakutstha, O Protector of All Beings, who art equal
to Indra himself, since I am thy servant, why dost thou lament
as though thou hadst no defender ?
" Pierced by the shaft I am about to loose in my wrath, the
Titan Viradha will die and the earth drink his blood. The
bitterness, I felt towards Bharata for his desiring the throne,
X shall expend on Viradha, as the God who bears the thunder-
bolt discharges it at a mountain! With all the strength of
mine arm, letting fly this sharp arrow, I shall pierce his breast!
May he yield up his life and fall rolling on the earth ! "
chapter 3
The Struggle between Viradha and the two Brothers
Thereafter Viradha spoke again, filling the forest with his
voice : —
" Who are ye, where are ye going, answer me ! "
Then the illustrious Rama answered that titan, whose
countenance was inflamed with anger, saying : —
" Know us to be two warriors of the race of Ikshwaku,
6
ARANYA KANDA
fixed in our vows, wandering in the forest ; but now we would
know who thou art, roaming here and there in the thickets ? "
Thereupon Viradha said to Rama, whose strength was
truth:—
" Hear and I will tell thee, O Prince of the House of Raghu !
I am the son of Java and my mother is Satarhada. I am
known among the titans throughout the world as Viradha.
Having gratified Brahma by my penances, I obtained a boon
and was rendered invulnerable to any weapon on earth ; it is
impossible to slay me by the use of arms !
" Forsaking this fair one, do ye, renouncing all hope, without
turning back, go hence without delay and I will grant you
your lives ! "
Then Rama, his eyes red with anger, answered that hideous
demon, the wicked Viradha, saying : —
" Wretch that thou art, cursed be thine evil design ; assuredly
thou art courting death, verily thou shalt find it in combat ;
stay but an instant and thou shalt not escape alive ! "
Bending his bow and speedily placing two sharp arrows on
it, Rama struck that demon with his pointed shafts and there-
after, stretching the cord tight, he loosed seven swift arrows,
adorned with feathers and tipped with gold, equal in night
to Suparna and Anila.
Having pierced the body of Viradha, those fiery shafts,
decorated with heron's plumes, fell to the ground hissing and
stained with blood.
On receiving those wounds, Viradha loosed his hold on
Vaidehi and brandishing his spear in fury hurled himself on
Rama and on Lakshmana who accompanied him. Letting
forth a mighty roar, grasping his spear, like unto the
standard of Indra, his jaws wide open, he resembled death
itself.
Then the two brothers rained a volley of flaming arrows on
Viradha, who resembled time, death or fate, but that terrible
demon, bursting into loud laughter, halting and opening his
jaws, threw up those pointed arrows by virtue of the boon he
had received. Restraining his breath and brandishing his
spear, the demon Viradha again rushed on the two descendants
of Raghu, whereupon Rama, the most skilful of warriors, with
7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
two arrows cut off that spear, which shone like lightning and
resembled a flame in the sky.
Shattered by Rama's shafts, the spear fell to the ground,
like a rocky ledge split by lightning. Thereat, unbuckling
their swords, those warriors swiftly fell on Viradha like two
black serpents, striking him heavily again and again.
Though hard beset, their formidable opponent beat them
off vigorously with his fists, but they stood firm, whereupon
he sought to lift them from the ground and Rama, guessing
his intention, said to Lakshmana : —
" Let the demon carry us along the path as far as he wishes,
O Saumitri ! Allow this Prowler of the Night to bear us
according to his whim, since he is proceeding along our way."
Thereupon, the demon, proud of his strength, with great
energy lifted them up and placed them on his shoulders like
two striplings ; then having set the two descendants of Raghu
on his shoulders, the demon Viradha, Ranger of the Night,
emitting a great roar, strode off into the forest.
Entering that forest, abounding in trees of every kind, where
diverse birds filled the air with their song and which was
thronged with jackals, beasts and serpents, he resembled a
great cloud.
CHAPTER 4
Rama and Lakshmana slay the Demon Viradha
Seeing the two brothers, the glory of the House of Raghu,
being borne away, Sita, lifting up her arms, began to cry aloud,
reflecting thus : —
* Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who is truthful, virtuous and
guileless, is being carried away by a demon of terrifying aspect;
I shall become a prey to bears, tigers and panthers ! '
Thinking thus, she cried out : — " O Foremost of Demons,
I beg of thee, take me and spare those two descendants of
Raghu ! "
Hearing Vaidehi's words, Rama and Lakshmana, full of
valour, prepared to slay that wicked wretch, whereupon
8
ARANYA KANDA
Saumitri broke the left arm of that redoubtable demon and
Rama the right; thereafter, that titan, resembling a mass of
cloud, his arms broken, growing weak, suddenly fell to the
ground unconscious, like a mountain struck by lightning.
Then the two brothers beat the demon with their fists and
feet and picking him up, again hurled him to the ground;
yet, though struck by innumerable arrows and wounded by
their swords, the demon did not die.
Perceiving it to be impossible to slay that giant, like unto
a mountain, the blessed Rama, the refuge of all who are in
peril, spoke thus : —
" By virtue of his penances, O Tiger among Men, this
demon cannot be overcome in combat by weapons, let us
therefore cast him into a pit. O Lakshmana, as if for a great
elephant, do thou dig a pit in the forest for this demon of
formidable size.*'
Having thus commanded Lakshmana saying : — " Dig a pit ",
the valiant Rama stood with his foot on the neck of the demon.
Hearing those words, the demon in humble accents addressed
that descendant of Raghu, that Bull among Men, saying : —
" O Lion among Heroes, under the blows of a warrior
whose strength equals that of Indra, I am dying. In mine
ignorance, I did not recognize thee, O Lion amongst Men !
I see now that thou an the noble son of Kaushalya. O Dear
Child, thou art Rama and this is the fortunate Vaidehi and the
illustrious Lakshmana.
" Through a curse, I had to assume the monstrous shape of
a titan, but in reality I am the Gandharva Tumburu, who
incurred the wrath of Kuvera. That glorious God, being
propitiated by me, said : — ' When Rama, the son of Dasaratha,
overcomes thee in fight, then, assuming thy natural form, thou
shalt return to the celestial region.' Owing to my lack of
reverence for him, in anger the Lord Kuvera had denounced me
for having conceived an attachment for the nymph, Rambha.
By thy grace, I am delivered from this terrible curse and shall
now return to mine abode. All hail to thee, O Scourger of
thy Foes!
" O Dear Child, not far from here, at approximately four and
half miles distance, dwells the virtuous Sharabhanga, a mine
9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of austerity, a great and mighty rishi, effulgent as the sun.
Go there, without delay; he will give thee most excellent
counsel!
Having buried me in a pit, O Rama, go thy way in peace !
Those demons who are about to die must according to a fixed
law be buried in a pit."
Having spoken thus to Kakutstha, the courageous Viradha,
pierced by many arrows, leaving bis body, ascended to heaven.1
Then Raghava said to Lakshmana : — " Dig a pit for this
demon of dreadful deeds, as for a great elephant in the forest."
Having spoken thus to Lakshmana saying * Dig a pit ! ', Rama
who was endowed with great prowess, remained standing with
his foot on the head of Viradha.
Then Lakshmana, taking up a pick, dug a great pit by the
side of the demon, whose ears resembled conches and threw
him into it, he letting forth dreadful shrieks the while.
Finding they were unable to kill that great titan with their
sharp weapons, those two lions among men, having employed
all their ingenuity, put an end to Viradha by burying him in
the pit.
Viradha himself, a ranger of the forest, desiring to die at
Rama's hands, had indicated to him how he should proceed,
saying : — " I cannot be slain by weapons."
Hearing this, the idea had come to Rama to fling him into
a pit, and while being cast into it, that all-powerful demon
caused the forest to resound with his cries.
Having thrown Viradha into the pit, Rama and Lakshmana,
their fears removed, rejoiced in that forest, like the sun and
moon in the firmament.
CHAPTER 5
The Meeting with the Sage Sharabhanga and his Ascent
to Brahmaloka
Having slain the mighty and terrible Viradha in the forest,
the valiant Rama embraced Sita and comforted her; then
addressing the resplendent Lakshmana, he said : —
1 The following passages clearly indicate the resumption of the narrative on
a later occasion.
ARANYA KANDA
" This impenetrable forest is dangerous and we are not its
natural inhabitants; let us therefore seek out the Sage Shara-
bhanga without delay."
Raghava then turned his steps towards Sharabhanga's
hermitage and, approaching that Sage, whose soul was purified
by renunciation, he observed a great marvel.
In the sky, he beheld India, gorgeously attired in robes free
from any particle of dust, his body shining like the sun or fire,
mounted on a splendid chariot, followed by all the Celestials
and innumerable high-souled sages like unto himself, who
served as his escort. Bay horses were yoked to that aerial car,
that shone like the rising sun and, luminous as the moon's disc,
resembled a mass of white clouds.
Rama also observed an immaculate canopy with magnificent
garlands and marvellous fans made of yaks' tails with handles
of gold of great price, which two women of rare beauty, waved
to and fro over the head of that God, whilst Gandharvas,
Immortals, Celestial Beings and great Rishis, paid homage to
him with sublime chants, as he hovered in space.
Seeing Shatakratu conversing with the Sage Sharabhanga,
Rama pointed out the chariot to his brother and bade him
gaze on the marvellous sight.
He said : — " O Lakshmana, dost thou behold that dazzling
car of great brilliance shining like the sun in the skies ? With-
out doubt, these are the celestial bay horses of Indra of whom
we have heard, who travels through space and who is constantly
invoked at the time of sacrifice. Those youthful warriors
wearing earrings, who in groups of hundreds, with swords in
their hands, stand round him in the sky, with their broad
chests and strong arms resembling maces, clad in magnificent
purple, look like fierce tigers. On their breasts, gleam rows
of pearls, and those lions among men, of handsome mien,
appear to be twenty-five years old which is the age at which
the Gods ever remain, O Saumitri. Tarry here a moment,
O Lakshmana, so that I may discover who this great hero in
the chariot really is."
Having uttered the words ' Tarry here ' to Saumitri,
Kakutstha advanced towards the hermitage of Sharab-
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Seeing Rama approaching, the Lord of Sachi, taking leave
of the sage, said to the Gods : —
" Rama is coming hither, take me to mine abode *ere he
addresses me ; later he shall behold me ! When he returns
victorious, having fulfilled his purpose, I shall readily show
myself to him. It is for him to perform a great exploit
impossible for any other to accomplish."
Thereafter, offering salutations to the ascetic, in all humility,
the God who bears the thunderbolt, the Scourge of his Foes,
ascended to heaven in his chariot, harnessed with horses.
When the God of a Thousand Eyes had departed, Raghava
rejoined his consort and his brother and together they
approached Sharabhanga, who was seated before the sacred
fire. Embracing his feet, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, on his
invitation, seated themselves in the place assigned to them.
Questioned by Raghava concerning Indra's visit, Shara-
bhanga related everything to him.
He said : —
" O Rama, that magnanimous God wished to conduct me
to Brahmaloka, the region I have attained by the merit of my
penances, which is inaccessible to those who are not masters
of themselves.
" Seeing thee approaching, know well, O Foremost of Men,
that I had no desire to enter Brahmaloka *ere I had enjoyed
thy gende presence in my hermitage. O Lion among Men,
O Virtuous and Magnanimous Prince, having had intercourse
with thee, I shall ascend first to the three lower heavens and
thereafter to the highest. These worlds of unsurpassed
beauty that have been conquered by me, these sublime abodes
of Brahma, that are mine by right, do thou accept, O Lion
among Men ! "
Hearing the words of the Rishi Sharabhanga, Raghava, that
lion among men, versed in the Shastras, answered : —
" I also have conquered all the worlds, O Great Ascetic,
but in obedience to my vow I desire to remain in the forest."
Thus addressed by Raghava, whose might was equal to
Indra's, the eminently sagacious Sharabhanga spoke again,
saying: —
" O Rama, the illustrious and virtuous Sutikshna lives in
ARANYA KANDA
this forest; that saint will tell thee what is best for thee to do.
"Follow the river Mandakini, that stream which is covered
with a carpet of flowers, and thou wilt reach his dwelling place.
There is the path, O Tiger among Men, but stay with me a
moment yet, till I abandon this body as a snake casts off its
Thereafter, having prepared a fire and poured clarified
butter therein, Sharabhanga, that sage of supreme merit,
entered the flames to the accompaniment of sacred formulas.
The hair of the magnanimous one was consumed together
with his wrinkled skin, his bones, his flesh and his blood,
whereupon, assuming a youthful and splendid appearance,
Sharabhanga rose from the pyre like a flame.
Traversing the region where the sacrificial fires are tended
by high-souled sages, as well as that of the Gods, he ascended
to Brahma's abode.
That foremost of Rishis, of purified karma, there beheld the
Grandsire of the World with those attendant on him, who,
seeing that sage, addressed him, saying : — " Thou art
welcome ! "
CHAPTER 6
The Sages seek the protection of Rama
Sharabhanga having ascended to heaven, the assembled
ascetics presented themselves before Rama, the offspring of
Kakutstha of flaming energy, and among them were those
who had sprung from the nails and the hair of Brahma's body,
also from the water in which his feet were bathed ; there were
those who lived on the moon's rays ; those who subsisted on
milled grain; those who did penance by standing in water;
those who slept on the naked ground ; those who lived in the
open air the whole year round ; those who subsisted on water
and wind alone ; those who never sought the shade ; those
1 Five Fires. — Four fires and the sun overhead. See Glossary also under
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
who underwent long fasts ; those who practised uninterrupted
repetition of prayer j those who gave themselves up to perpetual
penance J those who dwelt on the summit of high mountains ;
those who had subdued their senses and those who lived
between five fires.1
All these sages, fixed in Yoga, endowed with the powers of
Brahma, gathered in Sharabhanga's hermitage in order to
approach Rama.
Those virtuous companies of Rishis, having assembled there,
addressed Rama, Foremost of the Good, who was conversant
with his supreme duty, saying : —
" O Lord of the House of Ikshwaku and of the whole world,
Warrior of the Great Car, thou art our defender and leader,
as Maghavan is of the Gods.
*' Thou art famed in the Three Worlds for thy valour and
glory ! Filial devotion, justice and faith find their consum-
mation in thee, O Lord. It behoves thee, who art cognisant
with virtue, to pardon our temerity in approaching thee in
order to make our supplication.
" It were a signal defect for a king to receive one-sixth of the
revenue of his people, if he did not protect them as his own
sons. Should he however defend those who inhabit his
kingdom as his own life or as the lives of his offspring, to
whom he is ever devoted, he will occupy an exalted position
in the region of Brahma.
" The supreme blessedness acquired by those ascetics who
live on roots and fruit is not equal to a quarter of that attained
by the monarch who governs his subjects according to the law.
" Do thou become the defender of those countless brahmins
who live in the forest who are without a protector, and so
defend them from the cruel persecution of the titans.
" Come and behold the bodies of innumerable ascetics of
pure heart, who have been slaughtered in diverse ways in the
forest by titans.
" They have inflicted great carnage amongst the people who
dwell on Lake Fampa, by the river Mandakini and on Chittrakuta.
We are no longer able to endure the terrible plight of these
sages, brought about in the forest by those titans of cruel
deeds ; therefore we take refuge in thee ; protect us, O Rama,
14
ARANYA KANDA
against those Prowlers of the Night, who seek our destruction.
We have no asylum on earth but thee, O Valiant Prince ;
do thou save us from the titans."
Having listened to the sages, the virtuous Kakutstha answered
them, who were rich in heavy penances, saying : —
" Do not entreat me thus ; am I not the servant of the sages ?
It is solely to fulfil my duty, that I have entered the forest.
It is in order to deliver you from the oppression of the titans
and to carry out the commands of my sire that I am here.
It is in your interest and for your happiness that I have come
here of mine own will.
" My sojourn in the forest will be greatly to your advantage ;
I shall slay the titans, the enemies of the ascetics. Let the
sages witness my prowess in combat and my brother's also,
O Rishis ! "
Having yielded to the entreaty of the ascetics, that hero,
firm in his duty, accompanied by Lakshmana, directed his
course towards the hermitage of Sutikshna, followed by the
sages, who paid him every honour.
CHAPTER 7
The Meeting between Rama and Sutikshna
Rama, the Scourge of his Foes, accompanied by his brother,
Sita and the sages, approached the hermitage of Sutikshna, and
having proceeded far and crossed many deep rivers he beheld a
wonderful mountain as high as Mount Meru.
Thereafter those two scions of the House of Raghu went
forward with Sita through a forest filled with many kinds of
trees and having penetrated into that dense woodland, abound-
ing in trees laden with flowers and fruit, Rama observed in a
solitary spot a hermitage decorated with garlands and bark,
There he beheld the Sage Sutikshna, a mine of asceticism,
his hair matted, covered with dust, seated in the lotus posture
and addressed him, saying : —
" O Blessed One, I am Rama, who have come hither to
15
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
behold thee. Be gracious enough, O Virtuous and Illustrious
Rishi, O Essence of Sanctity, to speak to me."
Seeing Ramachandra, the sage, foremost of the ascetics,
took him in his arms and addressed him thus : —
" Be thou welcome, O Best of the Raghus, O Rama, chief of
virtuous men. Henceforth this hermitage, which thou hast
entered, has a protector. I have waited for thee, O Illustrious
Hero, and for this reason did not ascend to the region of the
Gods, leaving my body here on earth. I had heard that thou,
being banished from thy kingdom, had gone to Chittrakuta,
O Kakutstha !
" The Chief of the Gods, Shatakratu, came hither and
approaching me, that mighty King of the Celestials made it
known to me that I had conquered all the worlds by virtue of
my good karma.
" All those blessings acquired by the divine sages through
asceticism I offer to thee ; do thou enjoy them with thy con-
sort and Lakshmana."
To that great and illustrious sage of rigid vows and devout
speech, Rama, the master of his senses, replied, as Vasava
addresses Brahma, saying : —
" O Illustrious Sage, I myself have conquered the worlds ;
yet in accordance with the command received by me, I have
elected to dwell in the great forest. ' Thou art possessed of every-
thing, yet art engaged in the welfare of all beings ', were the
words of the ascetic Sharabhanga, that Gautama of great soul,
to me."
Hearing Rama's words, the great Rishi, renowned throughout
the world, graciously addressed him, saying : —
" Do thou live in this hermitage, O Rama, which is pleasant
and frequented by companies of sages, where one may gather
roots and fruit in all seasons, where herds of marvellous deer
gather without injuring any and come and go enchanting all
with their beauty. No harm is to be encountered here, save
what the deer bring about."
Hearing the words of the great Rishi, the elder brother of
Lakshmana, lifting up his bow and arrows, said : —
" O Blessed Lord, what could be more unfortunate than
that I with my bow and sharp burnished arrows should slay
16
ARANYA KANDA
those deer that gather here, and thus give thee pain; for this
reason I shall not sojourn long in this sanctuary."
Having spoken thus, Rama became silent and performed his
evening devotions ; thereafter with Sita and Lakshmana he
prepared to pass the night in Sutikshna's enchanting hermitage.
The evening having passed and night fallen, the magnani-
mous Sutikshna with his own hands distributed hulled grain,
the traditional food of the ascetics, to those Lions among Men,
having paid homage to them.
CHAPTER 8
Rama takes leave of Sutikshna
Rama, having been treated with all honour by Sutikshna,
passed the night in the ashrama with Saumitri, and waking at
dawn bathed with Sita in the cool waters fragrant with the scent
of lotuses.
At the proper time, having duly worshipped Agni and the
Gods in that forest containing the retreats of the ascetics,
Rama, Lakshmana and Videha's daughter, observing the sun
had risen, approached Sutikshna with courtesy, saying : —
" O Lord, thou hast ministered liberally to us and paid us
every honour, now we ask leave to depart, since the ascetics
who accompany us wish us to press on without delay.
" It is our wish to visit all the retreats inhabited by holy
men of devout practices in the Dandaka Forest. We therefore
beg to take leave of these great sages, fixed in their vows,
purified by penance and resembling clear flames.
" We desire to go hence 'ere the rays of the sun shine too
fiercely and become unbearable, like one who has usurped
royal prerogatives by unlawful means ! "
Having spoken thus, Raghava with Saumitri and Sita, bowed
down to the feet of the sage, and that Foremost of Ascetics,
raising up those two heroes, clasped them affectionately to his
heart and said :—
17
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Go thy way safely, O Rama, in the company of Saumitri
and Sita, who follows thee like a shadow. Visit the entrancing
solitudes of the Dandaka Forest, where those hermits dwell
whose souls are purified by renunciation. Thou shalt see
there woods abounding in fruit, roots and flowers, magnificent
herds of deer, flocks of tame birds, tufts of lotus in bloom,
tranquil lakes abounding in waterfowl, charming mountain
springs and splendid cataracts falling from the hills with
marvellous groves echoing to the peacock's cry. Go, O Child,
and thou also, Sumitra's son ; then come again to this retreat
when thou hast seen all."
Thus addressed, Kakutstha and Lakshmana answered: —
" Be it so ! " and circumambulating the sage, prepared to
depart.
Thereafter the large-eyed Sita handed those brothers their
excellent quivers, bows and shining swords, and taking leave
of the great sages the two descendants of the House of Raghu,
of unsurpassed beauty, fastening on their quivers and bearing
their bows and swords, swiftly set out with Sita.
CHAPTER 9
Sita implores Rama not to attack the Titans
When her lord, the Joy of the House of Raghu, having obtained
the permission of Sutikshna was proceeding on his way, Sita, in
gracious and gentle tones, addressed him saying : —
" Though thou art noble, a small defect by imperceptible
degrees becomes great, but it is always possible to eschew
evil, born of desire. There are three failings, born of desire;
the first is the uttering of falsehood, but the other two are of
graver significance, namely, association with another's wife and
acts of violence committed without provocation.
" O Raghava, falsehood was never, nor could ever be, thy
weakness ; nor yet, O Indra among Men, couldst thou, even
in thought, covet another's wife ; this fault, destructive of
18
ARANYA KANDA
virtue, was never thine, O Son of a King ! Thou hast ever
centred thine attention on thine own consort !
" Thou art righteous, humble and faithful to the commands
of thy sire ; in thee, justice and integrity flower in their fullness.
All this is possible to those who have mastered their senses,
O Long-armed Warrior, and thou art fully self-subdued, O
Thou of Charming Presence !
" The third evil, which through ignorance leads men to bear
hostility to one another without cause, now shows itself in thee !
O Valiant Prince, thou hast vowed to the dwellers of the
Dandaka Forest, whose defender thou art, to slay the demons
without mercy, and for this reason, equipped with bows and
arrows, thou hast set out with thy brother to the forest known
as Dandaka. Seeing thee advancing thus my mind is rilled
with apprehension and I am pondering how to act in the most
profitable manner for thy welfare in this world and the next.
Thy departure for the Dandaka Forest does not find favour
with me, O Hero ; I will tell thee the reason.
" Entering the forest with thy brother, armed with bows and
arrows, it may well be that, on seeing the titans, thou wilt
loose thy shafts ! As the proximity of faggots increases the
violence of the fire, even so does the possession of a bow
increase the strength and energy of a warrior !
" In former times, O Long-armed Prince, in a sacred forest
frequented by deer and birds, dwelt a devout and virtuous
ascetic. With the intention of obstructing his austerities,
Indra, the Lord of Sachi, in the guise of a warrior, went to
that hermitage, sword in hand. In this retreat, he left that
excellent sword, requesting the sage, engaged in pious acts,
to guard it as a trust. Receiving that weapon, he, fully con-
scious of the charge laid upon him, ranged the forest, carefully
watching over the sword entrusted to him. Intent on preserving
it, he ventured nowhere without that sword, either to gather
fruit and roots or for other reasons. Constantly bearing this
weapon and neglecting his penances, by degrees, that ascetic
developed warlike inclinations. In time that foolish hermit,
carrying the sword, began to enjoy nothing so much as violence
and, losing his sobriety, was led astray and fell into hell.
" This, formerly, was the result of bearing arms ! As contact
19 c
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKZ
with fire works change in a piece of wood, so the carrying of
arms works alteration in the mind of him who carries them.
" From affection and reverence for thee, I draw thine atten-
tion to this matter. I do not venture to instruct thee.
Equipped with bows as thou art, I ask thee to renounce all
thought of slaying the titans in the Dandaka Forest without
provocation. O Warrior! the world looks askance on those
who strike without cause. It is the duty of warriors to protect
those of subdued soul who are in peril. The bearing of arms
and retirement to the forest, practice of war and the exercise
of asceticism are opposed to each other; let us therefore
honour the moral code that pertains to peace. Murderous
thoughts, inspired by desire for gain, are. born of the handling
of weapons. When thou dost return to Ayodhya, thou wilt
be able to take up the duties of a warrior once more. The
joy of my mother and father-in-law will be complete, if during
the renunciation of thy kingdom, thou dost lead the life of an
ascetic. Thus happiness accrues to one who discharges his
duty ; through performance of one's duty, the whole world is
conquered, duty constituting its very marrow. It is by the
complete negation of self that the saints acquired bliss ; happi-
ness is not born of pleasure !
*' O My Friend, with a pure heart fulfil thy duty in solitude;
thou art conversant with the nature of the Three Worlds.
" It is through feminine weakness that I speak thus, for
who would dare to instruct thee in thy duty ? Having reflected
carefully on what I have said, do what thou considerest best
without further delay ! "
CHAPTER 10
Rama reminds Sita of his Promise to the Ascetics
Hearing Vaidehi's speech, inspired by conjugal tenderness,
Rama, his energy enhanced, replied to the daughter of Janaka,
saying: —
" O Noble Lady, it is in appropriate words, dictated by
thine affection, that thou hast sought to instruct me in the
duties of my caste.
ARANYA KANDA
" How shall I answer thee, O Princess ? Thou thyself hast
said : ' Warriors bear their bows, so that the word "oppression"
may not be heard on earth.' O Sita, it is on account of those
ascetics of severe penances, beset with perils in the Dandaka
Forest, who have sought my protection, that I have come hither.
Dwelling in the forest at all times, where they live on fruit
and roots, they are unable to enjoy a peaceful existence on
account of the titans, O Timid Lady, These hermits of the
Dandaka Forest are devoured by those terrible demons, who
live on human flesh. ' Come to our aid * was the cry of those
excellent Twice-born, and when I heard those words falling
from their lips, I promised to obey them and answered ' Fear
not ' ! It was a source of the greatest distress to me to see
them kneeling at my feet, when it was I who should have
been touching theirs."
" ' What do you desire of me ? ' , I enquired of that assembly
of the Twice-born, whereupon, drawing near, they spoke the
following words : —
" * In the Dandaka Forest, innumerable demons, assuming
different forms, torment us cruelly. O Rama, do thou protect
us ! The time of the Homa sacrifice and the days of the full
moon have come, O Irreproachable Prince ! Thou art the
sure refuge of all the saints and ascetics who harassed by the
titans seek thy protection. By the power of our asceticism
it were easy for us to destroy these Rangers of the Night,
but we are loath to lose the fruits of austerity, earned over
a long period.
" 'Prolonged penance is subject to innumerable hindrances,
and is exceedingly hard, O Rama ! For this reason we refrain
from pronouncing a curse on these demons, though they
devour us. Tormented thus by the titans who frequent the
Dandaka Forest, we implore thee and thy brother to protect
us; thou art our support.' "
"Hearing these words, I promised my protection to the
sages of the Dandaka Forest, O Daughter of Janaka !
" As long as I live, therefore, I cannot violate the promise
given to the ascetics.
" I may yield up my life or even thee, O Sita, as well as
Lakshmana, but I cannot be false to a vow made to brahmins.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Even had I not promised them anything, O Vaidehi, it is
my bounden duty to protect die sages ; how much more so
now!
"I am pleased with thee, O Sita, for one does not offer
advice to those one does not love. Thy words are worthy of
thee, O Beautiful One. By pursuing die path of duty thou
hast become dearer to me than life itself."
Having spoken thus to Sita, the daughter of the King of
Mithila, the magnanimous Rama, carrying his bow, continued
to roam through those ravishing solitudes with Lakshmana.
CHAPTER I I
Rama visits the different Retreats and hears of Agastya
Walking ahead, Rama was followed by Sita, while behind her
came Lakshmana, bow in hand. With Sita, they proceeded
further, seeing many hills and plains, woods and enchanting
rivers with geese and cranes frequenting their banks and pools
covered with lotuses, abounding in waterfowl, and herds of
deer, horned buffaloes in rut, bears and elephants, the destroyers
of trees.
Having travelled a great distance, they beheld, as the sun
was setting, a marvellous lake, some four miles in length,
carpeted with lotus and water-lily blooms, graced with herds
of wild elephants and abounding in geese, swans and teal.
From this enchanting lake of tranquil waters, the sound of
singing and musical instruments could be heard, yet no one
was visible there. Captivated, Rama and Lakshmana began to
question a sage named Dharmabhrit, saying : —
" O Great Ascetic, this wonderful music, heard by us all,
moves us strangely; what can it be? Be gracious enough
to tell us."
Thus questioned by Raghava, the magnanimous sage began
at once to relate the history of that magic lake.
He said : — " This lake, called Panchapsara,1 is always filled
1 Panchapsara — ' Lake of Five Apsaras I '
ARANYA KANDA
with water and was created by the penances of the Sage
Mandarkini.
" Practising a rigid asceticism, this great sage, lying in water
for thousands of years, lived on air alone 1 Then the Gods with
Agni at their head became agitated and, coming together, said
to each other : — * This sage aspires to our state ! * Thus did
they speak, their minds full of apprehension.
" Then all the Gods, in order to destroy the merit of the
sage acquired through his penances, sent down five of the
most beautiful nymphs, whose complexion resembled lightning
and, though the ascetic was fully conversant with what was
good and evil, he was captivated by those nymphs and fell
under the sway of the God of Love.
" These five nymphs became the wives of that sage, who
constructed a secret dwelling in the lake for them. There they
live happily, bringing delight to the ascetic, who by virtue of
his penances has become youthful. They pass their time in
dalliance and this is the cause of the entrancing music mingling
with the tinkling of their ornaments."
Such was the strange tale recounted by that sage of pure soul.
Conversing thus, the illustrious Rama and his brother
visited the circle of hermitages, strewn with kusha grass and
bark, which were resplendent with the lustre of the brahmins.
Accompanied by Vaidehi and Lakshmana, the Descendant of
Raghu, Kakutstha penetrated into the blessed circle of those
Lions among Men.
Received with delight and honoured by those great rishis,
Rama roamed through the silent woods, that great warrior
sojourning with the ascetics, sometimes for ten months, some-
times for a year, sometimes for four months or five or six
months, sometimes for many months or a month and a half
only, sometimes three months and sometimes eight. In this
way, engaged in innocent pastimes, ten years passed away.
Having visited all the retreats of the ascetics, Rama returned
to Sutikshna's hermitage and, receiving the homage of the
sages, that Subduer of his Foes remained there awhile.
One day, as he sat at the feet of the ascetic, in all humility
he addressed him, saying : —
" O Blessed One, I have heard that Agastya, that foremost
23
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of sages, dwells in this forest, but it is so vast, that I do not
know where his hermitage is to be found. Where does the
retreat of that sagacious Rishi lie ? By thy favour, O Blessed
Lord, I, my younger brother and Sita wish to pay our respects
to him.''
Hearing the words of the virtuous Rama, that illustrious sage,
Sutikshna, well pleased, answered the son of Dasaratha, saying: —
" It was my intention to speak of this to thee and Lakshmana,
O Raghava and say : ' Do thou, with Sita, seek out Agastya.'
Now thou thyself hast proposed it and it is well. I will
now tell thee, O Rama, where that great Ascetic Agastya dwells.
" My Quid, four miles from here to the south, thou wilt
come to the hermitage of the brother of Agastya, situated in
a fertile plain, covered with charming groves of fig, abounding
in fruit and flowers, where the song of many birds may be
heard. Innumerable lakes of tranquil water, carpeted by
lotuses and frequented by swans, ducks and geese add to its
beauty. Having passed the night there, do thou at dawn
follow the path, through a glade, to the south and there thou
shalt come upon Agastya's retreat, at four miles distance,
in an enchanting spot planted with lovely trees. This place
will charm Vaidehi as well as Lakshmana and thee, for this
corner of the forest shaded by innumerable trees, is ravishing.
" Shouldst thou desire to visit that great ascetic, Agastya,
then set out to-day, O Prince of Surpassing Wisdom."
At these words, Rama with Lakshmana and Sita, having
made obeisance to Sutikshna, set out to seek the Sage Agastya.
Enjoying the marvellous woods and hills, which resembled a
mass of clouds, and the lakes and rivers to be seen on the way,
Rama proceeded quickly along the path pointed out by the
sage Sutikshna, and full of delight that magnanimous One
said to Lakshmana : —
" Assuredly, this must be the retreat of the illustrious
brother of Agastya, that sage of blessed karma, that we now
behold. Observe how along the woodland ride thousands of
trees, bowed with the weight of their fruit and flowers, can be
seen, and the pungent odour of ripe figs is borne on the breeze.
Here and there heaps of fire-wood lie, with darbha grass, the
colour of lapis lazuli ; see also that column of smoke, like a
24
ARANYA KANDA
plume of dark cloud, rising in the forest from a fire freshly
lit in the hermitage.
" Having performed their ablutions in the sacred ponds, the
Twice-born are offering flowers they themselves have gathered.
The words spoken by Sutikshna have proved true O Friend.
Here indeed is the retreat of Agastya's brother.
" In his desire to be of service to the worlds, by virtue of his
austerities that great sage overcame death and set apart this
quarter as a place of refuge.
" Here formerly the cruel demons Vatapi and Ilvala lived,
two great asuras who together conceived a plan for slaying the
brahmins.
" Assuming the form of a sage, the pitiless Ilvala, using the
sanskrita language, invited the ascetics to partake of a feast.
Preparing his brother disguised as a ram in a dish, he fed the
Twice-born, according to traditional rites. When the ascetics
had eaten, Ilvala cried out in a loud voice : — * O Vatapi, come
forth.*
" At the sound of his voice, Vatapi, bleating like a ram,
tearing the bodies of the ascetics, emerged.
" Thus thousands of brahmins were slain by those devourers
of human flesh, who changed their shape at will and were full
of deceit.
" At the request of the Gods, the great Rishi Agastya went
to the feast and ate up the huge asura, after which Ilvala said: —
' It is well,' and offering the guest water to wash his hands,
cried out : — * Come forth O Vatapi ! '
" But as this Slayer of Ascetics was speaking thus, Agastya,
that excellent sage, breaking into laughter, said to him : —
" ' How can that demon come forth, since I have consumed
him ? Thy brother in the shape of a ram, has entered the
abode of Yama.'
" Hearing that his brother was dead, the demon in anger
rushed at the ascetic, hurling himself on that Indra of the
Twice-born, but the sage, blazing with spiritual power, by a
single glance consumed him, and he perished.
" This is the hermitage, beautified by lakes and groves,
belonging to the brother of that sage, who in compassion for
the ascetics performed that arduous feat."
25
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
While Rama was speaking thus to Saumitri, the sun set
behind the mountain and the night drew on ; duly performing
his evening devotions, he entered the hermitage and offered
obeisance to the ascetic
Warmly received by that blessed one, Raghava passed the
night there, having partaken of fruit and roots and, when
morning came and the disc of the sun was visible, he paid
homage to the brother of Agastya, saying : —
" Reverent Sir, I salute thee and thank thee for the peaceful
night I have passed here, I will now go and seek out my spiritual
preceptor, thine elder brother."
" So be it," replied the sage, whereupon the descendant of
Raghu went along the path pointed out to him, enjoying the
forest with the innumerable Nirvara, Panasa, Sala, Vanjula,
Tinisha, Shiribilwa, Madhuka, Bilwa and Tinduka trees in
full flower entwined with blossoming creepers, and trees
ripped by the trunks of elephants, where monkeys disported
themselves and which resounded to the warbling of a myriad
birds.
Then the lotus-eyed Rama said to the valiant and heroic
Lakshmana, who was following him : —
" From the glossy foliage of the trees and the lameness of
the deer and the birds, we are undoubtedly not far distant
from the retreat of that great and pure-souled Rishi of virtuous
practices.
" This hermitage that removes all weariness, belonging to
the Sage Agastya, well known among men for his virtue, with
its groves filled with a rare fragrance, its robes of bark and
garlands hanging here and there, frequented by herds of tame
deer, the leafy boughs pervaded by countless birds, can now be
seen by us.
" Having overcome Mrityu by his power, in his desire to
do good to the whole world, he created this inviolate refuge in
the south, which is eschewed by demons who fear to lay it waste,
" From the day that this region was rendered habitable by
that virtuous ascetic, the demons have ceased to exercise their
hatred and cruelty here. This fortunate land of the South,
famed in the Three Worlds, associated with the name of that
blessed sage, is no longer haunted by those wicked beings.
26
ARANYA KANDA
" The mountain Vindhya, foremost of its kind, that threatened
to intercept the rays of the sun, dared not grow higher,
submitting to Agastya's command and this enchanting retreat,
frequented by deer, belongs to that long-lived one of exalted
achievement. The virtuous Agastya, honoured by men, who
is ever engaged in the welfare of all beings, will on our arrival
accord us a great welcome.
" I wish to pay homage to that great ascetic personally and
to pass the rest of mine exile in the forest with him, O Mild
One ! Here the Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas and the great
Sages, who live on a bare subsistence, constantly pay homage
to the Sage Agastya, but dishonest, cruel, wicked and perverse
men are not able to remain in the presence of that great ascetic.
"The Immortals, however, the Yakshas and those of the
Serpent Race, the great Rishis also, dedicated to virtuous
living, dwell here, and fixed in holiness, those exalted beings,
discarding their worn-out bodies, assuming new ones, ascend
to heaven in chariots resembling the sun.
" There the Gods fulfil the desires of the virtuous, granting
them immortality, divine powers and every degree of majesty.
" We have now come to the hermitage, O Saumitri, do thou
enter it and announce my arrival with Sita, to the Rishi."
CHAPTER 12
Agastya receives Rama into his Hermitage
Having entered the hermitage, Lakshmana, the younger
brother of Raghava, approached a disciple of Agastya and said
to him : —
" The eldest son of King Dasaratha, the illustrious Rama,
has come with his consort, Sita, to pay homage to the sage.
I am his younger brother, obedient and devoted to him and
his humble servant ; perchance thou hast heard of us ?
" We have penetrated into this dangerous forest at the
command of our royal sire. We three desire to see the blessed
One, do thou make it known to him."
27
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing Lakshmana's words, the disciple said : — " So be it ! "
and went to inform Agastya at the place where the sacred fire
burned. With joined palms approaching that Foremost of
Munis whose austerities had rendered him invincible, he
conveyed the news of Rama's arrival to him.
In conformity with Lakshmana's words, the cherished
disciple of Agastya said : — " The two sons of King Dasaratha,
Rama and Lakshmana, have come to the hermitage with Sita.
These two warriors, Conquerors of their Foes, have come to
look on thee and to offer their services ; be gracious enough
to instruct me in what should now be done ! "
Having heard from his disciple that Rama, followed by
Lakshmana and the auspicious Vaidehi, were waiting, Agastya
answered : — " How fortunate that after so long a time Rama
has come to see me to-day. It was ever the desire of my
heart to behold that great prince. Bid Rama welcome and
ask him to enter together with his consort and Lakshmana who
accompanies him; let them be brought into my presence;
why has this not already been done ? "
Thus addressed by that mighty muni, learned in the spiritual
tradition, the disciple saluted him with joined palms and said :
" Be it so ! " Thereafter, issuing from the hermitage, he
approached Lakshmana and addressed him, saying : —
" Which of you is Rama ? Let him enter and approach the sage."
Thereupon Lakshmana, moving nearer to the gateway of the
hermitage, pointed out Rama and Sita, the daughter of Janaka,
to him, and the disciple humbly communicated Rishi Agastya's
message, conducting Rama into the hermitage.
Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, entering the
enclosure, which was filled with tame deer, observed the altars
set up to Brahma and Agni and also the sacred places dedicated
to Vishnu, Mahendra, Vivaswat, Soma, Bhaga, Kuvera,
Dhatar and Vidhatar, Vayu, the God who holds the Thread in
his hand,1 the magnanimous Varuna, Gayatri, the Vasus, the
Nagas, Garuda, Karttikeya and Dharma.
Escorted by the disciple, he saw all these and suddenly
beheld the great sage himself. Seeing him at the head of the
ascetics, blazing with the lustre acquired by the practice of
i Yama— The God of Death.
28
ARANYA KANDA
austerities, the valiant Rama said to Lakshmana, the increaser
of his delight : —
" O Lakshmana, behold that blessed ascetic, Agastya, leaving
the place of sacrifice ; it is with pride that I bow before that
treasury of renunciation."
Speaking thus of Agastya, who shone like the sun, whilst
he advanced towards him, the joy of the House of Raghu
took hold of his feet and paid obeisance to him. Having
saluted him, the virtuous Raina stood before him with joined
palms, in company with Videha's daughter and Saumitri.
Thereafter, embracing Kakutstha and honouring him with
water and a seat, questioning him as to his welfare, the saint
bade him welcome according to the tradition of the forest.
Offering oblations into the fire, and presenting his guests with
the arghya, that ascetic entertained them with food and placing
himself at the side of Rama, who, conversant with his duty,
sat with joined palms, said to him : —
" O Prince, an ascetic who fails to offer proper hospitality
will feed on his own flesh in the other world, as does one who
bears false witness. O Lord of the Universe, Observer of Thy
Duty, Warrior of the Great Car, who art worthy of all honour
and respect, thou art come at last and art my beloved guest."
With these words, the Sage Agastya, as a symbol of homage,
offered Rama fruits, roots, flowers, water and other things in
great profusion, and said to him : —
" Here is a celestial and powerful bow, encrusted with gold
and diamonds, that belonged to Vishnu. O Tiger among Men,
it is the creation of Vishwakarma.
" Here also is the Brahmadatta dart, which is infallible and
resembles the sun ; it is pre-eminent and was given to me by
Mahendra ; here also are these two inexhaustible quivers,
filled with sharp arrows that blaze like torches and here a
mighty silver scabbard and a sword decorated with gold.
" With this bow, O Rama, Vishnu slew the great asura in
battle and formerly acquired inexpressible glory amongst the
dwellers in the celestial regions.
" This bow, these two quivers, the dart and the sword,
pledges of victory, do thou accept, O Proud Warrior, and bear
them as Vajradhara the thunderbolt.*'
29
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thus speaking, the illustrious and fortunate Agastya gave to
Rama the whole panoply of weapons belonging to the mighty
Vishnu, and once more addressed him : —
chapter 13
Rama goes to Panchavati on the advice of Agastya
" O Rama, may happiness attend thee ! O Lakshmana, I am
pleased with thee that with Sita thou hast come hither to
pay me homage. Undoubtedly the long journey will have
wearied you both, as also Maithili, whose sighs betray it.
" That youthful lady, who is unaccustomed to exertion, has
come to the forest out of love for her lord, though the way is
beset with difficulties ; therefore, O Rama, do that which will
give her pleasure.
" Since the beginning of time, O Joy of the House of Raghu,
it has been woman's nature to cling to a man in prosperity
and abandon him in adversity. Swift as lightning in thought,
sharp as a sword in speech, her moods comparable to an eagle's
flight, such is woman ! But thy consort is wholly free from
these defects, she is worthy of praise and is the foremost of
those devoted to their lord ; amongst the Gods she is known
as a second Arundhati. That region will be renowned where
thou, Saumitri and this princess have sojourned, O Conqueror
of Thy Foes."
Thus did the sage address Raghava, who, with joined palms,
in humble accents, answered that ascetic who shone like a
flame, saying: —
"I am overwhelmed with favour, since the foremost among
ascetics is gratified with me, as also with my brother and my
consort who accompany me.
" Do thou direct me to a place abounding in trees, and with
abundant water, where we can dwell in peace and happiness."
Hearing Rama's words, that excellent and magnanimous
sage, reflecting an instant, made this judicious reply : —
" My Dear Son, at eight miles distance from here, is a spot
30
ARANYA KANDA
known by the name of Panchavati, where roots, fruit and
water abound and where there are many deer. Go thither and
with Saumitri establish a hermitage, living there happily and
carrying out the behests of thy sire.
" By the power of my penance and by virtue of the affection
I bore for King Dasaratha, I am acquainted with thy history,
O Irreproachable Prince. Though thou hast promised to
remain with me in these solitudes, yet mine austerities have
revealed to me the true desires of thine heart. Therefore I
say to thee again : ' Seek out Panchavati ! ' It is an enchanting
woodland, that will delight Maithili. That place, worthy of
all praise, is not far from here, O Raghava, and is close to the
Godaveri river; Sita will be happy there. Abounding in
roots, fruit and every kind of bird, it is set apart, O Long-
armed Hero, and is lovely, delightful and sacred. Thou of
righteous ways, who art ever active and able to defend all
beings, wilt dwell there, O Rama, in order to protect the ascetics.
To the north of the Madhuka woods, which thou art able
to see from here, O Hero, thou wilt find a grove of fig trees.
Scale the mountain ridges, not far distant, and thou shalt come
upon the renowned Panchavati, lying there with its flowering
woods."
Hearing the words of the Sage Agastya, Rama, accompanied
by Saumitri, took leave of that illustrious ascetic, and having
circumambulated him, paid homage to his feet and with his
permission departed towards the solitudes of Panchavati,
accompanied by Sita.
The two princes, invincible in combat, taking up their
bows and strapping on their quivers, resolutely followed the
path to Panchavati, pointed out by the great sage.
chapter 14
Jatayu reveals Ms Lineage to Rama
As he was proceeding to Panchavati, that descendant of Raghu
observed a large and powerful vulture. Seeing that bird in
the woods, the two illustrious princes, Rama and Lakshmana,
3i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thinking him to be a demon in another form, said to him:
" Who art thou ? "
Then, in gentle caressing tones, the bird, as though
addressing one dear to him, answered, saying : " Dear Child,
know me to be the friend of thy sire ! "
In deference to this relationship, Raghava paid obeisance to
him, and enquired of him concerning his name and lineage,
and he, hearing Rama's words, said : —
" In a former age there existed the Prajapatis, whom I will
enumerate — the first of them was Kardama and immediately
succeeding him was Vikrita, then came Shesha and Samshraya,
the father of many powerful sons, thereafter came Sthanu,
Marichi, Atri, Kratu who was full of energy, Poulastya, Angira,
Pracheta, Pulaha and Daksha followed by Vivaswat and
Arishtanemi; O Raghava, the renowned Kashyapa was the
last of these. O Hero of Infinite Renown, we have heard
that Prajapati Daksha had sixty lovely and illustrious daughters.
Kashyapa wedded eight of these damsels of elegant waist,
Aditi, Diti, Kalika, Tamra, Krodhavasa, Manu and Anila and
well pleased, said to them : ' Do ye all beget sons, like unto
myself, who shall be Lords of the Three Worlds.'
" Thereupon Aditi consented, O Rama, as did Diti, Danu
and Kalika, but the others refused.
" Aditi became the mother of the Thirty-three Immortals.
O My Son, Diti gave birth to the illustrious Daityas ; it was
to them that the earth with its seas and forests belonged.
" Danu gave birth to a son named Ashagriva, O Subduer of
thy Foes, and Kalika gave birth to Naraka and Kalaka ;
and the five famous daughters, Kraunchi, Bhasi, Shyeni,
Dhritarashtri and Shuki were produced by Tamra.
" Kraunchi begot the owls and Bhasi the vultures ; Shyeni
was the mother of the hawks and eagles possessed of great
energy ; Dhritarashtri, of swans, flamingoes and water-
fowl.
" The beautiful Shuki begot Nata whose daughter was
Vinata. O Rama, Krodhavasa brought forth ten daughters :
Mrigi, Mrigimanda, Hari, Bhadramada, Matangi, Sharduli,
Sheveta, Surabhi and Surasa, who were all endowed with
beauty; finally Kadruka was born.
3*
ARANYA KANDA
" O First of Men, Mrigi became the mother of all the deer ;
Mrigamanda begot bears, buffaloes and yaks.
" Bhadramada had a daughter named Iravati who was the
mother of Airavata, who is the guardian of the world.
" Hari gave birth to powerful lions and monkeys, lovers of
the forest ; Sharduli begot chimpanzees and tigers. Of
Matangi were born elephants, O Kakutstha, O Best of Men 1
Shiveta gave birth to the elephants who support the earth.
" Two daughters were born of the Goddess Surabhi : Rohini,
and the auspicious Gandharvi.
" Rohini produced cows, and Gandharvi brought forth
horses. Sarasa was the mother of the hooded serpents, O
Rama, and Kadru gave birth to all other snakes.
" Manu, wife of the magnanimous Kashyapa, gave birth to
men, Brahmins Kshattriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras, O Lion
amongst Men.
"According to tradition, from her mouth were born the
Brahmins, from her breasts the Kshattriyas, from her thighs
the Vaishyas and from her feet the Shudras.
" AH the trees with succulent fruits were bora of Anala.
" Vinata, whose grandmother was Shuki, herself begot Kadru
and her sister, Surasa.
" Of Kadru were born thousands of serpents, the supporters
of the earth, and Vinata had two sons, Garuda and Aruna.
*' Know that I was born of Aruna, as also was Sampati, my
elder brother. My name is Jatayu, the descendant of Shyeni,
O Subduer of Thine Enemies.
" O My dear Child, I will take up my abode in thy vicinity,
if thou so desire it, and keep watch over Sita, whilst thou art
away with Lakshmana."
Raghava, having often heard of his father's friendship with
the vulture, was filled with delight, and embraced him with
affection, paying obeisance to him.
Having requested that powerful bird to keep watch over
Sita, he went on towards Panchavati with him, accompanied
by Lakshmana, firmly resolving to destroy his enemies and
duly observing his daily devotions.
33
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER I 5
Rama takes up his Abode in Panchavati
When he had reached Panchavati, frequented by wild beasts
and deer, Rama said to his brother Lakshmana, who was
burning with energy : —
" O Dear One, we have reached the place described by the
sage, this woodland of flowering trees, the much-loved
Panchavati. O Thou who art full of resource, look about on
every side and ascertain in which spot it is fitting for us to
construct our hermitage. Let it be in the vicinity of a pool
where the charm of the forest and the water adds to its beauty,
where thou, Sita and I, may dwell in peace, where flowers,
fuel and kusha grass abound."
Hearing the words of Rama, the offspring of Kakutstha,
Lakshmana, with joined palms, in the presence of Sita, answered
him: —
" Wert thou to live a hundred years, I should still be thy
servant, O Kakutstha ! Do thou select some place favoured by
thee and command me to build a retreat."
Well pleased with Lakshmana's compliance, that illustrious
hero, looking here and there, chose a site which combined
every advantage, and on that spot, taking the hand of Saumitri
in his, said : —
" Here is a level place that is pleasant and surrounded by
trees; it is here that I desire thee to construct a retreat.
Nearby is an enchanting river, rendered beautiful by lotuses,
bright as the sun, exhaling a delicious fragrance, as described
to me by that Rishi of pure soul, Agastya. This is the delightful
river Godaveri, bordered with flowering trees, teeming with
swans and waterfowl, geese enhancing its beauty and thronged
with herds of deer, neither too near nor too far away, that
come here to drink.
" And re-echoing to the cry of peacocks, lovely hills covered
with blossoming trees containing many a cave, resembled great
34
ARANYA KANDA
elephants with huge howdahs embroidered in gold, silver and
copper, that are studded here and there with tiny mirrors.
" Sala, Tala, Tamala, Kharjura, Panasa, Nivara, Tinisha
and Punnaga trees are their decoration, while Cuta, Ashoka,
Tilaka, Ketaka and Champaka entwined with flowering creepers
and plants, abound as also Syandana, Chandana, Nipa, Panasa,
Lakuka, Dhara, Ashwakarna, Khadira, Shami, Tinduka and
Patala trees. In this sacred place, this enchanting spot filled
with deer and birds, let us dwell with Jatayu, O Saumitri."
Thus addressed by his brother Rama, Lakshmana, Slayer
of Hostile Warriors, endowed with great energy, built him a
retreat there without delay and constructed a spacious hut
with walls of mud, supported by strong stakes made of long
graceful bamboos, thatched with boughs of the Shami tree.
Creepers, kusha and sarpat grass strengthened it, while reeds
and leaves were also used for the roof, its floor being well
levelled.
Then the fortunate Lakshmana, having constructed that
excellent hut, lovely to behold, went to the river Godaveri,
and after bathing, gathered lotuses and fruit, returning to the
hermitage to offer the flowers there and perform those traditional
rites proper to the peace of that dwelling, thereafter leading
Rama to the hut he had set up.
Seeing that charming retreat and the thatched hut, Raghava,
who was accompanied by Sita, experienced intense delight.
Highly gratified, he pressed Lakshmana to his heart and in
a voice full of tenderness and feeling, said to him : —
" I am pleased with thee ; thou hast accomplished a great
feat, O My Brother, for which as a token of satisfaction I now
embrace thee. Whilst thou dost still live, with thy zeal, thy
devotion and thy virtue, O Lakshmana, our illustrious sire is
not dead."
Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, Raghava, the source of
others prosperity, began to dwell happily in that region
abounding in fruit. And ministered to by Sita and Lakshmana,
that illustrious One lived there with them for some time, like the
Gods in heaven.
35
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER I 6
Description of Winter by Lakshmana
Whilst the magnanimous Rama was sojourning there, autumn
passed away and the winter season set in.
One day at dawn, the issue of the House of Raghu went to
the enchanting river Godaveri to perform his ablutions and
the valiant Saumitri, pitcher in hand, following humbly with
Sita, addressed him, saying : —
" Now that season dear to thee has come, O Amiable Prince,
during which the whole year seems to clothe itself in splendour !
The ground is covered with frost and water is no longer pleasant
to drink.
" Having offered ripened grain to the Pitris and the Gods,
men are purified of their sins, their sacrifices having been
made at the proper season. Desirous of the necessities of life,
all are now abundantly supplied with milk and butter.
" Kings, dreaming of conquest, set out on their campaigns.
The sun veering towards the southern region, beloved of
Antaka, causes the north to resemble a woman, whose tilak
mark is effaced. The Himavat Mountain, covered with snow,
justly bears its name. Those clear days, when one seeks the
sun and Sees from shade and damp, are exceedingly pleasant,
but now there is only faint sunshine, constant frost, piercing
cold and deep snow. The long cold nights are with us, when
it is no longer possible to lie in the open, and the Pushya star
which served as a beacon is now obscured in the snow-laden air.
The moon, that draws its brilliance from the sun, no longer
shines, and its frozen disc is dim, like a mirror tarnished by
the breath ; wrinkled by the cold, that orb's surface, though
at the full, no longer sends forth its rays, like Sita, when her
complexion, tanned by the sun, loses its radiance.
"Now that the snow is blended with its breath the west
wind is icy, and the mornings are bitingly cold. The woods
36
ARANYA KANDA
are shrouded in mist and the fields of barley and wheat,
covered in rime, sparkle in the rising sun, while herons and
cranes call in chorus. Fields of rice with ears resembling
Kharjura flowers bend gracefully under the weight of the gram.
*' With its rays scarcely penetrating the snow-laden clouds,
the sun, long after it has risen, resembles the moon, but
gradually gaining strength during the morning hours, rejoices
the heart at noon, its rays shedding a pale beauty on the earth
causing the woodland rides, covered with grass and drenched
with dew, to sparkle.
" The wild elephant, suffering from extreme thirst, with-
draws its trunk suddenly on coming in contact with the frozen
water, and the waterfowl, standing on the banks, dare not
enter the stream, like unto cowardly warriors, fearful of setting
foot on the battlefield.
" Enveloped in dew at evening and wreathed in cold grey
mist at dawn, the trees, bereft of flowers, seem to sleep.
Streams are shrouded in fog and the cranes, their plumage
hidden under the snow, can only be distinguished by their
cries ; the sands on the banks too are wet with snow.
" On account of the weakness of the sun's rays, the water
remains in the hollows of hard rocks after the fall of snow
and tastes sweet. The lotuses are nipped by frost, their
stamens dried up, their petals fallen, only the stalks remaining,
and in the grip of the bitter cold have lost all their beauty.
" O Lion among Men, at this season, in devotion to thee,
the unfortunate and faithful Bharata is undergoing penance
in the city. Renouncing kingdom, pomp and every pleasure,
practising austerity, he gives himself up to fasting and restraint,
and at this very hour is certainly making bis way to the river
Sarayu surrounded by his ministers in order to perform his
ablutions.
" Brought up in luxury, exceedingly frail, tormented by the
cold, how, in the last hour of the night, is he able to endure
tie icy water ?
" With his large eyes resembling lotus petals, his dark skin
and depressed navel, that great and virtuous Bharata, who is
dutiful, truthful, restrained, his senses fully controlled, of
sweet speech and gentle, that long-armed hero, the subduer
37
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of his foes, renouncing every pleasure, is wholly devoted to
thee, O Rama.
" My Brother, the magnanimous Bharata, by living as if
banished to the forest, in imitation of thee resident there, has
conquered heaven, O Rama.
" It is said that a man resembles his mother and not bis
father. If it be so, how can a woman as cruel as Kaikeyi
be his mother ? "
Thus spoke the virtuous Lakshmana in brotherly affection,
but Rama, unable to brook their mother being blamed, answered
him, saying : —
" She who occupies the second place among the queens,
O My Friend, should not be disparaged in any way whatsoever.
Do thou continue to speak of Bharata, the protector of the
House of Ikshwaku.
" Though I have determined to dwell in the forest, yet my
love for Bharata shakes my resolve and causes me to waver
anew. I recollect his gentle and affectionate words well,
sweet as amrita, delighting the soul. O when shall I be re-
united with the magnanimous Bharata and the valiant
Shatrughna, together with thee, O Joy of the House of Raghu? "
Lamenting thus, Kakutstha came to the Godaveri river,
where he, bis younger brother and Sita performed their ablu-
tions ; then having offered water to the Gods and the Fitris,
those sinless ones worshipped the rising sun and the Lord
Narayana, thus purifying themselves.
Thereafter, Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana,
appeared beautiful, resembling the Lord Shiva accompanied
by Nandi and the Daughter of the Mountains.1
CHAPTER i 7
The arrived of Shurpanakha at the Hermitage
Having bathed in the Godaveri river, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
left its banks and returned to the hermitage. On reaching
their retreat, Raghava with Lakshmana performed their morn-
ing devotions and entered the leaf-thatched hut. In the hut,
1 Girija, a name of ParvatL
38
ARANYA KANDA
that long-armed hero with Sita at his side dwelt happily,
honoured by the great Rishis, and shone hke the moon accom-
panied by the Chitra star.
One day, while Rama was reciting the traditional texts, a
female demon chanced to pass that way, by name Shurpanakha
who was the sister of Ravana.
Approaching Rama, she observed that he resembled a God,
with his radiant countenance, his long arms, his large eyes
like unto lotus petals, his majestic gait resembling an elephant's,
matted locks crowning his head ; youthful, full of valour,
bearing the marks of royalty, bis colour that of the blue lotus
and alluring as the God of Love himself.
Beholding that hero, the equal of Indra, the Rakshasi was
overwhelmed with desire. Rama was handsome, she hideous ;
his waist was slender, hers thick and heavy ; he had large eyes,
hers squinted; his locks were beautiful, hers were red; his
whole appearance was pleasing, hers repellent. Rama's voice
was sonorous, hers strident ; he was fair and youthful, she old
and haggard ; he was amiable, she sullen ; he was self-
controlled, she unruly ; he was captivating, she odious.
Consumed with passion, the Rakshasi said to Rama : —
" With thy matted locks and ascetic guise, bearing bow and
arrows, why hast thou, accompanied by thy consort, come to
these woods, which are frequented by demons ? What is the
purpose of thy journey ? "
Hearing the words of the Rakshasi, Shurpanakha, that hero,
the Scourge of his Foes, with perfect candour began to relate all.
He said : — " There was a king named Dasaratha, who was
as powerful as a God. I am his eldest son, known among men
as Rama ; this is my younger brother, Lakshmana, my faithful
companion, and this, my consort, the illustrious Sita, daughter
of the King of Videha.
" Bound by the will of my sire and in order to carry out
my duty, I have come to dwell in the forest.
" But now I wish to know who thy father is, who thou art,
and what thy race ? To judge by thy charms, thou art a
Rakshasi ! Tell me truly, what has brought thee hither ? "
Hearing the words of Rama, the Rakshasi, tormented by
tiie pangs of love, answered : —
39
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Hear O Rama and I will tell thee the truth ! I am
Shurpanakha, a Rakshasi, who can change her form at will.
I wander about in the forest, striking terror in the hearts of
all beings. My brothers are Ravana, of whom thou hast
doubtless heard, and the powerful and somnolent Kumbha-
karna, the virtuous Bibishana a stranger to our practices, and
two others famed for their martial qualities, Khara and Dushana.
" I, who am more powerful than they, having seen thee,
O Rama, wish to unite myself with thee, O Lord, O First
of Men 1
" I am endowed with power and able to range at will by
thought alone ; therefore do thou become my master. What
is Sita to thee ?
" Deformed, without beauty, she is not worthy of thee,
whereas I should prove a well-matched partner, my beauty
equal to thine own ; do thou look on me as thy consort. This
unsightly, grim-visaged human female, of lean abdomen, will
be devoured by me this day in thy presence, together with that
brother of thine.
" Thou and I shall wander on the summit of the mountains
and through the forests together, exploring the whole region
of Dandaka, according to thy whim."
Speaking thus, the Rakshasi threw impassioned glances at
Rama, who, smiling, made the following astute reply.
CHAPTER i S
The Mutilation of Shurpanakha
Smiling a little, Rama, in gently mocking tones, answered
Shurpanakha, who had been caught in the noose of love,
saying:—
" I am already wedded and this is my beloved consort ; the
rivalry between co-wives would prove unbearable ! My
younger brother however who is of a happy disposition, of
agreeable appearance, virtuous and chaste, is called Lakshmana
and is full of vigour. He has not yet experienced the joys of
40
ARANYA KANDA
a wife's company and desires a consort. He is youthful and
attractive and would therefore be a fitting husband for thee.
Take my brother as thy lord, O Lady of large eyes and lovely
hips, and enjoy him without a rival, as Mount Mem, the
sunlight."
Hearing these words, the Rakshasi, blinded by passion,
leaving Rama, at once addressed Lakshmana, saying : —
" My beauty renders me a worthy wife for thee ; therefore
come and we will range the Dandaka Forest and mountains
happily together."
Thus accosted by the Rakshasi Shurpanakha, Lakshmana,
the son of Sumitra, skilled in discourse, smiling, gave this
ingenious reply : —
" How canst thou wish to become the wife of a slave, such
as I ? I am wholly dependent on my noble brother, O Thou
whose complexion resembles the lotus, who art pleasing to
look upon and chaste ? O Lady of large eyes, thou art a paragon,
do thou become the consort of that matchless hero. Re-
nouncing that ugly, evil and peevish old woman, whose limbs
are deformed, he will certainly devote himself to thee ! O
Lady of ravishing complexion and lovely limbs, what sensible
man would sacrifice that unrivalled beauty of thine for an
ordinary woman ? "
Thinking Lakshmana's words to be sincere and not under-
standing his jest, that cruel and misshapen Rakshasi, in the
blindness of her passion once more addressed Rama, the
Scourge of His Foes, who was seated in the leaf-thatched hut
with Sita, and said : —
" Is it for this hideous, evil and peevish woman, who is old
and deformed, that thou dost slight me ?
" I shall devour her in thy presence to-day, and shall live
happily with thee without a rival."
Speaking thus, the Rakshasi, whose eyes blazed like torches,
hurled herself in fury on Sita, like a great meteor descending
on the planet Rohini.
Then the mighty Rama restrained her, as, like the noose of
death, she advanced towards Sita, and in anger addressed
Lakshmana, saying : —
" It is unwise to taunt those beings who are vile and cruel,
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
O Saumitri. Take heed, see, Vaidehi is in danger, O Friend !
Do thou maim this hideous demon of protruding belly, who is
evil and filled with fury."
The valiant Lakshmana, highly incensed against the Rakshasi,
thereupon drew his sword from its scabbard and, in the presence
of Rama, cut off her ears and nose.
Her ears and nose severed, Shurpanakha uttered a terrible
cry and ran into the forest. Being mutilated, the Rakshasi,
streaming with blood, created a terrible uproar, like a tempest
in the rainy season and, dripping with blood, that hideous
monster, lifting up her arms, plunged howling into the deep
woods.
Thereafter the injured Shurpanakha sought out her brother
Khara of great might, who, surrounded by a troop of demons,
was seated in Janastnana and threw herself on the ground
before him, like a meteorite falling from heaven.
Wild with terror and covered with blood, Khara's sister,
almost deprived of her senses, related everything concerning
Raghava's arrival in the forest with his consort and Lakshmana
and the circumstances of her disfigurement.
CHAPTER 19
Shurpanaka tells her brother Khara of her disfigurement
Seeing his sister lying on the ground, mutilated and streaming
with blood, the demon, inflamed with anger, said to her : —
"Rise! Tell me why thou art distraught; master thy
terror and narrate lucidly, who has disfigured thee in this
fashion. Who has dared to touch a black and venomous
serpent, stretched peacefully beside him, with his foot ? That
fool who has thus dealt with thee, is unaware that this day he
has swallowed a virulent poison and placed the noose of death
round his neck.
" Who has brought thee to this state, thou who art imbued
with energy and courage, who art able to range everywhere
at will, the rival of Antaka himself? How is it that thou art
ARANYA KANDA
found in this sorry plight? Amongst Gods, Gandharvas,
mighty Sages and other Beings, who is sufficiently powerful to
have disfigured thee ? I know of none in all the worlds who
would dare to provoke me, save it be Mahendra, He of the
Thousand Eyes, who overcame the demon Paka. To-day I
shall exact the life of thy traducer with my death-dealing
arrows, as swans suck out the milky substance that floats on
the water.
" Struck down in the fight, mortally wounded by my shafts,
whose foaming blood will the earth drink to-day? Whose
limbs will the vultures, drawn by my summons, tear apart and
devour with delight when they fall under my blows in combat ?
" Neither the Gods nor the Gandharvas nor the Pisachas nor
the Rakshasas shall be able to save that wretch from my grasp,
in that fierce encounter.
" Compose thyself and in tranquillity, tell me who that
miscreant is and who, abusing his power, has ill-treated thee
thus ? "
Having listened to her brother's words, Shurpanakha, beside
herself with rage, answered weeping : —
" They are two most handsome and powerful youths, with
large eyes resembling lotuses, clad in bark and black antelope
skins, living on fruit and roots, their senses under control,
practising penance and the brahmacharya vow, the sons of
King Dasaratha, two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, who bear
the marks of royalty and resemble the King of the Gandharvas.
I am unable to say if they be human beings or Gods. Between
them, I saw a young and beautiful damsel of slender waist,
adorned with many kinds of jewels, and it is on account of this
youthful woman that I am reduced to this plight, like one
uncared for and set at naught on account of her infidelity. I
wish to drink the blood of this woman and those two youths on
the battlefield."
Hearing his sister utter these words, Khara, mad with anger,
called on fourteen demons of great strength, equal to Antaka
himself, and said to them : —
" Two men furnished with weapons, clad in bark and black
antelope skins, have ventured into the inaccessible Dandaka
Forest in company with a youthful woman ; do ye slay them
43
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and also that wretch herself. My sister desires to drink their
blood ! O Ye Rakshasas, this is my sister's dearest wish,
go therefore with all speed and in your great might destroy
them. On seeing the two brothers struck down by your blows,
my sister will drink their blood on the field, with joy."
Receiving this command, the fourteen demons swiftly
departed, accompanied by Shurpanakha, like clouds driven
before the wind.
chapter 20
Rama slays the Demons sent by Kkara
The cruel Shurpanakha, having reached Raghava's hermitage,
pointed out the two brothers and Sita to the demons, and
they beheld Rama, full of valour, seated in his hut of leaves,
in company with Sita, attended on by Lakshmana.
Seeing Shurpanakha and the demons who accompanied her,
the illustrious descendant of the House of Raghu, Rama, said
to Lakshmana who was burning with courage : —
" Stay a moment with Sita, O Saumitri, so that I may slay
these demons who have followed the Rakshasi."
Hearing the words of Rama, versed in knowledge of the
Self, that prudent offshoot of the House of Raghu answered
with deference, saying : " Be it so."
Then the righteous Raghava, stretching his great bow, inlaid
with gold, addressed those demons, saying : —
" We are the sons of Dasaratha, two brothers, Rama and
Lakshmana, who have come with Sita to the inaccessible
Dandaka Forest. Living on roots and fruit, with our. senses
under control, we practice penance and the brahmacharya vow
and pass our days in the woods. Why do you seek to do us
injury, wretches that you are ? It is at the request of the Sages,
that I have come hither to castigate you for your evil deeds
on the field of battle. Halt where you stand and advance no
further ! If you desire to live, turn back, O Prowlers of the
Night."
44
ARANYA KANDA
At these words, those slayers of brahmins, the fourteen
demons, bearing spears in their hands, inflamed with anger,
their eyes red, terrible to behold, filled with a fierce exultation,
answered Rama, whose fiery glances and sweet speech mani-
fested a courage they had not seen till that hour, and said : —
" For having incurred the displeasure of our master, the
most magnanimous Khara, thou art about to fall under our
blows in battle. What power hast thou single-handed to
slay so many in the field ; it is thou who shalt lose thy life to-day
in this conflict. Our arms bearing maces, spears and darts
will rob thee of thy strength, and thy bow shall fall from
thy hand."
Thus speaking, the fourteen demons, brandishing their
formidable weapons, hurled themselves on Rama, letting fly
their spears at the invincible Raghava, but Kakutstha with as
many arrows tipped with gold cut off those fourteen spears.
And that illustrious warrior, full of wrath, taking out more
arrows, which had been sharpened on stone, seized his bow
and placing them on the string, made the titans his target.
Then Raghava, loosing those shafts, as Indra his thunderbolt,
speedily pierced the breasts of those demons, and the arrows,
all bloody, penetrated the earth like serpents disappearing into
an ant heap.
With their breasts pierced by those arrows, the demons fell
to the ground, like trees, whose trunks have been severed.
Bathed in blood, mutilated, bereft of life, they lay stretched
on the earth, and Shurpanakha, seeing them thus, blind with
rage, sped away, to seek out her brother Khara.
Wounded afresh, the blood coagulating like a tree exuding
resin, Shurpanakha fell down before her brother and in his
presence set up a mighty uproar, wailing and shrieking, raining
tears, her features distorted.
Having seen the demons fall on the field of battle, Shur-
panakha, returning in all haste to her brother Khara, described
their deaths to him in every detail.
45
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 21
Shurpanakha urges Khar a to fight Rama
Seeing Shurpanakha beside herself, lying on the ground,
having returned without accomplishing her design, Khara
addressed her in harsh tones, saying : —
" Have I not placed those valiant demons, living on flesh
at thy disposal, for thy pleasure ? Why dost thou still com-
plain ? They are zealous, loyal and have ever been my trusted
servants. Though invincible, even had they to die, they
would not disobey me. What is this ? I wish to know the
reason why thou art rolling on the earth like a serpent, crying
* O, my Lord '. Why, since I am thy protector, dost thou
lament like one abandoned ? Rise, rise ! Let us nave no more
of these tears and swoonings."
Thus did Khara, her brother, speak to that terrible Rakshasi
to comfort her, and she, wiping away her tears, said : —
" When I came hither with my nose and ears severed, drenched
in blood, which flowed forth like a river, thou didst console me.
To please me, thou didst command fourteen valiant demons
to sky the ruthless Rama and Lakshmana. These demons,
incensed against Rama, armed with spears and pikes, have
fallen victims to his murderous arrows, in combat. Witnessing
those skilled warriors, felled to the ground in an instant and
Rama's great exploit, I am filled with extreme fear.
" Trembling in every limb, terrified and beside myself, I
take refuge in thee once more, O Prowler of the Night, seeing
cause for apprehension on every side. Submerged as I am in
the infinite ocean of distress, haunted by the crocodiles of
affliction and the billows of fear, wilt thou not rescue me ?
Under Rama's fiery arrows, the demons, eaters of flesh, who
followed me, are lying on the ground.
" If thou hast any pity for me and for these demons, if thou
art possessed of the courage and strength to meet Rama in
46
ARANYA KANDA
battle, then, O Prowler of the Night, slay this thorn in the side
of the demons, who has set up his hermitage in the Dandaka
Forest.
" If thou dost not bring about the death of Rama, the
Slayer of his Foes, this very day, I shall yield up my life in
thy presence, dishonoured. I see clearly, that even supported
by thy forces, thou art not able to meet Rama in pitched battle.
" Thou deemest thyself to be a great hero, but thou art
not really so, thy prowess exists only in thine own conceited
imaginings; therefore do thou leave Janasthana, in all haste,
with thy companions, O Stigma of Thy Race ! Do thou return
victor in the struggle, for, if thou hast neither the strength,
nor the valour to slay these two men, how canst thou remain
here?
" Defeated by Rama's prowess, thou wilt surely die, for he
is truly brave, that son of Dasaratha, Rama, and his brother
also, who disfigured me is supremely valiant ! "
Thus, in the presence of her brother, did that Rakshasi
lament again and again, beating her breast and, overcome with
mortification, lost consciousness. Then, after a space coming
to her senses, exercised with grief, she continued to cry out
and strike her breast with her hands.
CHAPTER 22
Khara and his fourteen thousand Demons march against Rama
Listening to Shurpanakha's reproaches, Khara, burning with
anger, seated amidst his warriors, answered fiercely : —
" Thy contempt incites me to ungovernable fury, I am
beside myself and can no more endure this than it is possible
to support salt poured into a wound. I hold Rama to be of
no account and regard him as already dead. His offence will
bring about his end this day ; therefore restrain thy tears,
do not distress thyself further. I shall despatch Rama and
his brother to the region of death, and thou, O Rakshasi,
47
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
shalt to-day drink the warm blood of that one of evil deeds
struck down by mine axe."
Overjoyed on hearing these words, falling from her brother's
lips, Shurpanakha, in her folly, began to praise Khara, the
Foremost of Titans.
First condemned, then extolled by her, Khara called on
Dushana, the commander of his army, saying : —
" O Friend, make ready fourteen thousand trained titans
who are obedient to my commands, full of martial ardour,
who never retreat in battle, who resemble thunder clouds and
who revel in cruelty and delight in slaying men.
" Do thou, with all speed, bring my chariot also, with bows,
arrows, glittering swords, darts and javelins, that have been
well sharpened. I wish to place myself at the head of those
magnanimous titans, in order to slay the haughty Rama, O
Skilful Warrior ! "
As he was speaking, Dushana harnessed excellent horses
to the great car, that shone like the sun, whereupon Khara
ascended the chariot resembling the peak of Meru, that was
vast, inlaid with pure gold, with golden wheels and shafts set
with emeralds. Decorated with symbols of good fortune,
such as fish, flowers, trees, rocks, mountains, birds and stars,
it was furnished with banners and spears, hung with delightful
bells and yoked to excellent steeds.
Then Khara, chafing with impatience, as also Dushana,
seeing that great host, furnished with chariots, shields, weapons
and banners, cried to that multitude of demons : — "Advance ! "
Thereafter that mighty titan army, numbering fourteen
thousand, equipped with formidable shields, weapons and
banners, rushed out impetuously, amidst a great tumult.
Armed with hammers, picks, spears, sharp axes, sabres,
discus and shining javelins, as well as darts, formidable clubs,
immense bows, goads, swords, maces and thunderbolts, terrible
to look upon, those ferocious titans, obedient to the commands
of Khara, left Janasthana, and he, withdrawing himself a little,
reviewed those titans of malignant aspect, who were rushing
forth, and thereafter followed them.
Obedient to Khara's command, the charioteer mounted on
the car of that Slayer of His Foes, spurring on his dappled
48
ARANYA KANDA
steeds, whose harness was wrought with pure gold, advanced
with all speed, causing the cardinal points and other regions
to ring with the sound.
And Khara, in harsh tones, inflamed with anger, chafing
with the desire to destroy his adversary, endowed with great
strength, equal to Antaka, urged on his charioteer again and
again, roaring like a great cloud about to let loose a stream
of hail.
chapter 23
The Titan Army advances amid evil Portents
At that time terrible portents appeared and from a dark cloud
a shower of blood fell. The swift-footed steeds yoked to
Khara's chariot, stumbled on the level road of the royal high-
way, strewn with flowers ; the sun was covered with a black
disc, edged, as it were with blood, like a circle of burning
coals, whilst a frightful vulture settled on the standard with
its golden support.
Birds and beasts of prey, roaming in the vicinity of Janasthana,
emitted deafening cries, creating an appalling clamour, and near
that region, terrible jackals gave forth fearful and blood-
curdling howls, like fiends.
Immense and formidable thunderclouds resembling elephants
with crushed Temples, showered down a rain of blood, which hid
the entire firmament ; a great darkness fell, causing the hair
to stand on end, obscuring the four quarters. Dusk arrived
before the appointed time, assuming a sanguinous hue and, as
Khara proceeded, wild beasts and birds of terrifying aspect
barred his path, whilst herons, hyenas and vultures raised a
ghastly clamour.
Hideous jackals, a sign of misfortune in war, howled at
the approaching army, flames darting from their jaws and a
headless trunk, resembling a club, was seen close to the sun.
Though the time of eclipse had not come, yet that golden orb
was seized by the planet Swarbhanu ; the winds blew violently
49
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and the sun was bereft of lustre ; though not yet night, stars
thick as fireflies appeared.
Birds and fishes dived into the depths of the lakes, on which
the lotuses had withered, and in that hour the trees were
bereft of flowers and fruit, and sombre dust-clouds arose
without the stirring of the wind. Parrots called wildly
* Chichikuchi * and comets of sinister aspect fell without a
sound; the earth with her mountains, woods and forests,
shook.
As Khara, standing in his chariot, was raising his war-cry, his
left arm twitched and his voice died away ; glancing round on
every side, his eyes were suffused with tears, his head throbbed,
yet in his folly he did not turn back.
Witnessing these evil portents that caused his hair to stand
on end, with a defiant laugh, Khara addressed that host of
titans saying : —
" I hold these terrible portents, dreadful to behold, as
nought compared with my power and disregard them as do
the strong, the weak ! I am able to shoot down the stars from
heaven with my sharp arrows ! I can subjugate the empire of
death itself ! Till by means of my powerful weapons, I have
brought Rama low, who depends on his strength alone, as
also Lakshmana, I shall not turn back. May my sister, for
whose sake I have sworn to bring about the death of Rama
and Lakshmana, drink the blood of these two. Till this hour,
I have not known defeat on the field of battle ; ye are witness
to it, I do not utter falsehood ! In my wrath X am able to slay
the Chief of the Gods bearing the thunderbolt, mounted on the
intoxicated Airavata, how much more am I able to slay these
two mortals ? "
Hearing those boastful words, the vast army of the titans,
whom death already held in his noose, was filled with incom-
parable joy, and advanced full of vigour, anxious to join issue
in battle.
Thereupon, the high-souled Rishis, Devas, Gandharvas and
Charanas assembled and those virtuous beings said one to
the other : —
" Reverence to the cows, the brahmins and all those who
have acquired spiritual merit in the world !
50
ARANYA KANDA
" As Vishnu, bearing the discus in his hand, subdued the
Asuras, so may Rama too triumph over the titans in this fight."
Repeatedly expressing this wish and many others, those
illustrious Rishis and the Gods, stationed in the sky, gazed
down on the army of the titans, that was about to be destroyed.
Then Khara in his swiftly-moving chariot rode out to the
head of his army and those twelve of exceeding prowess:
Karaviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmukha, Hemamalin, Mahamalin,
Sarpasya, Shyengamin, Prithugriva, Vajnashatru, Vihangama,
Dirjaya, Krudhirashana, surrounded him, and Mahakapala,
Sthulaksha, Pramatha and Trishiras, these four followed
Dushana.
As a group of planets rush towards the sun or moon, so in
their eagerness to enter the fight did that formidable army of
of titans hurl themselves with tremendous impetus on the
two princes.
CHAPTER 24
The Combat opens between Rama and the Titans
When Khara of great prowess advanced on Rama's hermitage,
the two princes observed many dreadful portents, and Rama,
deeply moved, said to Lakshmana : — " O Mighty-armed One,
these inauspicious omens, causing terror to all beings, foretell
the destruction of the demon hosts.
" Yonder dun-coloured clouds, resembling asses' skin, pass
across the sky, raining blood in dreadful convulsions. Behold,
0 Lakshmana, smoke rising from mine arrows, as if they
rejoiced at the coming contest, and my bow of beaten gold
moving of itself, eager for action. Meseems the cry of wild
birds that frequent the woods foretells danger, nay, that the
very lives of our foes are in jeopardy. Assuredly a great battle
will shortly take place ; the twitching of my left arm betokens it.
O Hero, for us victory is imminent, and the defeat of the
titans assured. Thy countenance is resplendent and exultant,
51 E
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
O Lakshmana ! Those warriors who enter into combat with
a rueful mien are lost.
" I hear the roar of those titans of cruel deeds and the sound
of their drums. If a prudent man desires success and wishes
to escape defeat, he should be forearmed against the future.
Therefore, bearing thy bow and arrows, taking Sita with thee,
repair to a mountain cave, screened by trees and difficult of
access. O Lakshmana, do not oppose my commands, but,
swearing obedience to my feet, go thither, O Friend, without
delay. Thou art valiant and well able to strike down the
titans, but I desire to slay these Prowlers of the Night single-
handed."
Having spoken thus, Lakshmana, taking up his bow and
arrows, withdrew with Sita to an inaccessible cave.
As Lakshmana entered the cavern with Sita, Rama rejoiced
at his brother's submission and donned his coat of mail.
Clothed in armour that shone like fire, Rama resembled a
mighty flame illumining the darkness, and that hero, standing
erect, took up his bow and arrows and, by the twanging of
the cord, caused the four cardinal points to re-echo.
Then the Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Charanas gathered
together to witness the struggle and the great-souled Rishis
began to converse one with the other, saying : —
" May it be well with all the cows and brahmins found on
the earth ! May Raghava overcome the descendants of
Foulastya in combat ! May he be as victorious as Vishnu, who
with his discus routed the foremost of the asuras ! "
Having spoken thus, exchanging glances, they added : —
" But how can Rama overcome those fourteen thousand
demons of fearful deeds single-handed ? "
Thereafter those Rajarishis and Siddhas, stationed in their
aerial chariots, were moved with curiosity as to the outcome
of the conflict and seeing Rama, splendidly accoutred, standing
alone on the field of battle, all those beings were filled with
apprehension ; the peerless Rama, however, the doer of noble
deeds, assumed the aspect of that high-souled and avenging
God, Rudra !
Whilst the Gods, Gandharvas and Charanas were still
conversing, the army of the titans, creating a fearful clamour,
52
ARANYA KANDA
clad in mail, bearing weapons and banners, appeared on every
side.
Uttering loud battle cries, josding one another, twanging
their bowstrings, opening their jaws wide, they shouted : —
" We will destroy the enemy ! " This appalling tumult filled
the forest and struck terror into the hearts of its denizens,
who fled from the sound, not daring to look back.
Then the demon army, resembling a stormy sea, brandishing
every kind of weapon, rapidly approached Rama, but he, an
experienced warrior, looking round on every side, saw that
army of Khara's advancing and went out to meet it, taking
his arrows from their quiver and stretching his dread bow,
letting forth a piercing shout presaging the death of the titans.
Dreadful to behold in his wrath, he resembled the lire at the
dissolution of the world and seeing him filled with energy the
forest deities fled away. In his anger, Rama resembled the
Bearer of the Pinaka bow intent on destroying Daksha's
sacrifice.
With their bows and weapons, their cars and their armour,
which shone like fire, the hosts of those eaters of human flesh
resembled a mass of dark clouds at the hour of sunrise.
chapter 25
The Combat between Rama and the Titans continues
Approaching the hermitage, Khara, in company with those
who preceded him, beheld Rama, the Destroyer of his Foes,
full of wrath, armed with his bow and seeing that mighty
warrior, bow in hand, Khara ordered his charioteer to drive
upon him with his car.
Thus commanded, Suta drove his horses to where the
illustrious Rama, wielding his bow, stood unmoved.
Beholding Khara advancing on Rama, the titans, uttering
loud shouts, surrounded him on all sides, and he, stationed
53
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in his chariot amidst those Yatudhanas, resembled the planet
Mars encircled by stars.
Loosing a thousand shafts, Khara emitted a tremendous war-
cry and all the demons in fury showered various missiles on
that invincible archer Rama, striking him in their frenzy with
iron clubs, swords, spears and axes.
With their colossal stature and extraordinary power, they
resembled mountains as they bore down on Kakutstha with
their chariots and horses.
In their desire to overcome Rama, those demon hordes,
mounted on elephants as high as the peaks of mountains,
covered him with a hail of weapons, like great clouds letting
loose their rain on the King of Mountains, and Raghava was
hemmed in on all sides by those ferocious looking demons.
As at evening time Mahadeva is surrounded by his satellites,
so was Rama beset by the lances of the titans, but that prince
received the missiles hurled against him as the sea receives the
rivers that empty themselves therein. As the Himalayas
remain unmoved, when struck by lightning, so did he, when
those dreadful weapons tore his flesh. Pierced in every limb,
the blood gushing forth on all sides, he resembled the evening
sun enveloped in cloud.
Beholding Rama encircled by thousands of titans, the Gods
and sages were profoundly moved, but he, growing enraged,
bending his bow like a sickle, let loose hundreds and thousands
of pointed shafts, that could not be intercepted and carried
death to those they pierced. As if in sport, on the battlefield
Rama let fly countless arrows furnished with herons plumes,
tipped with gold, destroying innumerable titans like the noose
of death itself.
Unconcernedly loosed by Rama, those arrows passed through
the demons' bodies and, stained with blood, flew through the
air like blazing torches. Countless shafts drawn from Rama's
quiver fell in hundreds and thousands, robbing the demons
of their life's breath, their bows, their banners, their shields and
their armour, their arms embellished with ornaments and
their thighs resembling the trunks of elephants.
The arrows of Rama, discharged from the bowstring, cut
down horses yoked to the chariots with their golden trappings
54
ARANYA KANDA
together with the charioteers ; elephants with their riders,
horsemen with their steeds, were aU transfixed by his shafts
and despatched to the region of Yama.
Pierced by those pointed shafts, the Rangers of the Night,
emitted terrible shrieks, and decimated by those death-dealing
arrows, the demon host was unable to defend itself, as dried
wood is ignited by the proximity of fire.
Then certain demon warriors, full of energy and zeal, in a
paroxysm of rage, let fly lances, tridents and other weapons at
Rama, but he, intercepting them, cut off the heads of those
demons with his shafts, thus depriving them of their lives.
They, having had their heads, their shields and their bowstrings
severed, fell to the earth, like trees thrown down by the blast
of Garuda's wings.
Then the remaining titans fled, seeking refuge from those
death-dealing arrows with Khara, but Dushana, taking up his
bow, rallied them and rushed on Rama as if he were Antaka
himself; thereafter the titans, growing bolder, hurled themselves
on Rama anew, armed with the trunks of Sala and Tala trees
and huge rocks.
With lances, maces and snares, bearing darts, clubs and
nooses in their hands, those great warriors covered the whole
field with a hail of missiles, discharging volleys of trees and
rocks. Thereafter the combat waxed furious, causing the
hair to stand on end, and now it seemed as if Rama were the
victor and again the demons appeared to triumph. Then,
seeing himself beseiged on all sides, that mighty warrior Rama,
covered by a hail of darts, sent up a terrific shout, placing the
mantra-propelled Gandharva weapon on his bow, whereupon
a thousand arrows sped from his bent bow, covering the ten
regions.
With such skill did Rama discharge his arrows, that the
demons were unable to distinguish when he drew them from
their quiver and when he loosed them and his shafts caused
darkness to spread over the sky and obscure the sun.
Slain in their thousands, the demons fell in heaps and the
battlefield was strewn with corpses. Struck down, dis-
embowelled, transfixed, torn and hacked asunder, they could
be seen in their hundreds, and the ground was scattered with
55
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
heads wrapped in turbans, arms encircled with bangles, thighs
and torsos with their ornaments, horses, mighty elephants,
shattered chariots, chowries, fans, umbrellas and standards of
every kind, and beholding the slain, the remaining demons
were afflicted and unable to withstand Rama, that captor of
hostile citadels, further.
CHAPTER 26
Rama destroys the Titans and slays Duskana
Seeing his forces destroyed, the mighty-armed Dushana placed
himself at the head of five thousand intrepid and invincible
titans, to whom retreat was unknown.
Armed with pikes, sabres, rocks and trees, they let loose a
hail of missiles on Rama from every side, without being able
to wound him. Their onslaught was formidable and to all but
Rama, deadly. The virtuous Raghava, however, met the
attack with his arrows, his eyes closed, as unconcerned as a
bull under heavy rain. Thereafter, growing wrath, he resolved
to destroy the whole of Khara*s army and, burning with energy,
covered that host and its leader, Dushana, with his shafts,
whereupon Dushana, the Slayer of His Foes, met Raghava with
weapons that resembled thunderbolts. Then the heroic Rama,
enraged, severed Dushana's mighty bow, slew the four steeds
yoked to his chariot and cut off the head of his charioteer with
a crescent-shaped arrow, thereafter piercing Dushana's breast
thrice with his shafts.
Then Dushana lifted up his mace covered with gold, that
resembled a mountain peak and was capable of destroying the
army of the Gods. Studded with nails, smeared with the
flesh of his foes, keen as a diamond, able to cut through the
gates of hostile cities, that weapon, resembling a mighty snake,
was wielded by that titan of evil deeds, who hurled himself
on Rama.
56
ARANYA KANDA
Nevertheless, as Dushana rushed upon him, Rama cut off
both his arms with his arrows, and that mace, loosed from his
grasp, fell forward on the field like unto the banner of Indra,
whilst Dushana, bereft of it, his arms severed, sank to the earth
like a mighty elephant that, stripped of its tusks, succumbs.
Seeing Dushana lying on the battlefield, all beings, witness-
ing that conflict, cried out " Well done ! Well done ! " and
paid obeisance to Rama.
Meantime, impelled by fate, the three generals, Mahakapala,
Sthulaksha and the mighty Titan Pramathin rushed on Rama ;
Mahakapala brandishing a great trident, Sthulaksha bearing a
harpoon and Pramathin, a huge axe. Seeing them advancing,
Raghava, taking out some sharp steel-pointed arrows, went
forward to meet them, as one receives a guest, and the Delight
of the House of Raghu severed the head of Mahakapala with
a single arrow and assailed Pramathin with innumerable shafts,
whereupon he fell to the earth like an axed tree ; thereafter,
Rama blinded Sthulaksha with his sharp arrows and, inflamed
with wrath, with five thousand shafts slew an equal number
of Dushana's followers, sending them to the nether regions.
Hearing that Dushana and his warriors were lying dead,
Khara, in great fury, addressed the leaders of the army,
saying : — " Let all the titans attack that evil wretch, Rama,
and strike him with weapons of every kind."
Speaking thus, Khara, full of wrath, flung himself on Rama,
followed by Durjaya, Karaviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka,
Hemamalin, Mahamalin, Sarpashya, Syengamin, Prithagriva,
Vajnasatru, Vihangama and Rudhinashana, those twelve
valiant generals with their forces, who fell upon Rama, dis-
charging their excellent shafts.
And Rama, endowed with supreme energy, with his gold and
diamond encrusted arrows, despatched the remainder of
Khara's forces, and those shafts, bereft of feathers, like golden
stalks, resembling flames wreathed in smoke, laid those demons
low, as lightning fells the giant trees. With a hundred ear-
shaped arrows, Rama slew a hundred titans ; and a thousand
with as many shafts. Their breastplates and ornaments
shattered, their bows broken, thbse Rangers of the Night fell
on the earth, bathed in blood. Their hair dishevelled, covered
57
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with gore, they lay on the battlefield, like kusha grass scattered
on the altar, and that great forest, strewn with the corpses of
demons and befouled with their flesh and blood, resembled
the region of hell.
Fourteen thousand demons of cruel deeds were slain by
Rama, a mortal, single-handed and on foot ! Out of the whole
army only Khara of the great Car and the Titan, Trishiras
survived, all others being slain by Lakshmana's elder brother,
the illustrious Rama.
Thereafter, seeing that vast army destroyed in the great
conflict, Khara, ascending his splendid chariot, advanced on
Raghava with his mace upraised.
CHAPTER 27
Rama and Trishiras meet in Combat Trishiras is slain
As Khara was advancing on Rama, the leader of the army,
Trishiras approached him and said : — " O Lord, refrain from
engaging Rama in combat and having recourse to me, who am
possessed of prowess, witness his defeat. I swear to thee by
my sword that I will slay Rama and avenge the death of the
entire demon host. In this fight I shall be as Mrityu to him
or he to me, but thou, O Excellent One, shouldst restrain thy
martial ardour awhile and be a spectator only. Should Rama
be slain, thou canst return home triumphant, but should I die,
do thou enter the field against him."
Yielding to the persuasions of Trishiras, Khara said to him,
who was already doomed : — " Go, engage Rama in combat ! "
Thereupon Trishiras, like a triple crested mountain, advanced
on Raghava in a glittering chariot yoked to excellent steeds
and, as a great cloud pours down rain, so he discharged a volley
of arrows, roaring the while like a kettledrum.
Seeing that demon drawing near, Rama loosed some pointed
shafts and a terrible struggle ensued, so that it seemed as if
a great lion and a mighty elephant were fighting together.
58
ARANYA KANDA
Trishiras, having pierced Rama's forehead with three darts,
that hero, enraged, addressed him in biting accents, saying: —
" O Valiant Titan, the arrows thou hast loosed I bear on my
brow as a wreath, do thou now receive the shafts from my bow."
Thereupon Rama let fly fourteen serpentine arrows striking
Trishiras on the breast and with four further shafts brought
down his four steeds, killing his charioteer with eight other
darts and with a single arrow severing the up-raised standard
in the front of his car. Then, as that Ranger of the Night was
alighting from his shattered chariot, Rama pierced his breast
with further arrows, depriving him of his senses, and that one
of immeasurable prowess with his swift arrows cut off the
three heads of Trishiras, causing the blood to flow from the
stricken trunk, and the heads of that Ranger of the Night fell
while he yet stood upright after the destruction of his forces.
Then the remaining titans, losing heart, sped away like deer
stampeding on the approach of a hunter, and Khara, beholding
them fleeing, waxing wrath, rallied them and rushed on Rama
as Rahu on the moon.
CHAPTER 2 8
The Combat between Rama and Kkara
Seeing that Dushana and Trishiras had been slain in the fight
and witnessing Rama's prowess, Khara was rilled with appre-
hension and reflected : —
" My vast army with my generals Dushana and Trishiras
has been destroyed by Rama, single-handed."
Whereupon that Demon Khara, was seized with despondency
and hurled himself on Rama, as the Titan Namuchi on Indra.
Stretching his mighty bow, Khara discharged at Rama some
blood-sucking arrows, resembling venomous snakes, and,
mounted on bis chariot, began to range over the battlefield,
displaying his skill in the use of weapons, covering the four
quarters with his shafts.
59
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Beholding this, as Parjanya with his watery floods, Rama,
armed with his mighty bow, filled the entire firmament with his
irresistible shafts, which resembled tongues of fire, and all space
was filled with arrows on every side, which had been loosed
by Khara and Rama.
As those two heroes struggled together, the sun was obscured
and darkness descended ; then, like a mighty elephant struck
with a goad, Rama assailed his opponent with Nalikas, Narachas
and sharp-pointed Vikarnas, and that demon, standing in his
chariot, bow in hand, resembled Death himself carrying his
noose. At that moment Khara deemed the destroyer of his
forces, endued with heroism, the extremely powerful Rama,
to be overcome with fatigue, but Rama remained unmoved
under Khara's assaults, as a mighty lion ignores the presence
of an insignificant deer.
Then Khara, in his chariot blazing like the sun, drew
near to Rama, as a moth approaches a flame and, displaying
his skill, severed Rama's bow at the point where he held it,
thereafter loosing seven mace-like shafts resembling Indra's
thunderbolts, which shattered the armour of his adversary
resplendent as the sun itself, so that it fell on the earth. Roaring
like a lion, he let loose a thousand arrows, wounding Rama of
unparalleled might, and in that conflict Khara set up a mighty
shout.
Pierced by Khara's arrows, the body of Rama resembled a
clear and smokeless flame, and that Destroyer of his Foes, in
order to compass the titan's defeat, took up another great
bow, stringing it with a mighty twanging. Holding aloft that
prodigious bow, named Vaishnava, bestowed on him by the
Rishi Agastya, Rama rushed on Khara, letting fly his arrows
furnished with golden feathers and cut down his banner plated
with gold, which fell from the chariot, as the sun falls on the
earth, cursed by the Gods.
Highly provoked, Khara aimed at the heart of Rama and
pierced him with four arrows, so that he resembled a great
elephant under the deluge in the rainy season, and Rama,
sorely wounded by his shafts, covered with blood, waxed
wrath and that foremost of bowmen, with consummate skill,
let fly six well-directed arrows. With one, he struck the head
60
ARANYA KANDA
of Khara, with two others, his arms, and with the remaining
three crescent-shaped darts, he pierced his breast. There-
after that illustrious warrior, in his ire, let fly thirteen arrows
sharpened on the whetstone, blazing like the sun ; one severed
the shafts of his adversary's car, four more felling the steeds ;
with a sixth he smote the head of his charioteer, and with three
others that great and intrepid warrior, shattered the axles of
the chariot ; with the twelfth he severed Khara's bow at the
point where he held it, and with the thirteenth arrow, that
shone like lightning, Raghava, who was equal to Indra, trans-
fixed Khara, as it were in sport.
His bow shattered, deprived of his chariot, his horses slain,
his charioteer fallen, Khara, mace in hand, sprang to the
ground and stood waiting.
Seeing Rama's feat of arms that was unsurpassed, the Gods
and great Sages rejoiced and, assembling in the sky, with joined
palms, extolling the wonderful exploit of that mighty warrior,
offered obeisance to him.
CHAPTER 29
Rama and the Demon Khara taunt one another
Then the illustrious Rama addressed Khara, who was standing
mace in hand, bereft of his chariot, and in severe accents, said: —
" O Hero, with the support of this army of elephants, horses,
chariots and men, thou hast adopted a course of action con-
demned by all. He who inflicts pain on others by oppressing
them, who is ruthless and engaged in evil deeds, will never
know happiness, even though he be Lord of the Three Worlds.
" O Ranger of the Night, one who, like a tyrant, works
against the interests of others and resembles a vicious and
marauding snake, is ultimately destroyed ! He who, overcome
by avarice or envy, pursues an evil course, without reflecting
on the consequences, forfeits his life and comes to a miserable
end, like a branmany duck that feeds on hailstones.
61
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" O Titan, how canst thou evade the consequences of the
murder of those ascetics dwelling in the Dandaka Forest,
enhancing their merit by the practice of virtue ?
" Even if they attain to sovereignty, the wicked, engaged in
cruel deeds, condemned by all men, do not enjoy it long, but
fall like trees whose roots have been severed.
" O Dweller in the Darkness, as in its proper season the
tree puts forth its flowers, so in die course of time evil actions
produce bitter fruit.
"As a man who swallows poison soon succumbs, so does
the sinner swiftly reap the fruits of his evil actions. It is to
put down the instigators of evil, the oppressors of others, that
I, under the orders of the King, have come hither. To-day
my shining arrows shall penetrate thy flesh, as serpents enter
an ant-heap, and thou shalt follow in the wake of those virtuous
ascetics inhabiting the forest, whom thou hast slain without
provocation. Soon those excellent sages, formerly slain by
thee, shall in their aerial chariots return to behold thee lying in
hell laid low by mine arrows. O Worst of Men, O Thou who
art of an odious race, defend thyself as thou wilt, I shall presently
cut off thine head like the fruit of a palm tree."
Hearing Rama's words, Khara, his eyes inflamed with
anger, beside himself with rage, answered mockingly : — " O
Son of Dasaratha, thou art but a common man ; yet, having
slain these insignificant titans in battle, thou dost extol thyself
without reason. Those who are brave and valiant never boast
of their prowess ; only the scum of the warrior caste praise
themselves as thou hast done. Where is the warrior who,
on the battlefield, his death imminent, would hymn his own
praise? Thou hast revealed thy worthlessness by this self-
glorification, as brass wearing the semblance of gold reveals
its true value in a fire of kusha grass.
" O Rama, armed with a mace, I stand immoveable on the
field, like a mountain enriched by precious metals. Behold
me with my mace, like unto Antaka himself, armed with his
noose, about to end thy life; I shall destroy not only thee,
but the Three Worlds ! I could utter more, but refrain, lest
our combat be intercepted as the hour of sunset is near.
Fourteen thousand titans have fallen under thy blows; by
62
ARANYA KANDA
slaying thee to-day I shall wipe away the tears of their relatives."
Speaking thus, Khara, filled with fury, hurled his marvellous
gold-encircled mace at Rama. Leaving the hand of Rhara,
that massive and effulgent mace, resembling a blazing thunder-
bolt, consuming the trees and bushes to ashes, drew near to
Rama, but he, as it was about to fall like the noose of death,
shattered it to fragments with his arrows while yet in the air.
Crushed and broken, it fell to earth like a serpent stricken
by the efficacy of herbs and the power of incantations.
chapter 30
The Death of Khara
Having intercepted and shattered that great mace with his
arrows, the ever virtuous Rama, though still wrath, spoke as
if in jest : —
" O Titan, is this the extent of thy power ? How strange
that one so deficient in prowess should boast so loudly !
Severed by my shafts, behold thy mace lies in pieces on the
earth ! Thou hast bragged to no purpose ! Didst thou not
declare : * I will wipe away the tears shed for the death of
the titans * ? Vain words ! As Garuda of old stole the nectar
of immortality, I am about to deprive thee of thy life, thou
vile and lying wretch ! The earth this day will quaff the
foaming blood issuing from thy throat, which my shafts have
severed. Soon shall thy body, covered with dust, the arms
extended, embrace the earth, as a frenzied lover embraces the
woman he has won, after long delay.
" O Obloquy of Thy Race, on thy death the Dandaka Forest
will become a refuge for those who are themselves a refuge ;
my shafts will rid the forest of all titans and the ascetics will
wander about there without fear. To-day the titan women
in sore distress, weeping and terrified, will fly this place. They
who inspired terror in others, having evil-doers such as thou
as their consorts, shall to-day taste the pangs of sorrow ! O
cruel, fallen and false-hearted Wretch, in fear of whom the
63
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sages, tremble as they pour forth their oblations into the
sacred fire."
As Raghava, swayed by anger, uttered these words, Khara,
foaming with rage, began to hurl abuses at him, saying : —
" Verily, despite thy boasting thou art filled with terror
and in the face of death dost not know whether to speak or to
be silent. Those about to die lose the power of their five
senses and no longer know what is right and wrong."
Having spoken thus, that Ranger of the Night, Khara,
scowling, looked round him for a weapon and, perceiving a
great palm tree near at hand, forcibly uprooted it and whirling
it with terrific energy hurled it at Rama, roaring : " Now thou
art slain ! "
Thereupon, Raghava with his weapon cut that tree to pieces
and in an access of rage resolved to slay Khara. His body
covered with sweat, his eyes inflamed, he pierced Khara with
innumerable darts, so that rivers of blood gushed from his
wounds, as do the torrents from the mountain Prasravana.
Stupefied by Rama's arrows and maddened by the smell of
blood, Khara rushed at Rama, who, seeing him approach full
of fury and covered with gore, retreated a few paces ; then,
in order to slay him, he selected an arrow that shone like fire,
resembling the Rod of Brahma. And that righteous One dis-
charged that shaft at Khara, which had been conferred on
the Sage Agastya by Indra, and like a thunderbolt it struck
his breast so that he, consumed by the flame issuing there-
from, fell to the ground. As Rudra with his third eye con-
sumed the demon Andhaka in the forest of Sweta, as Vritra
was slain by the thunderbolt, as Namuchi by the foam, as
Bal by Indra's mace, so did Khara fall.
Then the Gods and the Charanas assembled and, amazed
and delighted, struck their drums, showering flowers on Rama
and saying : — " In this great conflict Raghava, by means of his
pointed shafts, has in an instant slain fourteen thousand
demons, able to change their shape at will, with their generals,
Khara and Dushana. Great indeed is this exploit of Rama,
versed in the science of the Self. What valour ! His prowess
resembles that of Vishnu himself ! "
Saying this, the Gods returned from whence they had come.
64
ARANYA KANDA
Thereafter the Rajarishis and Paramarishis, accompanied by
Agastya, joyfully paid homage to Rama and said : —
" It was for this that the Slayer of Paka, the mighty Purandara,
visited the hermitage of the Sage Sharabhanga. It was for
this that the great Rishis brought thee to this place, O Prince,
that thou mightest compass the destruction of the titans of
evil deeds. Thou hast fulfilled thy mission amongst us, O
Son of Dasaratha ; from to-day the virtuous sages may per-
form their devotions in the Dandaka Forest in peace."
Then that hero, Lakshmana, accompanied by Sita, issued
from the mountain cavern and joyfully entered the hermitage,
and the victorious and heroic Rama, honoured by the great
Sages, returned to the ashrama, where Lakshmana paid h'tn
obeisance.
Seeing her consort returning victorious, having brought
felicity to the ascetics, the happy Vaidehi embraced him.
Beholding those hosts of demons slain, and that Destroyer of
Enemy Hosts worshipped by the magnanimous sages, the
daughter of Janaka began to minister to her lord and full
of joy, embracing him afresh in her delight, experienced supreme
happiness.
CHAPTER 31
Havana hears of the Death of Khara and determines to slay Rama
The Titan Akampana, speedily leaving Janasthana, repaired to
Lanka in order to seek out Ravana, addressing him thus : —
" O King, the innumerable titans dwelling in Janasthana
have perished and Khara himself has fallen on the field of
battle; by some chance, I have been enabled to reach this
place alive."
Hearing these words, Ravana, his eyes growing red with
anger, bent his gaze on Akampana as if he would consume
him, and said : —
" Who, seeking his own destruction, has dared to exter-
minate my people ? None in the world will be able to protect
«5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
him, not even Indra, Kuvera, Yama or Vishnu himself. No
man can save him who has defied me ! I am the Lord of Time,
the Consumer of Fire, the death of Death itself ! In my wrath
I am able to reduce Aditya and Pavaka to ashes ! Verily I can
subdue the very wind in its course ! "
On this, Akampana, with joined palms, in a voice strangled
with terror, solicited the protection of that Ten-necked One,
who was mad with anger, whereupon that Lord of the Titans
gave him the assurance of safety, inspiring him with confidence,
and Akampana thereafter addressed him boldly, saying : —
" There is a son of King Dasaratha, who is youthful, re-
sembling a lion, broad-shouldered like unto a bull, possessing
long arms, handsome, renowned and of immeasurable prowess ;
his name is Rama ; it is he, who in Janasthana has slain Khara
and Dushana."
At these words, Ravana, King of the Titans, breathing like
a great serpent, enquired of Akampana, saying : — " O Akampana,
when he came to Janasthana was Rama accompanied by the
Leader of the Gods and all the Celestials ? "
On hearing Ravana's words, Akampana began to describe the
great and noble exploits of Raghava, saying : —
" O King, Rama is a mighty warrior, an invincible archer
and the equal of Indra himself in prowess ; his eyes are slightly
red and his voice resembles a kettledrum, his countenance is
like unto the full moon. Followed by Lakshmana, as Anila
follows Pavaka, this is the fortunate leader of monarchs who
has destroyed thy colony, as fire, fanned by the wind, con-
sumes a forest ! Rama was in no wise assisted by the Gods —
of this there is no doubt — but bis golden-winged arrows flying
through the air, transforming themselves into five-headed
snakes, destroyed the demons. O Mighty Sovereign, wherever
they fled in their terror, they beheld Rama standing before
them, and in this wise Janasthana was destroyed by him."
Hearing Akampana's words, Ravana cried out : — " I shall go
to Janasthana and slay Rama and Lakshmana ! "
Thereupon Akampana answered him, saying : —
" O King, hear from me the true measure of Rama's strength
and prowess. Supremely virtuous and brave, none in the
world is able to subdue him in his wrath. By means of his
66
ARANYA KANDA
shafts, he is able to stem a river in its course and shatter the
very firmament with its stars and planets ; nay, if the earth
were to be submerged, he could raise it up and, should he so
desire it, change the boundaries of the sea and flood the conti-
nents with its waters. He is able to subdue all creatures and
control the course of the wind itself ; indeed that foremost of
persons, having destroyed the worlds, can create a new universe.
O Ten-necked One, as a sinner is not able to enter heaven,
neither canst thou, nor thy titans, defeat Rama in combat.
The Gods and titans together cannot overcome him; yet
there is a way of destroying him, which I will now unfold
to thee.
" Rama is wedded to one more beautiful than any woman
on earth, and that slender-waisted damsel is known by the name
of Sita. In the full bloom of youth, and possessed of well-pro-
portioned limbs, she is a jewel adorned by jewels. In loveliness,
she surpasses the celestial beings, nymphs and nagas. Having
lured Rama into the forest, do thou carry her away ! Bereft
of Sita, Rama will not survive ! "
The Lord of the Rakshasas was highly gratified to hear these
words and, after a little reflection, said to Akampana : — *' Be
it so ! To-morrow, accompanied by my charioteer alone, I
shall, with a glad heart, bring back the Princess of Videha to
this spacious palace ! "
The following day, Ravana started out in his chariot, yoked
to mules, and it was bright as the sun, illumining the four
quarters. Following the path of the stars in its rapid course,
it resembled the moon itself surrounded by clouds.
Proceeding to a great distance, he approached the hermitage
of Taraka's son, Maricha, who entertained him with marvellous
dishes unknown to man. Presenting him with a seat and
water wherewith to wash his feet, that demon addressed him,
saying : — " O Lord of the Titans, is it well with thee and thy
people ? O Sovereign, being ignorant of thine intention, thine
unexpected and sudden advent fills me with apprehension ! "
Then the resplendent and eloquent Ravana answered Maricha,
saying: —
" O Friend ! Rama, who is able to achieve that from which
reason recoils, has destroyed the entire colony of Janasthana,
67 f
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
heretofore impregnable, as also my generals, Khara and
Dushana, Do thou, therefore, aid me in bearing off bis
consort, Sita."
Hearing these words of the King of the Titans, Maricha
answered : — ** O King, the man who has thus counselled thee
concerning Sita is assuredly an enemy in the guise of a friend.
By such advice, he has unquestionably affronted thee and is
envious of thy great might.
" ' Bear Sita away ! * who has uttered such words ? Who
seeks to cut off the head of the entire titan host ? Without
doubt the man who has thus counselled thee is thine enemy,
since he desires thee to extract the poison fangs of a serpent
with thy bare hands. Who is it who seeks to lead thee astray
and strikes thine head whilst thou art sleeping happily ?
" Raghava, that intoxicated elephant, may not be withstood
on the field of battle. With the lineage of an illustrious House
as his trunk, his valour the ichor, his outstretched arms the
tusks, thou art wholly unable to pit thyself against him. Do
not rouse that sleeping Hon who hunts the titans as deer, the
arrows of whose quiver are his talons, his sharp sword the jaws.
" O King of the Titans, do not hurl thyself into that dreadful
and bottomless ocean called Rama, whose bow is the crocodile,
the strength of whose arm is the quagmire, whose shafts are
the rising waves, and whose battlefield is its waters.
" O Lord of Lanka, compose thyself and return in peace to
thy capital. O Indra of Titans, continue to enjoy the company
of thy consorts, and let Rama delight in his own, in the forest."
Hearing the words of Maricha, the ten-headed Ravana
returned to the city of Lanka and re-entered his palace.
chapter 32
Skurpanakha upbraids Ravana and urges him to destroy Rama
When Shurpanakha saw those fourteen thousand titans of
dreadful deeds slain by Rama single-handed on the field of
battle, together with Khara, Dushana and Trishiras, she once
68
ARANYA KAKDA
more emitted dreadful shrieks and roared like thunder.
Perceiving the incomparable prowess of Raghava, she became
exceedingly agitated and proceeded to Lanka, Ravana's capital.
There she beheld Ravana shining in glory* surrounded by
his ministers on the terrace of his palace, like India amidst
the Maruts. Seated on his golden throne, blazing like a
flame, Ravana resembled a great fire kindled on an altar, kept
alive by sacrificial offerings. Unconquered by Gods, Gan-
dharvas, Rishis or other creatures, that warrior, who resembled
death itself with wide-open jaws, bore on his person the
wounds inflicted by the thunderbolts in the war between
Gods and titans and on his breast the marks of Airavata's tusks.
Having twenty arms, ten heads, a broad chest, wearing
gorgeous attire and bearing the marks of royalty, he was
adorned with a chain of emeralds and ornaments of fine gold
and with his great arms, white teeth and enormous mouth
resembled a mountain.
In the combat with the Gods, Vishnu had struck him a
hundred times with his discus, and he bore the marks of other
weapons from that great struggle, yet his limbs were intact
and had not been severed. He who was able to churn up the
seas, a feat not to be performed by any other, whose missiles
were the mountain crests, he the scourge of the Gods, who
transgressed every moral law, the ravisher of others' wives,
the wielder of celestial weapons, the destroyer of sacrifices,
who descended into the city of Bhogavati and subdued the
serpent Vasuki, from whom, on his defeat, he stole the gentle
consort ; he who scaled Mount Kailasha and overcame Kuvera
depriving him of his aerial chariot Pushpaka, which trans-
ported him wheresoever he desired; he who in his anger
destroyed the garden of Chaitaratha, the lotus pool and the
Nandana Grove and all the pleasurable retreats of the Gods,
and with his vast arms, resembling the peaks of ' mountains,
arrested the course of the sun and moon, twin scourgcts of
their foes, rising in splendour; practising asceticism in the
mighty forest for a thousand years he offered his heads in
sacrifice to Swyambhu and obtained the boon that neither
Deva, Danava, Gandharva, Pisacha, Pataya nor Uraga should
be able to slay him, but of man there was no mention;
69
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
proud of his strength, he stole the Soma juice, sanctified
by mantras, before its pressing by the Twice-born in the
sacrifice ; this perverse wretch, Ravana of evil deeds, slayer of
the brahmins, ruthless, pitiless, delighting in causing harm to
others, was verily a source of terror to all beings.
The titan woman beheld her brother full of power, resplendent
in gorgeous attire, adorned with celestial garlands, seated on
his throne, resembling Time at the destruction of the worlds,
that Indra of Demons, the proud descendant of Poulastya
and she, trembling with fear, in order to address him, drew
near to the Slayer of his Enemies, who was seated amidst his
counsellors. Distracted with terror and passion, Shurpanakha,
who was wont to roam everywhere unafraid, now mutilated by
the order of that magnanimous Ramachandra, displaying her
ravaged features before Ravana, whose large eyes appeared to
shoot forth flames, uttered these bitter words to him :
CHAPTER 33
Shurpanakha's Words to Ravana
Filled with anger, Shurpanakha addressed Ravana, the
Oppressor of the Worlds, in harsh accents, saying : —
" O Ravana, wholly devoted to pleasure and indulging in
every whim without scruple, thou art oblivious of the great
calamity that threatens thee. That monarch who is given up
to lust and other dissipations and who is covetous, is disregarded
by his subjects, as is the fire in the crematorium. That king
who does not fulfil his duties at the proper season brings ruin
on his state. The Prince who, committing excess, is ruled by
his consorts and readily gives credence to other's counsel, is
shunned as the mud of a river is shunned by an elephant.
Those rulers who are unable to protect their lands or reclaim
the territory wrested from them, live without glory, like moun-
tains submerged in the ocean.
" At enmity with the Gods, the Gandharvas and the Danavas,
who are masters of themselves, doing what ought not to be
done and inconstant, how art thou able to rule as king ?
70
ARANYA KANDA
" O Titan, thou art childish and thoughtless and art not
conversant with that which should be known to thee ; how
canst thou govern ? Those monarchs who have neither
emissaries, wealth nor policy at their disposal, resemble a
common man, O Prince of Conquerors ! Since kings are
informed by their spies as to what is taking place abroad, they
are said to be far-sighted. Meseems thou dost not discharge
thy duty and that the counsellors who surround thee are in-
experienced, since thou art insensible to the destruction of thy
people and their territory.
" Fourteen thousand titans of dreadful deeds with Khara
and Dushana have been slain by Rama single-handed ; Rama
of imperishable exploits has freed the ascetics of fear, estab-
lished peace in the Dandaka Forest and harassed Janasthana,
but thou, who art covetous and a slave to lust, art unaware
of the danger that threatens thy dominion. None will help
that monarch in time of peril, who is mean, violent, dissolute,
haughty and perfidious. 5iven his own relatives will overpower
a king who is excessively vain, pretentious, boastful and irascible.
That monarch who fails in his duty and, under the threat of
danger is lulled into a false security, will in time of adversity
be swept from his kingdom like a straw. Dry wood, turf or
dust have some value, but a king who is degenerate is worthless
and resembles a faded wreath or a worn-out garment. That
monarch who is vigilant however, conversant with what is
happening and virtuous, establishes his throne in perpetuity.
The king who, even while sleeping, is yet awake to the ordering
of his kingdom, who manifests his anger or approval at a fitting
time, is revered by all.
" O Thou, whose emissaries have failed to inform thee of
the great carnage among the titans, who art bereft of wisdom,
O Ravana, thou art lacking in all these great qualities.
" Disregarding others, given up to the pleasures of the
senses, not able to reap the advantage of time and place or
ctiscriminate between what is good and evil, having sacrificed
thy kingdom* thou wilt soon perish."
Reflecting on the infirmities his sister had ascribed to him,
Ravana, the Lord of the Titans, opulent, arrogant and powerful,
became absorbed in thought
7i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 34
Shurpanakha urges Ravana to slay Rama and wed Sita
Hearing Shurpanakha's bitter words, Ravana surrounded by
his ministers enquired angrily : — " Who is Rama ? What,
is his strength ? How does he look and what is the measure
of his prowess ? Why has he penetrated into the lonely and
inaccessible depths of the Dandaka Forest ? With what weapons
did he destroy the titans in that conflict, slaying Khara and
Dushana as also Trishiras ? Tell me truly, O Lovely One,
who has disfigured thee ? "
Thus addressed by the Lord of the Titans, Shurpanakha
in a transport of rage began to relate the history of Rama.
She said : " Rama, the son of King Dasaratha, resembles
the God of Love ; his arms are long, his eyes large ; clad in
robes of bark and a black antelope skin, bearing a bow encircled
with gold like unto Indra's, he lets fly blazing arrows resembling
venomous snakes. Emitting a great shout, he discharges his
formidable shafts, and in the struggle I could not distinguish
him but beheld the host being decimated under the rain of
his arrows, as the harvest is destroyed by the hail sent by
Indra. In a short space, single-handed, standing alone, he
slew fourteen thousand titans with Khara and Dushana, thus
bringing peace to the sages in the Dandaka Forest and deliver-
ing them from fear. Chivalrous of soul, Rama, the Knower of
Self, would not countenance the slaying of a woman and,
having been mutilated at his command, I escaped.
" His brother, endowed with great valour, is renowned for
his virtue ; his name is Lakshmana and he is devoted to Rama.
Full of fire, indomitable, victorious, powerful, intelligent and
wise, he is his right hand and his very life's breath. And
Rama's virtuous, tender and wedded wife, of large eyes, whose
face resembles the full moon, is ever engaged in what is pleas-
ing to her lord. With her lovely locks, well-formed nose,
beautiful shoulders and her grace and dignity, one would deem
72
ARANYA KANDA
her to be a forest divinity or Lakshmi herself. With a skin
of the colour of molten gold, nails that are rosy and long,
that surpassingly lovely woman is Sita, the slender-waisted
Princess of Videha. No woman so beautiful has ever appeared
in the world, either among the Gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas or
Kinneras. He whose wife Sita becomes and whom she will
warmly embrace will live in the world more happily than
Purandara. With her natural amiability, her marvellous
beauty, which is without equal on earth, she would prove a
worthy consort for rhfe, and thou too art fit to be her lord.
It was to bring thee this lady of shapely hips, softly rounded
breasts and charming features, that I put forth my endeavours,
when, O Mighty-armed One, I was mutilated by the ruthless
Lakshmana !
" When thou dost behold Vaidehi, whose countenance
resembles the full moon, thou shalt instantly be pierced with
the darts of the God of Love. If thou desirest to win her,
then set off speedily on thy right foot and lay siege to her
heart. If, O Ravana, my counsel meets with thine approval,
then, O King of the Titans, follow it without delay.
" Knowing the weakness of these people, O Valiant Chief
of the Titans, make Sita, who is without blemish, thy consort.
Hearing that Rama with his arrows that never missed their
mark has slain the titans established in Janasthana, and of the
death of Khara and Dushana, thou hast a duty to perform."
chapter 35
Ravana visits the Demon Markka once more
Hearing the words of Shurpanakha, causing his hair to stand
on end, Ravana dismissed his ministers and began to reflect
on what should or should not be done. Exploring the true
significance of the undertaking and weighing the desirability
and undesirability of the matter, he came to the conclusion
73
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
' Thus should I act *, and, fixed in his resolve, went secretly
to the splendid pavilion where his chariots were heldin readiness,
commanding his driver to bring out his car.
At his order, the zealous charioteer, in an instant, prepared
that superb and marvellous chariot, and Havana ascended the
golden car set with gems, that coursed wheresoever he desired,
to which mules in golden trappings, bearing the heads of
goblins, were harnessed.
Mounted on that chariot, the wheels of which made a sound
like thunder, the younger brother of Dhanada, the God of
Wealth, proceeded beside the Lord of Rivers and Streams
along the seashore.
Seated under a pure-white canopy with his white chanwaras,
his ten heads the colour of lapis, wearing ornaments of pure
gold, with ten necks and twenty arms, the younger brother of
Dhanada, the enemy of the Gods, the slayer of the foremost
among the ascetics, possessed of huge heads, like unto the
Indra of Mountains with its ten crests, appeared beautiful,
standing in his chariot, coursing at will like a mass of cloud,
crowned with lightning and accompanied by a flock of cranes.
And that Great One, endowed with prowess, beheld the
shores of the sea with its rocks and countless trees, laden with
fruit and flowers of every kind, bordered by lakes of limpid
water filled with lotuses, and spacious hermitages with their
altars and groves of plantain trees lending brilliance to the
scene, which was enhanced by blossoming Coconut, Sala,
Tala and Tamala trees.
These places had been rendered illustrious by the presence
of thousands of great Rishis of rigid penance and Nagas,
Suparnas, Gandharvas and Kinneras ; they were rendered
pleasant by Siddhas and Charanas, who were fully self-subdued
and those descendants of Brahma who derived their nutriment
from the solar rays and those who lived on a bare subsistence
such as the Ajas, Vaikhanasas, Mashas, Valakhilyas and
Marichipas.1 Countless nymphs of celestial beauty, adorned
with garlands and jewels, beguiled them with every kind of
pastime in which they excelled., and the auspicious consorts of
the Gods honoured them by dwelling amongst them, whilst
1 See under ' ascetics ' in Glossary.
74
ARANYA KANDA
Danavas and other Celestial Beings who fed on Amrita fre-
quented that place. Swans, cranes, pelicans and waterfowl
disported themselves on the emerald sward, wet and shining
with the sea mist; spacious cars festooned with celestial
garlands from which strains of sweet music issued, flew here
and there at the will of those who had conquered the worlds
by their austerities, together with Gandharvas and Apsaras.
Ravana surveyed countless forests of sandalwood, whose
roots were full of fragrant sap, delighting the olfactory sense,
and groves of excellent Agallocha and Takkola trees with pear
trees and bushes of black pepper and heaps of pearls lying on
the shore, and coral reefs and gold and silver promontories,
tumbling cataracts of crystal water and cities filled with grain
and treasure, where the pearls of womanhood could be seen
and which were thronged with horses, elephants and chariots.
On the shores of the ocean, the Lord of the Titans beheld
a level and charming spot over which cool breezes blew
resembling heaven itself, in the centre of which grew a great
fig tree, like a bright cloud, where many sages sheltered, and
on every side its branches stretched to a distance of several
yojanas. It was there that the mighty Garuda brought a huge
elephant and a giant tortoise in his claws, wishing to devour
them among the branches, but the bough broke under the
weight of that enormous bird, and the Vaikhanasas, Mashas,
Valakhilyas, Marichipas Ajas and Dhumras being assembled
there, Garuda had compassion on them and transported the
branch together with the elephant and tortoise in one claw
to a distance of one hundred yojanas, where that excellent
bird regaled himself on their flesh.
Destroying the empire of the Nishadas with the severed
branch, thus delivering the sages, his joy was re-doubled and
his energy increased, whereupon filled with strength he resolved
to steal the Nectar of Immortality. Having broken the iron
bars, he entered the jewelled keep and bore away the Amrita
from that place where it had been hidden by the mighty Indra.
It was this same Nyagrodha tree, frequented by groups of
great sages, that still bore the marks of Suparna and was called
' Subhadra *, that the younger brother of Dhanada now saw
before him.
75
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Passing over to the further side of that Lord of the Waters,
the Ocean, Ravana saw a solitary hermitage, an ancient and
holy retreat in the middle of a forest. There he found the
Demon Maricha clad in a black antelope skin, wearing matted
locks and given up to the practice of asceticism.
Ravana having approached him, Maricha, according to
tradition, entertained him in many ways not known to man.
Placing pure food and water before his sovereign, he humbly
addressed him saying : —
" Is all well with Lanka, O Chief of the Titans ? With what
purpose hast thou come hither again so speedily ? "
On hearing this enquiry, the mighty and eloquent Ravana
answered in this wise : —
chapter 36
Ravana reveals his Project to the Demon Maricha
" O Maricha, listen to me as I relate everything to thee ! O
My Child, I am deeply afflicted and thou alone canst temper
my distress !
" Thou art conversant with Janasthana, it was there that my
brother Khara, the long-armed Dushana, my sister Shur-
panakha and the powerful Trishiras and other flesh-eating
titans, prowlers of the night, had at my command taken up
their residence, in order to harass the sages in that vast forest,
who were engaged in their austerities.
" Fourteen thousand titans of terrible deeds, full of courage
and supremely skilled, dwelt in Janasthana under the leadership
of Khara. These powerful warriors assembled there, met
with Rama in the field. Furnished with every kind of weapon,
clad in mail, and headed by Khara, they were assailed by the
infuriated Rama, without a single provocative word having
been uttered, who directed the arrows of his bow against
them, and under the fiery darts of a mere mortal, fighting
single-handed and on foot, those fourteen thousand titans of
great prowess fell ; Khara perished in that struggle and Dushana
76
ARANYA KANDA
was laid low with Trishiras also j peace was thus established in
the Dandaka Forest.
" Having been exiled to the forest with his wife by an out-
raged sire, that insignificant mortal, Rama, the obloquy of the
warrior class, a man without moral principle, ruthless,
passionate, fanatical, acquisitive and a slave to his senses,
dwells in his hermitage, having forsworn his duty. Essentially
unjust, seeking to harm others without cause, depending on
his own strength alone, he has mutilated my sister by cutting
off her ears and nose.
" I have resolved to carry off his consort, Ska, by force, who
resembles a daughter of the Gods, and I now solicit thine aid
in this undertaking. O Hero, I with my brothers have nothing
to fear from the Gods, therefore do thou accompany me as
a loyal ally; O Titan; thou hast no equal in pride and courage
in battle and in strategy ; thou art also a master, being versed
in the laws of magic.
" Learn from me how thou canst best assist me ! Assuming
the form of a golden deer, flecked with silver, do thou pass to
and fro near Rama's hermitage in the presence of Sita. Seeing
that lovely doe, assuredly Sita will say to her lord and
Lakshmana : — ' Do ye capture it ! *
" When they are far distant and, by good fortune, Sita is
left alone, I shall bear her away without hindrance, as Rahu
devours the splendour of the moon. The abduction of his
consort will cause Rama to die of grief, and I shall regain my
happiness and security in a heart wholly satisfied ! "
Hearing these words concerning Sita, the benevolent features
of Maricha wilted with terror and, passing his tongue over
his dry lips, with a fixed gaze like unto one dead, he regarded
Ravana. Filled with dread, knowing well the defence of the
forest to be valiantly upheld by Rama, with joined palms
Maricha addressed Ravana in words tending to his welfare : —
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 3 7
Markka seeks to persuade Ravana from his Purpose
Hearing the words of that Sovereign of the Titans, the wise
and eloquent Maricha answered him, saying : —
" O King, those who have recourse to flattery are easy to
find, but rare are those who are willing to listen to that speech
which is severe yet salutory. Assuredly thou dost not know
Rama and art not conversant with his great qualities, which
equal those of Mahendra and Varuna.
" Thou art thoughtless and thy spies are incompetent ; how
canst thou dwell in security with thy titans, O Friend ? Is
not Rama in his wrath able to rid the world of titans ? Will
not the daughter of Janaka prove to be that which will determine
thy death ? Will not Sita become the cause of a great catastrophe?
" Will not the city of Lanka perish with thee and thy titans,
since it has thee who followest the dictates of thy passions,
who art a slave to thy senses and who knowest no restraint,
as its lord ? An unprincipled monarch, such as thou, is the
slave of his desires and in his perversity heeds only evil counsels,
thus placing his subjects and his kingdom in jeopardy.
" Rama has neither been disowned by his sire, nor is he
unfaithful to his duty, nor is he avaricious nor wicked, nor the
obloquy of the warrior caste. The son of Kaushalya is neither
void of loyalty nor of other virtues, nor is he given to anger,
nor does he seek to harm others. Knowing his father to be
deceived by Kaikeyi, yet filled with filial devotion he said ' I
will redeem his pledge ' and went into exile to the forest.
To please Kaikeyi and his father Dasaratha, he renounced his
throne and prerogatives in order to enter the Dandaka Forest.
Rama is neither passionate nor is he an ignorant man, whose
senses are unsubdued ; what has been related to thee is false
and should never have been uttered. Rama is duty personified;
he is virtuous, and this great hero is the Lord of the World,
as Indra is the Chief of the Gods. By virtue of her chastity and
her devotion, Vaidehi protects Rama as Prabha the Sun, how
78
ARANYA KANDA
canst thou think of bearing her away by force ? Do not enter
the inextinguishable fire of Rama, who on the battlefield
employs his shafts as names and his bow as fuel. No matter
how great thine anger, it behoveth thee not to approach that
invincible warrior, bearing his bow, his countenance inflamed
with ire, furnished with every weapon, the Destroyer of his
Foes !
" Unless thou art willing to forfeit thy kingdom, thine
happiness and life itself, that is dear to all, do not approach
Rama, who resembles Antaka himself. How canst thou bear
away the daughter of Janaka from the forest, who is protected
by Rama's bow of immeasurable power ? The beloved spouse
of that Lion among Men, whose chest is broad, is dearer to
him than his own life, and she is wholly devoted to him. The
Princess of Mithila of slender waist will never be torn from
the arms of that great warrior who resembles a flame in a lit
brazier.
" Why enter upon such a vain endeavour, O Great King ?
Should Rama single thee out on the battlefield, all would be
over with thee. Since it concerns thy life, thy fortune and
thy kingdom, heretofore invincible, take counsel with thy
ministers with Bibishana at their head. In honour reflect and
weigh carefully the merits and demerits, gain and loss, of this
matter. Compare thy valour with that of Raghava ! Con-
sider what is to thine advantage and then do what thou thinkest
right. It does not appear fitting to me, that thou shouldst
meet the son of the King of Koshala on the battlefield. I
counsel thee for thine own good, O King of the Night Rangers!"
CHAPTER 38
Maricha describes his first Encounter with Rama
" O King, formerly I possessed great powers and ranged the
earth in a body resembling a mountain, endowed with the
strength of a thousand elephants. In colour like a dark cloud,
wearing bracelets of fine gold, my brow encircled by a diadem,
79
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
armed with a club, I sowed terror in the hearts of all creatures.
" Wandering in the Dandaka Forest, I fed on the flesh of
ascetics, and the great and virtuous Sage Vishwamitra, alarmed,
went in person to King Dasaratha and addressed that Indra
among men, saying : — ' Let Rama protect me with vigilance
on the day of sacrifice ! O Chief of Men, I fear Maricha
exceedingly.'
" To these words, the righteous monarch Dasaratha answered
that illustrious ascetic, Vishwamitra, saying : — ' Raghava is not
yet twelve years old and is not skilled in the use of weapons,
but I myself will lead an army composed of four angas1 against
those Prowlers of the Night, O Thou Best of Ascetics and will
destroy thine adversary in accord with thy desire ! '
" Thus addressed by the King, Vishwamitra answered : —
" * Verily thou wert the refuge of the Gods and thine exploits
are renowned in the Three Worlds, yet, however powerful
thine army, none but Rama on this earth has the power to
overcome these demons. Do thou therefore remain here, O
Scourge of Thy Foes ! Though still a child, Rama is fully
able to subdue the demons, I shall therefore take him with
me ; may all be well with thee ! '
" Having spoken thus, the Sage Vishwamitra, highly gratified,
took the king's son with him to his hermitage.
" In the forest of Dandaka he initiated the traditional sacrifices,
whilst Rama, with his bow strung in readiness, remained close
at hand. Yet a child, with his dark skin of bluish hue and his
shining glances, clothed in a simple tunic, bearing his bow,
his locks tied in a knot, wearing a golden chain, he illumined
the Dandaka Forest with his radiance, like unto the new moon
about to rise.
" At that instant, full of power and proud of the boons won
from Brahma, shining like a cloud and wearing golden earrings,
I entered the hermitage. Seeing me, Rama took up his
arrow and placed it on the string of his bow with care. In
mine ignorance I passed him by, deeming him to be but a
child and rushed towards the altar where Vishwamitra stood.
Thereupon Rama let loose a sharp arrow fatal to his foes,
and striking me, hurled me into the sea, a distance of a hundred
1 Divisions — see Glossary.
ARANYA KANDA
yojanas ! O Friend, the valiant Rama, having no wish to kill
me, spared my life, but overwhelmed by the violence of the
blow I lost consciousness and was thrown into the depths of
the sea. After a long while, recovering my senses, I returned
to Lanka. Though my life had been spared, yet my companions,
who went to mine aid were all slain by the child Rama of
imperishable deeds, who proved himself a master in the science
of archery.
" If, setting me aside, thou dost pit thyself against him, then
thou shalt surely draw down an immediate, dreadful and
inescapable retribution, not to be eschewed.
" The titans who know of nought but diversions and enter-
tainments of every kind and who dream only of assemblies and
festivities will be plunged in fruitless misery.
" On account of Sita, the City of Lanka, with its temples
and palaces, encrusted with every kind of gem, will be razed
to the ground under thine eyes.
" Even those who are pious and innocent, suffer for the
misdeeds of others through their contact, as fish in a snake*
infested lake.
" Their limbs perfumed with divine sandal-paste, wearing
celestial ornaments, thou shalt see the titans lying on the earth
on account of thy folly. The survivors with their consorts,
save those who have been borne away, will flee in all directions,
unable to find refuge. Under a hail of arrows, ringed in
flames, thou shalt see the edifices of Lanka burnt to ashes.
" O King, there is no greater sin than consorting with
another's wife; thou hast thousands of concubines in thy
train ; therefore, cleaving to thy lawful consorts, preserve thy
line, thine honour, fortune, kingdom and thy life. If thou
desirest to live happily with thy wives and friends, do not enter
into conflict with Rama.
" If, despite my friendly counsels, thou dost bear Sita away
by force, then thou and thy kinsmen, together with thine
whole army will surely descend to the region of Yama under
Rama's deadly shafts."
THE RAA1AYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 39
Marietta again seeks to dissuade Ravana from pursuing his Design
" O Ravana I have told thee how my life was spared ; now
hear what happened further.
" X was in no way daunted by this event and, accompanied
by two demons, I entered the forest of Dandaka disguised as
a deer. There I roamed about living on the flesh of ascetics,
visiting the sacred retreats, the sacrificial fires and places of
worship, sowing terror amongst the sages, whom I persecuted.
Growing exceedingly rapacious, I slew those ascetics, drinking
their blood and devouring their flesh, my cruelty rendering
me the terror of all the inhabitants of the forest.
" As I roamed here and there throwing obstacles in the
way of the religious rites, Z encountered Rama living a life of
asceticism with the blessed Sita and the mighty Lakshmana,
engaged in pious practices and devoted to the welfare of all.
" Filled with contempt for the mighty Rama, who had
retired to the forest, and reflecting : ( So he has now become
an ascetic,' I, remembering my former defeat, rilled with
anger, rushed at him with lowered horns, in my folly desiring
to kill him. But he, swift as Suparna or Anila, drawing his
great bow, loosed three sharp and deadly arrows, and these
dread shafts with burnished points resembling lightning, flew
off as one, thirsting for blood.
" Knowing Rama's skill and prowess from former times and
.recognising the peril in which I stood, I ran away and escaped,
but the two titans who accompanied me were slain. Having
with supreme difficulty evaded Rama's arrows thus preserving
my life, I retired to this place, adopting the path of an ascetic
and practising Yoga. From that day, I behold Rama, clothed
in bark, wearing a black antelope skin, bearing his bow, in
every tree, like unto the God of Death himself carrying his
noose ! In my terror, I see thousands of Ramas, O Ravana I
The whole forest assumes the form of Rama and even in
82
ARANYA KANDA
deserted places I behold him .' O Chief of the Titans, in sleep
also he appear to me and I start up in fear. Such is the terror
he inspires in me, that even those words beginning with the
syllable * Ra ', such as * Ratna '] and * Ratha V fill me with
alarm.
" Having recognized the prowess of that descendant of Raghu,
I am persuaded that thou art not able to withstand him in
combat, when even Bali and Namuchi succumbed to him.
Whether thou dost enter into conflict with him or makest thy
peace, do not speak his name to me, if thou wouldst see me live!
" In this world, there are countless virtuous souls engaged
in the practice of Yoga, fulfilling their every duty, who yet
perish with those about them through another's fault. I too,
therefore, should be doomed to die for another's misdeeds !
O Ranger of the Night, do what thou deemest to be right,
but follow thee I will not. Truly Rama, who is full of zeal,
courage and prowess, will prove to be the destroyer of the
titans of this world. Though the wicked-minded Khara of
Janasthana was slain by him on account of Shurpanakha,
how, in truth, is he to blame for that ?
" I have uttered these words for thy good and the good of
thy kinsmen ; if thou disregardest them, thou and thy people
will assuredly perish in combat with Rama ! "
chapter 40
Havana's Wrath
As one about to die refuses a remedy, so did Ravana repudiate
Maricha's judicious and opportune words and, having listened
to this salutory discourse, replied in harsh and ill-considered
accents, saying : —
" Thou Wretch, what thou hast spoken will bear no fruit,
as seed that is sown on barren soil comes to nought, nor will
it alter my determination to enter into combat with Rama,
who is but a witless and insignificant creature.
' Ratna — Necklace.
• Ratha— Chariot.
83
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" In thy presence I shall bear away the beloved wife of
Rama, the slayer of Khara, who has renounced father, mother,
kingdom and friends for a woman of no account. O Maricha,
my mind is fixed ; neither Gods nor titans nor Indra himself
can alter my resolve.
" It is proper, when asked, to put forward the advantages
and disadvantages of a project and what will best serve or
injure a purpose ; a wise minister, questioned by his sovereign,
seeking his master's good, will answer with due deference,
standing before him with joined palms, in words fitting to the
occasion, but a gloomy discourse does not please a monarch,
who, having regard to his dignity, is thereby affronted.
" Kings of limitless power represent the five Gods : Agni,
Indra, Soma, Yama and Varuna, symbolising ardour, valour,
gentleness, retribution and forgiveness ; therefore at all times
they should be honoured and revered. Thou, nevertheless,
disregarding thy duty, dost only manifest arrogance. Thou to
whom I have come as a guest hast treated me as a miscreant.
I have not consulted thee regarding what is expedient or
proper, O Titan, I ask thee for thy support in this enterprise.
Hear how thou canst assist me.
" Assuming the form of a golden deer studded with silver,
proceed to Rama's hermitage and pass to and fro before
Vaidehi ; after captivating her, thou canst depart. Seeing thee
transformed into a deer by thy magic power, Vaidehi struck
with wonder, will instantly call on Rama to capture thee.
When Kakutstha is far away, having left the hermitage, do
thou, imitating his voice, utter such cries as : ' O Sita ! O
Lakshmana ! '
" At this call, urged on by Sita, Saumitri, in fraternal love,
being perturbed, will hastily follow in Rama's wake. Kakutstha
and Lakshmana being both far distant, I shall bear Sita away,
as the thousand-eyed God carried off Sachi. Having accom-
plished this according to my design, I shall confer half my
kingdom on thee, O Titan.
H O Friend, do thou pursue the path which leads to the
success of this enterprise and I will follow in my chariot.
Obtaining possession of Sita without a struggle by deceiving
Rama, I shall return to Lanka with thee, my purpose fulfilled.
84
ARANYA KANDA
" If thou dost not obey me, even against thine inclination,
O Maricha, I shall slay thee instantly ! I shall compel thee!
None can attain happiness and prosperity by opposing his
sovereign's will. Verily by coming before Rama thou dost risk
thy life, but certain death awaits thee if thou oppose me;
therefore reflect carefully on what is most expedient, and do
what thou deemest proper."
chapter 41
Maricha counsels Havana further
Thus commanded by the imperious King of the Titans,
Maricha replied in bold and fearless tones, saying : —
" What wretch has counselled thee to take this course, which
will lead to thine extinction, together with thy children, thy
kingdom and thy counsellors, O Ranger of the Night? O
King, who is that evil person, envious of thy good fortune,
who seeks to open the portals of death to thee ? Assuredly he
is thine enemy, who in his impotence plots thy defeat under
the blows of a superior antagonist. What miscreant of evil
intent seeks to propel thee along the path of self-destruction ?
The counsellors, who do not dissuade thee from thy fell design,
merit death and yet live. Upright ministers ever restrain a
king, who following his own desires, enters on an evil path.
Thou who should thus be guided art blind.
" By the grace of their sovereign, ministers attain justice,
profit, pleasure and renown, but these objects are never found,
O Ravana, if a king be lacking in virtue, and his people suffer
nought but misfortune.
" O Thou, Foremost of Conquerors, the king is the root of
the righteousness and good repute of his subjects, he should
therefore always be protected by them. No kingdom survives
under a sovereign who is violent, overbearing and intemperate,
O Ranger of the Night. Those ministers who counsel violence
perish with their chief, as a chariot is precipitated into an
abyss by a reckless driver. Many pious persons in this world,
85
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
engaged in their duties, have met with destruction with their
relatives through the fault of others. A cruel despot is as unable
to protect his subjects as a jackal is unable to defend a herd
of deer. The titans, whose lord thou art, foolish, ruthless and
a slave to thy passions, are doomed.
"It is not I who should be pitied for this unexpected
calamity that has overtaken me, but thou, who with thine
army will soon meet with destruction. Having been struck
down by Rama, he will speedily despatch thee. My mission
accomplished, I shall meet my death under the blows of thine
adversary. Rest assured that I shall perish as soon as I appear
before Rama and know well that the abduction of Sita will
cost thee thy life as well as that of thy kinsmen.
" If thou succeedest in bearing Sita away from the hermitage
with mine aid, it is the end of thee, of Lanka and of the titans.
" Though seeking thy good and desiring to be of assistance
to thee, thou dost disregard my words, as those for whom the
last hour has struck do not heed the counsel of their friends."
CHAPTER 42
Marietta assuming the form of a Deer goes to the Hermitage
Having addressed these bitter words to Ravana, Maricha, full
of apprehension, said : — " Let us go, but know that when I
come before that warrior furnished with arrows, sword and
bow, which he will wield to my destruction, my life is forfeit !
Nay, he who opposes Rama will not return alive ! For thee
he will prove the Rod of Death and thou shalt fall beneath his
blows. In what way can I further thine evil design ? Yet
I will go. May prosperity attend thee, O Ranger of the Night! "
Highly gratified by these words, Ravana, embracing him
warmly, addressed him in honeyed accents, saying : —
" This magnanimity is worthy of thee ; now that thou art
willing to accede to my request I know thee truly to be Maricha;
heretofore another demon addressed me. Do thou with me
ascend my winged chariot, encrusted with gems, to which
86
ARANYA KANDA
mules with goblins' heads are harnessed. Having captivated
Vaidehi in accord with my desire, fly thence, and she, being
left alone, will be forcibly borne away by me."
" Be it so ", answered Tataka's son, whereupon Ravana
mounted the chariot resembling a celestial car, and leaving that
solitary place set out with all speed. Looking down on many
villages, forests, mountains, rivers, kingdoms and cities, they
finally reached the forest of Dandaka in which Rama's hermitage
stood. Descending from the golden car, the Lord of the
Titans, accompanied by Maricha, beheld Rama's retreat and
taking that demon by the hand, Ravana said to him : —
" Here is Rama's hermitage shaded by palm trees ; now
accomplish the purpose for which we have come hither."
Hearing Ravana's words, Maricha in an instant transformed
himself into a deer and began to pace to and fro before Rama's
hermitage.
Assuming a marvellous form, wonderful to behold, the
points of his horns studded with gems, his skin dappled, his
mouth like a red lotus, his ears azure-tinted, his neck out-
stretched, his belly of a sapphire hue, his hanks the colour of
the Madhuka flower, shining like the filaments of the Kanja
flower, his hoofs like emerald, his legs slender and well-
proportioned, his haunches gleaming with all the colours of
the rainbow, that demon in an instant had become a ravishing
gazelle of iridescent hue, studded with every kind of gem, of
exceeding beauty. The whole forest and Rama's enchanting
retreat were rilled with the radiance of that form, wonderful
to behold, that had been assumed by the titan.
In order to capture the glances of Vaidehi with his shimmering
colours, he strayed here and there in the grass among the
flowers. His skin was stippled with hundreds of silver spots,
giving him an enchanting appearance, as he wandered about
nibbling the green shoots of the trees.
Approaching the circle of palm trees, he passed slowly here
and there between the Karnikara trees in the hermitage, some-
times appearing in full view of Sita. That charming fawn of
many colours strayed hither and thither in the vicinity of
Rama's ashrama, coming and going at will, sometimes dis-
appearing into the distance, then drawing near again, gambolling
87
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
playfully, thereafter crouching on the earth, or following a
herd of deer ; then again it would appear at their head, and
by every means this titan, in the form of a gazelle describing
a thousand frolicsome circles, sought to attract the attention
of Sita. The other fawns, approaching, snuffed its scent
and then scattered in all directions, but that demon, who
formerly had taken delight in slaying them, now, in order
not to betray his real nature, abstained from molesting those
who approached him.
Meantime Vaidehi of brilliant glances was engaged in
gathering flowers, diverting herself in the midst of the Karnikara,
Ashoka and Cuta trees that she loved so well. As she wandered
here and there plucking the blossoms, that princess of tender
looks, who did not merit exile in the forest, saw before her the
fawn studded with precious gems, its limbs encrusted with
diamonds and pearls. Beholding that doe, with its beautiful
teeth and tips, its skin the colour of silver, the slender-waisted
Sita opened her eyes wide in wonder and delight, and the
marvellous fawn, seeing Rama's beloved consort, continued to
pace to and fro before her, illumining the forest. Looking at
that deer, never before seen by man, Sita, the daughter of
Janaka, was amazed.
CHAPTER 43
Sita is enamoured of the Fawn
Then the lovely Sita, of flawless limbs and skin of a pure
golden hue, gathering flowers, beheld that ravishing fawn with
gold and silver flanks, and highly delighted called to her Lord
and Lakshmana, who were furnished with weapons, saying : —
" O Prince, do thou come quickly with thy younger brother ! "
Thus she cried again and again, while continuing to watch the
deer, and at her call those two lions among men, Rama and
Lakshmana turned their eyes in that direction and beheld the
fawn.
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ARANYA KANDA
Astounded, Lakshmana exclaimed : — " Undoubtedly the
titan Maricha has assumed the form of a deer. Kings who
hunt in the forest, lured by this deceptive snape, are slain by
him and, O Rama, this brilliant fawn, whose radiance rivals
the sun, is the device of a magician ; such a deer does not
exist on earth, O Master of the World, it is an illusion, born
of cunning."
As Lakshmana was speaking thus, Sita with a delighted
smile interrupted him and being wholly captivated by this
phantom, said : —
" O Son of a King, this marvellous fawn has taken possession
of my heart ; take it captive, O Great Warrior, it will serve as
a plaything. Many beautiful creatures, lovely to look upon,
range the forest in the vicinity of our hermitage, such as
Chamaras, Srimaras and Rikshas, while troops of Prishatas,
Vanaras and Kinneras disport themselves here, but O Long-
armed Heroes full of grace and strength, I have never seen
a wild creature whose brilliance and gentle nimble ways are
equal to this wonderful fawn's. With its slender many-coloured
body encrusted with gems, it illumines the whole forest around
me with a lustre resembling the moon's. What beauty !
What resplendence ! What grace ! What radiance ! This
marvellous fawn with its graceful limbs possesses me utterly.
If thou art able to capture it alive, it will prove an object of
supreme wonder in the hermitage and when our exile is over
it will be an ornament to the palace of the queens.
" O Lord ! Prince Bharata and my mothers, seeing this
celestially beautiful deer, will be struck with amazement. If
thou art not able to capture this wonderful fawn alive, its
skin will be most precious, O Lion among Men. I shall delight
to sit on its golden hide, strewn with kusha grass. I crave
pardon if this cruel wish may seem unworthy of a woman,
but the beauty of the deer excites my admiration ! "
This graceful creature with its golden skin, its horns set
with precious gems, shilling tike the rising sun or the Milky
Way, captivated Rama himself, who, hearing Ska's words,
yielded to her wish and gaily addressed Lakshmana, saying : —
" O Lakshmana, mark how this deer has excited Vaidehi's
desire. On account of its supreme beauty this fawn will lose
89
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
its life to-day. Neither in the forest, nor in the region of
Nandana, nor in the solitude of Chaitaratha, nor anywhere on
earth does such a fawn exist.
" See how, whichever way its velvety striped skin is brushed,
it glistens. When it opens its mouth, its tongue shoots forth
like a bright name in a lit brazier or lightning from a cloud.
With its head of emerald and crystal, its belly shining like
mother of pearl, whose heart would it not steal away with its
indescribable beauty ? Who, on beholding this divine apparition,
shining like gold, covered with every kind of gem, would not
be charmed?
" It is for food and sport that kings, bearing their bows,
hunt wild beasts in the forest, and many treasures of different
kinds are found there by chance, such as pearls, diamonds and
gold, increasing man's possessions, surpassing the imagination
of Indra, and, O Lakshmana, this is the wealth spoken of by
those who are versed in the Artha-Shastra.
" The slender-waisted Vaidehi will sit with me on the fleece
of that marvellous deer ; neither the skin of Kadali, Priyaka,
Prabeni or Abiki compares in texture to that of this deer.
Truly exquisite, this gazelle and its counterpart1 in the heavens
are both divine, the one amongst the stars and the other on
earth, yet if thou art certain that this is an illusion created by
the titan, O Lakshmana, I will destroy it. That cruel and
evil-souled Marietta slew many great ascetics ranging in the
forest ; innumerable kings, armed with bows, hunting here,
have fallen under his assaults when he assumed the shape of an
illusive deer ; let us therefore end his life.
"Formerly Vatapi oppressed the Sages here also, and,
entering their stomachs, emerged, riving them, as the embryo
of a mule may cause the death of its mother. One day that
demon encountered the great Sage Agastya, gifted with divine
powers and was devoured by him when presented in the
form of an offering by his brother Ilwali ; when the repast
was concluded that titan called out * Vatapi come forth ' but
the excellent Rishi, addressing Ilwali with a smile, said : —
" ' Since being blinded by thy power, many illustrious sages
1 This refers to the fifth lunar constellation Mrigashira, said to resemble a
deer.
ARANYA KANDA
have fallen victim to thee on this earth; thy brother is now
wholly consumed by me.'
" O Lakshmana, this titan will also be annihilated like
Vatapi for having set me at nought, who am fixed in my duty
and master of my senses. He shall meet his end, as did
Vatapi who defied Agastya. Do thou remain here without
absenting thyself and guard Sita with care. It is our first
duty, O Delight of the House of Raghu ! I shall either slay
that deer or bring it back alive ; till I return with the deer,
which I shall do without delay, do thou remain here with Sita,
O Son of Sumitra. She shall have the fawn ; its skin will cost
it its life this day. Now keep watch over Sita in the hermitage.
Till with a single arrow I have brought down this dappled
fawn and slain it, do thou stay here, O Lakshmana, with the
mighty raven, Jatayu, who is strong and wise and ever engaged
in pious acts, and protect Maithili in every way."
CHAPTER 44
Rama slays Markka
Having issued this command to his brother, that invincible
warrior, the Delight of the House of Raghu, endowed with
great prowess, girded on his sword in its golden scabbard, and
taking up his triply-curved bow, his personal insignia and two
quivers filled with arrows, he set forth with long strides.
Beholding that Indra among Men, the king of the beasts in
fear disappeared only to re-appear once more.
Girt with his sword and bearing his bow in his hand, Rama
ran in the direction of the deer and beheld it in all its beauty,
close to him. Bow in hand, fixing his eyes on the fawn as it
fled into the forest, he saw it sometimes taking a single bound,
and then, in order to lure him on, allowing him to draw closer.
Timid and fearful, it would leap into the air, at times becoming
visible and then disappearing in the depths of the thickets.
As in the autumn, stray clouds pass across the moon's face,
so that she sometimes shines in all her brilliance and at others
91
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
seems far away, so appearing and disappearing, Maricha, in
the form of a deer, enticed Rama far from the hermitage.
Kakutstha found himself, despite his exertions, thus beguiled
and the fawn, feigning fatigue, would crouch in the grass or,
the better to deceive him, join a herd of deer, but when Rama
approached, it would take to flight once more, concealing
itself, only to re-appear in the distance. Sometimes, in fear,
it would make itself invisible, then, with Rama in desperate
pursuit, it would appear in a far off thicket. Thereupon
increasingly wrath, Rama drew out a death-dealing glittering
arrow more brilliant than the sun's rays and placing it firmly
on his bow, stretching it with great energy, let fly that shaft
that resembled a fiery serpent.
Loosing that flaming arrow, which resembled a lightning
flash, fashioned by Brahma himself, that marvellous shaft,
pierced the heart of Maricha, who had assumed the form of
a deer. Thereat, bounding into the air as high as a palm tree,
the titan fell mortally wounded and lay on the earth, having
but a few moments to live. On the point of death, emitting
a terrible cry, Maricha abandoned his assumed form.
Recollecting the words of Ravana and reflecting on how to
induce Sita to send away Lakshmana, so that in her isolation
she might be borne away, Maricha, deeming the moment to be at
hand, imitating Rama's voice, cried out " O Sita, O Lakshmana ! "
Stricken to the heart by that extraordinary arrow, discarding
his deer's form, Maricha took on the huge shape of a titan.
Then Rama, beholding that titan of formidable size, writhing
on the earth about to die, his limbs covered with blood,
remembered the words of Lakshmana and reflected : — " The
illusion created by Maricha, spoken of by Lakshmana is
manifest, it is Maricha whom I have slain. What will Ska
not do on hearing the cry of the stricken titan : ( O Sita, O
Lakshmana ' ? To what a pass will the mighty Lakshmana
now have come ? "
Thus did the virtuous Rama reflect, his hair standing on
end and, having slain the titan in the form of a deer and heard
his cry, a great dread seized him.
That dappled fawn being slain, Rama speedily killed and seized
the carcase of another deer and hastened towards the hermitage.
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ARANYA KANDA
CHAPTER 45
Sita sends Lakskmana to Rama's Assistance
Hearing that cry of distress, which seems to come from her
lord, Sita said to Lakshmana : —
" Dost thou not recognise the voice of Raghava ? Go quickly
and see what has befallen him. Hearing his cry, my heart is
filled with anxiety ; he must be in great peril to call out thus ;
go to the assistance of thy brother, he is in need of thee. He
has been overpowered by the titans like a bull by lions."
Recollecting Rama's command, Lakshmana withstood Sita's
appeal and did not move, whereupon Janaki, highly provoked,
said to him : —
" O Son of Sumitra, under the guise of affection thou dost
show emnity towards thy brother, since thou dost not instantly
proceed to his aid ! Because of me, Rama is about to die !
In thy desire to possess me, thou dost refuse to follow Raghava;
thou dost welcome his death and hast no affection for him.
It is for this reason that thou dost remain indifferent to his
plight ; if he is in peril, of what use is my life ? It is on his
account that I came hither,"
Thus, weeping and overcome with grief, did Vaidehi speak,
and Lakshmana answering her, who was trembling luce a
frightened doe, said : —
" O Vaidehi, neither serpents, titans, celestial beings, Gods,
giants nor demons can overcome thy lord. Assuredly, O
Princess, among Gods and Kinneras, wild beasts and goblins,
there are none who can stand against Rama in battle. O
Beautiful One, he who is equal to Indra is invincible. Do not
speak thus t I dare not leave thee alone in the forest without
Rama.
" Even the Three Worlds and the Gods, with Indra Himself
at their head, meeting Rama in combat, would be overcome
by him, therefore calm thyself and banish all fear. Thy lord
will soon return, having killed the marvellous deer ; that voice
93
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
is assuredly not his, nor that of a God ; it is an illusion, like
the city of the Gandharvas and has been produced by the
titan.
" O Vaidehi, thou hast been left in my charge by the magnani-
mous Rama. O Fair One, I dare not leave thee here alone.
We are an object of hatred to the titans since the slaying of
Khara and the destruction of Janasthana. The titans are able
to simulate the voices of others in the great forest and delight
in doing so in order to trouble the virtuous. O Vaidehi, have
no anxiety ! "
At these words, Sita, her eyes flashing with anger, answered: —
" O Thou Evil-hearted Wretch, Obloquy of thy Race, who
delightest in Rama's misfortune ! Is it a source of wonder
that a villain such as thou, perverse, whose motives are con-
cealed, should speak thus in the hour of Rama's distress ? By
an excess of perfidy, thou hast accompanied Rama to the forest
and, practising guile, lusteth after me, while assuming the form
of a friend ! Or hast thou been engaged by Bharata as his
agent? Thy design as also Bharata's, shall not succeed, O
Saumitri! How should I desire another after serving the
lotus-eyed Rama as my lord ? Rather would I yield up my life
in thy presence, O Saumitri ; without Rama, I cannot maintain
life on this earth for an instant."
Hearing these cruel words, causing him to shudder,
Lakshmana, the master of his senses, with joined palms
answered her, saying : —
" It is not for me to gainsay thee ; thou art as a goddess
to me. An ill-considered utterance from a woman causes no
surprise. Negligent in her duty, fickle and peevish, woman
is the cause of dissension between father and son ; truly I am
unable to endure these words of thine that pierce my ears
like flaming darts, O Daughter of Janaka ! 0 Vaidehi, may
all the inhabitants of the forest bear witness that to my re-
spectful address thou hast responded with such bitterness !
It will go hard with thee this day for having set me at nought,
I, who am obedient to the behests of mine elder brother !
May all the Deities protect thee, O Lady of Large Eyes !
Sinister portents present themselves to me ! May I find thee
safe when I return ! "
94
ARANYA KANDA
At these words, the daughter of Janaka began to weep and
scalding tears bathed her countenance as she answered : —
" If I am separated from Rama, I shall cast myself into the
river Godaveri ! O Lakshmana, I shall hang myself or enter
into the fire, but I shall never approach any man other than
Raghava ! "
Thus protesting before Lakshmana, Sita, distraught, beat
her breast with her hands and lamented.
In the face of her despair, Lakshmana, distressed, sought
to comfort her, but she refused to answer the brother of her
lord, whereupon he, bending low before her, set out to rejoin
Rama, looking back again and again.
CHAPTER 46
Havana approaches Sita
Stung by Sita's bitter words, Lakshmana, in his ardent desire
to rejoin his elder brother Rama, set out without further delay.
Thereupon Ravana, in the guise of a mendicant, availing
himself of the opportunity, rapidly approached the hermitage
with the purpose of seeking out Vaidehi. With matted locks,
clad in a saffron robe and carrying a triple staff and loshta,
that highly powerful one, knowing Sita to be alone, accosted
her in the wood, in the form of an ascetic, at dusk when dark-
ness shrouds the earth in the absence of the sun and moon.
Gazing on Sita, the consort of Rama, Ravana resembled Rahu
regarding Rohini in the absence of Shasi.
Beholding that monstrous apparition, the leaves of the trees
ceased to move, the wind grew still, the turbulent course of
the river Godaveri subsided and began to flow quietly. The
ten-headed Ravana, however, profiting by Rama's absence,
drew near to Sita in the guise of a monk of venerable appear-
ance while she was overcome with grief on account of her lord.
Approaching Vaidehi in an honourable guise, as Saturn
draws near to the Chitra star, Ravana resembled a deep well
95
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
overgrown with grass. He stood there gazing on the glorious
consort of Rama of incomparable beauty, Sita, with her
brilliant lips and teeth, her countenance as radiant as the full
moon, seated on a carpet of leaves, overwhelmed with grief,
weeping bitterly.
On seeing the Princess of Videha alone, clad in a yellow
silken sari, whose eyes resembled lotus petals, the titan, struck
by Kama's arrow, joyfully accosted her, feigning the gentle
accents of a brahmin. Praising her beauty, unequalled in
the Three Worlds, which caused her to resemble Shri, he
said: —
" O Thou, possessed of the brilliance of gold and silver,
who art clad in a yellow silken sari and who, like a pool of
lilies, art wreathed in garlands of fresh flowers, art thou
Lakshmi bereft of her lotus or Kirti or a nymph of graceful
aspect ? Art thou Bhuti of slender hips, or Rati disporting
herself in tht forest ?
" How even, sharp and white are thy teeth, how large thy
slightly reddened eyes with their dark pupils, how well pro-
portioned and rounded are thy thighs and how charming thy
legs, resembling the tapering trunk of an elephant! How
round and plump are thy cheeks, like unto the polished fruit
of the Tala trees ; how enchanting is thy bosom, decorated
with pearls !
" O Lady of Sweet Smiles, lovely teeth and expressive eyes,
as a river sweeps away its banks with its swift current so dost
thou steal away my heart, O Graceful One. Slender is thy
waist, glossy thine hair, thy breasts touching each other enhance
thy loveliness ; neither the consorts of the Gods, the Gan-
dharvas, the Yakshas nor the Kinneras can compare with thee.
'Till this hour, I have never seen any on earth so perfect ;
thy youth, thy beauty and thy grace are unequalled in the
Three Worlds !
" Seeing thee dwelling here in solitude distresses my heart.
Come with me ! It is not fitting that thou shouldst remain
here; this place is frequented by ruthless demons, who are
able to assume different forms at will. It is for thee to reside
in sumptuous and delightful palaces in the vicinity of pleasant
cities, surrounded by groves of sweet smelling shrubs and
96
ARANYA KANDA
green trees, where thou canst wander clad in beautiful robes,
decked in fragrant garlands, with a consort worthy of thy
beauty, O Charming One. O Dark-eyed Lady of Sweet Smiles,
art thou wedded to one of the Rudras, the Maruts or Vasus ?
Thou appearest divine to me, yet these are not the haunts of
the Gandharvas, Devas or Kinneras, but of the Titans. How
hast thou come here?
" Dost thou not fear to live amidst monkeys, lions, tigers,
deer, wolves, bears, hyenas and leopards ? O Fair One, dost
thou not tremble before those terrible elephants, maddened
with the exudation of temporal juices, in this great forest ?
Who art thou ? To whom dost thou belong ? For what reason
dost thou range the Dandaka Forest alone, which is frequented
by terrible titans ? "
With these flattering words did the evil-minded Havana
address Sita, and seeing him in the guise of a brahmin, she
entertained him with the traditional hospitality due to an
uninvited guest. Leading him to a seat, she brought water
to wash his feet and offered him food, saying : — " Be pleased
to accept this repast ! " Seeing him in the form of a Twice-
born with his loshta and saffron robe, unrecognizable in his
disguise, Sita welcomed him as a true brahmin, saying : —
" Be seated, O Brahmin, and accept this water for washing
thy feet, also this meal, composed of ripe fruits and roasted
grain, prepared for thee, which please enjoy."
Thus did she receive him with hospitable words, but Ravana,
his gaze fixed on the Princess of Mithila, determined to bear
her away, thus preparing his own destruction.
Sita, anxiously expecting the return from hunting of her
illustrious lord, with Prince Lakshmana, searched the vast
and darkening forest with her eyes but was unable to see either
Rama or his brother there.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 47
The Conversation of Ravana and Sita
Thus addressed by Ravana in the guise of a mendicant, who
had resolved to bear her away, Sita reflected : —
' This person is my guest and a brahmin ; if I do not answer
him he may curse me ! ' and thinking thus, she said: —
" May good betide thee ! I am the daughter of the high-
souled Janaka, the King of Mithila, my name is Sita and I
am the beloved consort of Rama. For twelve years, I dwelt
in the palace of Ikshwaku, where all my desires were gratified
and I enjoyed every comfort.
" In the thirteenth year, the king with the approval of his
ministers decided to enthrone Rama. All being ready for the
installation of Raghava, Kaikeyi, one of my mothers-in-law,
requested a boon of her lord. Having gratified my father-in-
law by her services, she extracted two promises from him, the
exile of my husband and the installation of her son Bharata,
saying : — ' I shall neither eat drink nor sleep if Rama is
enthroned and it will prove the end of my life.'
" The Lord of the Earth, my father-in-law, hearing her
speak thus, offered her diverse gifts, but Kaikeyi refused them.
At that time, my lord was twenty-five years old and I eighteen.
Being loyal, virtuous, honourable and devoted to the good of
all, my lord, Rama, endowed with long arms and large eyes,
was renowned throughout the world. Our rather King
Dasaratha, blinded by passion, in order to please Kaikeyi,
did not install Rama, and when he came before his sire, in
order to receive the crown, Kaikeyi addressed the following
bitter words to him : — " O Ramachandra, hear from me the
decree issued by thy father. This great kingdom is to be
given to Bharata and thou art to dwell in the forest for fourteen
years. Now go hence, and save thy sire from the sin of
perjury."
" Then the imperturbable Rama replied : * So be it * and
acted accordingly. My lord of firm vows, accustomed to give
98
ARANYA KANDA
and not to receive commands, who ever speaketh truth without
prevarication, hearing these words acquiesced and has fulfilled
his vow to the uttermost. His brother, the valiant Lakshraana,
a Lion among Men and the companion of Rama in combat,
the Destroyer of his Foes, given to asceticism, bearing his bow,
followed Rama into exile with me.
" Thus Raghava, fixed in his vow, wearing matted locks,
accompanied by myself and his younger brother, penetrated
into the depths of the forest of Dandaka. We have all three
been banished from the kingdom by Kaikeyi and, depending
on our own strength, wander about in the forest. Remain
here awhile, O Foremost of the Twice-born, my lord will soon
return with an abundance of roots and fruit and sufficient
venison, having slain deer, kine and boar. But thou, O
Brahmin, tell me who thou an and what thy name, family
and lineage. Why dost thou range the Dandaka Forest alone? "
Hearing the words of Sita, the consort of Rama, the mighty
titan replied in these harsh words : —
" O Sita, I am that Ravana, King of the Titans, in fear of
whom the world, the Gods, titans and men tremble. O
Source of Delight, since I beheld thee shining like gold, clad
in silk, my consorts have ceased to find favour with me. Do
thou become the chief queen of those countless women, stolen
away from many quarters by me.
" Lanka, my capital, set in the midst of the sea, is built on
the summit of a hill. There, O Sita, wander with me in the
groves and thus forget the forest. O Lovely One, if thou
dost become my wife, five thousand servants adorned with
diverse ornaments shall attend on thee."
The blameless daughter of Janaka, being thus addressed by
Ravana, was filled with indignation and answered that titan
with contempt, saying : —
" I am dependent on my lord, Rama, who is as steadfast
as a rock, calm as the ocean and equal to Mahendra himself,
Rama, endowed with every good quality, who resembles the
Nyagrodha tree in stature. I am dependent on that illustrious
and noble warrior, whose arms are long, whose chest is broad,
whose gait is like a lion's, nay, who resembles that king of
beasts ; to him, the greatest of men, I give my whole allegiance.
99 h
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
To Rama, whose countenance resembles the full moon, the
son of a king, master of his passions, of immeasurable renown
and power, I shall ever remain faithful.
" O Jackal, thou desirest a she-lion but art no more able to
possess me than grasp the light of the sun ! Thou Wretch,
who seekest to carry off the beloved spouse of Raghava ! Verily
thou dost imagine the trees that thou seest before thee to be
made of gold,1 that thou art seeking to draw the teeth of a
famished and courageous lion, that enemy of the deer, or
extract the fangs of a poisonous snake. Dost thou desire to
lift up the Mandara mountain with thy bare hands or live at
ease after drinking poison ? Thou dost seek to rub thine eyes
with a needle and lick a razor with thy tongue ! Thou desirest
to cross the ocean with a stone round thy neck or grasp the
sun and moon. O Thou who seekest to bear away the beloved
wife of Rama, thou art endeavouring to carry a blazing fire
in thy robe or walk on iron spikes.
" The disparity between thee and Rama is as that between
a jackal and a lion, a brook and an ocean, the nectar of the
Gods and sour barley gruel; between gold and iron, sandal and
mud, an elephant and a cat, an eagle and a crow, a peacock
and a duck, a swan and a vulture. Even shouldst thou steal
me, if that mighty archer, Rama, whose prowess is equal to
the Lord of a Thousand Eyes, still lives, thou wilt no more
be able to devour me than a fly can eat the clarified butter
into which it has fallen."
Addressing that cruel Ranger of the Night thus, the guileless
Sita shook like a leaf in the wind.
Perceiving her distress, Ravana, terrible as death, began to
boast of his race, his power, his name and his exploits, in order
to increase her fear.
* The trees of heU, said to be made of gold.
too
ARANYA KANDA
CHAPTER 48
Stta defies Ravana
Provoked by Sita's proud words, Ravana, scowling, answered
her in fierce accents : —
" O Lady of Fair Complexion, may prosperity attend thee !
I am the brother of the Lord of Wealth, my name is Ravana.
I am the mighty Dashagriva from whom, as all creatures
before death, the Gods, Gandharvas, Pisachas, Patagas and
Nagas flee in terror. I have subdued my blood-brother
Kuvera, who for a certain reason I incited to combat and who,
vanquished by me, fled in alarm from his sumptuous abode
and sought refuge on Kailasha, the Lord of Mountains.
" By virtue of my prowess I robbed him of his marvellous
chariot, Pushpaka, that moves according to one's will, and in
it I range the skies. Seeing my dread visage, the Gods with
Indra at their head flee in terror, O Maithili. Wheresoever
I roam, the wind blows temperately and the rays of the sun
resemble the moon's. Where I stay, the leaves of the trees
become motionless and the rivers cease to flow.
" Beyond the sea stands my magnificent capital, Lanka,
inhabited by powerful titans, equal to Indra's citadel, Amaravati.
" That beautiful stronghold, encircled by dazzling battle-
ments with golden ramparts and gates of emerald, is a city of
dreams.
" Filled with elephants, horses and chariots, echoing to the
sound of bugles, it is embellished by pleasant gardens planted
with diverse trees, yielding fruit of every desirable taste.
O Sita, OThou Daughter of a King, in that city thou shalt dwell
with me, forgetting the lot of mortal women. There thou
shalt taste celestial delights ! O Lady of exquisite countenance,
think of Rama no more, who is but human and whose end is
near. Placing his beloved son on the throne, King Dasaratha
sent his heir of negligible prowess to the forest. What
wouldst thou with that Rama, deprived of his kingdom, living
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
as an ascetic in solitude, O Large-eyed Beauty ? I, the Lord
of all the titans, have come to thee in person, pierced by the
shafts of the God of Love. It does not befit thee to disregard
me. O Timid Lady, if thou dost pass me by, thou wilt repent,
like Urvashi, who thrust away Puraravas with her foot. Rama
is but a mortal and not equal to even a finger of mine in combat.
By good fortune I have come to thee ; do thou therefore yield
thyself to me, O Fair One."
At these words, Vaidehi, her eyes flashing with anger,
though alone, answered that Lord of the Titans boldly, saying: —
" Since thou claimest to be the brother of the God, Kuvera,
who is held in veneration by all the Celestials, how dost thou
dare to commit this infamous deed, O Ravana ? Undoubtedly
all the titans will meet with destruction, having so cruel,
senseless and lustful a person as thee as their sovereign. The
ravisher of Indra's consort, Sachi, may survive, but he who
bears away the wife of Rama will never live in peace. O
Titan, it were possible for the one who deprives the Bearer
of the Thunderbolt of his consort of unsurpassed beauty to
live on earth, but he who insults me will never escape death,
were he to drink the water of immortality ! "
chapter 49
Sita's Abduction by Ravana
Hearing those words of Sita, the mighty Ravana, striking one
hand on the other, revealed his gigantic form and, skilled in
speech, addressed her, saying : —
" Methinks thou hast taken leave of thy senses, hast thou
not heard of my great prowess and valour ? Standing in space,
I am able to lift up the earth ; I can drink the waters of the
ocean and destroy death himself in combat. With my shafts
I can pierce the sun and cleave the terrestial globe. Thou,
who dost allow thyself to be deceived by any trick and dost
follow any whim, behold how I can change my shape at will."
Speaking thus, Ravana, full of wrath, his eyes glowing like
ARANYA KANDA
burning coals, resembled a flame, and discarding his benign
aspect, he, the younger brother of Kuvera, assumed a terrible
shape, resembling death itself.
With smouldering eyes, a prey to anger, resplendent in
ornaments of fine gold, like a dark cloud, that Ranger of the
Night appeared before her with his ten heads and twenty arms.
Abandoning his ascetic disguise, the King of the Titans took
on his native form ; wearing a blood-red robe, he fixed that
pearl among women, Maithili, with his gaze, thereafter address-
ing her, who resembled the sun, whose hair was dark and
who was clothed in a robe and jewels, saying : —
" O Fair Lady, if thou desirest a master famed throughout
the Three Worlds, then surrender thyself to me. I am a
husband worthy of thee ; do thou serve me forever ! I shall
do thee great honour nor will I ever displease thee. Re-
nouncing thine attachment to a man, place thine affection on
me. What binds thee to Rama, O Thou Foolish One who
deemest thyself wise ; he who has been banished from his
domain, who has failed to fulfil his destiny and whose days
are numbered, Rama, who on the injunction of a woman aban-
doned kingdom, friends and people to inhabit a forest
frequented by wild beasts ? "
Speaking thus to Maithili, who was worthy of tenderness
and gentle of speech, that wicked titan, inflamed by passion,
seized hold of her as Budha seizes Rohini. With his left
hand he grasped the hair of the lotus-eyed Sita, and with his
right, her thighs. Seeing Ravana with his sharp teeth like
the peak of a mountain, resembling death itself, the Celestial
Beings fled away in terror. Then instantly the great chariot
belonging to Ravana, made of gold, to which braying mules
were harnessed, appeared and, addressing Sita in harsh tones,
he lifted her up and, clasping her, ascended the car.
Then the virtuous and unfortunate Sita, being overpowered
by the titan, began to cry aloud, " Rama ! Rama ! n but he
was far away in the depths of the forest. Though she possessed
no love for him, Ravana, burning with passion, rose high into
the air with her, as she struggled like the consort of the Indra
of Serpents.
Seeing herself borne through the air by the King of the
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Titans, Sita with piercing shrieks, distracted with anguish,
cried out : " O Lakshmana, thou long-armed warrior, ever
ministering to the satisfaction of thy superiors, dost thou not
know that I am being carried away by a titan able to assume
any shape at will ? O Raghava thou, who art willing to renounce
life and happiness in the cause of duty, dost thou not see that
I have been borne away by one of unsurpassed wickedness ?
O Thou, the Scourge of Thine Enemies, art thou not accustomed
to punish evildoers ? Why dost thou not subdue the arrogance
of this wicked titan ? It is true that an evil deed does not bear
fruit immediately, but time causes the grain to ripen.
" For this outrage, bereft of thy senses by fate, thou shalt,
O Ravana, meet with a terrible retribution, bringing about
thine end. Alas ! The designs of Kaikeyi are crowned with
success, since I, the virtuous consort of Rama am separated
from that hero. I invoke Janasthana and the flowering Kami-
kara trees, so that they may tell Rama speedily that Sita has
been borne away by Ravana ! I appeal to the Godaveri river,
that re-echoes to the cry of cranes and swans, to inform Rama
that Ravana has stolen Sita away ! Offering salutations to the
forest Deities, I call upon them to tell my lord of mine abduc-
tion ! I beseech all creatures, whatever they may be, whether
beast or bird or those that inhabit the forest, to make these
tidings known to Rama and to tell him that his tender spouse,
dearer to him than life, has been forcibly borne away by
Ravana. Were death himself my ravisher, that mighty-armed
one, hearing this report, would rescue me by his prowess ! "
In the extremity of her grief, the large-eyed Sita, uttering
this lament, observed the vulture Jatayu, perching on a tree.
Thereupon beholding him, the beautiful Sita, borne away by
Ravana, who was filled with carnal desire, cried out in piteous
tones : —
" O Noble jatayu, see how I am being ruthlessly carried off
by the wicked King of the Titans, like a woman bereft of her
protector. Thou wilt not be able to resist him, for this cruel
and evil Ranger of the Night is powerful, arrogant and furnished
with weapons. Nevertheless, O Bird, do thou bear the tidings
of mine abduction to Rama and Lakshmana and tell them all,
omitting nothing."
104
ARANYA KANDA
CHAPTER 50
Jatayu attacks Ravana
Jatayu, who was fast asleep, awoke on hearing these words
and beheld Ravana and the daughter of Videha.
Thereupon, the King of Birds, with his sharp beak resembling
the peak of a mountain, perching on the tree, spoke softly to
Ravana, saying : —
" O Dashagriva, I am conversant with the Puranas, firm in
my vows, and follow the path of dharma. O Brother, it does
not become thee to commit this infamy in my presence ! My
name is Jatayu, the King of the Vultures ; she whom thou dost
seek to bear away is the beautiful Sita, the faithful and illustrious
consort of the Protector of the Worlds, that Lord of Men,
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who is equal to Varuna and
Mahendra and ever engaged in the welfare of all beings.
" How can a king, fixed in his duty, look upon another's
wife ? O Thou of mighty prowess, it is for thee particularly
to defend the consorts of kings, therefore control thy base
inclination to insult the wife of another. A noble person will
ever eschew that which may bring reproach on him, and
protects another's wife as if she were his own.
" O Delight of Poulastya, whether it concerns that which is
expedient or agreeable, in the absence of the authority of the
scriptures, men of honour follow the example of a king in
matters of duty. A king represents duty, a king represents
desire and is the supreme treasury of his subjects ; he is the
root of good and evil.
" O King of the Titans, thou art wicked and fickle by nature;
how hast thou obtained a kingdom, like unto a sinner winning
the celestial abode ? It is hard for an unruly and passionate
man to change his nature ; noble counsels are not long remem-
bered by perverse persons. Since the mighty and virtuous
Rama has never done a wrong in thy kingdom or capital,
why dost thou seek to provoke him ? Is Rama of irreproach-
105
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
able action to blame if he slew the wicked Khara in Janasthana
on account of Shurpanakha ? Why dost thou seek to bear away
the consort of that Lotd of Men ? Release Vaidehi this instant,
lest, with his dread glance resembling a glowing brazier, he
consume thee, as Indra reduced Vritra to ashes with his
thunderbolt.
" O Ravana, thou art unwittingly carrying a highly venomous
serpent in thy robe ; without discerning it, thou art wearing
the noose of death round thy neck. A man should only bear
that weight which will not crush him and eat only that which
does not give rise to sickness. Who will engage himself in
an act which is neither praiseworthy, just, nor honourable,
and which will cost him his life ?
" O Ravana, I am sixty thousand years old and have ruled
over the domain of mine ancestors with justice. I am exceed-
ingly aged, thou art youthful and furnished with a bow, armour
and arrows, mounted on a car, yet thou shalt not escape
without injury, if thou seekest to bear Vaidehi away. Thou
shalt no more be able to carry her away by force in my presence,
than it is possible to destroy the wisdom of the Veda by logic.
" If thou art not afraid, O Ravana, then halt an instant and
fight ! Thou shalt fall on the earth as Khara before thee !
Rama, clad in robes of bark, who more than once vanquished
the Daityas and Danavas in the field, would soon have slain
thee in combat. As for me, what can I do ? The two princes
are far away and undoubtedly thou art fleeing in all haste in
fear of them, Thou Wretch ! Yet while I still live, thou shalt
not bear away the lovely Sita, the beloved consort of Rama,
whose eyes resemble the petals of the lotus. Even at the
risk of my life I shall render this service to the magnanimous
Rama, as if to King Dasaratha himself. Stay ! Stay 1 O
Dashagriva, reflect but for a moment. O Ravana, I shall
hurl thee from thy great chariot like a ripe fruit from its stalk !
O Prowler of the Night, I challenge thee to fight to the last."
ARANYA KANDA
CHAPTER 5 I
The Combat between Jatayu and Ravana
While Jatayu, the King of Birds, was speaking thus, Ravana, that
Indra among Men, wearing golden earrings, his eyes red with
anger, fell upon him and a terrible struggle ensued in the sky,
resembling clouds impelled by the force of the wind; in
that conflict Jatayu, King of Vultures, and Ravana, the Lord
of the Titans, resembled two vast winged mountains.
Then Ravana began to shower innumerable steel-pointed
shafts on the mighty King of the Vultures, but he, the chief
of those whose wings are their chariot, received them unmoved
and with his feet and sharp talons that foremost of birds inflicted
countless wounds on the titan. Thereupon Dashagriva, filled
with fury, anxious to destroy his adversary, taking out formidable
shafts, equal to the God of Death, drew his bow up to his ear
and pierced the vulture with those arrows, which, flying straight
at their target, penetrated it with their steely points.
Seeing the daughter of Janaka, her eyes bathed in tears, in
the titan's car, Jatayu, disregarding those shafts, hurled himself
at his opponent and, with his claws that valiant prince of the
feathered tribe broke that bow decorated with pearls and
gems and the arrows also.
Thereupon Ravana, transported with anger, seized another bow
and covered him with a hail of hundreds and thousands of arrows.
Buried beneath those shafts, Jatayu resembled a bird in its
nest, but flapping his wings, he broke through that cloud of
arrows and with his sharp claws snapped that mighty bow ;
with a stroke of his wings he shattered Ravana's blazing shield,
that resembled Are, and brushed aside the flaming darts that
encompassed him.
Then Jatayu, in that conflict, slew the swift-coursing mules
with demons' heads, harnessed with gold, and demolished
the chariot of Ravana, furnished with a triple standard of
bamboo staves, which was driven by thought alone, bright as
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fire, its steps studded with precious gems. With a single
movement of his wings, Jatayu struck down the canopy, like
unto a full moon, with the chowries and the titans who wielded
them.
His bow shattered, bereft of his chariot, horses and charioteer,
Ravana sprang to the ground, clasping Sita to his breast.
Seeing Ravana descend, his car destroyed, all beings voiced
their delight and praised the King of the Vultures again and
again, paying obeisance to him.
Ravana, however, perceiving that winged hero to be failing
through exhaustion and age, greatly encouraged, rose high
into the air, clasping the daughter of Janaka to him. Though
without a bow, his other weapons being broken in combat,
possessing his sword alone, he clasped Janaki passionately to
his breast. Then the King of the Vultures darted towards
him, barring his passage, and said to him : —
'* O Insensate One, thou art carrying away the beloved
consort of Rama, radiant as lightning ; it is to thy perdition
that thou hast brought about her abduction. Like thirsty
men drinking water, thou art swallowing poison, with thy
friends, kinsfolk, ministers, army and people. Those who
through want of discrimination fail to foresee the consequences
of their acts soon perish, as thou too shalt meet thine end.
Caught in the noose of death, whither wilt thou flee ? Thou
art like unto the fish that swallows the hook as well as the bait.
Assuredly those two invincible heroes, Offspring of the House
of Raghu, will not brook the violation of their domicile. The
deed that thou hast basely committed will be denounced by
the world, as the path frequented by brigands is eschewed
by honest people. If thou art not a coward, fight, O Ravana,
or pause an instant and thou shalt lie dead on the earth, as
did thy brother Khara. Truly thou art engaged in that which
will prove thy destruction, as one on the brink of death com-
mits an impious deed. Those actions leading to evil are not
undertaken even by the Lord of Creation, Swyambhu Himself."
Uttering these harsh words, the valiant Jatayu swooped on
the ten-headed demon and, seizing him in Ins claws, tore his
flesh like the rider of a restive elephant. Inflicting deep
wounds, he plunged his beak into his back and tore bis hair
108
ARANYA KANDA
with his talons. Thus assailed by the Vulture King, the
titan, trembling with rage, pressing Vaidehi to his left side,
foaming with anger, struck Jatayu with the palm of his hand,
whereupon the mighty vulture Jatayu, the Destroyer of his
Foes, hurled himself on Dashagriva and with his beak tore off
his ten left arms. His arms being severed, in an instant as
many others sprang up again, like serpents issuing from an ant
heap, spitting forth poison.
Then, in his anger, the mighty Dashagriva released Sita in
order to beat off the King of the Vultures with his fists and feet,
and a mighty struggle arose between those two intrepid com-
batants, the Chief of the Titans and the Foremost of Birds, until
Ravana, drawing his sword, cut off the wings and feet of Jatayu,
piercing the side of that champion of Rama. The Ranger
of the Skies having sundered the two wings of that King of
Vultures, Jatayu fell to the earth, at the point of death, and
seeing him on the ground, bathed in blood, Vaidehi, exceed-
ingly distressed, darted towards him, as to one of her own kin.
Then the Lord of Lanka beheld that noble bird of exceed-
ing prowess, with his yellow breast and plumage resembling
a dark cloud, lying on the earth, like an extinguished torch,
whereupon the weeping Sita, daughter of Janaka, whose
countenance was like unto the full moon, pressed that winged
creature, victim of the wanton Ravana, to her breast.
chapter 52
Jatayu being slain, Ravana resumes his Flight
Beholding that King of the Vultures struck down by Ravana,
she whose face was as fair as the moon, stricken with grief,
burst into lamentation, crying :—
" Visions, omens, dreams and the cries of birds are the
inevitable signs of good and evil fortune among men. O
Kakutstha, because of me wild beasts and birds are fleeing
away; dost thou not understand that a great calamity has befallen
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
me ? 0 Rama, this bird, out of pity for me, sought to deliver
me and now lies dying on the earth owing to mine evil fate !
O Kakutstha, O Lakshmana, hasten to mine aid ! "
Thus did that lovely woman cry in her terror, as if they
could hear her, and the Chief of the Titans, Ravana, continued
to pursue her, who, far from her protectors, bearing a faded
garland, was calling for aid. Clinging to the trees like a
twining creeper, crying : " Save me ! Save me ! ", she ran
hither and thither pursued by the King of the Titans. Bereft
of Raghava, who was tar away in the forest, she was calling
" Rama, Rama ! " when Ravana, resembling death itself,
to his destruction seized her by the hair.
At this outrage, the whole universe of animate and inanimate
beings trembled and a profound darkness covered all. The
wind grew still, the sun dim, and the Grandsire of the World,
Swyambhu Himself, through his divine power seeing Sita
overcome, exclaimed : " Our purpose is accomplished ! "
Perceiving violent hands laid on Sita, the illustrious Sages
inhabiting the Dandaka Forest, recognising that the destruction
of Ravana was now assured, were filled with joy !
The Lord of the Titans, however, laying hold of Sita who
was weeping and crying out : "Rama! Rama! O Lakshmana!"
ascended with her into the air.
Of the hue of molten gold, attired in a yellow sari, that
daughter of a king resembled lightning athwart the clouds ;
her silken robe, streaming in the wind, lent Ravana the sem-
blance of a blazing volcano, and the coppery and fragrant
lotus leaves, falling from Vaidehi of incomparable beauty,
covered him. Her yellow silken robe floating in the air
resembled a cloud illumined by the setting sun, but her pure
countenance, as she was being transported through space
far from Rama, had lost its radiance, like a lotus detached from
its stalk.
Resembling the moon that rises from the heart of a dark
cloud, Sita, her fair brows crowned with lovely locks, appeared
like a lotus in flower that had lost its brilliance.
With her sharp and brilliant teeth, glorious eyes, well-
formed nose, sweet mouth and ruby lips, she resembled the
moon, lovely to look upon, and transported through the air
no
ARANYA KANDA
in Ravana's lap, her face, bathed in tears, shone as faintly as
does that orb during the daylight hours.
The golden-hued Sita seen against the dark-bodied titan
looked like the girth of gold encircling an elephant. Like
unto the yellow lotus, the daughter of Janaka with her shining
ornaments irradiated Ravana as lightning illumines a thunder-
cloud, and accompanied by the clashing of her jewels the
King of the Demons appeared like unto a muttering cloud.
As Sita was being borne away, the petals from her hair
fell in a shower on the earth, and this rain of blossom, caused
by Ravana's rapid flight, covered him also, as a wreath of stars
encircles Mount Meru, and suddenly her anklet, encrusted
with pearls, struck the earth like a flash of lightning.
Like rosy twigs she covered the dark limbs of the King of
the Titans with a radiance equal to the golden girth of an
elephant and, as a mighty meteor illumines the heavens with
its splendour, so was she borne through the air by the younger
brother of Vaishravana.
Her jewels, flashing like fire, fell tinkling on the earth,
where they broke into pieces, like meteors falling from the
Armament, and her chain of pearls, bright as the moon, fell
from her breast, emitting a blaze of light, like the Ganges
falling from heaven.
The trees, sheltering a myriad birds, bufTetted by the
following wind that swayed the topmost branches, seemed to
whisper " Fear not ! " and the lakes, carpeted with faded
lotuses, filled with fish and stricken aquatic creatures, appeared
to be weeping for Maithili as for a friend. Rushing in wrath
from all sides, lions, tigers and other beasts and birds followed
Sita's shadow, and the mountains too, with their cataracts like
faces bathed in tears, their crests like arms upraised, seemed
to lament for Sita, as she was being borne away. Beholding
Vaidehi carried through the air, the glorious sun, oppressed
with sadness, lost its brilliance and became but a pale disc.
" There is neither justice, equity, nor truth, nor sincerity,
nor kindness, since the consort of Rama, the Princess of Videha,
is being carried away by Ravana." Thus did the assembled
beings lament, whilst the young of the wild creatures, forlorn
and terrified, emitted plaintive cries. Lifting up their eyes,
in
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
glassy with fear, again and again, the forest Deities, trembling
in every limb, witnessed the anguish of Vaidebi, who was
being borne away so cruelly and who was constantly looking
towards the earth and crying in faint accents : " O Lakshmana,
ORama".
The guileless Vaidehi, her hair streaming behind her, her
tilaka effaced, was borne away by Dashagriva to his own
destruction, and Maithili with her beautiful teeth and gracious
smile, bereft of her friends, not beholding Rama or Lakshmana,
grew pale and felt herself wholly crushed under the weight
of her despair.
chapter 53
Sit a censures Ravana
Finding herself borne through space, Maithili, the daughter of
Janaka, greatly alarmed and filled with distress, in an access
of fear, her eyes red with tears and indignation, her voice
broken by sobs, addressed that ferocious King of the Titans
who was bearing her away, in plaintive tones, saying :-— ,
" O Base Wretch, art thou not ashamed of this act ? Knowing
me to be alone, thou hast laid hands on me and carried me
away. O Sinful Being, thou it was who, seeking to abduct me,
didst in the form of a deer lure my lord away by the power of
illusion.
" The King of the Vultures, that friend of my father-in-law,
who sought to defend me, lies slain ! Verily thou hast shown
great courage, O Last of the Titans ! To thine eternal shame,
thou didst not win me in fair fight but without disclosing thy
name I1 Dost thou not blush to commit such an outrage?
Wretch that thou art, to bear away a woman who is defenceless
and the wife of another ! Thy dishonourable exploit will be
proclaimed throughout the worlds. Cursed be thou, O
Infamous Barbarian, who boastcth of thine heroism 1 Cursed
be such valour and prowess, O Thou, the Obloquy of thy Race,
1 It was traditional to make one's name known before entering into combat.
112
ARANYA KANDA
cursed be thou in the world, for thy conduct ! How should
any restrain thee who flcest so precipitately? Halt but for
an instant and thy life is forfeit ! Shouldst thou come within
the range of those two Kings of Men, thou wouldst not survive
for a single moment even wert thou supported by an army !
As a bird is not able to bear the blazing forest fire, neither
couldst thou withstand the least of their shafts ; therefore,
for thine own good, release me instantly, O Ravana !
" Provoked by mine abduction, my lord with the aid of his
brother will strive to destroy thee if thou dost not let me go.
Thine evil intention, on account of which thou dost seek to
bear me away, that vile purpose, will never find fulfilment;
for even were I never again to see my lord, who is endowed
with supreme wisdom and should fall a victim to an enemy,
I should not survive long.
" Thou dost disregard thine own good and resemblest one
who, in his last hour, chooses what is fatal to him ; none who
desires his end courts that which will save him. I see the
noose of death about thy neck, since thou dost not tremble in
this exigency, O Titan. Without doubt, thou shah see those
golden trees, with leaves like sharp swords and the dreadful
river Vaitarani flowing with blood and the terrible forest and
Shamali tree, with its flowers of refined gold and its leaves of
emerald, bristling with iron thorns.1
" Having offered this affront to the high-souled Rama, thou
shalt not survive the poison that thou hast swallowed, O Merciless
One. Thou art caught fast in the noose of death ; whither
wilt thou turn for refuge from my magnanimous lord? He
who, in the twinkling of an eye, without his brother, destroyed
fourteen thousand demons in combat, how should that hero,
issue of the House of Raghu, skilled in the use of every weapon,
full of valour, not pierce thee with his pointed shafts, thou
who hast carried away his beloved spouse?"
With these defiant words and others uttered in plaintive tones,
Vaidehi, borne away in Ravana's arms, addressed him, though
filled with grief and fear. Yet, despite her distress and lamenta-
tions, Ravana continued on his way, bearing that sweet and gentle
princess, still struggling to break free.
1 la the region of Hell.
"3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 54
Ravana reaches Lanka with Sita
Borne away by Ravana, Vaidehi, seeing none who would
defend her, suddenly observed five powerful monkeys standing
on the summit of a mountain.
Thereupon that large-eyed princess of surpassing charms,
let fall among them her silken mantle, bright as gold and her
rich jewels. Reflecting ( May they convey the tidings to Rama *,
the beautiful Sita dropped her cloak and ornaments in their
midst.
In his anxiety the red-eyed Dashagriva did not observe this
proceeding but these excellent monkeys beheld the large-eyed
Sita, who did not move her eyelids as she was crying out.1
Then that Lord of the Titans, passing beyond the Pampa lake,
his face turned towards Lanka, continued on his way, clasping
the wailing Maithili. Although experiencing a transport of
joy, Ravana in truth was carrying his own destruction in his
arms, like a sharp-toothed and poisonous serpent.
Coursing through the air, he left behind forest, rivers,
mountains and lakes and speeding on like an arrow shot from,
a bow he passed over that sanctuary of whales and crocodiles,
the indestructible abode of Varuna, the refuge of rivers, the
ocean. Beholding Sita borne away, the waters became con-
vulsed and the great serpents and fish were startled.
Then the voices of the Charanas and Siddhas could be
heard in the sky, saying : " The end of Dashagriva is at
hand I ". Ravana however, who symbolised death itself, bear-
ing the struggling Sita in his lap, entered the city of Lanka.
Reaching that capital with its broad and spacious highways,
he entered the palace and penetrated into the inner appartments.
It was there that the dark-browed Sita, a prey to grief and
despair, was set down by Ravana in his own domain, as Maya
sheds his illusion.
1 Thus not betraying her intention to Ravana.
114
ARANYA KANDA
Then Ravana addressed those demons of dreadful aspect,
saying : —
" Let none look on Sita without mine authority ! It is my
will that she have pearls, rubies, robes and ornaments to the
extent of her desire ! Whoever speaks harshly to her, either
knowingly or unknowingly, will forfeit his life ! "
Having spoken thus to the titan women, Ravana left the
inner apartment and began to reflect on what more should
now be done.
Observing eight valiant, flesh-eating titans, that exceedingly
powerful One, blinded by the boon he had received, after
extolling their strength and heroism, said to them : —
" Equipped with every kind of weapon, betake yourselves
with all speed to Janasthana, where Khara formerly dwelt and,
summoning up your courage, banishing all fear, establish
yourselves in that place, which is now a desert on account of
the massacre of the titans. A great and mighty army was
entrenched in Janasthana, which, with Khara and Dushana,
was destroyed in combat with Rama. Since that time, an
inordinate rage which I am unable to control has taken possession
of me, precluding all rest. I wish to avenge myself on my
sworn enemy, nor shall I sleep till I have slain him in fight.
In the hour that I bring about the death of the slayer of Khara
and Dushana, I shall rejoice, as a beggar on the acquisition of
wealth.
" Established in Janasthana, keep me scrupulously informed
concerning Rama and his movements. Without respite, let
the Rangers of the Night take action and constantly strive to
bring about Rama's end. Being acquainted with your valour,
which I have often witnessed in the field, I have chosen you
to repair to Janasthana."
Hearing these flattering and significant words of Ravana's,
those titans, bowing down to him, left Lanka in a body and
took the direction of Janasthana in all haste, having first made
themselves invisible.
But Ravana, having secured Mithila's daughter and brought
her to the palace, though he had thus incurred the hostility
of Rama, gave himself up to transports of senseless joy.
ir5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 55
Ravana implores Sita to become his Consort
Having issued commands to those eight titans, renowned for
their prowess, Ravana, whose perception was clouded, con-
sidered that he had prepared himself for every eventuality.
Brooding on Vaidehi, sorely pierced by the shafts of the
God of Love, he hastened to his sumptuous apartments,
inflamed with desire for her presence. Entering there, Ravana,
the King of the Titans, observed Sita overcome with grief,
surrounded by titan women, like a ship foundering in the sea
at the mercy of a storm or a gazelle separated from the herd
beset by hounds.
Then Ravana approaching that princess, whose head was
bowed and who was disconsolate, compelled her to view that
mansion resembling the abode of the Gods, containing many
storeys and spacious apartments, inhabited by innumerable
women and enriched by countless gems, whilst flocks of birds
filled it with their carolling. Graceful pillars of gold, ivory,
crystal and silver, encrusted with emeralds and diamonds
could be seen and celestial gongs resounded there.
Ravana, in company with Sita, ascended the magnificent
golden stairway, ornamented with burnished gold. Those
lofty buildings possessed excellent windows of gold and ivory
covered with golden trellises, and their marble floors were
inlaid with precious stones that shed their lustre everywhere.
Then Dashagriva showed Maithili the fountains and pools
covered with lotuses and every kind of flower ; all this did
he bring to the notice of Sita who was overcome with grief ;
and after directing Vaidehi's attention to the splendours of the
palace, that perverse wretch, with the intention of seducing her,
said:
" O Sita, apart from the aged and the children, ten thousand
titans, rangers of the night, all of whom are famed for their
exploits, acknowledge me as their lord, and each among them
116
ARANYA KANDA
has placed a thousand loyal servants at my disposal. This
entire state, as also my life, is thine, O Large-eyed Lady.
Thou art dearer to me than life itself! O Sita, become the
queen of those numerous excellent women who are my wives.
O Beloved, be my consort, it is to thine advantage. What
boots it to consider aught else, do thou give my proposal thy
consideration ; it behoves thee to look favourably on me, who
am burning with desire.
" Surrounded by the ocean, this city of Lanka, extending
for a hundred yojanas, can never be taken by storm, even by
the Gods themselves with Indra at their head. Among the
Celestials, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Nagas, I can see none
in all the worlds equal to me in prowess. Deprived of his
kingdom, without possessions, dedicated to ascetic practices,
travelling on foot, what canst thou hope from Rama, a mere
man without resources ?
" O Sita, I am a consort worthy of thee, do thou accept me ;
youth soon passes, O Darling ; enjoy these delights with me.
O Lady of charming mien, do not think of seeing Raghava
again. How could he come hither even in thought? Who
can fetter the impetuous wind in the sky or seize the pure
flame of a brazier ? None in the Three Worlds may snatch
thee from mine arms. Do thou rule over this vast empire of
Lanka and all beings, animate and inanimate ; even I and the
Gods shall be thy servants. Laving thyself in the crystal waters,
be happy and live in delight. Thy former evil karma has been
expiated by the time passed by thee in the forest. It is here
that thou wilt be able to pluck the fruit of thy good deeds.
In my company, O Maithili, enjoy these garlands with their
divine fragrance and these magnificent ornaments. With me
do thou disport thyself in the aerial chariot Fuskpaka, bright
as the sun, that was once Vaishravana's, which I won by my
prowess in combat, that vast and beautiful car, swift as thought.
" Thy countenance, flawless and lovely to look upon, pure
as a lotus, is wan on account of sorrow and has lost its radiance,
O Lady of lovely limbs and gracious features."
Whilst he was speaking, the beautiful Sita covered her face
that sparkled like the moon with the hem of her robe and
allowed her tears to flow.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thereat the sinful Ravana, that Ranger of the Night,
addressed Sita who was sunk in thought and forlorn, her
cheeks pale on account of grief, saying : —
" O Vaidehi, do not fear to contravene dharma ; the cere-
mony that shall consecrate our union is sanctioned by the
Veda ! I press thy tender feet with my heads ; grant my prayer
speedily ! I am thy slave and ever obedient to thee ! May
these words, inspired by the torments of love, not prove fruit-
less ; never before has Ravana bowed his head before a woman."
Having spoken thus to Maithili, the daughter of Janaka,
Dashagriva under the sway of destiny, thought : " She is
minel "
CHAPTER 56
Sita is guarded by the Titan Women
Hearing these words, Vaidehi, though still distressed, ceased
to tremble and placed a blade of grass between herself and
Ravana, saying : —
" King Dasaratha, the indestructible rampart of justice,
whose piety brought him renown, had a son, Raghava.
Famed in the Three Worlds, that virtuous one, possessed of
powerful arms and large eyes, is my God and my lord. It
is he, that hero, born in the House of Ikshwaku, illustrious,
possessing shoulders like unto a lion's, who, with his brother
Lakshmana will rob thee of thy life !
" Hadst thou laid violent hands on me in his presence, he
would have compelled thee to refrain and would have slain
thee in single combat, even as he slew Rhara himself in
Janasthana. Those titans of grim visage, whom thou dost
extol to me, valiant though they be, would be deprived of their
power in Raghava's presence, as serpents yield up their poison
before Suparna. Those golden shafts, loosed from the string
of Rama's bow, would pierce their bodies, as the Ganges
bears away her banks ! Though thou mayest not be slain by
118
ARANYA KANDA
Asuras or Gods, yet now that thou hast incurred the fury of
Raghava, thou wilt not escape alive.
" Thou hast but a short time to live ! Raghava will compass
thine end ! That life which thou deemest impossible to lose
is as a beast's bound to the sacrificial stake ! If Rama lets fall
on thee his glance inflamed with ire, thou wilt instantly be
consumed, O Titan, as Mamatha by Rudra ! He, who is able
to bring down the moon from the skies and destroy it or dry
up the ocean, is assuredly able to deliver Sita. Thy life, thy
prosperity, thy being and faculties are forfeit ; Lanka, bereft
of its inhabitants, will be left desolate through thy fault. Nay,
this outrage will bring thee nought but misfortune, O Thou
who in the absence of my lord didst bear me away by force,
never more wilt thou know felicity !
" My illustrious lord, accompanied by his brother, depend-
ing on his own energy, does not fear to live in the Dandaka
Forest. Thy prowess, thy strength, thine arrogance and thy
presumption, will all be wiped out under the rain of his shafts
in battle. When the hour, appointed by destiny for the
destruction of beings, is at hand, they become mad under its
sway. Mine abduction presages thine end and that of the
titans and of those dwelling in the inner apartments. As an
untouchable may not approach the sacred altar, furnished with
ladles and vessels of worship at the time of sacrifice, so the
legitimate spouse of one fixed in virtue, faithful to his vows,
may not be approached by a sinner such as thou, O Last of
the Titans !
" How should a royal swan, sporting amidst the tufts of
lotuses with her mate, concern herself with a cormorant on the
bank ? Bind or destroy this insentient body1, I have neither
desire to preserve it nor my life, O Titan, for I will never
submit to dishonour."
After speaking thus in her wrath, causing the blood to freeze,
Vaidehi became silent, and Ravana answered her in menacing
tones, saying : " Reflect well, O Lovely Princess ; if thou
dost not yield to me within the period of twelve months, my
cooks shall cut thee to pieces for my morning repast."
1 Implyingthat the bodyitself is inanimate when not energised by Conscious-
ness.
119
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having spoken thus, Ravana, the Challenger of His Foes,
exceedingly wroth, addressed those female titans in these
words : —
" Ye terrible demons of ferocious aspect, who subsist on
flesh and blood, do ye instantly crush the pride of this woman! "
When he had said this, those monsters of fearful aspect, joining
hands, surrounded Maithili, and Ravana commanded those
women, formidable to look upon, who walking struck the earth
with such force that it shook, saying : —
" Do yc take Maithili to the centre of the Ashoka grove, and
there, encircling her mount guard over her secretly, and some-
times by menaces and at others by soft speech seek in every
way to break her will, as one would a female elephant."
Thus commanded by Ravana, those titan woman, taking
hold of Maithili, dragged her to the Ashoka grove which was
planted with trees covered with flowers of every kind and
many fruits, able to satisfy every desire, where birds disported
themselves in love.
And, as a gazelle in the midst of tigresses, Sita, the daughter
of Janaka, her limbs giving way under her despair, fell under
the sway of those titans.
Like a timid antelope taken in a snare, Maithili, the daughter
of Janaka, overwhelmed with grief and fear, could find no
relief. And threatened by those terrible monsters, the Princess
of Mithila, unable to rest, remembering her lord and beloved
brother-in-law, under the weight of terror and sorrow, swooned
away.
CHAPTER 57
Rama sees Terrible Portents
Having slain Maricha, that titan able to change his shape at
will who wandered about in the form of a deer, Rama took
bis way back to the hermitage with all speed, eager to behold
Maithili and, as he hastened on, jackals began to howl mourn-
fully behind him. Hearing those dismal sounds, causing him
ARANYA KANDA
to tremble, Rama, seized with alarm, reflected : " Is Vaidehi
safe and well or has she become a prey to the titans ? The
cry raised by Marietta in the guise of a deer, imitating my
voice, if heard by Lakshmana, may cause htm to leave Sita
in order to come to mine aid ! It may be that the titans have
resolved to slay Sita and for this reason Maricha, in the form
of a gazelle, lured me away ! Having brought me a great
distance, that titan fell a victim to my shafts and feigning my
voice, cried out : * O Lakshmana, I am slain ! * Is all well
with them, deprived of my presence in the forest ? On account
of Janasthana, I have rendered myself hateful to the titans,
and many and dreadful are the portents I now see around me."
Reflecting thus on hearing the jackals' cries, Rama hurriedly
made his way towards the hermitage, pondering on the means
adopted by the titan in assuming the form of a deer to lure
him far away from his dear ones.
Directing his steps towards Janasthana, his heart filled with
apprehension, he observed the birds and beasts passing to his
left, emitting fearful cries, and witnessing these dreadful
signs Raghava beheld Lakshmana approaching, pale of mien.
Already a prey to anxiety, Rama became even more distressed
on seeing his brother thus cast down.
Observing that he had left Sita alone in the solitary wood
frequented by titans, taking Lakshmana by the left hand, he
spoke to him in a gentle voice, in sad and reproachful tones,
saying : —
" Ah ! Lakshmana, thou hast done wrong to come
hither, leaving Sita unprotected. O My Friend, how can this
prove auspicious ? Assuredly the daughter of Janaka has been
slain or even devoured by the titans who range the woods !
Since so many evil portents have appeared to me, O Lakshmana,
I question whether we shall find Sita, the daughter of Janaka,
alive, O Lion among Men ! Since this multitude of beasts and
jackals are emitting fearful cries and the birds also, as they
fly towards the south, I fear that all is not well with that king's
daughter, O Hero of great prowess !
" That titan, wearing the form of a deer, deceived me and
drew me far from the hermitage. Having slain him with
difficulty., at the point of death, he revealed himself to me in
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
his true form. My heart is heavy and bereft of all delight,
and my left eye throbs. Undoubtedly, O Lakshmana, Sita
is no longer there and has either been carried away or is dead
or lost in the forest."
CHAPTER 58
Rama's Lament
Seeing Lakshmana, cast down and dejected, approaching
without Vaidehi, the virtuous son of Dasaratha enquired of
him, saying : —
" O Lakshmana, where is Vaidehi, who followed me to the
Dandaka Forest and whom thou hast left alone to come hither?
Where is that one of graceful form, the companion of my
misfortune when I was banished from my kingdom and,
dispirited, roamed the Dandaka Forest ; where is Sita, without
whom I cannot live for an instant, my life's companion, who
resembled a daughter of the Gods ?
" O Hero, separated from that daughter of Janaka, whose
skin was like gold, I have neither a desire for the sovereignty
of the Gods or the earth. O Lakshmana, Sita is dearer to me
than life itself. O Saumitri, has my banishment been rendered
void ? If, on account of Sita, I should die and thou return
to the city alone, will it not prove the consummation of Kaikeyi's
desires and she find felicity ? Will not Kaushalya, her son
dead, become the abject slave of Kaikeyi when, having accom-
plished her design, she rules the dominion with her son?
If Vaidehi still lives, I will return to the hermitage, but if my
virtuous spouse be dead, I shall yield up my life, O Lakshmana!
If on returning to the ashrama the daughter of Videha, whose
words were ever preceded by a smile, does not speak to me,
I shall renounce my life.
" Tell me, O Lakshmana, if Vaidehi is living or no, or whether
in consequence of thy leaving her that unfortunate creature
has been devoured by the titans. Alas ! The wretched Sita,
so tender and fragile, never having experienced unhappiness,
ARANYA KANDA
will be wholly desolate in mine absence. Did that titan, full
of cunning and craft, crying out * O Lakshmana ', inspire thee
with fear ? I surmise that Vaidehi, hearing that cry for help
uttered in a voice resembling mine, besought thee to find out
what had become of me and thou didst come hither with all
speed. Thou hast done an irretrievable wrong in abandoning
Sita in the forest, thus affording those cruel and ruthless titans
an opportunity for avenging themselves. Those flesh-eating
demons are aggrieved on account of Khara's death and now,
without doubt, have slain Sita. Alas ! I am wholly submerged
in an ocean of sorrow, O Destroyer of thy Foes ! What shall
I do now ; I tremble before that which awaits me ! "
Thus immersed in the thought of Sita, that paragon among
women, Raghava hastened towards Janasthana in company
with Lakshmana.
Heaping reproaches on his younger brother, who was over-
whelmed with distress, tormented by hunger, fatigue and
thirst, Rama, sighing heavily, his countenance pale, a prey to
despair, entered his hermitage and found it deserted.
Returning to the ashrama, that hero ran hither and thither
where Sita was wont to disport herself and, recollecting those
haunts where she used to roam, he became distracted, his
hair standing on end.
CHAPTER 59
Rama reproaches Lakshmana
Issuing from the hermitage, Rama, the Delight of the House
of Raghu, continued to address Lakshmana in a faint voice,
saying : —
" Having confided Maithili to thy care during mine absence
in the forest, why didst thou abandon her ? Seeing thee appear
alone, having left Maithili unprotected, my spirit was troubled,
apprehending grave danger. O Lakshmana, watching thee
approach from a distance unaccompanied by Sita, my left eye
and arm twitched and my heart throbbed."
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At these words, the son of Sumitra, who bore the marks of
royalty, was seized with distress and said to the stricken Rama: —
" Nay, it was not of myself that I came hither, nor of mine
own inclination that I left Sita and set out to meet thee, but
I was urged thereto by her entreaties to come to thine aid.
" The cry, ' O Lakshmana, save me ! * as if uttered by her
lord, broke on Maithili's ears and she, hearing this despairing
call, from affection for thee, weeping and filled with terror,
said unto me : * Go ! Go ! *. While she thus continued to
urge me, repeating * Go ', I spoke to her, seeking to reassure
her, saying : ' I know of no titan who can excite Rama's fear ;
it is not he, but another who calls, O Sita. How should that
illustrious warrior, the inspirer of awe in the Gods themselves,
utter so base and shameful a word as * save me * ? Who has
imitated the voice of my brother and pronounced these cowardly
words and for what motive? Assuredly it is a demon who,
in his extremity, has uttered the cry, * Help ! '. O Lovely One,
it does not become thee to tremble like a low-born woman !
Take courage, calm thyself and banish thine anxiety. There
is none born, nor yet to be born in the Three Worlds, who is
able to triumph over Raghava in the field in open fight. He is
incapable of being defeated in combat, even by the Gods
with Indra at their head.'
" Thus addressed by me, Vaidehi, distracted and shedding
tears, uttered these cruel words : —
" ' O Lakshmana, in thine extreme perversity thou seekest
to unite thyself with me on the death of thy brother but thou
shalt never possess me ! It is on Bharata's instigation that
thou hast accompanied Rama, since, despite his despairing
cry, thou dost not go to his aid. Concealing thy true purpose,
thou hast treacherously followed Rama for my sake and for
this reason dost refuse to assist him.'
" Hearing Vaidehi's words, I left the hermitage, my lips
trembling, mine eyes inflamed with wrath."
When Saumitri had spoken thus, Rama, who was distracted
with anxiety, said to him : " O Friend, thou hast done a
great wrong by coming hither without Sita. Thou knowest
well that 1 am able to defend myself against the titans, yet on
account of a hasty word thou didst abandon Vaidehi.
1*4
ARANYA KANDA
" I am not pleased that thou didst leave her nor that thou
hast come here on account of the reproaches of an indignant
woman. Submitting to Sita and giving way to the impulse of
anger has caused thee to contravene the spiritual law and
disobey my command.
" That titan who assumed the form of a deer in order to
lure me from the hermitage now lies stricken by mine arrows.
Stretching my bow, I placed an arrow on it and loosed it, as
it were in sport, laying him low.
" Discarding his deer's form and assuming the shape of a
titan adorned with bracelets, he emitted cries of agony ; there-
after feigning my voice, in accents capable of being heard afar
off, he called out, and on hearing that sinister cry thou didst
abandon Maithili and came hither."
chapter 60
The Search for Sita
As Rama hastened on, his left eye began to twitch ; he stumbled
and was seized with a fit of trembling. Observing these in-
auspicious signs, he enquired repeatedly of Lakshmana : —
" Can all be well with Sita ? "
Eager to see her again, he quickened his pace and hastened
on, but when he reached the hermitage, he found it deserted
and, filled with apprehension, began to run hither and thither,
searching everywhere. To that descendant of Kaghu, his
thatched hut, without Sita, appeared like a lake bereft of lotuses,
shorn of its beauty at the end of summer.
Seeing the deserted hermitage, with its trees that seemed to
be weeping, its flowers faded, the deer and the birds melancholy,
bereft of charm, wholly desolate, the forest Deities having
forsaken it, the mats and deer-skins lying here and there, the
grassy seats withered and trampled upon, Rama began to
weep and cry out : —
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Hath that timid one been carried away or killed or devoured
or is she drowned or has she hidden herself in the forest ?
Perchance she has not yet returned from gathering fruit and
flowers or she has gone to bring back water from the pools
or the river ? "
Faint with seeking, without finding any trace of his beloved
in the forest, running from tree to tree, scaling the hills, search-
ing by river and stream, lamenting the while and overcome
with grief, he appeared like one struggling in a morass !
" O Kedumbra Tree ", he cried, " hast thou not seen my
dear one, who cherished thee ? If thou knowest aught, then
tell me where the lovely Sita can be found ? O Bilwa Tree !
Say hast thou seen her, who wears a silken robe, who is as
fair as the young green shoots and whose breasts resemble
thy fruit ? Or thou, O Arjuna Tree ! Give me tidings of the
one who loved thee, that daughter of Janaka; dost that frail
creature still live ? This Kadubha Tree knoweth for certain
of Maithili, whose thighs resemble its fruit, and here stands the
beautiful Vanaspati enveloped in flowering creepers, buds and
leaves, in whose shade the bees hum, undoubtedly thou art
the crown of trees ! Surely this Tilaka who loved Sita knows
where she is now I O Ashoka Tree, dispeller of grief, prove
the truth of thy name and allay the pain pressing on my heart
by disclosing my loved one to me without delay. O Tala Tree,
have pity on me and if thou hast seen that fair damsel, whose
breasts resemble thy ripe fruit, do thou tell me ! O Jambu
Tree, if thou hast seen my dear love, whose radiance resembles
the Jambunada, then speak without fear, and thou, the first of
the Karnikara trees, whose flowers are of surpassing loveliness,
O Gentle One, say, hast thou seen my Beloved ? **
Thus did the illustrious Rama question every tree, Cuta,
Nipa, giant Sala, Panasa, Kuravasa, also Vakula, Punnaga,
Candana and Ketaka trees, running hither and thither in the
forest like one demented.
Thereafter he addressed the beasts, saying : " O Deer, do
ye not know where Maithili is to be found, whose eyes resembled
a gazelle's, who with her doe-like glances was followed by the
fawns she had tamed ? O Elephant, methinks thou dost know
her, whose thighs resembled thy trunk : pray tell me, hast
126
ARANYA KANDA
thou seen her ? 0 Tiger, if thou hast seen my gentle spouse,
whose countenance resembled the moon in radiance, then tell
me fearlessly.
" Why art thou hiding, O My Beloved ? I see thee, O Lotus-
eyed One ! Do not conceal thyself amidst the trees without
replying ! Stay ! Stay ! O Princess of lovely Limbs, hast
thou no pity for me? Why dost thou mock me? It is not
thy nature to yield thyself to this folly, O Lady of Fair Com-
plexion, it is vain for thee to fly me, thy yellow sari renders
thee easily distinguishable, I have seen thee ! Stay, if thou
hast any love for me ! Alas ! It is not she — my Sita of gracious
smiles ! Without doubt, she has perished since my grief
leaves her unmoved !
" Assuredly that youthful woman has been devoured in
mine absence ; Sita, with her lovely countenance, exquisite
teeth and lips, shapely nose and beautiful earrings, whose skin
resembles the winter jasmine, has perished, and her beauty is
extinguished, as the full moon under eclipse. The slender
neck of my well-beloved, of the hue of sandal, adorned with
a necklace, has been devoured, like that of one poor and
helpless, possessing neither kith nor kin.
" O Mighty-armed One, dost thou not see my loved one
anywhere ? O Where hast thou gone, O Sita, O My Lovely
One?"
Thus did Rama lament, and calling, ran from grove to grove,
sometimes turning like a whirlwind, sometimes appearing like
one who has lost his wits. Intent on finding his love, ranging
the forest, scaling the mountain, exploring the rivers and
waterfalls, he sped through the woodlands without rest.
Searching on every side without pause, seeking Maithili
throughout the forest, hoping to find his Beloved, he became
utterly exhausted.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 6 I
Rama's Plaint
Seeing the hermitage and the hut deserted, with the grassy
seats strewn here and there and not finding Vaidehi anywhere,
Rama, the son of Dararatha, lifting up his beautiful arms,
uttered these sorrowful words : —
" O Lakshmana, where is Vaidehi, where has she gone ?
O Saumitri, who has carried away or devoured my dearest
one ? O Sita, if thou hast concealed thyself behind a tree and
art mocking me, then bring this jest to an end ; thou hast
enjoyed my distress long enough ! O Darling, the young
gazelles with whom thou didst play, languish in thine absence,
their eyes filled with tears. Without Sita I cannot live, O
Lakshmana, I am overwhelmed with grief on account of her
abduction. To-day I shall rejoin that great monarch, my sire,
in the other world, who will reproach me, saying : * How
comes it that thou, having left me in order to redeem my
vow, art come hither before the appointed time ? O Slave of
thy desires, thou art bereft of honour and loyalty, woe unto
thee!*
" Without doubt, thus will my father address me in the
other region ! O Cruel One ! distracted as I am and over-
whelmed with sorrow, thou hast deserted me, as a fair name
parts company with a swindler ! O Lovely Princess, do not
leave me ! O Slender-waisted Lady, in the abyss in which
thou hast plunged me, I shall yield up my life ! "
Thus did Rama lament, desiring to behold Sita once more,
but the unfortunate Raghava could not see the daughter of
Janaka anywhere. Sunk in misery on account of Sita, he
resembled a mighty elephant trapped in marshy ground in
which it has set foot.
Then Lakshmana in his ardent desire to console him said: —
" O Hero, O Mine of Wisdom, do not grieve ! Let us
unitedly put forth our endeavours. This hill is famed for its
many caves, and Maitbili, who, enamoured of the woods
often wandered in these thickets, has doubtless ventured into
128
AJRANYA KANDA
the deep forest or visited the lake covered with lotuses in bloom
or she has gone to the river filled with fish and frequented by
birds of beautiful plumage. Perchance she has hidden herself
in the gorge to frighten us and to see if we will search her out.
O Lion among Men, let us seek her without delay ! O Fortunate
Prince, if thou deemest her to be somewhere in the forest, we
will leave no quarter unexplored ; do not grieve, O Kakutstha!"
These words of Lakshmana, inspired by fraternal affection,
comforted Rama, who with Saumitri began to search for Sita
once more with a tranquil heart. But ranging the woods,
hills, rivers and lakes on every side, searching the plateaus,
caves and summits of the mountain, those two sons of Dasaratha
could not find Sita anywhere, and having sought her in every
part of that mountain Rama said to Lakshmana : —
" I see no trace of the lovely Vaidehi on this mountain, O
Saumitri ! "
Then Lakshmana in great distress addressed his brother,
who was endowed with flaming energy, saying : — " It is by
ranging the Dandaka Forest that thou wilt be re-united with
Maithili, the daughter of Janaka, O Sagacious One, as Vishnu
covered the earth on subduing Bali."
Being thus addressed by the valiant Lakshmana, Raghava,
whose heart was heavy with sorrow, answered in piteous
accents, saying : —
" The whole forest has been searched with care by us and
the lakes where the lotus blooms and this mountain with its
many caves and waterfalls also, O Prudent Prince, yet no trace of
Vaidehi who is dearer to me than my life's breath can I find."
Thus mourning, Rama, overcome by anxiety, his heart
contracted with grief, in an excess of anguish, swooned away.
Trembling in every limb, his mind bewildered, stunned and
broken, that unhappy prince heaving deep and burning sighs, in
a voice strangled with sobs, cried out : " O Sita, O My Beloved ! "
Thereupon Lakshmana, distracted with anxiety, sought to
console his dear brother by every means, standing before him
with joined palms.
But Rama gave no heed to the words that fell from
Lakshmana's lips and, not beholding his dear Sita, continued
to call upon her again and again.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 62
His Despair
In the absence of Sita, the lotus-eyed, righteous and mighty
Rama, his mind distraught with suffering, tortured by love for
her, though unable to see her, with bitter sighs, reproached her
as if she were present, saying : —
" O Thou, whose youthful flowering is more graceful than
the Ashoka branches, do not conceal thyself and increase my
pain ! O Darling ! Thy thighs resemble the plaintain boughs
which conceal thee, yet, O Goddess, thou canst not hide from
me ! Laughing, thou hast taken refuge in the Karnikara grove,
but enough of this jesting which is torturing me ! It is not
fitting to sport thus in a hermitage, though I know laughter
to be natural to thee, O Darling ! Return, O Large-eyed
Damsel, thy hut is desolate !
'* Alas ! It is certain that those titans have devoured my
Sita or borne her away and it is for this reason that she does
not appear ; she would never mock me thus in my sorrow,
O Lakshmana !
" O Saumitri, observe these deer from whose eyes the tears
fall and who seem to say that Sita has been devoured by those
Rangers of the Night. O Noble Lady, where hast thou gone ?
O My Chaste One, my Lovely One ! Alas ! The desires of
Kaikeyi are fulfilled to-day ! I went into exile with Sita and
shall now return alone. How shall I enter the palace of the
queens bereft of her presence ? Will not the people say :
* He is a heartless wretch ! *
" By the loss of Sita, I shall bear the stigma of cowardice
and when my exile is over, Janaka, the King of Mithila, will
enquire of me as to our welfare. How shall I answer him ?
The Sovereign of Videha, seeing me return without Sita, will
be overwhelmed with grief on account of her death and become
a prey to madness !
130
ARANYA KANDA
" No, I will never return to Ayodhya ruled over by Bharata ;
heaven itself would prove a desert without Sita. Do thou
leave me in the forest and return to the opulent city of Ayodhya.
As for me, I cannot live anywhere without Sita. Embracing
Bharata tenderly, say to him in my name : * It is Rama's
command that thou rule the earth.* Making obeisance to our
mothers, Kaikeyi, Sumitra and Kaushalya, with due respect,
protect them with all thy might, taking counsel of the wise.
O Destroyer of Thy Foes, it is for thee to recount to them the
death of Sita and mine own, in every detail."
Thus did Raghava lament, while ranging the forest full of
distress, far from Sita of lovely locks, whilst Lakshmana, his
features blanched with terror, felt himself about to lose his
reason in the excess of his grief.
CHAPTER 63
He continues to lament
That son of a king, stricken with sorrow and a prey to anxiety,
separated from his dear one, having caused his brother distress,
fell into deeper and deeper despondency. Sunk in an abyss
of grief, Rama with burning sighs and deep groans addressed
Lakshmana, who was overwhelmed with anxiety, in words
inspired by his own affliction, saying : —
" There is none in the world I deem more wretched than I ;
misfortune after misfortune follow each other in uninterrupted
succession ; it is breaking my heart. Surely, formerly I
either designed or executed innumerable evil acts and now
their fruit has matured and greater and greater calamities
beset me ! The loss of my kingdom, separation from my
relatives, the parting from my mother, the remembrance of
these things adds to the sum of mine unhappiness. Yet
those griefs were forgotten as also the privations of mine
exile in the forest, but now the disappearance of Sita re-
131 k
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
awakens their memory as an almost extinct brazier suddenly
bursts into flame.
" My youthful and timid spouse has been carried away
through the sky by a titan, emitting heart-rending cries un-
ceasingly in her terror, she who formerly was wont to converse
so sweetly. Assuredly the breast of my Beloved, sprinkled
with saffron of great price, is now soiled with blood and dust,
yet I still live ! Sita, whose speech was gentle, clear and sweet,
whose beauty was enhanced by her curly locks, has grown pale,
having fallen a prey to the titans and she has lost her radiance,
as the moon in the mouth of Rahu. The neck of my beloved
and faithful consort, decorated with a string of pearls, may
even now have been severed by the titans in some deserted
place, where they are drinking her blood. Deprived of my
presence, surrounded by titans in the forest where they dwell
and borne away by them, the unfortunate large-eyed Sita will
be crying out pitifully like a wounded osprey.
" In this valley Sita of gracious mien, sitting beside me,
addressed thee with gentle words and sweet smiles, O Laksh-
mana. Is she perchance wandering on the banks of this most
beautiful of rivers, the Godaveri, so loved by her, but no,
she was never wont to walk alone ! She whose face resembled
the lotus, her eyes like their petals, has gone to gather water
lilies, but how is this possible, since without me she would
never gather flowers ?
" Has she entered the forest full of blossoming trees, fre-
quented by flocks of birds of every kind ? Alas, no ! She was
too timid to venture forth alone and would have died of fear !
O Sun, witness of all that takes place on earth and of every
act, be it good or evil, has my beloved wandered away or has
she been abducted? O tell me, lest I die of grief! O Wind,
nothing in the world is unknown to thee ; say, has Sita, the
flower of her race, lost her way or been carried off, or is
she dead ? "
Thus did Rama lament, a victim to grief and despair, and
the valiant Saumitri, fixed in his duty, addressed him in words
fitting to the occasion saying : —
" O Hero, abandon thy grief and take heart ! Look on the
disappearance of thy spouse with detachment and engage with
132
ARANYA KANDA
vigour in thy search for her. Men of spirit do not allow
themselves to be cast down, even in the race of extreme
adversity."
Thus did the highly powerful Lakshmana speak, despite
his distress, but Rama, the foremost of the House of Raghu,
paid no heed to his words and once again gave himself up
to his great sorrow.
CHAPTER 64
Rama's Wrath
Stricken with grief, Rama addressed Lakshmana in broken
accents, saying : — " O Lakshmana, repair with all haste to the river
Godaveri; it may be that Sita has gone thither to gather lotuses."
At these words, Lakshmana immediately proceeded to the
lovely river Godaveri and having visited the sacred fords,
returning, spoke to Rama, saying : —
" I have searched all the holy places but I have not seen her
anywhere nor does she answer to my call. Where can Vaidehi
have gone ? I do not know where that lady of slender waist
can be, O Rama."
Hearing Lakshmana speak thus, the unfortunate Rama, dis-
tracted with anxiety, ran to the banks of the Godaveri river
and there cried out : — " Where is Sita ? "
But neither the spirits of the forest nor the river dared to
inform Rama that she had been borne away by that Indra of
Titans who merited death.
The Godaveri, recollecting the former exploits of the wicked
Ravana, was restrained by fear from imparting what was
known to her of Vaidehi's fate. The river's silence caused
Rama to abandon all hope of seeing Sita again and overcome
with despair at her disappearance he said to Saumitri : —
" The beloved Godaveri has no answer for me, O Lakshmana.
What shall I say to Janaka or Vaidehi's mother when, returning
without her, we meet once more ? Seeing me without Vaidehi,
I shall become an object of odium to them.
" When, dispossessed of my kingdom} I was forced to live
in the forest on wild fruits, my misery was assuaged by the
i33
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Princess of Videha. Where is she now ? Far from my kins-
men, unable to find Vaidehi, how shall I pass the long nights •
without sleep ?
" I have searched everywhere, by the Mandakini, in
Janasthana and on the mountain Prasravana to find Sita. O Hero,
observe the wild deer, full of energy, who regard me unceasingly
and by their glances seem to wish to communicate with me."
Beholding them, that Lion among Men, Raghava, fixing his
gaze on them cried : — " Where is Sita ? " in a voice broken
by sobs. Thus addressed by that Lord of Men, the deer rose
and turned their heads towards the south, looking upward,
thus indicating the path by which Sita had been borne away.
Thereafter those deer, turning southwards, sometimes
fixing their gaze on that Chief of Men and then looking towards
the sky, emitted cries, running in front of the two brothers,
seeking to attract their attention, and Lakshmana, understanding
their movements and their cries, said to his elder brother : —
" O My Lord, since thou accosted these deer saying :
* Where is Sita ? ' they, rising up, have indicated a southerly
direction, let us therefore follow that path ; perchance we
shall discover some trace of that noble lady or she herself."
" Be it so " answered Kakutstha, directing his step towards
the south, followed by Lakshmana. Thereafter casting his gaze
on the earth, he observed some flowers scattered on the ground
and, exceedingly distressed, said to his brother : —
" O Lakshmana, I remember these flowers, for I gathered
them in the forest and gave them to Vaidehi, with these she
decorated her hair. Methinks the sun, the wind and the earth
have preserved them for my pleasure."
Thereafter Rama addressed the mountain of innumerable
torrents, saying : —
" O Lord of the Hills, hast thou seen that princess of lovely
limbs, that gracious one I left in this charming grove ? "
Thereupon, in tones of anguish he began to threaten that
mountain, as a lion roars in the presence of a deer, and cried
out : — " O Mountain, show me that lady whose skin resembles
beaten gold or I will shatter thy crests."
Thus questioned by Rama concerning Sita, the Princess of
Mithila, the mountain would fain have spoken but through
»34
ARANYA KANDA
fear of Ravana it remained silent ; whereupon the son of
Dasaratha addressed that rocky mass, saying ; —
" My fiery arrows shall reduce thee to ashes, thou shalt be
stripped of thy verdure, thy trees, and thy creepers, and none
shall inhabit thee. O Lakshmana, this river too shall be
dried up by me if it does not reveal where Sita may be found,
whose radiance resembles the full moon in her course."
In his wrath, Rama would fain have consumed the mountain
with his glance, when suddenly he beheld the imprint of the
titan's foot on the ground and those of Vaidehi, who in her
terror had run hither and thither before being dragged away
by him.
Seeing the marks of Sita's feet and those of the titan,
with the shattered bow, two quivers and parts of the chariot,
Rama, his heart beating rapidly, said to his beloved brother : —
" See, O Lakshmana, the scattered fragments of Vaidehi's
ornaments and the many garlands and the drops of blood
shining like molten gold covering the earth on every side.
It is certain, O Lakshmana, that the titans who change their
form at will, have hewn the body of Sita to pieces, which they
have now devoured. On account of Sita, a terrible struggle
has taken place here, O Saumitri.
" This great bow, encrusted with pearls, marvellously inlaid,
which is broken and lying on the earth, to whom can it belong,
O Friend ? To what titan or to what God, O My Child, does
this golden armour belong, bright as the rising sun, enriched
with emeralds and pearls, the pieces of which are strewn on
the earth ? Whose canopy is lying here, possessing a hundred
staves, decorated with celestial garlands, its supports broken ?
And whose are these mules, harnessed with gold, having
goblins' heads, terrible to behold, that have been slain in the
fight? This chariot of war, shining like a flame, which is
overturned and broken, to whom does it belong? These
arrows too, a hundred fingers in length, of terrifying aspect,
their golden tips blunted, lying in a hundred fragments and
the two quivers filled with excellent shafts, whose are they ?
" See the charioteer lying on the earth, the lash and reins
still in his hands, who was his master ? Without doubt these
footprints are those of a mighty titan, O Lakshmana. Behold
135
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
how under a thousand guises the bitter hatred of these titans,
who are ruthless and able to change their form at will, is made
manifest ! Alas, the blessed Vaidehi has been carried hence
or she is dead and has been devoured ! If virtue was not able
to protect Vaidehi from being carried away by stealth in the
great forest and she has been devoured, O Lakshmana, how
can even the great ones of this world offer me any solace ?
The supreme Creator of the Universe Himself, were He to
manifest compassion, would be misunderstood and held in
contempt by the world, and Z, who am by nature gentle, who
have subdued my senses and who exercise mercy, desiring
the welfare of all, shall be thought wanting in valour by the
Gods.
" O Lakshmana, my virtues shall be overshadowed to-day,
as thou shalt soon witness, and my wrath be manifest in the
destruction of the demons and all created beings ! As the
rising sun obscures the splendour of the moon, so will my
great attributes be withdrawn and my naked splendour blaze
forth ; there will be no escape for any in the Three Worlds,
neither Yaksha, Gandharva, Pisacha, Rakshasa, Kinnera,
nor man, O Lakshmana. Soon shalt thou see mine arrows
filling the firmament, the planets stayed in their courses, the
moon veiled, fire and wind restrained, the brightness of the
sun obscured, the crests of the mountains shattered, the lakes
dried up, creepers and trees uprooted and the ocean drained.
" If the Gods do not bring back Sita to me, I shall blot out
the Three Worlds ! Then, O Saumitri they will be forced to
acknowledge my prowess ! None shall find refuge anywhere in
space, O Lakshmana j to-day thou shalt see the universe pass
beyond its bournes. With the help of the arrows loosed from
my bow, which I shall stretch up to mine ear, no being will
be able to survive ; for Sita's sake I shall rid the world of
goblins and demons and the Gods shall witness the power of
these missiles, loosed in my wrath.
" The worlds of the Gods, Giants, Yakshas and Titans will
be annihilated under the impact of my shafts. With mine
arrows I shall shatter the defences of the Three Worlds, if
the Gods do not restore Vaidehi to me as she was before she
was borne away. If they do not bring back my beloved un-
136
ARANYA KANDA
harmed, I shall lay waste the entire universe and ail contained
therein. Until I find myself in Sita's presence once more,
I shall let loose every weapon of destruction."
Having spoken thus, Rama, his eyes flashing with anger, his
lips compressed and trembling, tied fast his robe of bark and
deerskin and knotted his hair, whereupon that sagacious One
resembled Rudra bent upon the destruction of Tripura.
Taking his bow from Lakshmana's hands, he drew it with
might, selecting a terrible steel-pointed shaft resembling a
venomous serpent, and the effulgent Rama, filled with wrath,
the Scourge of his Foes, resembling the Fire at the destruction
of the world, said : —
" As beings cannot escape old age, destiny or death, so is
none able to restrain my wrath ! O Lakshmana, if I do not
recover Sita this day in all her pristine beauty, I shall destroy
the universe with its Gods, Gandharvas, human beings,
Punnagas and mountains."
CHAPTER 65
Lakshmana seeks to pacify Rama
A prey to grief on account of Sita's abduction, Rama, resembling
the Fire of Dissolution, sought to bring about the destruction
of the Worlds.
With burning sighs he contemplated the stringed bow, as
Hara at the end of the world-cycle stands ready to consume
the universe.
Seeing Rama transported with rage, hitherto never manifested
by him, Lakshmana, his features pale with terror, addressed him
with joined palms, saying : —
" Formerly thou wert ever gentle, of controlled mind and
devoted to the welfare of all beings, do not now give way to
wrath and renounce thy true nature. As the radiance of the
moon, the brilliance of the sun, the velocity of the wind and
the forbearance of the earth, so is thy glory manifested without
equal and without end. Wherefore dost thou seek to destroy
the worlds on account of one man's sin ?
137
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" It is not yet known to whom this shattered chariot belongs
nor because of whom nor between whom, the struggle, of
which we see the traces, took place. This spot bears the marks
of wheels and feet and is sprinkled with drops of blood ; it is
the scene of a desperate struggle, O Son of a King, but it is
a fight between single combatants, O Most Eloquent of Men !
I see no trace of a great army and it is not fitting that thou
shouldst destroy the worlds on account of one man.
" Kings should always rule with justice, gentleness and
moderation. Thou wast ever the refuge of all beings and
their supreme asylum. Who would condone the bearing
away of thy consort, O Raghava ? Rivers, seas, mountains,
Gods, Gandharvas and Danavas have no desire to displease
thee, even as the officiating priest will not harm the one under-
taking a sacrifice after he has performed the preparatory rites.
" O Prince, it is for thee to seek out Site's abductor, followed
by the great sages and by me with my bow. We will search the
ocean, the hills, the forests, the deep_ caves and innumerable
lakes filled with lotuses. We will enquire of the Gods and
Gandharvas in every region, until we find the captor of
thy consort. If the Chiefs of the Gods do not restore thy
wife peaceably, then, O King of Koshala, adopt those measures
that thou considerest fitting. If, through gentleness, humility
and prudence, thou dost not regain thy spouse, O Indra among
Men, then let loose thine innumerable golden-tipped arrows,
resembling Mahendra's thunderbolts."
CHAPTER 66
Lakskmana seeks to inspire Rama with Courage
Overcome by grief and wailing like one orphaned, Rama,
sick at heart, was plunged in misery, whereupon Lakshmana,
the son of Sumitra, taking hold of his feet and pressing them,
sought to console and comfort him, saying : —
" By great austerity and innumerable pious acts did the
King Dasaratha obtain thee, as the Celestials acquired the
138
ARANYA KANDA
Nectar of Immortality. Bound to thee by thy virtues, that
great monarch on thy departure returned to the heavenly
region, thus have we heard from Bharata. If thou art not
able to endure the calamity that has overtaken thee, then how
should an ordinary man do so ?
" O Chief of Men, take courage ! What living being is not
subject to adversity, which approaches like a flame and instantly
passes away? Even so is the world. Did not Yayati, the
son of Nahusha, fall from heaven overcome by ill fortune ?
In a single day the great Sage Vasishtha, the chief priest of
our sire, was bereft of four hundred sons born to him ; and
the Mother of the World, the Earth herself, revered by all, is
sometimes known to tremble, O Master of Koshala I The
sun and moon, the eyes of the world, the very symbols of
virtue by whom all things are ordered, suffer eclipse. Those
great beings, the Gods themselves, are subject to fate, O Lion
among Men ; how much more man ? It is said that even Indra
and the Gods endure vicissitudes ; it doth not behove thee,
therefore, to lament.
*' Even should Vaidehi be dead or carried away, O Raghava,
it is not worthy of thee to yield to despair like a common man.
Thine equals are never moved even in the greatest perils but
look on all with equanimity, O Kakutstha !
" O Thou Best of Men, after due consideration, discriminate
between that which is good and that which is evil ; persons of
right wisdom are ever cognizant of what is right or wrong.
Owing to the element of uncertainty, one cannot at once
distinguish the advantage or disadvantage of a deed, but if one
fails to act the desired result will not take place. Thus hast
thou often instructed me, O Hero, and who is able to teach thee
anything? Not even Brihaspati himself. Even the Gods are
powerless to fix the limit of thy wisdom, O Thou of Mighty
Intellect.
" I would fain arouse the power that sorrow has quenched
in *thee ! Having reflected on the strength of the Gods, of
men and of thyself, O Lion of the Ikshwakus, prepare to
overcome thine enemies ! Of what use were it for thee to
destroy the world, O Thou Best of Men ? Seek out thy per-
fidious adversary and put an end to his life ! "
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 67
Rama encounters Jatayu
At these apposite words, full of wisdom, uttered by his younger
brother Lakshmana, Raghava, regaining possession of himself,
rallied his courage anew. Controlling his wrath, the long-
armed Rama, leaning on his marvellous bow, said to
Lakshmana : — " O My Friend, what should be done ? Whither
shall we go, O Lakshmana ? How shall we find Sita again ?
Let us consider these things carefully."
To these anxious enquiries, Lakshmana answered : — " It is
for thee to search Janasthana which is inhabited by innumerable
titans and covered with trees and .creepers of every kind.
There, inaccessible cliffs, chasms and caves are to be found
and dark caverns inhabited by herds of wild beasts, the retreat
of Kinneras and the resort of Gandharvas ; with me explore
these places. As the mountains are not affected by tempest,
neither can adversity daunt the wise such as thou, O Lion
among Men."
Thus speaking, Lakshmana began to scour the forest, and
Rama, still chafing under adversity, advanced holding his bow
on which was strung a formidable steel-pointed shaft, when
suddenly he beheld Jatayu, that excellent King of Birds,
resembling a mountain peak, lying on the earth covered with
blood. Seeing that great vulture, like unto the crest of a
mountain, Rama said to Lakshmana : —
" Without doubt, here is the titan, who, ranging the forest
under the guise of a vulture, has destroyed Sita, the Princess
of Videha ! Having satisfied himself by devouring that large-
eyed princess, he is resting at ease ; I shall pierce him with my
dread and fiery shafts that fly straight to their target."
Speaking thus, Rama, fixing a sharp arrow on his bow, ran
towards him and in his ire it seemed he would destroy the
earth, whose boundaries are the sea.
140
ARANYA KANDA
Vomiting blood, that bird then addressed Rama the son of
Dasaratha, in the mournful accents of one about to die,
saying: —
" O Thou of long life, that divinity whom thou seefcest in
the great forest, as one does a healing herb,1 has been borne
away by Havana, as has my life also.
" O Raghava, in the absence of Lakshmana and thyself,
that princess was seen by me, being dragged away by the all-
powerful Ravana. Flying to the aid of Sita, O Lord, Ravana
was thrown to the earth by me in the struggle that ensued,
and his chariot and canopy shattered. With a stroke of my
wing, I slew the charioteer, but being at the end of my strength,
my two wings were severed by Ravana's sword, and he, seizing
hold of Sita, the Princess of Videha, escaped into the air.
That titan has left me here to die ; do not slay me, O Prince."
Receiving these precious tidings concerning Sita, Rama,
dropping his great bow, embraced the King of the Vultures,
and then, despite his resolve, fell to the ground overcome with
grief and began to lament with Lakshmana. Seeing Jatayu
alone in that perilous and isolated pathway, moaning un-
ceasingly, Rama, overwhelmed with pity, said to Saumitri : —
" The loss of my kingdom, exile to the forest, the abduction
of Sita and the death of this Twice-born, renders my fate such
that it would consume fire itself. Even were the sea filled
to the brim and I to enter it this day, that Lord of the Rivers
would dry up on account of my misfortunes.
" Such is the adversity that encompasses me that there is
none in all the worlds amongst animate and inanimate beings
who is so wretched as I ! On account of mine evil karma, this
childhood friend of my sire, the mighty King of the Vultures,
lies dying on the earth ! "
Repeating these words again and again to Lakshmana who
accompanied him, Rama began to caress Jatayu, passing his
hand lovingly over the body of his father's friend. Thereafter
taking the King of the Vultures, whose wings were severed
and who was bathed in blood, in his arms, he said :—
" Where has Maithili gone, who is dearer to me than life ? "
and having spoken thus, Raghava sank down on the earth.
1 Lit : Qshadi or Oshadi Prastha ' the place of medicinal herbs '.
141
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 68
Jatayu's Death
In the presence of the vulture, whom the terrible Ravana had
struck down, Rama, full of compassion for all, addressed the
son of Saumitri in these words : —
" This bird, who sought to defend my interests, has been
mortally wounded in the struggle with the titan and for my
sake now lies dying here. Its vital breaths are barely per-
ceptible, O Lakshmana, its eyes are dim and it is unable to speak.
" O Jatayu, if it be possible for thee, then say what has
become of Sita and how thou hast come to this sorry pass.
For what reason has Ravana carried away my dear one ? How
did that radiant and enchanting face, resembling the moon,
appear at that time, O Best of the Twice-born. What words
did Sita utter at that moment? What is the strength, the
appearance and the karma of that titan ? Where does he
dwell, O Friend, answer me ! "
Beholding Rama lamenting like an orphan, the virtuous
Jatayu answered in feeble accents : —
" Sita has been carried away by that Indra of Titans,
Ravana, that evil wretch who resorts to the aid of sorcery and
is able to loose the wind and the tempest. O Dear Child, I
being exhausted, that Prowler of the Night severed my two
wings and, thereafter taking hold of Sita, fled in a southerly
direction. My breathing is laboured and my sight dim, O
Raghava, I see before me the golden trees with leaves formed
of Ushira.1 The hour in which Ravana bore Sita away was
that in which the loser soon recovers that which is lost,
1 Vindya ' is its name, O Kakutstha, and Ravana was unaware
of it. Like a fish that swallows the bait, he will soon perish !
Do not, therefore, despair of recovering Janaki; thou wilt
soon sport with her, having slain Ravana in battle 1 "
While the vulture was thus replying to Rama, blood and
morsels of flesh flowed from his beak and, on the verge of
death, retaining his consciousness, Jatayu added : — " Ravana is
1 TJshira — A hair-like grass said to grow on the trees in hell.
142
ARANYA KANDA
the son of Vishravas and the brother of Vishravana ! " and
thereafter yielded up his life.
" Speak ! Speak further ! " cried Rama, addressing him
with joined palms, but the life-breaths, withdrawn from that
vulture's body, were already dissipated. Thereupon the King
of the Vultures fell on the earth, his legs, body and head
stretched out and, beholding that bird resembling a mountain
of vast proportions, that bird of reddened eyes, deprived of life,
Rama, staggering under the weight of his misfortune, said to
Saumitri in bitter tones : —
" Passing many years happily in the forest, the resort of
titans, this bird has at length given up his life ! Having lived
innumerable years, he now lies here inanimate ! None can
withstand the course of destiny ! Behold, O Lakshmana, this
vulture who died in my service having sought to protect Sita, and
who has been slain by Ravana of superior power. He renounced
the dominion bequeathed to him by his ancestors and sacrificed
his life for my sake. Undoubtedly the virtuous practise
courage, devotion and the fulfilment of duty, even in the
animal kingdom, O Saumitri ! I did not feel so keen a grief
for Sita's abduction as for the death of this vulture, who has
sacrificed himself for me, O Scourger of Thy Foes !
" I hold this King of Birds in the same veneration as I did
the illustrious and fortunate monarch, Dasaratha, O Saumitri !
Do thou bring fuel that I may ignite the pyre of that King of
Vultures, who died for me. Placing the body of that protector
of the realm of winged creatures on the funeral pile, who
has been destroyed by the cruel titan, I shall cremate it.
O King of the Vultures, O Magnanimous Being, cremated
and blessed by me, depart, and ascend to those regions,
further than which it is not possible to go and which are the
abode of those who habitually offer sacrifice, those heroes
who never retreat on the batde field and those who distribute
land in charity."
With these words, the virtuous Rama placed the King of
Winged Creatures on the funeral pyre and, full of grief, ignited
the flame as if performing the rite for his own kinsman.
Thereafter, the illustrious Rama, accompanied by Saumitri,
entered the forest and, killing a few fet Rohi deer, strewed the
143
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
flesh on the green grass as an oblation to that bird. Tearing
off the flesh of those deer and kneading it into balls, he offered
it to the vulture in that pleasant forest land, placing it on fresh
grass. Thereafter, in order that Jatayu might soon reach the
celestial abode, he recited those sacred formulas uttered by the
brahmins, after which the two princes repaired to the Godaveri
river to offer water in honour of the kingly bird. Following
the traditional rites, those two Descendants of Raghu bathed
and performed the Udaka1 ceremony for the King of the
Vultures, who, having fallen on the held of battle, had executed
a glorious and difficult deed and now, blessed by Rama, had
attained to the place prepared for him in the realm of the
saints.
Thereupon those two princes, after offering the last rites
in honour of that excellent bird, as if to their sire, entered
the forest, their minds set on the recovery of Sita, like Vishnu
and Vasava, the Sovereigns of the Gods.
CHAPTER 69
Rama and Lakskmana meet Ayomukki and Kabandha
Having performed the purificatory rites in honour of Jatayu,
the two princes entered the forest in quest of Sita, proceeding
in a south-westerly direction. Armed with sword, bow and
arrow, those offshoots of the House of Ikshwaku followed a
hitherto untrodden path, overgrown with bushes, trees and
creepers of various kinds, which was difficult of access, with
dense thickets on either side and of sinister appearance; never-
theless the two mighty warriors pressed on through that vast
and dangerous wood.
Having traversed Janasthana and covered a further three
leagues, those brothers, endowed with great energy, penetrated
into the thick woodlands of the Krauncha Forest, which
resembled a group of clouds and presented a smiling aspect
1 Udaka Ceremony — ritual presentation of water to the ancestors.
144
ARANYA KANDA
with its many brilliant flowers and the herds of wild deer and
flocks of birds that inhabited it.
After exploring this forest, anxious to behold the Princess of
Videha once more, sometimes halting to bewail her disappear-
ance, the two brothers resumed their journey, and covering a
distance of three leagues came to the hermitage of Matanga.
Having searched the whole forest filled with fearful beasts
and birds and planted with innumerable trees and dense
thickets, the two sons of Dasaratha beheld a cave in the moun-
tain, deep as the region under the earth where eternal darkness
reigns.
Then those two Lions among Men, approaching that cave,
perceived the vast shape of a female titan of hideous appear-
ance. Fearful of aspect, she was an object of terror to weaker
creatures with her loathsome countenance, vast stomach, sharp
teeth, immense stature and harsh voice.
This monster subsisted on the flesh of ferocious beasts and
now appeared before Rama and Lakshmana, her hair dis-
hevelled, and addressed them, saying : —
" Come let us pass the time in dalliance together." There-
after she laid hold of Lakshmana, who had preceded his brother
and added: —
" I am named Ayomukhi, I am thine ; do thou become my
lord, O Hero ! Let us give ourselves up to a long life of
pleasure on the summits of the mountains and among the
islands in the rivers."
Hearing these words, the Slayer of his Foes, Lakshmana,
full of wrath, drew his sword and cut off her ears, nose and
breasts. Her ears and nose being severed, that terrible titan
ran away with all speed, and when she had disappeared, the
two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, Scourgers of their Foes,
hastily pressed on and entered the dense forest.
Thereafter the mighty Lakshmana, full of loyalty, charm
and nobility, addressed bis resplendent brother with joined
palms, saying: —
" I am conscious of a violent throbbing in my left arm and
my mind is filled with apprehension, whilst on every side I
perceive inauspicious omens ; do thou therefore hold thyself
in readiness, O Great One, and follow my counsel; these
145
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
different portents foretell imminent danger. The Vanchulaka bird
is emitting fearful cries which indicate a speedy victory for us."
Thereupon the two brothers courageously began to explore
the entire forest, when a terrible clamour arose appearing to
rend the trees ; such was the uproar that it seemed as though
a mighty wind had suddenly swept through the forest.
Seeking to ascertain the cause of this disturbance, Rama,
armed with a sword, bow in hand, advancing with his younger
brother, beheld a titan of vast proportions, possessing huge
thighs, standing before him. Headless, his mouth in his belly,
covered with brisding hairs, in stature equal to a mountain,
his complexion that of a dark cloud, terrible to look upon, his
voice resounded like thunder.
Shining like a lit torch, he seemed to emit sparks ; his single
eye, furnished with yellow lids opening in his breast, was
strange and hideous and this monster, possessed of enormous
teeth, was licking his lips. Despite their ferocity and size,
he fed on bears, lions, deer and birds, catching them with his
great arms at a distance of four miles. With his hands he
seized hold of flocks of birds and herds of deer, which he put
into his mouth.
Having observed them a mile off, he obstructed the progress
of the two brothers and stood awaiting them. That colossal,
hideous and dreadful creature of sinister aspect, with his
trunk and vast arras, fearful to behold, stretching out, seized
the two valiant brothers and gripped them with all his strength.
On account of his coolness and courage, the valiant Raghava
remained unmoved, but Lakshmana, being a mere stripling and
volatile by nature, began to tremble, and that younger brother
of Raghava said to him : —
" O Hero, behold how I have fallen into the power of this
titan ; do thou leave me as an offering to the evil forces and
go thy way happily ; thou wilt soon be re-united with Vaidehi,
this is my firm conviction ! O Kakutstha, when thou hast
regained the kingdom of thy forbears and art installed on the
throne, remember me ! "
At these words, uttered by Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra,
Rama answered : — " Have no fear, O Valiant One, persons of
thy valour are never perturbed."
146
ARANYA KANDA
Meanwhile the headless titan, of huge arms, the foremost
among the giants, said to them : —
" Who are you, whose shoulders resemble a bull's, armed
with great swords and bows ? It is fortunate indeed for me that
by chance you have come within my range in this dangerous
place. Say for what reason you have come here, where I wait
ravaged by hunger, ye who are armed with arrows, bows and
swords and resemble bulls with pointed horns? Having
approached me, your death is imminent."
Hearing the words of the wicked Kabandha, Rama, his face
growing pale, said to Lakshmana : —
"We have fallen from one danger into a greater one, O
Hero ; this ill chance may cost us our lives without our being
able to rejoin our beloved Sita. The power of destiny over
all beings is inexorable, O Lakshmana ! See, O Lion among
Men, how ill-fortune drives us to the last extremity ; there is
nothing that weighs so heavily on man as destiny. Even the
brave, the mighty, the great and skilful warriors on the field
of battle, overtaken by destiny, are swept away like banks
of sand."
Thus spoke that heroic and illustrious son of Dasaratha, filled
with distress, his eyes fixed on Saumitri, while in his soul his
composure was fully established.
CHAPTER 70
Rama and Lakshmana sever the Arms of Kabandha
Seeing the two brothers fallen into bis arms as if into a snare,
Kabandha said to them : —
" What ails you, O Foremost among Warriors ? Since I am
tormented with hunger, fate has destined you for my food and
for this reason has deprived you of your wits."
Hearing these words Lakshmana, though sore distressed,
determined to display his valour and addressed Rama in words
worthy of the occasion, saying : —
M7 l
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" We shall soon become the food of this vile demon, who
with his vast and powerful arms subdues all beings ; let us
with our swords sever his arms with all speed, O Lord, or he
will make an end of us. It is shameful for warriors to make
away with those who cannot defend themselves like an animal
deprived of its freedom that is led to sacrifice."
These words infuriated the demon, who opened his terrible
mouth wide, preparing to devour them, whereupon the two
brothers, choosing a favourable moment, as if in sport cut off
bis two arms at the shoulders, Rama cutting the right and
Lakshmana with a vigorous stroke of his sword, the left. There-
upon Kabandha, his vast arms severed, emitting loud shrieks
which resounded through the earth and sky like thunder, fell
upon the ground. Beholding his two arms severed and the
blood flowing in streams, the unfortunate demon enquired of
those two warriors in feeble accents : — " Who are you ? "
Thus accosted, the supremely courageous Lakshmana began
to extol the virtues of Kakutstha, saying : —
" This is Rama, the descendant of the House of Ikshwaku,
known throughout the earth, and I am his younger brother,
Lakshmana. Deprived of his kingdom by the Queen Kaikeyi,
Raghava was exiled to the great forest, where he lived with his
consort and myself. While this hero, mighty as a God, dwelt
in that pastoral retreat, a titan bore away his consort, in search
of whom we have come hither.
" And thou, who art thou, wandering in these woods emitting
flames, thy thighs sunk into thy body ? "
On hearing Lakshmana, Kabandha, calling Indra's words to
mind, answered joyfully : —
" Welcome to you, O Tigers among Men, beholding you
is my salvation ; for my good, you have cut off my arms. Do
you hear, how, due to mine arrogance, I came to assume this
monstrous shape. O Illustrious Ones, I snail relate all to you
truthfully."
148
ARANYA KANDA
CHAPTER 71
Kabandha tells his Story
" O Long-armed Rama, formerly I was filled with unimaginable
energy and courage ; my beauty was famed throughout the
Three Worlds and equal to the sun, the moon and Indra
himself. Assuming a terrible form, I became an object of
fear to all and struck terror into the hearts of the ascetics living
in the forest.
" O Rama, on a certain occasion I incurred the wrath of a
great Rishi named Sthulashira, whom I tormented in this
loathsome shape, whilst he was gathering wild fruits. Fixing
his gaze on me, he pronounced a terrible curse, saying : —
* Do thou retain for ever this fearful form, assumed by thee
in order to harm others ! *
" Appealing to that provoked ascetic to rescind his curse,
he took compassion on me and said : ' When Rama cremates
thee in the lonely forest, having severed both thine arms,
thou shalt regain thy great and wonderful form.'
" O Lakshmana, know that I am really the son of Danu,
who was extremely handsome to look upon ; my present
appearance is due to a curse pronounced by Indra on the
field of battle.
" By rigorous penances I gained the goodwill of Brahma,
and he granted me the boon of longevity. Thereafter I was
filled with pride and, thinking ' What can Indra do to me
now ', I challenged him to combat, whereupon he hurled his
mace of a hundred edges at me. By the force of this weapon,
my thighs and head were thrust into my body ; I prayed to
him to end my life, but he, saying : ' May the words of Brahma
prove true ', compelled me to go on living. Then I addressed
Mahendra, saying: — 'How shall I live without food, since
thou hast thrust my head and thighs into my body ? *
149
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Thereat, Indra caused my arms to extend over four miles
and placed a mouth with sharp teeth in my belly. Ever
since, stretching out my arms, I wander in the forest and
seize hold of lions, tigers and deer and put them into my
mouth. Then Indra said to me : * When Rama and Lakshmana
cut off thine arms, thou shalt attain heaven \
" Since then, O Great One, I have laid hold on every living
being I have found in the forest and have been awaiting Rama
to sever my arms ; anticipating this, I have waited for death.
Now, O Lord, thou hast come, be thou blessed ! None but
thou can put an end to my life ; the words of the great Rishi
have proved true, O Illustrious One. I will put my counsel
at thy service, O Bull among Men, and, when I have received
the consecration of fire, will form a pact of friendship with
you both."
At these words of Danu, Rama, in the hearing of Lakshmana,
answered him, saying : —
" Ravana has borne away mine illustrious consort, Sita,
whilst I and my brother were absent from the hermitage. I
am conversant only with the name of that titan but not with
his form, nor are we acquainted with his strength, nor where
he dwells. Helpless and distressed, we wander here and there
in the forest ; it behoveth thee to show thy compassion to us.
After gathering all the branches that are dry and have been
broken down by elephants and digging a large pit, we will
cremate thee at the time indicated by thee. Do thou tell us
who has carried Sita away and where she is to be found.
Render us this great service, if thou art acquainted with the
truth."
Thus addressed by Rama, Danu, skilled in speech, answered
Raghava, saying : — " I am not possessed of divine foresight,
neither am I acquainted with the Princess Sita, but being
cremated by thee, resuming my natural form, I shall be able
to point out one to thee, who will know what has become of
her. Without being consumed by fire, I am unable to tell
thee who is acquainted with that titan who has carried Sita
away. Through a curse, my foresight has been destroyed,
O Raghava, and through mine own fault I have become an
object of loathing to the whole world, but before the sun with
150
ARANYA KANDA
his tired steeds withdraws behind the western horizon cast
me into the pit, O Rama, and cremate me according to the
traditional rites.
" Cremated by thee with due ceremonial, O Joy of the
House of Raghu, I shall tell thee who is acquainted with that
titan. It is for thee to seal a pact of friendship with him
according to the law. O Raghava, that swift-footed hero will
lend thee his assistance.
" For one reason or another, he has traversed the Three
Worlds and there is nothing in the Universe that is not known
to him."
CHAPTER 72
Kabandha tells Rama how to find Sita
After Kabandha had spoken thus, those two warriors, the
foremost among men, Rama and Lakshmana, sought out a
hollow on the mountain-side and ignited a fire. With the aid
of glowing brands, Lakshmana lit the pyre that burst into
flame on every side. The vast trunk of Kabandha began to
melt in the heat of the fire like a lump of butter, and later
the powerful Kabandha, scattering the ashes, rose up from the
pyre wearing spotless raiment and a celestial garland, and that
handsome demon, his limbs covered with diverse ornaments,
ascended a chariot of dazzling beauty drawn by swans, in his
splendour illumining the ten regions. Thereafter, standing in
the sky, he addressed Rama, saying : —
" Learn, O Raghava, by what means thou shalt be able to
recover Sita. There are six expedients1 by which misfortune
1 Six expedients :
Sand hi — making peace.
Vigraha — engaging in war.
Yana — inarching against the enemy.
Ashana — maintaining a post against the enemy.
Daidibhava — sowing dissention.
Samshraya — seeking the protection of others.
15'
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
may be combated, and in the light of which all things should
be considered. He who has fallen into the worst misfortune
may find solace if he has someone with whom to share his lot,
but thou and Lakshmana are deprived of this consolation in
the calamity that has befallen you through the theft of Sita.
O Rama, thou who art thyself the foremost of friends art in
need of a friend. After due reflection, I see no possibility
of success for thee except by this.
" Hearken, O Rama, to what I am about to tell thee. There
is a monkey named Sugriva, who was banished in anger by
his brother Bali, the son of Indra. This sagacious and valiant
Sugriva with four of his companions inhabits the lofty mountain
Rishyamuka situated on the borders of Lake Fampa.
" This Indra among Monkeys, who is full of energy and
prowess, of brilliant appearance, loyal, temperate, intelligent
and magnanimous, skilful, courageous, wise and powerful,
has been banished by his brother for the sake of the kingdom.
He will surely prove thy friend and assist thee in thy search
for Sita. O Rama, do not be disturbed on this account ;
that which is destined must come to pass. O Lion among the
Ikshwakus, fate is inexorable !
" Do thou go hence with all speed, O Valiant Raghava, and
seek out the powerful Sugriva. Without delay conclude an
alliance with him and, swearing mutual loyalty in the presence
of fire, unite thyself with that beneficent being. Thou shouldst
not disregard that King of the Monkey Tribe, Sugriva, who
is of a grateful disposition, able to change his form at will and
worthy of thy friendship. Thou too wilt be able to accomplish
his designs, but benefited by thee or no, he will execute thy
purpose.
" This son of Riksharajas' consort and of Bhaskara,
wanders about resdessly on the borders of Lake Pampa and is
at war with Bali. Laying aside thy weapons, seek out the
retreat of that monkey on the Rishyamuka Mountain without
delay and enter into a bond of friendship with that inhabitant
of the forest. That Foremost of Monkeys is conversant with
all the haunts of the flesh-eating titans in the world and has
thoroughly explored their retreats ; there is nothing on this
earth that is not known to him, O Raghava.
152
ARANYA KANDA
" As long as the many-rayed sun continues to shine, O
Scourge of Thy Foes, he with his companions will search
the rivers, the crags, the inaccessible mountains and the caves
for thy consort. He will send out his monkeys of vast stature to
scour every region in order to find Sita, separation from whom
has rent thine heart. He will seek for Maithili of lovely limbs
even in Ravana's own abode. Should thine irreproachable and
beloved Sita have been taken to the summit of Mount Meru or
abandoned in the nethermost hell, that Lion among the Monkey
Tribe, having slain the titans, will restore her to thee."
chapter 73
Kabandka's Counsel to Rama
Having revealed the way to recover Sita, the resourceful
Kabandha counselled Rama in the following significant words,
saying : —
" This is the path leading westwards to the Mount Rish-
yamuka, O Rama, abounding in blossoming trees ; Jambu,
Priyala, Panasa, Nyagrodha, Plaksha, Tinduka, Ashwattha,
Karnikara, Cuta, Naga, Tilaka, Naktamala, Nilashoka, Kadamba,
Karavira, Agnimukha, Ashoka, Raktachanda, Paribhadraka and
many other trees grow there and, climbing or bending them
by force, they should be used by you to sustain yourselves on
the way with their sweet fruits.
"Passing through these flowery woodlands, O Kakutstha,
thou wilt reach others resembling the Nandana Gardens,
where, as with the northern Kurus, the trees bear fruit and
produce honey in every month of the year and every season
is represented simultaneously as in the forest of Chaitaratha.
There, great trees with mighty branches, bowed under the
weight of their fruit, resemble towering clouds on the mountain
side. Lakshmana will climb those trees with ease or pull
them down to offer thee the fruit equal in taste to the Nectar
of Immortality. Ranging over those lovely mountains, wander-
ing from hill to hill and wood to wood, O Hero, ye shall reach
the lake Pampa covered with lotuses, free from boulders and
153
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
gravel, whose level banks present no crevice and therefore no
danger of falling. O Rama, its bed is sandy and it is covered
with floating lilies ; swans, ducks, herons and ospreys are
heard calling sweetly on the waters of that lake ; nor do they
fear man, O Raghava, since none has ever hunted there. Do
ye feed on these birds, fat as butter, O Rama, as well as on
Rohita, Chakratunda and Nala.
" O Rama, the devoted Lakshmana will offer thee diverse
and excellent fish, devoid of scale or fin, plump, possessing a
single bone, which may be speared with arrows and roasted
on the fire. And when thou hast feasted, Lakshmana, drawing
pure water, fragrant with the scent of lotuses, fresh, limpid,
sparkling like silver, shall offer it to thee on a lotus leaf.
" In the evening, ranging here and there, Lakshmana will
point out to thee the great monkeys who dwell in the woods
and in the hollows of the hills, and thou shalt see those wild
and savage apes, roaring like bulls, coming to the borders of the
lake to drink.
" Wandering abroad at dusk, thy grief will be assuaged on
beholding the flowering trees and the auspicious waters of
the lake, and thou shalt see the blossoming Tilaka and Naktamala
trees with the red and white full-blown lotuses, which will
dispel thy sorrow. . No man has ever gathered those blooms
nor do the garlands made of them ever fade away, O Raghava,
for the disciples of the great ascetic Matanga lived there, who,
proficient in penance, laden with the wild fruits they had
collected for their Guru, covered the earth with drops of their
perspiration from which these flowers have sprung; by
virtue of their austerities these blooms never die.
" Those ascetics have now passed away but there still
liveth one who served them, a mendicant woman named
Shabari. O Kakutstha, she, who is ever fixed in her duty, is
now extremely old and, on beholding thee who art honoured
by the whole world, will ascend to heaven.
" O Rama, having reached the western bank of Lake Pampa,
thou shalt see a lovely, isolated and concealed spot, which is
Matanga's hermitage. There, in fear of his divine authority,
no elephant dare enter, though there be many. This place is
known as the Matanga Wood, O Raghava, and there, 0 Joy
154
ARANYA KANDA
of the House of Raghu, where every variety of bird sings and
which resembles the Garden of Nandana or a celestial grove,
thou wilt be able to rest.
" The Rishyamuka mountain, covered with flowering trees
and filled with birds, rises opposite Lake Pampa and is difficult
of access, young elephants barring the way. This lofty moun-
tain was formerly created by Brahma and a virtuous man
who sleeps on its summit and dreams of treasure will find
wealth on waking, whereas an evil-doer who attempts to
scale it will be seized by demons while yet asleep. There too,
the trumpeting of the young elephants who disport themselves
in the Lake Pampa can be heard. O Rama, in that part of the
hermitage where Matanga lodged them, wild elephants of
vast size, streaming with crimson ichor, rush to the lake, full
of ardour, like great clouds ; there they slake their thirst in
the cool waters, that are limpid, pleasant and extremely
auspicious to those who bathe in them and which exhale a
sweet fragrance. Having disported themselves, these elephants
re-enter the thickets with the bears, panthers and wolves.
Beholding them, as also the deer of gentle countenance re-
sembling sapphire, who are harmless and do not fear man, thy
grief will be assuaged.
" O Kakutstha, on this mountain, hewn out of the rock
is a great cavern, difficult of access, covered on all sides with
delightful fruits, and at the entrance is a great lake of cool
water filled with every kind of reptile ; there the virtuous
Sugriva and his companions dwell, though sometimes he
resides on the summit of the hill."
Having thus instructed the two princes, Rama and Lakshmana,
Kabandha, resembling the sun in brilliance, wreathed in
garlands, illumined the heavens with his splendour. Thereupon
those two heroes, seeing that blessed One stationed in the sky,
spoke unto him, saying :— " Go in peace ! " whereto Kabandha
answered saying : — " Do ye proceed, ye will achieve your
purpose ! "
Then Kabandha, having regained his pristine beauty, shining
in grace and splendour, fixed his gaze on Rama and spoke
again from the sky, saying : — " Enter into an alliance with
Sugriva."
155
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 74
Rama visits Shabari
The two princes, following the instructions of Kabandha,
proceeded along the path to the west leading to Lake Pampa.
Wending their way, desirous of finding Sugriva, they gazed on
the many trees laden with flowers and fruit, tasting of nectar,
growing on the mountain-sides. Passing the night on a
plateau, those two Descendants of Raghu reached the western
bank of the Pampa abounding in lotuses and beheld Shabari's
pleasant retreat.
Approaching that charming hermitage, shaded on all sides
by innumerable trees, they beheld that perfected One who,
seeing them, rose up and with joined palms touched the feet
of Rama and the prudent Lakshmana and, according to
tradition, offered water to rinse their mouths and bathe their
feet.
Thereupon Rama addressed that female ascetic, fixed in her
spiritual duty, and said : — " Hast thou overcome all obstacles
to asceticism, O Thou of gentle speech ? Do thine austerities
increase daily ? Hast thou subdued thine anger and thy need
for food ? O Solitary One, hast thou observed thy vows and
attained inner tranquillity ? Has thine attendance on thy
Guru borne fruit ? "
Thus interrogated by Rama, the virtuous Shabari, revered
by the Gods, extremely aged, standing before him, offered him
homage and said : —
" Blessed by thy presence, I have acquired perfection and
my asceticism is crowned. To-day my birth has borne fruit
and the service of my Gurus has been fully honoured. To-day
my pious practices have found fulfilment. O Foremost of
Men, Greatest of the Celestials, worshipping thee, I shall
attain the heavenly realm. O Gentle One, O Slayer of thy
Foes, O Thou who dost confer honour on men, purified by
thy compassionate regard, I shall, by thy favour, attain the
imperishable worlds, O Subduer of Thy Foes.
156
ARANYA KANDA
" When thou didst set foot on the Mount Chittrakuta, those
ascetics I served, ascending celestial cars of incomparable
splendour, departed to heaven and those great sages, conversant
with virtue, said to me : —
" ' Rama will visit thy holy retreat ; do thou receive him
and Lakshmana with traditional hospitality. On beholding
him, thou shalt attain the highest sphere from whence none
returneth.*
" O Foremost of Men, thus did those blessed ascetics address
me, and for thee I have gathered the wild fruits of diverse
kinds that grow on the borders of Lake Pampa."
Hearing these words, Raghava said to her, who had not been
left in ignorance by her Gurus concerning the past and the future: —
" I have heard the truth about the greatness of thy Gurus
from Danu and now I would fain witness it with mine own
eyes, if thou judgest it fitting."
Listening to these words falling from Rama's own lips,
Shabari, guiding the two brothers to the vast forest, addressed
them, saying : —
" O Raghunanda, behold this forest resembling a dark cloud,
filled with birds and beasts, known as the Matanga Wood.
Here my Gurus of pure soul sacrificed unto fire, their persons
consecrated by mantras through which they had purified them,
thus consecrating the forest and rendering it a holy place.
Here too is the altar facing the west, where, with hands
trembling with fatigue, my worshipful preceptors offered
flowers to their Gods. O Foremost of the Raghus, behold
this altar of incomparable beauty, which, through the power of
their penances, still sheds its lustre illumining the four regions.
Behold also the Seven Seas, drawn here by virtue of their
thought, since, through fasting and the weight of years, they
were unable to walk. These robes of bark, left hanging on the
trees by them at the completion of their ablutions, are still
wet and the lotuses of azure hue offered by them in worship
have not faded.
" Now thou hast seen the forest and hast heard all that thou
didst desire to know ; I will abandon my body so that I may
approach those pure-souled ascetics whom I used to wait upon,
to whom this hermitage belongs and whose servant I am."
157
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing these pious words, Rama, who was accompanied by
Lakshmana, experienced great delight and exclaimed :
" Wonderful it is ! " Thereafter, addressing Shabari of ascetic
practices, he said : —
** O Holy One, I have been fully honoured by thee ; now
repair whither thou wilt and be happy."
Having received permission from Rama to depart, Shabari,
wearing matted locks, robes of bark and a black antelope skin,
cast herself into the fire, thereafter rising into the air like a
bright flame.
Adorned with celestial ornaments, wreathed in garlands,
emitting a divine fragrance, sprinkled with sandal-paste and
clad in celestial raiment, she appeared exquisite and illumined
the heavens like a flash of lightning. By virtue of her medita-
tions she ascended to those sacred abodes where her spiritual
preceptors, those bigh-souled ascetics, dwelt.
chapter 75
Rama reaches the Lake Pampa
When Shabari had ascended to heaven through the merit of
her spiritual prowess, Rama with bis brother Lakshmana
began to ponder over the pious influence of those great ascetics
and, reflecting within himself on the divine authority of those
holy men, Raghava said to his brother : —
" O Friend, I have now visited the retreat of those magnani-
mous sages of miraculous deeds, where deer and tigers roam,
together with birds of every kind. O Lakshmana, we have
performed our ablutions in the sacred waters of these seven
seas and have offered oblations to our ancestors. Our evil
karma has thereby been destroyed and prosperity made
manifest; my heart is filled with peace. Methinks, O Lion
among Men, that we shall soon meet with good fortune.
Come, let us walk towards the enchanting Lake Pampa ! The
Rishyamuka Mountain may be seen in the distance; it is
158
ARANYA KANDA
there that the four great monkeys with Sugriva, Surya's son,
dwell in constant fear of Bali. I am impatient to see this
Lion of the Monkey Tribe, Sugriva, for it is he who will
ascertain where Sita can be found."
Thus did the heroic Rama speak, and Saumitri answered
him, saying : —
" Let us repair thither without delay ; my heart too reaches
out to that place." Thereupon, issuing from Matanga's
hermitage, the mighty Rama, Lord of Men, accompanied by
Lakshmana, proceeded towards lake Pampa.
On every side he saw innumerable trees in full flower and
pools where small white cranes nested in the reeds, and peacocks,
lapwings and woodpeckers, rilling the forest with their cries, as
also a multitude of other birds.
Enjoying the trees of varying fragrance and the many ponds,
Rama, transported with delight, approached one whose waters,
delicious to the taste, were drawn from the Matanga lake.
There the two Descendants of Raghu stood in quiet recollection.
Thereafter, grief once more invading the heart of Raghu, the
son of Dasaratha, he entered the enchanting lake covered with
lotuses.
Adorned on all sides with Tilaka, Ashoka, Punnaga, Vakula
and Uddalaka trees, which were nourished by its waters, it
was framed in charming groves and its waves, pure as crystal,
on which hibiscus blooms floated, flowed over fine sand. Fish
and turtle abounded there and the banks were embellished by
trees intertwined with friendly creepers. Kinneras, Uragas,
Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshasas frequented it and diverse
trees and shrubs cast their shade over it. That lake was
verily a jewel with its fresh and limpid waters, its lotuses and
water-lilies lending it a coppery sheen, whilst clumps of
nymphoae cast silvery reflections and the blue of sapphire
was added by other flowers. Aravinda and Utpala blooms
abounded round the lake, which was covered with innumerable
lotuses, whilst groves of mango in flower lent their shade, and
peacocks filled it with their cries.
Rama, the mighty son of Dasaratha, who was accompanied
by Lakshmana, seeing the Lake Pampa adorned like a bride
with Tilaka, Bijapura, Vata, Lodhra, Sukladruma, Karavira,
159
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Punnaga in flower, bushes of Malati and Kunda, Bandira,
Nichula, Ashoka, Saptaparna, Ketaka, Atknukta and diverse
other trees of varying perfume, gave expression to his grief : —
" There stands on the right bank the mountain Rishyamuka,
abounding in various metals and famed for the variety of its
trees and flowers, spoken of by Kabandha, where the son of
the magnanimous Riksharajas, the valiant Sugriva, dwells.
' O Foremost of Men, seek out the King of the Monkeys ',
were his words."
Thereafter, Rama spoke to Lakshmana again, saying : —
" O Lakshmana, how will Sita be able to live without me?"
Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, the foremost of the
Raghus, tormented by his love, which precluded him from
thinking of aught else, entered the marvellous Lake Pampa,
having given voice to his sorrow.
Proceeding slowly, observing the forest, Rama, coming to
Lake Pampa, surrounded on all sides with enchanting groves,
filled with a multitude of birds, entered its waters with
Lakshmana.
END OF ARANYA KANDA
BOOK IV.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER I
Rama describes the Spring and the Sentiments it evokes in him
Directing his steps towards Lake Pampa, which was covered
with lotuses of various kinds, Rama, who was accompanied by
Lakshmana, his mind troubled, began to lament. Beholding
that lake, his heart was filled with delight, and under the sway
of love, he said to the son of Sumitra : —
" O Lakshmana, how beautiful is the Lake Pampa with its
pure and limpid waves, its lotuses and flowering water-lilies,
its many kinds of trees. Oh ! How delightful ! O Saumitri,
observe the Pampa Woods, how pleasant they are to look upon,
those magnificent trees resembling crested mountains. I am
overwhelmed and stricken with grief on recollecting Bharata's
distress and the abduction of Sita.
" Though my heart is heavy, yet the Pampa lake is still able
to charm me, with its ravishing woods luxuriant with every
kind of blossom and its fresh and delicious waters. The month
of flowering lotuses1 lends it an extreme beauty ; serpents and
wild animals frequent it, whilst deer and birds abound. The
thick grass, of a deep emerald hue, is sprinkled with different
flowers that have fallen from the trees and resembles a bright
carpet. On every side the tops of the trees, bending under the
weight of their blossom, are wholly hidden by the creepers
with their flowering fronds.
" O Lakshmana, it is the season of auspicious breezes and
tender love, the fragrant spring month when flowers and fruit
are brought to birth on the trees. See how lovely are these
flowering woods, O Saumitri, showering down a rain of petals,
like water from the clouds.
" In the enchanting valleys on the escarpments, innumerable
trees, shaken by the wind, scatter their blossom on the earth.
O Lakshmana, see how the breeze, agitating the myriad branches
1 Lit. Padmas, Utpalas, Jhashas.
I63 M
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of the flowering trees, seems to play with the blossom that has
fallen or is still on the trees. The God of the Wind frolics
to the accompaniment of the humming of bees and to the song
of the amorous nightingale, desiring, as it were, to make the
trees dance. Emerging from the mountain caves, the wind
gives forth a kind of music, shaking the trees violently from
side to side, causing the extreme tips of their branches to meet,
uniting them one with the other. The zephyr with soft caress-
ing breath, diffusing the perfume of sandalwood, dispels all
fatigue.
" Agitated by the wind, these trees seem to add their voices
to the humming of the bees amidst the soft and fragrant groves.
" On the enchanting mountain plateaus, the crags, whose
points touch, resplendent with large trees bearing beautiful
flowers, sparkle with beauty, and the trees, tossed by the airy
currents that stir them, their crests covered with blossom and
crowned with bees, seem about to break into song.
** See, on every side, the marvellous blossoming of the
golden Karnikara trees, resembling men robed in silk ! This
season of Spring, 0 Lakshmana, with its choir of birds of
every kind revives the pain caused by Sita's absence. In this
overwhelming grief, pangs of love torment me. The gay
trilling of the cuckoo tantalizes me ; the joyful Datyuhaka
bird that sings from the waterfalls of the forest increases my
pain, O Lakshmana ! Formerly when she heard its voice in
our hermitage, my beloved, intoxicated with love and happiness,
would call to me.
" See how the birds of varied plumage, giving forth every
kind of note, seek refuge on all sides amongst the trees, bushes
and creepers ! The females accompanied by the males
flock together according to their kind and rejoice ; intoxicated
by the Bhringaraja's exultant cries, they chirrup melodiously.
Here, in the home of Sita, the assembled birds are made merry
by the joyous song of the Datyuhaka responding to the cuckoo's
call.
" The rustling of the trees rekindles the fire of my love, of
which the bunches of the Ashoka blooms are the fuel, the
humming of the bees the crackling, and the buds the golden
tongues of flame.
164
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" This fire of Spring is consuming me ! Nay, far from that
lady of lovely eyelashes, beautiful looks and gentle speech, I
cannot survive, O Saumitri ! The season that brings delight
to the woods is the time she loved, and beyond all, she was
enamoured of the forest echoing to the call of the cuckoo on
every side, O Irreproachable Hero !
" The tender feelings I bear for my sweet One and the
delights of Spring that increase them are a burning fire that
will soon consume me utterly. I shall not live long separated
from my spouse ; the beauty of these trees increases the pangs
of my love. Being unable to see Sita any more intensifies my
anguish, whilst the presence of Spring causes the sweat of
desire to break forth on me. Thinking of that lady, whose
eyes resemble a doe's, grief holds me in thrall ; the cruel Spring
breeze from the woods tortures mc, O Saumitri !
" Here and there, peacocks dance, spreading their brilliant
wings in the breeze, and their tails, decorated with eyes,
resemble crystal lattices. The females surrounding them are
intoxicated with desire and this strengthens the love with which
I am filled.
" See, O Lakshmana, on the mountain plateau, how the
peacock dances and how the peahen, her heart intoxicated with
joy, closely follows him ! He spreads his radiant wings and
his cries seem to mock my pain, for in the forest his loved one
has not been carried away by a titan and he can dance in these
enchanting groves with his tender love. In this month of
flowers, in Sita's absence, my stay here is unendurable !
" See, O Lakshmana, love is found even among lower animals!
At this moment, the peahen is ardently attracted to the steps
of the male ; even thus would the large-eyed daughter of
Janaka follow my steps with renewed love, had she not been
borne away.
" O Lakshmana, the flowers that bear down the forest
branches with their weight in the autumn will produce no
fruit for me and, though so lovely, will fall rotting to the
ground with their swarms of bees.
" The birds at this time, in joyous flight, carolling in love,
seem to call to one another, invoking deep transports of desire
in me. If the Spring also reigns where my loved one, Sita,
165
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
dwells, who has now fallen under the sway of another, she
will be sharing my ardour. Yet if the Spring has not reached
that place where she is, how will that dark-eyed lady be able
to go on living in my absenec ? If this season has not come
to where my gentle love resides, what will that fair-limbed lady
do, who has been overpowered by a mighty adversary ? My
youthful and beloved consort, whose eyes resemble lotus petals
and who is gentle of speech, will certainly yield up her life at
the first breath of Spring. In my heart, I feel assured that
the gentle Sita will not be able to survive separation from me.
Devotion to Vaidehi invades my entire being and my love is
wholly centred on her.
" When I remember my gentle love, this caressing breeze,
so fresh and cool, carrying the fragrance of flowers, is like a
burning fire to me. The God of the Wind, who was ever
welcome when Sita was present, is to-day a source of pain to me.
In her absence, that bird flying through the air emitting
cries, the crow now perching on a tree, makes a delightful sound.1
This winged creature will prove a messenger and bring my
remembrance to the mind of the large-eyed Vaidehi.
" Listen, O Lakshmana, to the birds' intoxicating chorus of
love, as they warble in the flowery crested trees. That bee
suddenly flying towards the young green shoots of the Tilaka
tree, blown by the breeze, is like a lover trembling with desire.
The Ashoka tree, that increases the torment of lovers, rises
with its plumes of flowers waving in the wind, to tantalize me.
Look, O Lakshmana, at the flowering mango trees, resembling
those who are distracted by the pangs of love !
" O Saumitri, O Lion among Men ! See how amidst the
magnificent range of trees that grow on the borders of Lake
Pampa, the Kinneras wander about on every side ! Observe
those Nalina flowers of subtle scent, O Lakshmana, gleaming
on the water like unto the sun about to rise. See the calm
surface of the Pampa Lake, fragrant with lotus and blue water-
lilies, frequented by swans and waterfowl, and the stamens of
the lotus flowers, bright as the dawn, that the bees have scattered
on the waves.
1 This refers to a crow cawing at the time of Rama's wedding, indicating
that he would shortly be separated from her ; now the sound signifies
KISHKINDHA KA'NDA
" How the Lake Parapa sparkles ! Waterfowl abound there
in every season ; how wonderful are its woodland glades !
It is enchanting with its herds of elephants and deer, that love
to come and bathe in it. The water-lilies rocking on the
breast of the limpid waves, the waters whipped by the impetuous
wind sparkle with beauty, O Lakshmana.
" Far from Vaidehi, whose eyes are as large as the petals of
of the lotus, who ever loved the water-lilies, life has no attraction
for me. O Perfidious Kama, now I am no longer able to rejoin
her, thou seekest to evoke in me the memory of that sweet
lady, whose speech was a thousand times sweeter still; it were
possible to bear the love I feel for her, if the Spring with its
flowers and trees did not increase my torment ! Those things
that enchanted me, when I was with her, in her absence, have
no further charm for me. On seeing the petals of the lotus
cup, I say to myself : ' These resemble Sita's eyes ', O Laksh-
mana. The fragrant breeze, blowing through the stamens of the
lotus flowers and the trees, resembles her breath.
" O Saumitri, see how marvellous is the brilliance of the
flowering trunk of the Karnikara on the ridges of the mountain
to the right of Lake Pampa. Those ravishing trees with their
flowers, stripped of leaves, seem to set the mountain ridges on
fire ; whilst those growing on the banks of the lake, that irrigates
them, give off a delicate perfume.
" Malatis, Mallikas, Karaviras and Padmas in flower,
Ketaki, Sinduvara and Vasanti trees, Matulinga, Purna and
Kunda bushes on every side; Shiribilva, Madhuka, Vanjula,
Bakula, Champaka, Tilaka, Nagavriksha, Padmaka, Ashoka
with their azure flowers, Lodhra, Simhakesara, Pinjara trees
are seen everywhere. Ankola, Kuranta, Shurnaka, Pari-
bhadraka, Cuta, Pataii, Kovidara, Mucukunda and Arjuna
trees spread their blossom on the slope of the mountain. Rakta-
kurava, Ketaka, Uddalaka, Shirisha, Shingshapa, Dhava,
Shalmali, Kingshuka, Kurubaka with its red flowers, Tinisha,
Naktamala, Candaka, Syandana, Hintala, Tilaka and Naga-
vriksha, these blossoming trees are entwined with flowering
spiked creepers.
" See, O Saumitri, how they crowd together on the banks of
Lake Pampa, their branches waving in the wind ; the creepers
167
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
seem to be pursuing each other, resembling lovely women
at play.
" The breeze passes through the trees from crag to crag,
from wood to wood. Amongst them, some are in full flower
and give off a soft fragrance, others, covered with buds, have
a sombre air. What sweetness ! How pleasant ! What blossom!
"Amidst these trees on the borders of Lake Pampa, the
bees seem to be resting in the heart of the flowers, staying a
moment, then flying off again, quickly alighting elsewhere,
greedy for nectar.
" The fortunate earth is heaped with masses of blossom that
has fallen on the ground, resembling the covering of a couch.
On the mountain sides unrolls a brilliant carpet of gold and red
flowers of every kind, O Saumitri. At the end of winter all
these trees are now in full flower, O Lakshmana. In this
month of blossom, the plants open, vying with each other,
and the trees, where the six-legged insects hum, seem to
challenge one another, manifesting a great brilliance, their
branches crowned with flowers.
" The Karandava bird plunging into the limpid waves, dis-
porting itself with its mate, seems in some way to inspire love.
Like that of the Mandakini, the beauty of the Lake Pampa is
enchanting ; its perfections are famed throughout the world
and, in proximity, ravish the heart.
" If I might find my gentle Love once again, and we could
take up our abode here, I should not even covet India's realm
or regret Ayodhya. Here, on these charming slopes, I should
sport with her and neither my thoughts nor desires would
lead me away.
" In the absence of my beloved, the trees of these woods,
wholly covered with every kind of flower, almost deprive me
of my reason.
" Gaze on this lake of limpid waters, O Saumitri, which is
covered with lotuses, frequented by the Chakravaka bird, the
abode of Karandavas, abounding in pelicans, herons and wild
beasts and re-echoing to the warbling of birds; verily Lake
Pampa is a paradise ! The myriad birds with their delightful
antics and the memory of that youthful woman, my beloved,
whose face shines like the moon, whose eyes resemble lotuses,
168
KISHKINDHA KANDA
all inflame my desire. I, who am separated from Sita, whose
eyes resemble the doe's and the gazelle's, on seeing them dis-
porting themselves there, am troubled, as it were.
" On that pleasant hillside, filled with flocks of birds, intoxi-
cated with love, might I but see my gentle One, I should be
content. O Saumitri, I should certainly live anew if Sita of
slender waist were inhaling the auspicious air of Lake Pampa
at my side. Fortunate is he, O Lakshmana, who drinks
that pleasant air from the woods of Lake Pampa that carries
the fragrance of the lotus and dispels all grief.
" How is that youthful woman, whose eyes resemble lotus
petals, the beloved daughter of Janaka, able to bear the exist-
ence of a slave ? What shall I say to that virtuous king, the
faithful Janaka, when, in the presence of the people, he asks
me if all is well with Sita ?
" She who followed me to the dreary forest whither my father
had banished me, that Sita, fixed in her duty, where is she,
my beloved, now ? Separated from her, how, in mine adversity,
O Lakshmana, shall I be able to endure life ? I am losing
my reason! When shall I hear the incomparable voice of
Vaidehi again ? Though she found nought but misfortune in
the forest, yet that youthful woman, in her tenderness, con-
versed sweetly with me, who was consumed with love, as if
she had ceased to be unhappy and was full of joy. How shall
I, in Ayodhya, reply to Kaushalya, O Prince, when that vener-
able queen asks me : ' Where is my daughter-in-law and what
has befallen her ? '
" O Lakshmana, return and seek out Bharata, our devoted
brother; as for me, I can no longer continue living without
the daughter of Janaka."
Thus did the magnanimous Rama lament, as if deprived of
support, and his brother, Lakshmana, in judicious and measured
words, answered him, saying : — " O Rama, summon up thy
courage and be happy, do not grieve, O Thou, the Best of Men.
Those in thy condition have nothing with which to reproach
themselves and should not give way to despair. Calling to
remembrance the grief caused by separation from that being
who is dear to thee, banish all excessive attachment. In
proximity to intense heat, even a damp net catches fire. Though
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THE RAMAYANA OF V'A L M I"; K I
be descend into hell or yet lower, Ravana will in no way
survive his deed, O Beloved Rama. Let us first seek out this
wicked demon ; either he shall yield up Sita or he is lost.
Should Ravana descend into the womb of Diti1 with Sita,
I shall slay him if he does not restore her to thee. Return
to thy normal state, My Noble Friend, and throw off these
mournful thoughts. Assuredly no success is gained by those
who abandon their undertakings without making due efforts.
Exertion is a powerful weapon, O Lord, there is no power
superior to it. With effort, nothing is impossible in this
world. Resolute men do not fail in their pursuits. By our
efforts alone we shall recover Janaki. Do not permit thyself
to be dominated by thy love or thy grief; cast it behind thee.
Hast thou perchance forgotten the greatness of thy soul, the
fixity of thy purpose and character ? "
Thus spurred on by Lakshmana, Rama, who had allowed
himself to be overcome by sorrow, banished his grief and
distraction and regained his valour.
Calm and brave beyond imagining, Rama crossed the Pampa
that was full of charm, enchanting with its trees of waving
branches. When he had explored the whole forest with its
waterfalls and ravines, the magnanimous Rama, agitated and
overcome with grief, set out with Lakshmana, and with the
joyous gait of an elephant intoxicated with Mada juice, the
intrepid and magnanimous Saumitri, with rapid strides went
on his way serenely, consoling Rama by his fidelity and valour.
As they neared the vicinity of Rishyamuka, the King of the
Monkeys observed those heroes of unusual aspect and, despite
his courage, trembled but made no move towards them. That
magnanimous monkey, who walked with the dignity of an
elephant, seeing those two brothers advancing, was filled with
extreme apprehension and became distracted with fear.
In their terror at the sight of Rama and Lakshmana, those
monkeys concealed themselves in that pleasant solitude, the
refuge of the Deer of the Trees.8
1 The bowels of the earth.
* Monkeys.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 2
Sugriva sends Hanuman to interview Rama
Beholding those two illustrious brothers, Rama and Laksbmana,
bearing great swords in their hands, Sugriva grew anxious and,
with a beating heart, glancing round on every side, could find
no place in which to take refuge. Seeing those two heroes,
he moved about restlessly from place to place and, in his terror,
felt himself about to swoon. Exceedingly perturbed, the
virtuous Sugriva with his companions began to ponder on the
varying aspects of the situation and that Chief of the Monkey
Tribe, pointing out those two warriors, Rama and Lakshmana,
to his ministers, said : —
" Without doubt, Bali has sent these two heroes to this wood,
which is inaccessible to him, and they, assuming robes of bark,
have come hither and have penetrated this stronghold.'*
Then those counsellors of Sugriva, perceiving the two
skilful archers, sped away from that ridge to a higher crest,
slipping off hurriedly behind their leader and thereafter they
encircled that King of the Forest Dwellers. In close formation,
they leapt from crag to crag, causing the rocks to tremble with
their bounds. Jumping with extreme force, they broke down
the flowering trees growing in that altitude and those amazing
monkeys, leaping in every direction on that great mountain,
struck terror in the hearts of the deer, the wild cats and the
tigers.
Thereafter, the counsellors of Sugriva, assembling on that
Indra of mountains, gathered round their sovereign with
joined palms, and the eloquent Hanuman addressed Sugriva,
who in his terror suspected some project of his brother's to be
afoot, saying : —
" Let all banish fear of Bali ! There is nothing to inspire
terror on this, the highest of mountains. I do not see any
sign here of that cruel Bali of evil aspect, who has filled thee
171
THE RAMAYAKA OF VALMIKI
with apprehension and caused thy flight, O Bull among
Monkeys. That cunning creature whom thou fearest, thy
wicked elder brother, is not here, O Friend : I see no cause for
thine apprehension. It is evident, O Plavamgama, that thy
simian nature is asserting itself, since, by giving way to dis-
traction of mind, thou art not able to see clearly. Thou art
intelligent, experienced, able to read the expression of others
and fully prepared for any eventuality, but a prince who gives
way to agitation is not able to forestall any."
Hearing Hanuman's pregnant utterance, Sugriva answered
him with greater calm saying : —
" Seeing those two long-armed warriors of large eyes, armed
with bows and swords, resembling the offspring of the Gods,
who would not be afraid ? I deem these two powerful heroes
to be the messengers of Bali. Kings have many friends, and
I do not feel able to trust them. Those who are cautious
invariably find the weak spot in those who are over-confident.
Bali is crafty in every enterprise. Those monarchs who are
well-informed are able to overcome their enemies and should
spy out their actions with the help of ordinary men.
" Go, O Plavamgama, in the guise of a common man and
find out the intentions of these two strangers. Study their
gestures, their manners and their speech j observe their
attitude and how they are disposed.
" By praise and repeated courtesies inspire them with
confidence. Interrogate those two archers in my name, O
Bull amongst Monkeys, and enquire of them for what reason
they have come to these woods. Discover if their purpose
be honest, O Plavamgama; their speech and manner will
betray them if they are ill-intentioned."
Thus commanded by Sugriva, the Son of Maruta prepared
to seek out Rama and Lakshmana.
His master, through extreme fear, having rendered himself
unapproachable, the monkey Hanuman of noble attributes,
listening to his words with respect, answered : " Be it so ! "
and went forth to meet the mighty Rama and Lakshmana
who accompanied him.
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 3
Hanuman's Meeting with Rama
At the command of the magnanimous Sugriva, Hanuman,
with one bound, left the Mountain Rishyamuka and placed
himself in the path of the two Raghavas.
Discarding his monkey form, Hanuman, the son of Maruta,
by the power of illusion, assumed the guise of a wandering
monk and, in gentle and pleasing tones, addressed those two
brothers with humility, paying obeisance to them.
Approaching those two heroes, that Foremost of Monkeys
praised them as they deserved, offering them every courtesy
and in accord with Sugriva's wish spoke graciously to them,
saying : —
" O Ascetics of renowned penance, who are full of faith and
valour and who resemble the Rishis and the Gods, why have
you come to this region, sowing fear amongst the herds of deer
and other denizens of the forest, surveying the trees on every
side that grow on the borders of Pampa, that lake of sparkling
waves, the splendour of which you enhance with your radiance,
O Heroes of Great Daring ?
" O Valiant Strangers, who are you, whose skin gleams like
gold and who are clad in robes of bark, possessing strong arms,
you who are sighing deeply and whose sight inspires fear in all
beings ? You have the air of lions or warriors who are full of
courage and heroism, armed as you are with bows, resembling
Indra's, the Destroyers of your Foes ?
" Full of majesty and beauty, mighty as great bulls, your
arms resembling the trunks of elephants, radiant, the first
among men, youthful, illumining the king of the mountains with
your effulgence, you who are worthy of ruling kingdoms and
like unto the Gods, what purpose brings you here ? O Heroes,
whose eyes are as large as lotus petals, who wear your matted
locks coiled like crowns on your heads, who resemble each
173
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
other, have you come hither from the celestial region ? Verily
the sun and moon have descended to earth of their own free
will. O Broad-chested Warriors, ye who are men, yet nave
the aspect of divine beings, whose shoulders are like unto a
lion's, who are endowed with great strength and resemble two
bulls intoxicated with desire, whose large and massive arms
look like clubs that should be adorned with every kind of
ornament, yet bear none, it seems that you are both worthy
of ruling the whole earth, whose decorations are the Vindhya
and Mem mountains with their lakes and forests. How
beautiful arc your two shining bows, glistening with perfumed
paste, covered with gold and shining like the mace of Indra ;
the two quivers also, rilled with sharp death-dealing and
formidable arrows resembling hissing snakes ; your two
swords of immense length and size, encrusted with fine gold
that gleam like serpents that have just cast their slough ! But
why do ye not answer me ?
" Sugriva is the name of that virtuous King of the Monkeys,
that hero banished by his brother, who roams the earth in
great distress. I have come here under the orders of that
magnanimous one, the Chief of the Great Monkeys. The
illustrious Sugriva desires your friendship. Know me to be
his minister, a monkey, the son of Pavana, ranging where I
please and coming here under the guise of a wandering monk
from the Rishyamuka Mountain in order to please him."
Having addressed those two heroes, Rama and Lakshmana,
in discreet and courteous terms, Hanuman fell silent and hearing
that speech, the blessed Rama, delighted, addressed Lakshmana
who stood beside him, saying : —
" This is the minister of the King of the Monkeys, the
magnanimous Sugriva, whom I seek. O Saumitri, answer
Sugriva's counsellor who is eloquent and warm-hearted and
the subduer of his foes in courteous terms. Only one versed
in the Rig- Veda and, who is conversant with the Yajur and the
Sama Vedas, would speak thus. He has studied grammar
thoroughly, and though he has spoken at length, it has been
void of error. I see naught to offend, either in his mouth,
his eyes, his brow, limbs, or attitude. His speech is neither
lacking in fulness, depth, assurance or distinction ; his voice
174
KISHKINDHA KANDA
issues from his breast in clear modulated tones. He expresses
himself with admirable felicity without any hesitation ; his
tone is harmonious and moves the heart agreeably. What foe,
having drawn his sword, would not be disarmed by the charm
of that voice that enunciates each syllable so perfectly. O
Irreproachable Prince, the king who employs messengers
gifted with such talent is certain to succeed in all his under-
takings, since they are enhanced at the very outset, by such
eloquence."
On this, Saumitri addressed that eloquent minister of
Sugriva's in well-chosen words, saying : — " O Sage, we have
been told of the great attributes of Sugriva and are at this
moment looking for that King of the Monkeys. That which
he commands we will carry out on thine instructions, O
Excellent Hanuman."
When he heard this gracious speech, that monkey, born of
Pavana, who wished nothing more than that Sugriva should
triumph, resolved to bring about a friendly alliance between
Rama and his master.
CHAPTER 4
Hanuman bears Rama and Lakshmana into the presence of Sugriva
Listening to Lakshmana's courteous words and marking the
feeling of goodwill towards his master, Hanuman, deeming
Rama would be willing to assist him, joyfully reflected that
Sugriva's triumph was already assured.
He thought : " Undoubtedly the magnanimous Sugriva will
not fail to regain his kingdom, for here is one who will enable
him to accomplish his design."
Then the wholly delighted and eloquent Hanuman, the
Foremost of Monkeys, said to Rama: — "What brings thee
with thy younger brother to this perilous and inaccessible
forest ? "
On this enquiry, Lakshmana, prompted by his brother,
related the history of Rama, the son of Dasaratha, to him.
175
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" There was a king named Dasaratha, who was illustrious,
fixed in his duty and, according to the law, the protector of
the four castes. Without a foe, he himself hating none, he
appeared to all living beings to be a second Brahma.
" The firstborn son of Dasaratha, who possessed every
excellent quality, the refuge of all, endowed with royal virtues
and of great majesty, was banished from his dominion and
obedient to the behests of his sire, has come to dwell in the
forest. Submitting to the paternal decree, he was followed
by his consort, Sita, as the glorious sun by the sunset glow
at evening.
" My name is Lakshmana. I, who am inferior to him in
every respect, am his brother and accompany him as his
servant. This dutiful prince, who is ever mindful of what
should be done, is extremely learned and this hero, who spends
his life in promoting the welfare of all beings, who is worthy
of happiness and honour, deprived of supreme power, passes
his days in the forest. A titan, who was able to change his
form at will, carried off his consort, she being alone, and her
abductor is unknown to us.
" The son of Diti, Danu, who, through a curse, had been
forced to assume the form of a titan, imparted the name of
Sugriva, the King of the Monkeys, to us. Now I have
answered thine enquiries fully in all sincerity ; Rama and I
both seek the help of Sugriva. The distributor of all
wealth, he, who has reached the peak of glory and was formerly
the guardian of the worlds, has come to seek Sugriva's protection.
The son of that instructor of his people, who was devoted to
his duty, of whom Sita was the daughter-in-law, Rama, seeks
the protection of Sugriva. The strong defender of the whole
universe, that was formerly his highway, my Guru Rama,
whom thou seest here, has come to seek refuge with Sugriva.
He, under whose compassion all beings rest, Rama, has come
to appeal to the goodwill of that King of the Monkeys. It is
the eldest son of King Dasaratha, who was endowed with
every good attribute and on this earth constantly showered
honours on monarchs, Rama, renowned in the Three Worlds,
who now seeks refuge in Sugriva, Lord of the Monkeys.
Rama, a victim to grief, overwhelmed with affliction, has come
i76
KISHKINDHA KANDA
as a suppliant ! It is for Sugriva with the leaders of the monkey
tribes to show favour to him."
Hearing Lakshrnana, uttering this appeal, his tears flowing
the while, Hanuman graciously replied : —
" Such suppliants, endowed with wisdom, who have mastered
their anger and other passions and whose fortune has led
them to his presence, arc worthy to be brought before that
Indra of Monkeys. He too is exiled from his kingdom and
the object of his brother's enmity, who has carried off his
consort and, after maltreating him cruelly, forced him to flee
trembling to the forest. That offspring of Surya, Sugriva,
will form a pact of friendship with you, and I shall accompany
him in his search for Sita."
Having spoken thus in a gentle and kindly tone, Hanuman
said to Raghava in friendly accents: — "Let us seek out
Sugriva."
At these words, the righteous Lakshrnana bowed courteously
to him and addressed the virtuous Raghava, saying : —
" What this monkey, born of the Wind-God, has gladly
told us, his master will carry out ; it is here that thy purpose
will find fulfilment, O Rama. Goodness is painted on his
countenance ; he speaks cheerfully and his words ring true."
Then that extremely intelligent son of Maruta, Hanuman,
went away, taking the two heroes, the descendants of Raghu,
with him. Abandoning the guise of a mendicant and assum-
ing the form of a monkey, that great ape, taking those two
warriors on his shoulders, departed.
Thereafter, that intelligent son of Pavana, who was renowned
among the monkeys and endowed with great prowess, delighted
to have accomplished his design, scaled the mountain with
immense bounds taking Rama and Lakshrnana with him.
CHAPTER 5
The Alliance of Rama and Sugriva
From the Rishyamuka mountain, Hanuman bounded to the
Mt. Malaya and presenting the two valiant descendants of
Raghu to Sugriva, said : —
177
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" This is Rama, O Great and Wise King, who has come
here with Lakshmana, his brother ; this true hero, born in the
dynasty of Ikshwaku, is the son of King Dasaratha.
" Fixed in his duty, he is carrying out the behests of his
sire, that great king who, gratifying the Deity of Fire, Agni,
with the Rajasuya and Ashwamedha sacrifices, at those times
distributed hundreds and thousands of cows in charity.
" On account of a woman, his son, Rama, who is present
here, was exiled to the forest and, while that magnanimous
hero was dwelling there, practising asceticism, Ravana carried
off his consort ; he now seeks thy protection.
'* These two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, solicit thy
friendship ; do thou receive these heroes, worthy of homage,
with honour ! "
Hearing these words of Hanuman, Sugriva, the King of the
Monkeys, who had now become easy of access, said to Rama: —
" This is a great fortune and the greatest of gains for me
O Lord, that thou desirest to ally thyself in friendship with me,
who am one of the Monkey Tribe. Should that friendship
find favour with thee, then here is my hand, take it into thine
and let us bind ourselves fast with a vow."
Hearing Sugriva's sweet words, Rama with a joyful heart
clasped his hand and, happy in the thought of the alliance they
were about to conclude, embraced him warmly.
Then Hanuman, the Subduer of his Foes, who had put off
his monk's guise, assuming his own shape, kindled a fire by
rubbing two pieces of wood together. The fire being lit and
flowers cast into it, thus preparing it, he placed it between
them,1 full of joy and devotion.
Going round it they both worshipped the fire and thus
Sugriva and Rama were united in friendship. Whereupon the
hearts of the monkey and Rama were merry and, gazing upon
each other, they were unable to have their fill.
" Thou art now the friend of my heart in joy and pain !
We are one ! " Thus spoke Sugriva in his satisfaction, as also
Rama, and breaking off a branch from a Sala tree adorned with
leaves and covered with flowers, Sugriva laid it down as it
were a carpet and with Rama sat down upon it, whilst the
1 The fire apparently bciiiR in a brazier.
i78
KISHKINDHA KANDA
delighted Hanuman, born of Maruta, in his turn, offered
Lakshmana a branch of blossoming sandalwood.
Thereafter, full of happiness, Sugriva, his eyes wide with
delight, said to Rama in sweet and gentle tones : —
" Cruelly persecuted, O Rama, I came hither in great fear,
my consort having been wrested from me, and, in deep distress,
I took refuge in this inaccessible part of the forest, where
I now dwell, my mind distracted with terror.
" My brother oppresses me and is mine enemy, O Rama,
O Great Hero ; do thou deliver me from the fear which Bali
inspires in me ! Act, O Kakutstha, in such a way that my
courage may be restored."
At these words, the illustrious and virtuous Rama, a lover
of justice, smiling, answered Sugriva, saying : —
" I know well that the fruit of friendship is mutual aid,
O Great Monkey ! I shall slay that Bali, who has carried off
thy consort ! These pointed shafts that thou perceivest, these
arrows bright as the sun, fly straight to their target. Decorated
with heron's feathers and resembling Indra's thunderbolt,
skilfully wrought, their points sharpened, resembling provoked
serpents, they will pierce that perverse wretch with force.
To-day thou shalt see Bali fall on the earth like a cleft mountain
struck by these pointed darts, resembling venomous snakes."
Encouraged by Rama's words, Sugriva, overjoyed, spoke
again, saying : — " May I by thy grace, O Valiant Lion among
Men, regain my consort and my kingdom. O King, do thou
restrain my wicked elder brother from harming me hereafter."
At the moment when Sugriva and Rama concluded their
alliance, Sita's left eye, resembling a lotus, twitched,1 as also
did that of the Indra of Monkeys, which resembled gold, and
that of the titan, Ravana, which was like a flame.
1 A foreshowing of coming events.
179
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 6
Sugriva shows Rama Sita's Cloak and Jewels
In his joy, Sugriva addressed Raghava, the delight of the
House of Raghu, once again, saying : " I have learnt thine
history from my servant, the best of counsellors, Hanuman,
and why thou hast come to these sylvan solitudes, where thou
residest with thy brother Lakshmana.
" Borne away by a titan, thy consort, Maithili, the daughter
of Janaka, is grieving far from thee and the sagacious Lakshmana.
That titan seeking an opportunity to do thee mischief,
having slain the .vulture, Jatayu, carried off thy consort, thus
rendering thee unhappy. Thou shalt soon be freed from the
sorrow that the abduction of thy loved one causes thee.
" Whether she is to be found in heaven or hell, I shall seek
out that lady and bring her back to thee, O Conqueror of
Thine Enemies ! Know well, I speak truly, O Raghava. Sita
is not destined to be the food of gods or titans ; thy consort
will prove to be a poisoned dish to them !
" Banish thy grief, I will bring thy dear one back to thee.
As I surmised, it was undoubtedly Sita that I saw when that
titan of cruel deeds bore her away. She was crying : ' O
Rama ! O Lakshmana ! * in a pitiful voice and struggling in
Ravana's arms, like the female of the Serpent King.
" Seeing me with my five companions standing on the
summit of the mountain, she dropped her cloak and magnificent
jewels, which we collected and preserved, O Rama. I will
bring them to thee and thou wilt perchance be able to call them
to remembrance."
On this, Rama answered Sugriva in all affection and said: —
" Go quickly and bring them to me here without delay, O
Friend ! "
At these words, Sugriva, intent on pleasing Rama, ran in
all haste to a deep cave in the mountain, and seizing the cloak
and jewels, that monkey showed them to Rama, saying: —
" These are they, O Raghava ! "
1 80
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Then Rama, taking the raiment and the sparkling jewels,
found his eyes to be misty with tears, as the moon is veiled
in cloud, tears that in his affection for Sita fell in torrents,
and, losing his composure, he fell to the earth, sobbing :
" O My Dear One ! "
Pressing the precious jewels to his breast, heaving deep sighs
like the furious hissing of a snake in its bole, his eyes streaming
with tears, perceiving Lakshmana at his side, he began to
lament bitterly, saying : —
" O Lakshmana, behold Vaidehi's cloak and jewels, which,
while being carried away, she allowed to fall on the earth ;
without doubt, it was on this grassy slope that Sita, while
being borne away, scattered her ornaments, their condition
confirms it."
Hearing Rama's words, Lakshmana said : — " I do not
recognize the bracelets or earrings, but I know the anklets,
for I worshipped her feet alone."1
Then Rama said to Sugriva : — " In what place didst thou
behold Vaidehi, my chaste spouse, dearer to me than life
itself ? What hideous titan bore her away ? Where does that
monster dwell, who has plunged me in this mourning ? Having
carried Sita away and kindled my wrath, he has forfeited his
life and opened the portals of death. Say, who is this titan,
who, in the forest, has by craft borne away my tender consort?
O Chief of the Monkeys, to-day I shall dispatch him to the
region of death."
CHAPTER 7
Sugriva consoles Rama
Thus, in his distress, did Rama speak, and the monkey,
Sugriva, with joined palms, weeping, his voice shaken with
sobs, answered him, saying : —
" Indeed I do not know where that wicked titan dwells,
nor his strength, nor the extent of his valour, nor the tribe to
which that vile monster belongs, but, O Subduer of Thy Foes,
I beg thee in all sincerity to master thy grief.
1 Implying that lie never raised his eyes above her feet.
181
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI .
" By mine efforts, I shall succeed in restoring Maithili to
thee ! By slaying Ravana and his entire house and mani-
festing my personal courage to the uttermost, I shall act in
such a way that thou wilt be happy 'ere long. Thou hast
yielded to despair sufficiently, now exhibit thy native resolution!
Men like thee should not give way to despondency !
" I too suffer greatly on account of separation from my
consort, but I do not despair like thee, nor have I lost courage.
Though but a common monkey, I do not indulge in complaint.
How much less shouldst thou do so, O Magnanimous Hero,
thou who art wise, valiant and illustrious !
" Thou shouldst resolutely restrain the tears that fall .; it
becometh thee not to lose patience, that quality that distin-
guishes men of nobility.
" A brave man has recourse to reason and does not allow
himself to be moved either in adversity, consequent on separa-
tion from relatives, or on the loss of possessions, or at the
time of death. But the man who is lacking in courage and
gives way to despair inevitably succumbs to bis grief, like an
overloaded ship in the water.
" Bowing low before thee with joined palms, I beseech thee
to summon up all thy fortitude and not yield to misery. Those
who permit themselves to be overcome by grief never succeed,
and their strength is decreased ; do not therefore give thyself
up to sorrow.
" He who is overwhelmed by despair is in danger. Banish
thy sorrow, O Indra among Men, and revive thy courage;
let it be fully restored ! I speak to thee for thine own good,
as a friend; I do not wish to instruct thee. Therefore for our
friendship's sake, do not yield thyself up to grief."
Tenderly consoled by Sugriva, Rama wiped his face, which
was wet with tears, with the corner of bis tunic and, returning
to his normal state as a result of Sugriva's words, the Lord
Kakutstha, embracing him, said : —
" O Sugriva, thou dost fulfil the role of a devoted friend,
that of being of service with dignity. O Friend, see how,
through thy good counsel, I have become myself again. It is
not easy to find such an ally, who is suffering the same adversity;
therefore exert thyself to find Maithili and the cruel titan,
182
KISHKINDHA KANDA
that perverse Ravana, and tell me frankly what I should do.
Thou art a rich field that the rains have visited ; everything
will succeed with thee. Further, the words I recently pro-
nounced1 with confidence, O Tiger among Monkeys, will
without doubt come to pass. Never have I uttered a falsehood,
nor shall I ever do so. I swear by the truth, that what I have
said will come to pass 1 "
Hearing the words of that King of Men, the wise leader of
the valiant monkeys felt in his heart that his purpose was
accomplished.
CHAPTER 8
Sugriva implores Rama to kelp him against Bali
Gratified on hearing these words, Sugriva joyfully addressed
the elder brother of Lakshmana in this wise : —
" Undoubtedly I am favoured by the Gods, since I have a
virtuous friend, full of great qualities, such as thou ! With
thy help, O Irreproachable One, it would be possible for me
even to conquer the celestial realm, how much more regain
my kingdom, O Lord ! I am the object of reverence to my
friends and kinsmen, O Rama, since, witnessed by the sacred
fire, I have formed an alliance with thee ! O Descendant of
the House of Raghu, thou wilt soon find me worthy of thy
friendship, but it does not become me to speak of mine own
good qualities. It is in great heroes such as thou, masters
of themselves, that affection, like true courage, remains fixed,
O Best of Well-bora Men ! Silver, gold and precious gems
are shared amongst friends as belonging to either; rich or
poor, happy or wretched, destitute or gifted with good qualities,
a friend is ever a friend. Good fortune, prosperity or country,
O Irreproachable Hero, are all sacrificed for the sake of a
friend ; only devotion to him matters."
" True indeed," replied the blessed Rama to the handsome
Sugriva, in the presence of Lakshmana, who equalled Vasava
in wisdom.
1 Concerning Bali.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
The following day, Sugriva, seeing Rama standing by the
valiant Lakshmana, scanned the forest hurriedly and, observing
a Sala tree at no great distance, covered with flowers and heavy
with luxuriant foliage, in which bees were humming, tore off
a magnificent leafy branch, and spreading it on the ground
sat down on it with Rama.
Seeing the two thus installed, Hanuman, in his turn, break-
ing off a branch of a Sala tree, invited the self-effacing Lakshmana
to take his place there.
Beholding Rama seated at his ease on that lofty mountain,
covered with flowering Sala trees, radiating serenity like a
peaceful lake, Sugriva, in his delight, in soft and gentle tones,
leaning towards his friend who was manifesting extreme
joy, said to him in accents trembling with emotion : —
" Harassed by my brother, my declared enemy, O Rama,
fear of Bali preys on my mind. O Thou who art the refuge
of the world, I am without a defender, grant me thy support ! "
Hearing these words, the illustrious and virtuous Rama,
fixed in his duty, smiling, answered Sugriva, saying : —
"Administering relief is the fruit of friendship, harming
others that of enmity ! This very day, I shall slay the abductor
of thy consort. Here are my winged shafts and fiery arrows,
O Fortunate One, whose hafts, inlaid with gold, resembling
Mahendra's thunder-bolt, have come from the forest of
Karttikeya and are adorned with heron's plumes. Their
smooth joints and sharp points lend them the appearance of
angry snakes. Thou shalt see that enemy, thy brother called
Bali, tainted with evil deeds, struck down with these arrows,
like a mountain crumbling into dust."
Hearing Rama's words, Sugriva, the leader of the monkey
army, felt an inexpressible joy. " Excellent ! Excellent ! ",
he cried. " O Rama, I have been overwhelmed with distress
and thou art the refuge of the afflicted. Knowing thee to be
mine ally, I have poured out my sorrow on thy breast. Having
clasped thy hand in mine, witnessed by the fire, thou hast
become the most valued friend of my life ; by the truth I
swear it. I have taken thee as my friend and speak to thee in
confidence. The misfortune that has overtaken me constantly
gnaws at my heart."
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
Thus spoke Sugriva, his eyes brimming, his voice strangled
with sobs, unable to continue. Then, stemming the stream of
his tears, that flowed like a raging torrent, Sugriva, in Rama's
presence, mastering himself in an instant and, stifling his sobs,
wiped his beautiful eyes. Thereafter, that illustrious monkey
once again addressed Raghava, saying : —
" O Rama, formerly Bali, overwhelming me with insults,
banished me from the kingdom. Seizing my consort, dearer
to me than life itself, he bound my friends in chains. Then that
perverse wretch sought to destroy me, O Rama, and often the
monkeys themselves were bribed to that end, but I slew them.
Full of apprehension on seeing thee, O Rama, I did not venture
to go out to meet thee, being a prey to fear and yet in dread.
" These monkeys with Hanuman as their leader are my sole
companions ; it is due to them that I am still alive, though the
situation is grave. These loyal monkeys surround and protect
me, accompanying me on all my journeys, remaining with me
wherever I decide to stay.
" O Rama, of what use is it to speak further ? My elder
brother, Bali, distinguished for his cruelty, is mine adversary.
If he dies, at that very moment my misfortunes will be at an
end. My happiness, nay, my very life, depends on his destruc-
tion. This is the only remedy for my woes. I tell thee this
while yet overcome with grief; happy or unhappy, a friend
is ever the refuge of a friend ! "
At these words, Rama enquired of Sugriva, saying : — " I
wish to know the source of this hostility, tell me the cause of
your mutual enmity. When the reason for thine hatred is
known to me, O Monkey, I will concern myself with thy relief.
I shall reflect carefully on the matter and on its strength and
weakness. Great is mine indignation to learn of thine ill-
treatment, my heart beats faster, as in the rainy season the
river's flow is augmented. Speak with serene confidence while
I string my bow, and know that when I loose my shaft to
strike thine adversary, he is already slain."
Hearing the speech of the magnanimous Kakutstha, Sugriva
and his counsellors were highly gratified, and with a cheerful
countenance Sugriva began to relate the real cause of his
enmity with Bali to the elder brother of Lakshmana.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 9
The Story of Bali and Mayavi
" Bah is the name of my elder brother, the Scourge of his
Foes. He was ever held in great esteem by my father and mother,
and I, also, loved him. When his father died, he being the
elder, the ministers, who thought highly of him, installed him
as King of the Monkeys. During his rule over that immense
empire of his ancestors, I lived in constant subjection to him,
as one of his servants. On account of a woman, a great quarrel
arose between Mayavi, the illustrious elder son of Dundubhi
and Bali. One night, whilst others slept, Mayavi approached
the gates of Kishkindha, roaring with anger and challenged
Bah to fight. Roused from deep sleep by those formidable
cries, my brother, unable to contain himself, went forth immedi-
ately, advancing in fury on that powerful titan in order to kill
him. His wives and I tried to restrain him and I threw
myself at his feet, but he repelled us all and went forth full of
valour.
"Then, out of devotion, I followed him. Seeing my brother
and me following within a short distance, the titan, in fear, fled
in all haste. Struck with terror he ran on, but we ran even
faster. The moon, that had risen, flooded the path with its
light. Hidden by grass, a large hole in the ground came into
view and the titan threw himself into it precipitately. We
reached the edge and halted. Bali, who was overcome with
rage, his senses perturbed, said to me : —
" ' O Sugriva, remain here, without leaving the mouth of the
cave, while I enter in order to engage the enemy and slay him! *
" Hearing these words I besought that Destroyer of his Foes
to go no further but he, under the threat of a curse, told me
not to move from there and disappeared into the cavern.
'* After his entry into the cave, a whole year elapsed and I
remained at my post without ; I imagined him to be dead and
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
in my affection for him was deeply distressed and a prey to
fearful presentiments, reflecting : ' I shall not see my brother
again.'
" Then, for a long time, blood mixed with foam flowed from
the cave and the roaring of the titan reached my ears, but I
did not hear the cries of triumph that my elder brother emitted
in the struggle. Thereafter on account of the various signs,
I went away, thinking that my brother was dead, but first
I blocked up the mouth of the cave with a rock as large as a
mountain. O My Friend, overcome by sorrow, I offered up
the ceremonial water for my brother and returned to Kishkindha.
" Despite mine efforts to keep the matter secret, the ministers
learnt of it and having taken counsel together, they installed
me as sovereign. I ruled the empire with justice, O Rama.
In the meantime Bali, having slain his enemy, the titan, returned.
Seeing me installed with all the insignia of royalty, his eyes
became red with anger and he overwhelmed me with reproaches
and bound my ministers in chains.
" Having slain his adversary, my brother returned to the city,
and I, paying obeisance to that great warrior, offered him the
traditional homage, but he did not respond to my cordial
congratulations. I touched his feet with my forehead, O Lord,
but Bah in his anger relused to pardon me."
CHAPTER 10
The Origin of Bali's Hatred of Sugriva
" In my desire to make peace, I tried to placate my brother,
who, returning, was incensed against me.
" I said : * By the grace of the Gods, thou art victorious
and thine enemy has fallen under thy blows ; without thee,
I should be bereft of support, thou art my only defender, O My
Protector, My Delight! Now accept this royal canopy of
many supports, resembling the full moon about to rise. Take
also these chanwaras from my hands !
" ' O King ! For a whole year I waited sadly beside the
cave and, seeing blood flowing to the entrance and stopping
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
there, my heart was filled with anguish and my mind deeply
troubled. I then closed the opening of the cavern with a
great rock and left that place to return to Kishkindha in deep
distress. Seeing me, the people of that city and the ministers
also placed me on the throne, without my desiring it. There-
fore pardon me, thou who art our Sovereign. I was invested
with royal dignity in thine absence and thus preserved the city,
its ministers and inhabitants, from anarchy. This kingdom
has been as a trust to me; I now render it back to thee, O
Friend. Do not be wrath against me, O Destroyer of thy
Foes ! Placing my head at thy feet, O King, with joined palms,
I appeal to thee. It was on the insistence of the ministers
and the united populace, that I was placed on the throne,
they reflecting that the country would be seized by an enemy
in the absence of a monarch.'
" To this humble speech, Bali answered with invectives,
saying : — ' Cursed be thou ! ' and repeated the imprecation.
Then, gathering his subjects and ministers together, he in-
veighed against me, in the midst of my friends, reproaching
me with bitter words, saying : —
" ' Know well, that in anger the great Titan, Mayavi,
one night challenged me to a long-desired combat. Hearing
his voice, I left my royal dwelling and was followed immedi-
ately by my unscrupulous brother, who is present here. In
the night, seeing me followed by another, that great titan fled
terrified and both of us pursued him closely. In his haste to
escape, he entered a great cave, and, seeing that vast and
fearful cavern, I said to my false-hearted brother : * I cannot
return to the city till I have slain my rival ; do thou wait
at the mouth of the pit till. I have struck him down/ In the
belief that he would remain there, I penetrated into that
inaccessible cave.
" ' While I was pursuing mine enemy, whose audacity
rendered him truly formidable, a whole year elapsed, but at
last I discovered him and slew him with his entire family.
That titan, while being slain, roared aloud, and a stream of
blood that spread all round, filled the cave, making it difficult
to pass. Having happily slain my cruel adversary, I could
not find the opening of the cave, the entrance having been
1 88
KISHKINDHA KANDA
closed. I called Sugriva again and again but there was no
response and my situation was serious. By dint of kicking,
I was able to roll back the rock and emerged, after which I
returned to the city. That is why I am incensed against the
wicked Sugriva, whose desire for the throne overcame his
brotherly affection.*
*' With these words, the monkey Bali, bereft of all sense of
shame, chased me from the kingdom with but a single garment,
having ill-treated me and carried off my consort, O Rama.
Wretched and deprived of my companions, I took refuge on
this lofty mountain, Rishyamuka, to which, for a particular
reason, Bali has no access. This is the whole story of the origin
of our intense hostility ; I have not merited the great humilia-
tion that has visited me, as thou now seest, O Raghava. O
Thou who art the dispeller of fear, do thou take this dread of
my brother from me and punish him in my name."
The virtuous prince, having heard the faithful Sugriva's
narrative, smiling, answered him saying : —
" These arrows of mine, bright as the sun, never fail to
reach their target and with their sharp points will strike down
that evil Bali with force. As long as I do not behold this
ravisher of thy consort, this wretch of perverse practices will
live, but not an instant longer.
" I see thee to be plunged in an ocean of grief, as am I,
and I shall aid thee to traverse it ; thou shalt certainly regain
thine erstwhile prosperity."
Hearing these words, that increased his joy and courage,
Sugriva, in extreme delight, uttered the following memorable
words.
CHAPTER I I
Sugriva tells Rama of Bali's Exploits
Having listened to Rama's words, which inspired him with
joy and courage, Sugriva paid obeisance to him, manifesting
his gratitude, and said : — " In thy wrath, undoubtedly, thou art
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
able to burn up the worlds with thy sharp arrows, like the fire
at the end of the great cycle ; yet reflect on the courage of
Bali and, having heard me with attention, consider what should
be done.
" 'Ere the sun rises, the indefatigable Bali strides from
the western to the eastern ocean and from the northern to
the southern sea. He is so powerful that he is able to break
off the lofty mountain peaks, throwing them into the air and
catching them again. In order to demonstrate his strength,
he will snap in two innumerable trees of every kind in the forest.
" Once, there existed a giant, named Dundubhi, in the form
of a buffalo, who resembled the peak of Mt. Kailasha and who
was as strong as a thousand elephants. The thought of his
own might intoxicated him and he was puffed up with pride
on account of the boons he had received.
" That giant came to the sea, the Lord of Rivers, and
approached that ocean of tumultuous waves, rich in pearls,
saying ; — ( Let us enter into combat one with the other ! *
But that righteous Lord of the Waters, rising up in all his
majesty, answered that titan who was driven on by destiny,
saving : — ' O Skilful Warrior, I am not able to take up thy
challenge, but hear and I will tell thee of one who can match
thee in fight.
" ' On a vast plain, the retreat of the ascetics, there lives a
monarch of the mountains, named Himavat, the far-famed
father-in-law of Shiva. He possesses great rivers, many
ravines and waterfalls and is well able to satisfy thine over-
whelming lust for combat.' Reflecting : * The ocean holds
me in dread', that foremost of titans sped to the forest of
Himavat, as swift as an arrow loosed from a bow.
" Breaking off the great white cliffs, Dundubhi let them roll
down, shouting with exultation. Then, like a mass of white
cloud, Himavat of gentle and benign aspect, standing on the
summit of the mountain, addressed that titan thus : — ' Do not
torment me, O Dundubhi, O Thou who delightest in justice !
I am not concerned with the exploits of warriors but am a
refuge of the ascetics.*
" Hearing these words of that righteous monarch of the
mountains, Dundubhi, his eyes red with anger, answered : —
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
" ■ If thou hast not the strength to fight and art paralysed
with fear, then tell me who is able to match his prowess with
mine, for I wish to enter into combat with him.'
" Hearing this, the wise Himavat, skilful in discourse,
answered that powerful titan to whom he had spoken previously,
saying : —
" ' The name of that hero of great intelligence, who dwells
in Kishkindha, is Bah, the illustrious son of Shakra. That
great sage is a skilful warrior and of thy stature, he is as well
able to enter into combat with thee as Vasava with Namuchi.
Go with all speed and seek him out, since thou art thirsting
to fight; he has little patience and is ever full of martial
ardour.'
" Having listened to the words of Himavat, Dundubhi in
fury went to Kishkindha, Bali's city, and assuming the form
of a terrible buffalo with pointed horns, resembling a thunder-
cloud charged with rain in the sky, that powerful titan came
to the gates of the capital. Causing the earth to tremble with
his cries, he uprooted the trees near the entrance of the city,
snapping them in two. Then, like an elephant, he burst open
the gates.
" My brother, who was in the inner apartments, hearing
the tumult, came out, full of impatience, surrounded by his
wives, like the moon encircled with stars, and that leader of the
monkeys, Bali, said to Dundubhi in clear and measured
accents : —
" ' O Dundubhi, why dost thou obstruct the gateway of the
city and bellow thus ? I know who thou art. Have a care
for thy life, O Warrior ! *
" At these words of the sagacious King of the Monkeys,
Dundubhi, his eyes red with anger, answered : —
" * Do not address me thus in the presence of women, O
Warrior ! Accept my challenge and meet me in combat to-day,
so that I can measure thy strength, though, O Monkey, I am
willing to restrain my wrath for one night, to allow thee to
indulge in the pleasures of love, according to thy whim, till
the rising of the sun. Distribute alms, therefore, to thy
monkeys and embrace them for the last time. Thou an the
King of the Deer of the Trees, do thou load thy friends and
191
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
people with favours. Look long on Kishkindha ; enjoy the
company of thy wives, for I am about to chastise thee for
thine insolence. To slay a drunken man or one who is
demented or whose strength has ebbed away or who is without
weapons or defence, or one, like thee, given over to lust, is
considered equal to infanticide in the world.'
" Dismissing all his wives, including Tara and others, my
brother, restraining his wrath, smiling, answered that chief
of the titans, saying : —
" ' Do not make a pretext of my being inebriated if thou art
not afraid to enter into combat with me ! Know that in the
present issue this intoxication is the wine of warriors ! *
" With these words he threw off the golden chain that his
sire, Mahendra, had given him and began to fight. Seizing
Dundubhi by the horns, who resembled a mountain, that
elephant among monkeys roared aloud and began to assail
him with blows. Thereafter Bali with a tremendous shout
threw him on the ground and blood began to flow from the
stricken buffalo.
" Then betwixt the two combatants, Bah and Dundubhi,
mad with anger, each desirous of overcoming the other, a
terrible struggle ensued. My brother fought with matchless
courage, equal to Indra's, dealing blows with his fists, knees,
feet and also with rocks and trees. The duel between the
monkey and the titan caused the latter to weaken, whilst the
strength of the former grew. In the end, Bah, lifting Dundubhi
up, let him fall on the earth and in this death struggle the
giant perished.
" As he fell blood flowed in rivers from the veins of his
body and that titan of vast limbs lay stretched on the ground,
having rejoined the elements.
" Lifting up the inanimate corpse in his two arms, Bali
with one throw sent it flying to a distance of four miles. From
the titan's jaws, shattered by the violence of the fall, blood
spouted forth and the drops were carried by the wind to
Matanga's hermitage. Seeing that rain of blood, the Sage,
displeased, reflected : ' What perverse wretch has dared to
spatter me with blood ? Who is this evil, perfidious and vile
creature, this madman ? '
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
" Thinking thus, that excellent Muni went out of the her-
mitage and beheld the buffalo, as large as a mountain, lying
dead on the ground. By virtue of his austerities, he knew that
a monkey was responsible for this deed and he pronounced a
terrible curse on that ape who had thrown the corpse there saying: —
" ' May he never come here ! If that monkey who, with a
stream of blood, has desecrated this wood where I have built
my retreat, ever sets foot in this place, he will die ! Should
that wicked wretch who has thrown the corpse of this titan
here, breaking my trees, come within four miles of my hermitage,
he shall assuredly not survive and his confederates, whosoever
they may be, who have sought refuge in my forest, will not be
permitted to remain here following this malediction. Let
them go where they will, for I shall assuredly curse any who
stay in these woods, that I have protected like mine own off-
spring, and destroy the foliage and young shoots, plucking the
fruit and scratching up the roots. From to-day, every
monkey that I see here will be changed into stone for the
period of a thousand years ! *
" On hearing the words of the ascetic, all the monkeys that
frequented those woods went away, and, beholding diem
issuing from the forest, Bah enquired of them, saying : —
" ' Why have ye all come here, ye dwellers in the Matanga
Forest ? Happy are they who dwell in the woods ! '
" Then those monkeys told Bali, who wore a chain of gold,
the cause of their departure and also of the curse that had been
laid on them.
" My brother, hearing the monkeys* words, sought out that
great Rishi and with joined palms attempted to appease him,
but Matanga refused to listen to him and re-entered his
hermitage.
" Trembling under the shadow of that curse, Bali began to
roam about aimlessly, but, terrified of the malediction, that
monkey did not dare approach the great mountain Rishyamuka
or even glance in that direction, O Prince.
" Knowing he will never venture here, O Rama, I wander
about these woods with my companions, free of all anxiety
The heaped bones of Dundubhi, the victim of the arrogance,
his strength inspired in him, are here and resemble the peak
193
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of a vast mountain. Bali in his might, stripped all the leaves
from these seven giant Sala trees with their mighty boughs,
one after the other. His strength is immeasurable, O Rama ;
I have now proved it to thee. In consequence, I do not see
how thou canst overcome him in battle, O King."
Thus spoke Sugriva and Lakshmana, smiling, then enquired
of him : —
" What can Rama do to convince thee that he is able to
overcome him ? " Sugriva then made answer : —
" If Rama is able to penetrate these seven Sala trees, that
Bali pierced again and again, with a single arrow, then, by that
sign, I shall know he can overcome him. At the same time,
let him with a single kick send the carcase of the buffalo flying
to a distance of a hundred bows' length."
Having spoken, Sugriva, the corners of whose eyes were
slightly red, reflected awhile and then once more addressed
Rama, the descendant of Kakutstha, saying : —
" Full of courage and audacity, renowned for his strength
and energy, that powerful monkey has never been defeated
in combat. His exploits are famous ; the Gods themselves
are not able to accomplish them. It was on remembering
them, filled with terror, that I resolved to take refuge on the
Rishyamuka Mountain. Thinking of that Indra among
Monkeys and how invincible, irresistible and ruthless he is,
I came here. Filled with distress and anguish, I wander about
in these woods with my devoted and excellent companions,
Hanuman and others. Thou art for me a glorious and illus-
trious friend, O Thou who art dear to thy friends, O Lion
among Men ! I take refuge with thee as in another Himavat ;
yet I am conversant with the strength of my wicked brother and
his overbearing nature and I am not acquainted with thy skill
as a warrior, O Raghava. Assuredly, it is not that I wish to
test thee or humiliate thee nor inspire thee with fear by re-
counting his great exploits. Mine own cowardice is well
known ! O Rama, thine accents, thine assurance, thy temerity
and thy stature truly manifest thy great power, which is like
a fire concealed beneath the ashes."
Hearing the words of the magnanimous Sugriva, Rama
began to smile and answered him, saying : —
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
" If thou dost not trust in our courage, O Monkey, I will
instil thee with that confidence so essential in war."
Then with his foot, that mighty hero sent the dried up
carcase of that titan flying. Seeing the carcase hurtling through
the air, Sugriva once more addressed Rama, who was as
radiant as the sun, in the presence of Lakshmana and the
monkeys and in candid accents said : —
" O my Friend, when that corpse was fresh and its flesh
intact, it was sent flying through the air by my brother, though
he was weakened by inebriation and fatigue. Now stripped
of flesh, as light as a straw, thou hast kicked it in play; it is
therefore impossible for me to judge who is the more powerful,
thou or Bali. Between a fresh corpse and dry bones, there is
a great difference, O Raghava.
"I am therefore still uncertain, My Dear Friend, as to who
is the stronger, thou or Bali, but if thou art able to pierce even
a single Sala tree, then I should be able to judge who is superior
and who inferior. Therefore stretch that bow, which re-
sembles the trunk of an elephant and drawing the cord up to
thine ear, discharge that great arrow, which I am sure will
penetrate the Sala tree and by that sign I shall be satisfied.
I implore thee, O Prince, to do me this great favour. As
amongst the planets the sun is greatest and among mountains
the Himalayas, just as among quadrupeds the lion is king,
so among men thou art supreme in valour."
CHAPTER 12
The Fight between Sugriva and Bali
Hearing Sugriva's gracious speech, Rama, in order to inspire
him with confidence, took up his bow and a formidable arrow,
and taking aim, pierced the Sala trees, filling the firmament
with the sound.
Loosed by that mighty warrior, the arrow, decorated with
gold, passed through the seven Sala trees and entering the
mountain, buried itself in the earth. In the twinkling of an
195 o
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
eye that shaft with the speed of lightning, having pierced the
seven trees with extreme velocity, returned to Rama's quiver.
Seeing those seven trees pierced by Rama's impetuous arrow,
that Bull among Monkeys was extremely astonished and,
overcome with joy adorned with all his ornaments, prostrated
himself before Raghava with joined palms, his forehead
touching the earth,
Amazed at Rama's prowess, he addressed that great warrior,
skilled in the scriptural traditions, as also in the use of every
weapon, who stood before him and said : —
" O Lion among Men, with thine arrows, thou art able to
destroy all the Gods with their King in combat, why not
Bali also? O Kakutstha, who can resist thee on the field of
battle, thou, who hast pierced seven Sala trees, the mountain
and the earth with a single arrow ! Now my anxieties are
dispelled and my satisfaction complete. Where could I find
a friend such as thou, who art equal to Mahendra and
Varuna ? For my sake do thou subdue mine adversary in the
form of a brother, I implore thee ! "
Rama, embracing the handsome Sugriva, like unto Laksh-
mana, in his great wisdom answered him, saying : —
" Let us leave here without delay for Kishkindha. Do thou
precede us. When we come to that city, O Sugriva, it is for
thee to challenge Bali, who is a brother in name only."
Thereafter they started out in all haste for Kishkindha, Bali's
capital. Concealing themselves behind some trees, they
halted in a dense wood where Sugriva hurled defiance at Bah'
with a deep and challenging roar. His clothes tightly wrapped
round him, he shouted with all bis strength, shattering
the silence of the firmament.
When the powerful Bah heard his brother emitting this
tremendous clamour, he was livid with anger and rushed out
like the sun rising over the mountain top. Then a terrible struggle
ensued between Bah and Sugriva, resembling the clash of
Mars and Jupiter, in the heavens.
With the striking of their palms like the clap of thunder and
their fists that were as hard as diamonds, the two brothers,
filled with fury, assaulted each other, whilst Rama, bow in hand,
watched those two combatants, who resembled the Ashwins.
r 96
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Not being able to distinguish between Bali and Sugriva,
Rama was loath to loose his death-dealing shaft. Then
Sugriva, overcome by Bali, seeing that Rama refrained from
coming to his aid, ran towards the Rishyamuka Mountain.
Exhausted, his limbs covered with blood, crushed by his
brother's blows, who pressed him furiously, he took refuge in
the vast forest. The mighty Bali, seeing him penetrating
deep into the woods, said : —
" Go ! I spare thee ! " he himself not venturing to enter
there, through fear of the curse.
Then Rama, accompanied by his brother and Hanuman, re-
entering the wood, found the monkey Sugriva. When the
latter perceived Rama returning with Lakshmana, he hung his
head in shame and in a tearful voice, his eyes fixed on the
ground, said : —
"After demonstrating thy strength, thou didst issue the
command : ' Challenge thine adversary ! * Thereafter thou
didst allow him to defeat me. Why hast thou done this ?
O Raghava, thou shouldst have told me frankly : * I do not
wish to slay Bali,' then 1 would not have left this place." Thus
in sad and reproachful tones did the great-souled Sugriva
speak, and Rama answered him, saying : —
" O Sugriva, My Dear Friend, do not vex thyself but hear
the reason why I did not discharge mine arrow. Thine
ornaments, clothes, shape and gestures and those of Bali so
resembled each other that there was no difference between
you ! The voice, colour, look, prowess and speech were wholly
similar, O Monkey! Disconcerted by thine exact resemblance,
O Best of Monkeys, I did not let fly my swift and dreadful
death-dealing arrow, the slayer of the foe, for this reason.
' One must have a care not to destroy them both,' I reflected.
In truth, had I made an end of thine existence, O Chief of the
Monkeys, through ignorance or carelessness, then my stupidity
and heedlessness would have been apparent. To kill one's
ally is assuredly a great and heinous sin. Further, I, Laksh-
mana and the fair-complexioned Sita are all wholly dependent
on thee ; in the forest, thou art our refuge. Enter once more
into combat, therefore, and fear nothing, O Monkey. In the
twinkling of an eye, thou shalt see me piercing Bali with my
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
shaft and striking him down; thou shalt see him writhing
on the field of battle. Do thou, however, wear a distinguishing
sign, O Chief of the Monkeys, by the help of which I may
recognize thee in the thick of the struggle. O Lakshmana,
these blossoming and beautiful Gajapushpi flowers, do thou
place round the neck of the magnanimous Sugriva."
Plucking the blossoming Gajapushpi from where it grew,
Lakshmana placed it round the neck of Sugriva. The creeper
that the fortunate Sugriva wore round his neck was as bright
as the sun and resembled a circle of cranes illumining a cloud
over which they are planing. Sparkling with beauty and
encouraged by Rama's words, Sugriva started on the road to
Kishkindha with him.
CHAPTER I 3
The Hermitage of Saptajanas
The virtuous elder brother of Lakshmana, together with
Sugriva, left the Rishyamuka Mountain and proceeded towards
Kishkindha, which was maintained by Bali's valour, Rama
bearing his golden bow and carrying his arrows that shone
like the sun in his hand.
Sugriva, his neck adorned with a wreath of flowers, full of
courage, strode before the magnanimous Raghava and Laksh-
mana, behind whom came the hero Hanuman with Nala, the
valiant Nila and the illustrious general Tara, renowned among
the monkeys.
They observed the trees bowed with the weight of their
flowers and the rivers bearing their peaceful waters to the sea.
The ravines and cliffs with their chasms, caves, peaks and
charming dales, the lakes with their limpid waters of emerald
hue, adorned with opening lotus buds, drew their gaze as they
passed. Ducks, cranes, swans, woodcock and other waterfowl
were heard calling, whilst in the clearings of the woods deer
could be seen grazing on the tender grass and young shoots,
without fear of the wild beasts that roamed everywhere.
Wild and ferocious elephants adorned with ivory tusks,
who proved a menace to the lakes by causing the banks to
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
crumble, wandered about here and there and intoxicated with
Mada juice, striking their foreheads against the rocks, resembled
moving mountains. Monkeys as large as elephants, covered
with dust and every species of wild beast and bird were
seen by the followers of Sugriva as they passed on their
way.
Advancing thus in all haste, the Joy of the House of Raghu,
Rama, seeing a grove of trees, enquired of Sugriva : — " What
is this clump of trees like a cloud in the sky ? Indeed they
seem like a mass of clouds ringed round by plantain groves !
Great is my curiosity concerning them, O My Friend. I
wish to learn of thee what these are."
On this enquiry from Rama, Sugriva, still walking on, told
him the history of that great wood. " O Rama ! It is a vast
hermitage that removes all weariness and encloses many
pleasant gardens and groves ; the roots, fruit and water are
delicious. Under the name of Saptajanas, seven Munis of
rigid vows lived there, lying in the water, their heads alone
emerging from it. Every seven days they partook of food,
which was the wind from the mountain on which they dwelt.
After seven hundred years they ascended to heaven in their
bodies. Through the power of their asceticism, this hermitage,
encircled by a hedge of trees, is inaccessible even to the Gods
and Asuras, as well as their leaders. The birds eschew it, as
also the other beasts of the forest ; those who enter it un-
wittingly never return. Lovely melodies are heard issuing
therefrom with the music of instruments and singing. Some-
times a divine fragrance is spread abroad from there, O
Raghava, and three fires are lit ; it is their smoke that one can
see from here ; the tops of the trees are enveloped in it like a
golden cloud, resembling the plumage of a dove.
" These trees are magnificent with their tops crowned with
smoke, like unto mountains of emerald crowned with rain
clouds. Pay obeisance with reverence to them with joined
palms, O Valiant Raghava, as also thy brother, Lakshmana.
Those who offer salutations to those Rishis of pure soul experi-
ence naught that is grievous."
Then Raghava with his brother Lakshmana, with joined
palms, offered salutations to those illustrious ascetics. Having
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
paid reverence to them, the virtuous Rama, his brother Laksh-
mana and Sugriva with his monkeys went on happily.
Having left the hermitage of Saptajanas far behind, they
beheld the inaccessible Kishkindha protected by Bali. Rama,
his younger brother Lakshmana and the monkeys, famed for
their valour, seizing their weapons, once more prepared to slay
their enemy in that city which the son of the Chief of the
Gods protected by his prowess.
chapter i 4
Sugriva again challenges his brother to fight
Returning to Kishkindha, Bali's city, they all concealed
themselves behind the trees in the dense forest. Glancing
round on every side, the Friend of the Woods, the thick-
necked Sugriva began to exhibit signs of extreme anger and,
surrounded by bis kinsmen, let out a loud roar, challenging
his brother to fight. Shattering the firmament with his war-
cry which resembled a great thundercloud propelled by a
high wind, that monkey, who was endowed with a leonine
gait and resembled the rising sun, stepped forth.
Looking at Rama who was skilled in combat, Sugriva said
to him : — " Behold Kishkindha, surrounded by its walls made
of gold and a rampart of monkeys, that is bristling with instru-
ments of war and from which innumerable banners stream.
This is Bali's citadel. Now fulfil the promise formerly made
to me of slaying him, O Hero, as the blessing of Spring visits
the creepers."
At Sugriva's words, the virtuous Rama, the destroyer of
his foes, answered : — " Thou art wearing that which will
enable me to distinguish thee, this garland of Gaja flowers,
placed by Lakshmana round thy neck ! This creeper worn
by thee lends thee the brilliance of the sky in which the sun
is surrounded by stars, O Warrior. To-day, O Monkey, I
will deliver thee from the fear and hostility that Bali inspires
in thee. Point out thine adversary in the guise of a brother,
KISHKINDHA KANDA
O Sugriva 1 Till Bali is struck down in the forest, let him
make merry, for when he crosses my path, he will not return
alive. If he should do so, thou wilt be justified in reproaching
me for not honouring my word.
" In thy presence, seven Sala trees were transfixed by me
with a single arrow; rest assured that Bali will fall to-day
on the field of battle under my shafts.
" No light word has ever passed my lips, even in adversity,
nor ever shall, even were it to attain my purpose ; therefore
banish all anxiety.
" Like a field rendered fertile by the rains of Shatakratu, do
thou challenge Bali of the golden diadem. O Sugriva, raise
a shout that will cause that monkey, proud of his victory,
whom thou wert unable to subdue before, and who is bellicose
by nature, to come forth. Those who deem themselves brave
are not able to endure the war-cry of their foes, above all in
the presence of women."
Hearing Rama's words, the golden-hued Sugriva let out a
deafening roar, rending the skies.
Terrified by the clamour, the kine ran hither and thither,
like noble women exposed to danger of hostile attack through
the negligence of their loved ones, and the wild deer fled away
like maddened war horses wounded in battie, whilst the birds
fell to the ground like planets whose virtue is exhausted.
Then that son of Surya emitted a roar resembling thunder,
confident of his strength and radiant with courage, like the
ocean whose waves are lashed by a tempest.
CHAPTER i 5
Tara's Advice to Bali
His brother Bali, who was seated amidst his wives in the inner
apartments, heard the cry of the great-hearted Sugriva and
was filled with wrath. When he caught the sound of that
uproar, causing terror to all beings, his feelings of lust changed
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
to those of violent anger and, his limbs trembling with fury,
he who formerly shone like gold suddenly lost his brilliance,
like the sun under eclipse. Grinding his teeth, his eyes flash-
ing with fire, he resembled a lake from which the lotuses have
been uprooted. Hearing that unendurable cry, that monkey
strode forth in great haste, stamping on the earth as if he
wished to shatter it.
Then Tara, embracing him tenderly, once more avowed her
devotion to him and, timid and troubled, addressed him in
these words, the wisdom of which the future was to prove : —
" O Brave Warrior, this anger that has taken hold of thee
is like a raging torrent ; do thou abandon it, as on rising in
the morning thou dost throw aside a faded garland. To-
morrow at dawn, enter into combat with Sugriva, O Valiant
Forest Dweller, for thou dost not yet know the strength or
weakness of thine enemy. That thou shouldst set out immedi-
ately does not meet with my approval. Hear while I tell
thee the reason why I seek to delay thee !
" Formerly Sugriva, in great anger, came hither and challenged
thee to fight, but defeated and overwhelmed by thy blows,
he fled. Having been assaulted and crushed in this wise,
he now returns to challenge thee again, which rouses my
suspicion. To roar thus in so insolent and arrogant a manner,
so filled with wrath, is not done without a particular motive.
To my mind, Sugriva has not returned alone but has an escort
who is ready to rush to his defence ; hence this cry of defiance.
Sugriva is a naturally clever and sagacious monkey and will
never ally himself to one whose valour has not been tried.
This, O Warrior, is what I have heard from the youthful
Prince Angada; take heed therefore and have a care; it is
to thine advantage ! He hath told me all that he has heard
from his emissaries concerning Sugriva while journeying in the
forest. Two sons were bora to the King of Ayodhya, full of
courage, invincible in combat ; they are of the House of
Ikshwaku and are renowned ; their names are Rama and
Lakshmana.
" These two indomitable heroes have sealed a pact of friend-
ship with Sugriva, and this ally of thy brother is Rama, famed
for his military exploits, the Destroyer of Enemy Hosts, who
KISHKINDHA KANDA
resembles the fire at the end of the world cycle. He dwells
in the forest and is the supreme refuge of all the virtuous
who seek his protection. He is the support of the oppressed,
the unique repository of all glory and is conversant with both
secular and spiritual learning ; his pleasure consists in carrying
out the behests of bis Sire.
" As the King of the Mountains is a treasury of precious
metals, so is he a mine of every good quality. It is peace
and not war that thou shouldst seek with that magnanimous
One, the invincible Rama, whose prowess on the battlefield
is without limit. O Hero, I have no desire to oppose thee,
but tell thee this for thy good. Therefore, heed my counsel !
Do not seek a quarrel with thy younger brother, O Valiant
Monarch. I am certain it is to thine advantage to contract
a friendship with Rama. Reconcile thyself with Sugriva and
put all thoughts of hatred far from thee. Thy younger brother
is an inhabitant of the forest of amiable qualities. Whether he
dwell here or there, he is bound to thee from every point of
view, and I do not see any like him in the world. With gifts,
honours and in other ways, bind him to thyself through kind-
ness. Abandon thine ill-will and let him in future dwell near
thee. The thick-necked Sugriva is a powerful, valuable and
natural ally. Win back thy brother's affection ; there is no
other way to happiness for thee here. If thou dost desire to
please me and recognizest my devotion to thee, then in the
name of affection, O My Friend, I implore thee to act as I
have counselled. Follow my advice which is salutary; trust
me and do not give way to anger ; live in peace with the son
of the King of Koshala ; do not quarrel with him, his valour
is equal to Indra's."
In these words, which were full of wisdom and would have
enabled him to save himself, Tara addressed Bali, but he
refused to listen and, driven by the force of destiny, advanced
to meet his death.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 16
Rama inflicts a mortal Wound on Bali
Thus spoke Tara, whose face was as radiant as the moon,
and Bali answered her in tones of reproach, saying: —
" When my brother, who is above all mine adversary,
challenges me in anger, how shall I endure it, O Lady of
Lovely Countenance ? The brave who are not accustomed to
bearing insults and who never turn back in battle, O Timid
One, would rather suffer death than such ignominy. I may
not disregard the weak-necked Sugriva who, in his determination
to enter into combat, has offered me so insolent a challenge.
" Have no anxiety on my behalf regarding Raghava, for he is
conversant with dharma and pious by nature. How could he
do wrong ? Return home with thy companions ! Why follow
me further ? Thou hast demonstrated thy tender devotion
sufficiently ! I am about to set out to fight Sugriva ; control
thine emotions. I shall punish his insolence, but I shall not
take his life. I shall enter into combat with him, since he
desires it, and, assailed by the blows dealt with my fists and
the trunks of trees, he will flee. That coward will not be
able to withstand my strength and prowess. O Tara, thou
hast accompanied me far enough and shown thine affection
for me sufficiently, now return, and I, having obtained satis-
faction from my brother on the battlefield, will follow thee;
I swear it by my life and race."
Then the virtuous Tara, embracing Bali and speaking
tenderly to him, weeping, circumambulated him, keeping him
on her right hand, and bidding him farewell according to the
tradition and reciting the sacred texts so that he might return
victorious, she re-entered the inner apartments, distracted with
grief.
When Tara reached the inner sanctuary with the other
women, Bali, distraught with anger, went out of the city,
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KISHKINDHA KAKDA
hissing like a great serpent. Full of ire, breathing heavily,
he ran with all his strength, looking round on every side,
eager to find his adversary.
At last he beheld that powerful monkey, the golden-hued
Sugriva, clothed in excellent armour, full of confidence, resem-
bling a brazier, and, seeing him inflated with pride, Bali wrapped
his garments more tightly about him, a prey to extreme anger.
Having thus girded up his apparel, his fists clenched, full of
vigour, he advanced to meet Sugriva and engage him in combat.
From his side, Sugriva, also doubling his fists in rage, went
out to meet his brother who was wearing a crown of gold.
Then Bali, addressing Sugriva, whose eyes were red with
anger, who was skilled in the art of fighting and was rushing
towards him in fury, said : —
" With this clenched fist, its fingers tightly closed, I shall
deal thee a blow that will cause thee to yield up thy life."
At these words, Sugriva, livid with anger, answered : — " It
is mine that will drive the life's breath out of thee by caving
in thy skull." Thereafter, violently assaulted by Bali, he
hurled himself on him in fury, rivers of blood streaming from
him, like a mountain from which torrents fall. Unperturbed,
Sugriva, tearing up a Sala tree, struck his rival's body as
lightning fells a mountain peak. Struck by the Sala tree
which unnerved him, Bali resembled a heavily-laden ship,
sinking with all its cargo in the waves. Endowed with terrific
strength and as agile as Suparna, both fought like two
formidable giants resembling the sun and moon in the sky.
Each of these two destroyers of their foes sought to find the
weak point of his enemy.
Bali excelled in strength and valour while the son of Surya,
Sugriva, despite his great energy, was the weaker, and his
courage beginning to dwindle, he ceased to boast and, enraged
with his brother, made a sign to Rama.
The uprooted trees with their branches and crests, the
blows from fists, knees and feet, fell thick and fast in the
formidable struggle that resembled the duel between Vritra
and Vasava. Covered with blood, the two monkeys, dwellers
in the forest, whilst fighting resembled two thunderclouds
clashing together with a great uproar.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Rama, observing Sugriva, the Prince of Monkeys, exhausted
scanning the horizon without ceasing to struggle, and, seeing
that he was almost overcome, selected an arrow for the purpose
of slaying Bali, and that great hero stretched his bow and with
that shaft, resembling a venomous serpent, held it ready,
like Antaka, bearing the Wheel of Time. The twanging of
the bowstring caused alarm among the birds, who flew away,
as also the wild beasts who fled in terror as at the end of the
world period.
Discharged by Rama with a sound like the crash of thunder,
that formidable arrow of dazzling aspect pierced Bali's breast,
and under its fatal impact the powerful and valiant King of
the Monkeys fell to the earth, resembling Indra's banner
ruthlessly thrown to the ground on the day of the full moon
in the month of the constellation of Aries.
Stricken and senseless, Bah fell, his voice strangled with sobs
which gradually died away. Rama, the strongest of men,
discharged that formidable, fiery and death-dealing arrow,
shining like gold, resembling Time itself at the end of the
world, which shot forth like smoke issuing from the flaming
mouth of Hara, and, streaming with blood looked like unto
a blossoming Ashoka tree on the mountain-side, whereupon
the Son of Vasava, like the banner of Indra that has been
overthrown, fell senseless on the field of battle.
chapter i 7
Bali reproaches Rama
Struck by Rama's arrow, that doughty warrior fell to the
earth, like a tree severed by an axe. With his ornaments of
fine gold, his limbs paralysed, he sank to the ground, like the
banner of the Chief of the Gods, its cord severed.
At the tall of the King of the Monkeys, the earth grew dark,
resembling the firmament bereft of the moon. Though lying
on the earth, the body of that high-souled Bah was neither
robbed of its beauty nor of its life's breath, nor did his courage
206
KISHKINDHA KANDA
fail him, for that excellent golden necklace that Indra had
bestowed on him preserved the life, strength and beauty of
that Lord of Monkeys. Adorned with that golden chain,
the heroic Monkey Chief appeared like an evening cloud
tinged with the roseate hues of dusk ! His chain, his body
and the arrow piercing bis heart blazed in triple glory, even
after he had fallen. That arrow loosed by the valiant Rama
from his bow, by its virtue opening the way to heaven, brought
Bali supreme deliverance.
Lying on the field of battle, like a fire without flame, he
resembled Yayati cast forth from the divine realms, fallen on
the earth, his merits exhausted. Like the sun that Time, at
the end of the world, throws down on the earth ; unapproach-
able like Mahendra, inaccessible as Upendra, with his golden
necklace, his broad chest, his vast arms, his mouth inflamed,
his glances wild, that son of a mighty king lay. And Rama
followed by Lakshmana, their eyes fixed upon him, approached
that warrior lying there like a naked flame about to be quenched.
Full of respect for that hero, who was gazing at them, the two
valiant brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, approached with
slow steps.
On perceiving them, the supremely courageous Bali uttered
these harsh words, that seemed both restrained and just.
Stretched on the earth, almost without lustre, mortally wounded,
motionless, in words pregnant with meaning he addressed
that warrior proudly, saying : —
" Striking me from behind, what merit dost thou hope to
earn by this, O Thou who hast inflicted a mortal wound on
me, while I was engaged in combat with another ? * The virtu-
ous Rama is full of nobility, generosity and valour ; he is
compassionate, devoted to the welfare of all beings, fixed in
his duty ; gracious, omnipotent and conversant with the rules
of conduct and austerity ; these are the praises sung of thee,
these are the merits attributed to thee by the whole world!
** Self-mastery, forbearance, loyalty, fixity of purpose, good-
will and heroism are the virtues of kings, O Prince, as also
the repression of evil deeds. It was reflecting on these virtues,
believing them to be thine, that I came to fight Sugriva.
'Whilst I am filled with rage and engaged in combat with
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
another, he will not attack me' was my conviction, even
without knowing thee. Now I perceive that thou art a
perverse creature, feigning piety whilst in truth thou art
like a well concealed in the grass, without faith and resorting
to evil deeds. Outwardly virtuous, wearing the cloak of integrity,
thou art in reality a scoundrel, like a fire bidden by ashes, nor
do I recognize thee behind the concealing mask of virtue.
" Since I have neither laid waste thy land, nor thy city
and have not offered thee insult, why hast thou destroyed me
— I who am guiltless and who have ever fed on fruit and
roots, a monkey dwelling in the forest, who never sought to
enter into combat with thee but who was engaged in fighting
another ? Thou art the son of a king and inspired confidence
by thy benign aspect and, what is more, thou wearest the
livery of sanctity ; who of the warrior caste, conversant with
what is good and evil, in the garb of a righteous man, would
commit such a wicked deed ?
" Thou art born of the House of Raghu and art spoken of
as virtuous, how canst thou, assuming the guise of an ascetic,
wander about thus ? Equanimity of soul, liberality, forbear-
ance, justice, loyalty, constancy and courage are the character-
istics of a king, O Prince, also the meting out of punishment
to the guilty.
" We live in the forest, O Rama, and are but wild beasts
who feed on roots and fruits, which is natural to us ; but
thou art a man, O Prince ! Land, gold and beauty are the
causes of ctiscord, but here in the woods, who will envy us
fruit and roots ? In temporal and spiritual matters, as well as
in the dispensing of reward and punishment, a king should
be wholly given up to the task of government and not dominated
by any desire for pleasure, but thou art consumed by thy
desires ; irascible, restless, disregarding the royal code, thy
bow is thy cherished argument ! Thou dost not pursue the path
of duty nor does thine understanding concern itself with the
interests of the people ; a slave to lust, thou dost permit thy
senses to rule thee, O Chief of Men. In a word, Kakutstha,
thou hast slain me, who never did thee any harm ! How wilt
thou answer in the assembly of the virtuous, having committed
this reprehensible deed ?
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
" The regicide, the brahmanicide, the slayer of the cow, the
thief and the one who finds pleasure in the destruction of
other beings, the unbeliever and the one who weds before his
elder brother, all these enter hell. The informer, the miser,
the one who slays his friend or denies his Guru's bed, un-
doubtedly descends to the region of evil-doers !
" It is not permitted to the well-born to clothe themselves
in my skin, nor may those, such as thou, partake of my flesh
if they follow the tradition. There are five kinds of animals
possessing five nails on each paw that may be enjoyed by the
brahmin and the warrior, O Rama. They are the porcupine,
the hedgehog, the deer, the hare and the tortoise. O Rama,
men of worth will not touch my skin or bones nor eat my flesh.
" Alas ! I disregarded Tara, who, sagacious and prudent,
offered me sound counsel, but in my folly, overpowered by
fate, I did not heed it. O Kakutstha, like a virtuous woman
who has married a man devoid of faith, the earth is without a
protector, since thou art its protector. How canst thou be
born of the magnanimous Dasaratha, seeing that thou art
deceitful, mischievous, evil-hearted and treacherous ? Having
exceeded the bounds of restraint, broken the law of the virtuous
and disregarded the goad of justice, that elephant, Rama,
has struck me down. Guilty of such an infamy, condemned
by the wise, finding thyself in their presence, what wilt thou say?
" That valour that has been so greatly vaunted to us who
are neutral, I do not see thee exercising against evil-doers I
If thou hadst fought me openly, O Prince, thou wouldst now
find thyself in the presence of death, having been slain by me.
Thou didst overcome me by taking me unawares, as a serpent
bites a sleeping man, I who was else invincible. Thou art ruled
by evil. In order to gratify Sugriva, thou hast struck me down.
" If thou hadst first confided thy purpose to me, I would
have brought Sita back to thee in a day. Not only this, but
I should have placed that wicked ravisher of thy spouse, the
titan, Ravana, in thy power, a chain round his neck, having
laid him low in combat. Even if Sita had been cast into the
bottom of the sea or hell itself, I should have brought her
back to thee at thy command, as Vishnu recovered the scriptures
that had been borne away by Hayagriva.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Sugriva would have obtained the throne legitimately on
my departure to the celestial realm, whereas now he has
acquired it wrongfully, since thou hast overcome me by craft
on the field of battle. As death in this world is inevitable,
I hold it as naught but how wilt thou justify thy conduct
towards me ? "
Thus, pierced by an arrow, his features altered, did that
magnanimous son of the Monarch of Monkeys speak whilst
looking on Rama, who was as radiant as the sun, after which
he fell silent.
CHAPTER I 8
Rama answers Bali
Such was the speech, dictated by a sense of duty and his own
interests, full of censure and harsh in tone, that Bali, who was
mortally wounded, made to Rama. Resembling the sun
shorn of its rays or a parched cloud or a fire that has been
extinguished, that illustrious King of the Monkeys, endowed
with justice and reason, having upbraided Rama with severity,
was addressed by him in the following words : —
" O Bali, why dost thou inveigh against me like a child,
since thou art wholly ignorant of the traditions of duty, profit
and social convention?1 Without consulting thine elders,
who are held in respect by the brahmins, in thy simian folly
thou hast presumed to address me thus, who am filled with
good-will towards thee.
" This earth belongs to the Ikshwakus, together with its
mountains, forests and woods and they have jurisdiction over
the wild beasts, birds and men. It is ruled by the virtuous
Bharata, who is fixed in his duty and fully conversant with
the law, with the proper means to acquisition of wealth and the
right pursuit of pleasure and who is ever engaged in repressing
evil-doers and recompensing the virtuous. It is the duty of
a king to develop the art of government, be established in
1 See Glossary under Dharma, Artha, Kama-
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
virtue, be endowed with valour and know how to estimate
time and place. We other princes carry out his righteous
commands and range the whole earth in our desire to promote
the law. When that Lion among Men, Bharata who cherishes
equity, rules the entire world, who would dare to commit an
injustice ? Fixed in our supreme duty, obedient to Bharata's
will, in accord with the law, we put down transgression. Thou
hast violated justice and thy conduct is condemned by all, lust
being thine only mentor, ignoring as thou dost the royal path.
" One who pursues the path of duty should regard his elder
brother, the one who has given him birth and the one who
instructs him in wisdom as his three fathers. Righteousness
demands that a younger brother, a son and a virtuous disciple
should be regarded as one's own offspring; even for the virtuous,
duty is subtle and not easy to grasp, the soul residing in the
heart alone knows what is right and wrong.
" O Heedless Monkey, thou art surrounded by irresponsible
simian counsellors, who are unable to control themselves,
thus it is a case of the blind leading the blind, how canst thou
learn from them ? I am speaking frankly to thee ; thou hadst
no possible right to reproach me in my wrath. Learn now
for what reason I struck thee down.
" Thou hast acted in opposition to the spiritual law. While
Sugriva yet lives, thou hast had marital relations with Ruma,
who is thy sister-in-law. O Perverse Wretch, in order to
satisfy thy lust, thou hast transgressed the law of righteousness
and, O Monkey, since thou hast not respected thy brother's
wife, this retribution has followed thee. I see no other means
of restraining him who acts contrary to the interests of his
subjects and does not conform to the social code but by punish-
ment, O King of the Monkeys !
" Being a warrior of an illustrious race, I am unable to brook
thy villainy. The man who makes his daughter, his sister or
his sister-in-law an object of lust, is punishable by death;
this is the law !
" Though Bharata is the supreme monarch, we carry out
his behests. How canst thou who hast broken the law, escape
punishment ? He who tails to listen to his instructor in the
form of the law, will be judged according to the law by the King.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Bharata seeks to repress dissolute customs, and we who
carry out his commands fully try to bring to justice those
who, like thee, overstep the boundaries of the law, O Chief
of the Monkeys.
" Sugriva is my friend and equal to Lakshmana ; it is for
the recovery of his wife and kingdom that he entered into a
pact of friendship with me. In the presence of his ministers,
I pledged my word ; how can a man like myself fail to meet
these obligations ?
" For all these reasons based on the law, thou canst judge
for thyself, whether thy punishment is merited or no. That
it is wholly just, thou wilt be forced to admit and, further,
that one is bound to help a fnend if one acknowledges one's
duty. Thou wouldst have done likewise if thou hadst followed
the law. Two of the verses of Manu are specially devoted
to these rules of conduct and are known to the authorities of
the law ; I have been faithful to them. ' Those men who,
having done wrong, submit to the penalty imposed by the king,
are washed free from every stain and ascend to heaven like
the good and those who do benevolent deeds. Further punish-
ment or pardon exonerates the thief from his fault, but the
king who does not put down vice himself assumes the guilt.'
" My worthy ancestor Mandhata voluntarily underwent a
terrible expiation for a monk who was guilty of an offence
similar to thine whom he pardoned. Other monarchs, in their
folly, have also done wrong, but have practiced penance ; it
is by this means that passion is subdued. But enough of
recriminations ! Thy death has been decreed in accordance
with the spiritual law, O Lion among Monkeys ; we are not
acting on personal impulse.
" Listen to a further reason, O Valiant Bull among Monkeys;
having grasped its significance, thou wilt no longer be able
to reproach me. Neither did I follow mine own whim, nor
did X act hastily, nor in anger.
" Snares, nets and traps of every kind, either open or con-
cealed, are used to catch innumerable wild beasts, whether
they be fleeing in terror, or, unafraid, are standing still.
Whether these beasts are maddened with fear or no, they
who feed on flesh run them through without pity while their
KISHKINDHA KANDA
back is turned ; it does not seem to me that they are at fault.
In this world, even royal Rishis, versed in their duty, indulge
in the chase. This is why, with a single arrow, I struck thee
down while engaged in combat with thy brother, O Monkey.
What boots it, whether thou didst enter into combat with me
or no, since thou art but a monkey.
" Unquestionably it is kings who dispense the unwritten
law and happiness in life, O Best of Monkeys ! One should
never reproach them, nor address them disrespectfully, nor
disregard them ; they are Gods who, assuming human form,
dwell on earth ! But thou in thine ignorance of the law,
dominated by anger, didst insult me, who have ever conformed
to the established tradition of mine ancestors."
Hearing Rama's words, Bali, deeply mortified, no longer
sought to denounce the son of Raghu, the task of duty now
having been rendered clear to him, and with joined palms
that King of the Monkeys answered him, saying : —
" Undoubtedly, O First of Men, what thou hast uttered is
truth ! To gainsay an eminent personage is not permitted to
one who is of common stock. It was in ignorance that I
formerly addressed thee in disrespectful terms. Do not hold
it against me, O Raghava, thou who art conversant with the
significance and implication of things and devoted to the
welfare of all. In the serenity of thine understanding, that
nothing disturbs, the working out of cause and effect are known
to thee. O Thou whose speech accords with justice and
who art conversant with duty, rescue me who am fallen and
the first of those to transgress the law."
In a voice strangled with sobs, Bali, groaning, expressed
himself with laboured effort, his eyes fixed on Rama, and
resembled an elephant sinking in a morass.
" I am not concerned for myself or Tara or my relatives,
as much as for my virtuous son, Angada, of golden bracelets.
Beholding me no more, that unfortunate one, who has been
so cherished from childhood, will pine away with grief, like a
pool whose waters have dried up. He is yet young and his
understanding has not yet matured; he is my only son and
most dear to me. Tara is his mother, O Rama; do thou
protect that powerful Angada.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Show extreme kindness to Sugriva and Angada ; be their
guardian and their guide, O Thou who art fully conversant
with the laws of righteousness and unrighteousness. What
thou wouldst perform for Bharata and Lakshmana, do for
Sugriva and Angada.
" See that Sugriva does not hold the sagacious Tara re-
sponsible for the fault I have committed or fail to treat her
with respect. Under thy protection, let him govern the
kingdom and, living obedient to thy counsels, he will attain
heaven as well as rule the earth. As for myself, despite Tara's
words, I wished to receive death at thine hands and came
forth to enter into a duel with my brother Sugriva."
Having spoken thus to Rama, the now humble King of the
Monkeys became silent.
Then Rama consoled Bali who was still fully conscious and
spoke to him in a gentle voice, expressing the essence of
spiritual and secular wisdom, saying : —
" Have no anxiety either on our behalf or thine own, O
Best of Monkeys. We know what should be done, above all
in that which concerns thee. He who punishes the guilty
and he who is guilty and pays the penalty have both fulfilled
the purpose of cause and effect and therefore eschew calamity.
Thus, thanks to the punishment that frees them from all taint,
they regain their immaculate nature by the very path which
paved the way to the penalty.
" Put away grief, bewilderment and fear with which thine
heart is filled ; thou canst not avoid thy fate, O Chief of the
Monkeys. What Angada was to thee, O King of the Monkeys,
he will be to Sugriva and myself; do not doubt it."
The magnanimous Rama, intrepid in combat, uttered these
words full of tenderness and benignity, in accord with righteous-
ness, and the dweller in the forest answered him humbly,
saying: —
" Pierced by thine arrow, my mind bewildered, I insulted
thee without knowing what I was doing, O Lord, Thou whose
immeasurable valour is equal to Mahendra's 1 Be pacified and
pardon me, O Veritable Sovereign of the Monkeys."
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 19
Tarays Grief
The mighty King of the Monkeys, who lay pierced by an
arrow, did not reply further to Rama's judicious words. His
limbs crushed by rocks, severly bruised by the trees that
Sugriva had hurled at him, transfixed by Rama's shaft, at the
point of death, he swooned away.
Tara, learning that he had been struck down by an arrow
discharged by Rama in the struggle and receiving the dis-
tressing tidings that her lord lay dying, with a troubled heart
hastily emerged with her son from the rocky cavern. The
monkeys who followed Angada, however, on seeing Rama
with his bow, ran away in fear.
Perceiving those monkeys fleeing in terror, like deer that
scatter when the leader of the herd falls dead, Tara, though
herself distraught, rallied the frightened monkeys, who sought
to escape from Rama, as if his shafts had already been dis-
charged at them, and said : —
" O Monkeys, you are the servants of that Lion among
Monarchs ; why are you abandoning all and flying in disorder?
Has Bali not been laid low by his wicked brother on account
of the throne ? It was from afar that Rama loosed his far-
reaching arrow ! *'
Thus did the consort of Bali speak, and those monkeys,
who were able to change their shape at will, answered with
one voice in words fitting to the occasion, saying : —
" O Thou, who art the mother of a living son, return home
and protect Angada ! Death, in the form of Rama, has struck
Bali down and is bearing him away. Having launched a
volley of immense trees and great rocks, Bali fell, borne down
by arrows that resembled the lightning. Beholding that Lion
among Monkeys overcome, him whose prowess was equal to
IndrVs, the whole army of monkeys has taken to flight. Let
the warriors save the city and install Angada as king ! The
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
monkeys will obey Bali's son, who will take his place. If
these conditions do not meet with thine approval, O Lady of
agreeable looks, then the monkeys will seek other inaccessible
retreats. Amongst those who live in the forest, some have no
wives, others have common wives, but we fear those who
have been deprived of their wives and still desire them."1
As they were but a short distance away, that Lady of Sweet
Smiles heard them and answered with dignity, saying : —
" Since that Lion among Monkeys is dying, of what use to
me is my son or the entire kingdom ? I shall seek out the feet
of that magnanimous hero whom Rama has slain with a single
arrow."
Speaking thus, overcome with grief, beating her head and
breast with her two hands and weeping, in her distress she
rushed towards him and, still running, beheld her lord lying
on the earth, he, the slayer of the foremost of monkeys, who
never turned back in battle ; he, who was able to hurl great
mountains, as Vasava discharges his thunderbolt with all the
fury of a storm, roaring the while like a great mass of thunder,
clouds; he whose valour was equal to Shakra's ; that hero
pierced by a single arrow, lay on the earth, like the leader of
antelopes a tiger has struck down for its prey, or like a place of
sacrifice, held sacred by all, with its banners and its altars laid
waste by Suparna on account of a serpent.
Then Tara beheld the mighty Rama leaning on his bow,
standing with his younger brother and the brother of her lord,
and, beside herself with grief, she approached her spouse,
who had fallen on the battlefield and, seeing him lying there,
was overcome by distress and fell to the ground. Then,
rising as if newly waking from sleep, seeing her lord caught
in the noose of death, sobbing, she cried out : " O King ! "
Her piercing cries, resembling an osprey's, moved Sugriva
deeply, as did the presence of Angada also.
1 A reference to Sugriva.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 20
Her Lamentations
Seeing her lord lying on the earth, pierced by that death-
dealing arrow discharged by Rama, Tara, whose face resembled
the moon, approaching him, embraced him. At the sight of
Bali, who lay like an elephant wounded by an arrow, that
monkey resembling a huge mountain or an uprooted tree, Tara
poured out her heart, torn with grief, in lamentation : —
" O Thou who wert full of valour in combat ! O Hero ! O
Best of Monkeys ! It is because of my recent importunities
that thou wilt not now speak to me ! Rise, O Lion among
Monkeys and rest on a comfortable couch ! Those great
monarchs, thine equals, do not sleep on the earth ; or is the
earth thy cherished love, since even in dying thou dost lie
by her and scornest me ?
" Without doubt, O Warrior, thanks to thy great exploits,
thou hast founded another and more glorious Kishkindha in
heaven ! The pleasures we once shared in the woods and in
the fragrant bowers are henceforth at an end. I am bereft
of all joy and hope and sunk in a sea of sorrow, since thou, the
King of Kings, art returning to the five elements.1 My heart
must be made of stone, since, seeing thee lying on the earth,
grief does not cause it to break into a thousand pieces. Thou
didst steal away Sugriva's consort and sent him into exile ;
it is the fruit of this double fault that thou art now expiating,
O Chief of the Monkeys !
"Intent on thy welfare, I submitted to thy senseless re-
proaches ; I, who in the desire to be of service to thee gave
thee nought but wise counsel, O Indra of Monkeys ! Now,
O Proud Lord, beguiled by their youthful and seductive beauty,
thou art moving the hearts of the Apsaras. It is irrevocable fate
which this day has put an end to thine existence ; thou whom
Sugriva could not vanquish hast resigned thyself to its power !
1 The body being said to rejoin the elements at death.
217
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Having without cause struck down Bali who was engaged
in combat with another, though it is censurable, Kakutstha
has no regrets. I who, till now, did not know distress, de-
prived of thy support, at the height of misfortune, must pass
my life as a widow. What will the fate of Angada be, the
object of my tenderness, a valiant though youthful prince
accustomed to pleasure, now at the mercy of his paternal uncle,
who is filled with anger against us ? Look long on thy virtuous
Sire, O My Beloved Son ! Soon thou shalt see him no more.
" And Thou, O comfort thy son, give him counsel, em-
bracing his brow before thou departest on thy last journey !
Assuredly Rama has accomplished a great feat in striking thee
down, but he is guiltless, for all he did was to obey Sugriva.
O Sugriva, rejoice, regain possession of Ruma and enjoy the
kingdom without hindrance ; thy brother, thine adversary, is
wounded unto death.
" But Thou, O My Beloved, why dost thou not answer my
complaint ? See, thy numerous and lovely wives surround thee,
0 King of the Monkeys."
Hearing Tara's lamentations, those unfortunate women,
placing Angada in their midst, emitted pitiful cries on every
side. Then Tara spoke once again, saying : —
" How canst thou abandon Angada, O Thou whose powerful
arms are decorated with bracelets, and go forth on thy last
journey thus ? It is not meet to abandon a son who possesses
thy virtues and is aimiable and handsome. If inadvertently
1 have offended thee, O long-armed Hero, then forgive me !
0 Chief of the Monkey Tribe, I lay my head at thy feet."
Thus did Tara with the other queens lament bitterly at the
side of her lord and that lady of matchless beauty resolved to
die of hunger lying on the earth at Bali's side.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 21
HanumarCs Speech
Hanuman, however, the Leader of the Monkeys, gently tried
to console Tara, who was lying on the earth like a star fallen
from the heavens, and said : —
" The fruits of all that is done under the impulse of virtue or
vice must be plucked after death, whether they be good or
evil. O Unhappy One, for whom dost thou weep ? O
Unfortunate One, whom dost thou bewail ? For whose life,
that bubble, should one mourn? Henceforth the youthful
Angada should be the object of thy solicitude, since he alone
survives. From now on, thou shouldst concern thyself on his
account and render him fitting service. Thou knowest well
how uncertain is the future of all beings ; therefore it is for
thee to perform noble deeds here, who art conversant with
thy duty and who art a stranger to common acts !
" He under whom hundreds and thousands of monkeys
lived has now reached the uttermost bourne of his destiny,
and since he fulfilled the injunctions laid down by the law and
was distinguished for his impartiality, his liberality and bis
tolerance, he now dwells among the virtuous conquerors.
Why shouldst thou mourn for him ? O Irreproachable One,
thou hast now become the protectress of all the leading monkeys,
thy son, and also this kingdom of the apes and bears. Little
by little do thou console these two (Sugriva and Angada) who
are afflicted, and under thy tutelage, O Fair Lady, let Angada
rule the earth.
"To ensure the future and reflect on the present is the
whole duty of a prince ; it is so decreed by destiny. Angada
should be installed as King of the Monkeys and be anointed.
Seeing thy son seated on the throne, thy peace of mind will
be restored."
Hearing these words, Tara, who was torn with grief on
account of her lord, answered Hanuman, who stood at her
side, saying :—
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" I would rather cling to the body of this hero than a hundred
sons like Angada. I am not able to govern the monkeys nor
is he; such a duty devolves on his paternal uncle, Sugriva.
O Hanuman, it is not for me to confer the kingdom on Angada ;
the true relative of the son in succession to Ins father is the uncle,
who stands as a second father to him and not the mother, O
Foremost of Monkeys. There is nought better for me in this
world or in the next than to take refuge near the King of the
Monkeys, my lord ; it is fitting for me to share the bed of him
who has fallen facing the foe."
CHAPTER 22
Bali's last Words
Bali, whose breathing was scarcely perceptible and who was
sighing faintly, glanced round and discerned his younger
brother, Sugriva, before him. Addressing him whose victory
had assured him of the possession of the dominion of the
monkeys, he spoke in clear and affectionate tones, saying : —
" O Sugriva, do not approach me with any evil intent, I
who was carried away by a fatal loss of understanding. It
would seem to me, O My Friend, that it was not our destiny
to live at peace with one another ; though friendship is natural
between brothers, yet with us it has been different. To-day,
thou wilt regain the kingdom of the forest-dwellers, whereas
I, mark well, am leaving this world and going to the region of
death. Not only am I abandoning in an instant, life, kingdom
and great prosperity but also a reputation without stain. At
this supreme moment, I make an appeal to thee and, difficult
though it is, it must be done, O Valiant Prince.
" See, stretched on the earth, his face bathed in tears,
Angada, who is worthy of happiness, brought up in luxury
and, though a child, possessing nought that pertains to child-
hood ! Do thou protect him from all peril, he who is my son
and dearer to me than life, the issue of my loins and whom
I now abandon, though he does not merit abandonment. Be
KISHKINDHA KANDA
his father, his benefactor and his guardian in all circumstances
and in danger be his refuge, as I have ever been, O Chief
of the Monkeys !
" Born of Tara, that fortunate prince, thine equal in valour,
shall precede thee in the destruction of the titans. That
youthful Angada, Tara's son, that valiant hero, whose prowess
is great, will manifest it in deeds of valour worthy of me.
Further, when the daughter of Sushena (Tara), of profound
discernment and conversant with future happenings, bids thee
saying : * Do this, it is right ', do so without hesitation.
There is no presentiment of Tara's that does not come to pass.
" Whatever Raghava proposes, do thou carry out with the
same resolution ; it were wrong to disobey him and he will
punish thee for thy contempt. Take this golden chain, O
Sugriva ; the glorious Shri who dwells in it will leave it at
my death."1
Hearing Bali's affectionate and brotherly words, Sugriva was
bereft of joy and grew sad, resembling the moon in eclipse.
Pacified by Bali and anxious to act in a fitting manner, on his
brother's request, he took off the golden chain.
Having thus made over this mark of royalty, Bali, at the
point of death, gazing on his son Angada, who stood before
him, addressed him tenderly, saying : —
" Do thou act in a manner fitting to the time and place.
Suffer pleasure and pain with equanimity ; in joy and sorrow
be obedient to Sugriva. Assuredly, O Long-armed Warrior,
thou hast ever been cherished by me, but it is not by living
thus that thou wilt earn Sugriva's respect. Do not ally thyself
with those who are not his friends, still less his foes, O Conqueror
of Thine Enemies ! Be loyal to Sugriva, thy master, with thy
senses fully controlled and ever be attentive to his interests.
Be not inordinately attached to any nor hold any in contempt ;
both extremes are a great error, therefore pursue the middle
course." With these words, suffering intensely from the arrow,
his eyes staring wildly, his great teeth chattering, Bali expired.
Then a great tumult arose among the monkeys, thus deprived
of their leader, and all the forest dwellers gave vent to lamenta-
tions, saying : —
1 Shri or Lakshmi, the Consort of Vishnu and Goddess of Prosperity.
321
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Henceforth Kishkiiidha is nought but a desert, the King
of Monkeys having ascended to heaven ; his gardens are but
a wilderness, as are the mountains and the woods. That Lion
of Monkeys has passed away ; the forest-dwellers are stripped
of their glory.
" He engaged the illustrious and long-armed Golaba, the
Gandharva, in a terrible battle lasting ten years and yet another
five ; that struggle did not cease day or night ; then in the
sixteenth year, Golaba was struck down, that foolhardy one
falling under the blows of Bali of strong teeth. How has he
who protected us from all peril fallen in his turn ?
" That valiant Leader of Monkeys being slain, the forest-
dwellers will not be able to find any safe place of refuge, like
kine in the midst of a lion-infested forest."
On hearing these words, Tara, who was submerged in an
ocean of grief, gazing on the face of her dead lord, fell to the
earth, embracing Bali like a creeper clinging to an uprooted tree.
CHAPTER 23
Tara weeps over the Body of Bali
Thereupon, smelling the face1 of that King of the Monkeys,
Tara, who was renowned throughout the whole world, addressed
her dead consort, saying : —
" Not having followed my counsel, O Warrior, thou art now
stretched on the rough, hard and stony ground. Hast thou
then chosen the earth as thy love rather than myself, since
thou now liest embracing it, whereas to me thou dost not
utter a single word ?
" Alas ! Fate has favoured Sugriva, that valiant One, whose
noble exploits will now cause him to be regarded as a hero.
The Leaders of the Bears and Monkeys pay homage to thy
prowess ! Hearing their cries of distress and those of the
1 A traditional salutation.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
unfortunate Angada and myself, why dost thou not wake?
Having been slain in combat, thou sleepest on that hard bed,
the place where formerly thine enemies rested struck down
by thy blows. O My Beloved, thou art the offshoot of a
glorious race renowned for its heroism ; thou, for whom war
was but a sport, art gone, leaving me alone without a protector,
O Proud Monarch ! Nay, a wise man should never give his
daughter in marriage to a warrior. Mark how I, wedded to
a Kshatriya, am about to die, having been made a widow.
My pride is humbled, and from this moment the path to ever-
lasting life is closed to me. I am submerged in an ocean of
grief without ground or bourne ! How hard is my heart that,
even seeing my dead lord, it does not break into a thousand
fragments — my friend, my lord, naturally dear to me, that hero,
who, falling on the field of honour under the blows of a warrior
more powerful than he, has returned to the five elements.
The woman who loses her consort, even if she have sons
and be endowed with wealth, is yet a widow, say the wise.
0 Hero ! Thou art lying enveloped in the blood that flows from
thy limbs, as thou wert formerly with the scarlet silk of thy
couch. Dust and gore covers thy body on every side, so that
1 cannot hold thee in mine arms, O Bull amongst Plavagas.
" To-day, Sugriva has achieved the purpose for which he
engaged thee in this formidable struggle. A single arrow
discharged by Rama freed him from all fear. That shaft that
pierced thine heart now prevents me from embracing thy
body and I can but gaze on thee, who art rejoining the five
elements."
At that moment the General Nala drew out from the corpse
the arrow which resembled an angry snake issuing from a
mountain cave and glittered as he withdrew it, like the sun
whose rays have been intercepted by the peak of a mountain.
Thereupon streams of blood instantly began to flow again
from those wounds on every side, resembling the water of a
river that is stained by the sandstone washed down from a
mountain.
Tara, wiping off the dust of combat with which he was
soiled, washed her brave lord with the tears that welled up
in her eyes, while she gazed lovingly down on him lying there,
223
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
pierced by Rama's arrow, his limbs all covered with blood.
Then, addressing her son Angada, whose eyes were red, she
said to him : —
" Behold the bitter end of thy sire, O My Son ! How tragic
it is ! This is the outcome of an hostility born of perfidy !
This body, gleaming like the sun about to rise, has entered
the region of death. Embrace that proud monarch, O My
Son ! "
At these words, Angada rising, seized hold of the feet of
his father with his rounded arms, saying : — " It is I, Angada !
When I embraced thee formerly thou didst say * Live long,
O My Son ', why dost thou not speak to me thus now ? "
Then Tata said : — " Here I stand beside thine inanimate
body, like a cow with its calf beside a bull that a lion has just
slain ! I do not see the gift that the King of the Gods bestowed
on thee when gratified by his victory over the Asura, that
glorious chain of gold, why is this ? Thou shalt not be robbed
of the insignia of royalty even after death, O Proud Monarch,
for the King of the Mountains continues to glow after the
sun has set.
" Thou didst not follow my sage counsel and I was unable
to restrain thee. Thy death on the battlefield has brought
about mine own and my son's also. The Goddess of Prosperity1
has renounced both thee and me."
chapter 24
Sugriva's Remorse
Seeing Tara submerged in the fathomless ocean of grief, Bali's
younger brother was filled with remorse for his tragic end and
overcome with distress, his face bathed in tears, in her presence,
slowly approached Rama surrounded by his attendants.
Raghava, bearing all the marks of royalty, stood apart, full
of dignity and majesty, bearing his bow and arrows, which
resembled serpents, in his hands.
1 Lakshmi who was said to have resided in the golden chain that Indra
had bestowed on Bali.
224
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Then Sugriva addressed him, saying : — " In accord
with thy promise, O Indra among Men, thou didst accom-
plish this deed, the results of which are here made manifest.
In the midst of my triumph, O Prince, in the presence of the
slain, my spirit is troubled. On account of the dead monarch,
his chief queen is wailing piteously, the city is giving vent to
lamentation and Angada is plunged in affliction ; all this,
O Rama, robs sovereignty of any delight for me.
'* At first, anger, resentment and extreme vexation caused
me to view the death of my brother with satisfaction, but soon,
in the presence of the corpse of that King of the Monkeys,
a great sadness seized me, O First of the House of Ikshwaku.
Now it is made clear to me that it would have been better
to continue to live as I formerly did on the lofty summit of
the Rishyamuka mountain, than slay my brother.
" ' I have no desire to destroy thee ! Begone ! * were the
words that magnanimous warrior addressed to me. This
utterance was worthy of him, O Rama, and I, by killing him,
have acted vilely. How can any, even if he be devoid of
virtue, approve the murder of a brother or balance the happiness
experienced on attaining a kingdom with the grief suffered
by his death. Unquestioningly he had no intention of slaying
me, being too great of soul, but in my perversity I have robbed
him of his life.
" In the struggle, when, under the blows of the trees, I was
about to succumb and cried out, he at once reassured me,
saying : ' Do not repeat thine impudence ; go hence ! '
" He was ever filled with brotherly affection, nobility and
justice, whereas I was full of anger, envy and the natural
characteristics of a monkey.
" That which should be excluded from one's thoughts,
feelings, desires and conduct is what I have harboured in
murdering my brother, a crime equal to the slaying of Vish-
warupa by Indra. But Indra's guilt was shared by the earth,
the trees and the waters as well as women, whereas who is
able to share mine ? Who would wish to bear the weight of
the sin of a Deer of the Trees ?
" I am not worthy to be held in honour by the people, nor
to be allied to the kingdom, still less do I merit the throne,
225
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
having committed such an infamous deed that entails the
destruction of one of mine own race.
" I have perpetrated a vile and ignoble act, condemned by
the whole world. An overwhelming sorrow fills me, as torren-
tial rain fills a ravine. I am crushed by the bank of a river
that has been trodden down by an intoxicated elephant, whose
back and tail are the murder of my blood-brother, whose
trunk, eyes, head and tusks are the remorse bearing me away.
" This sin, the weight of which is intolerable, O Prince,
O Son of the House of Raghu, has destroyed all that is best in
my heart, as fire consumes gold, leaving only dross. The
company of the great leaders of monkeys, O Prince, are half
dead through my fault and also on account of the violent
despair of Angada.
'* Rare indeed is a son as obedient as Angada, but a son is
easily acquired ; where however in the world can one akin to
a blood brother be found, O Hero ? To-day, if Angada, that
Chief of Warriors, and his mother live, she, though overcome
with grief will surely care for him, for bereft of him she would
die. As for me, I wish to enter the blazing pyre in order to
regain the affection of my brother and his son.
" Those leaders of monkeys will set out in search of Sita
whenever thou commandest. O Son of that Indra among
Men, I, the Destroyer of my Race, who am no longer worthy
to live after committing this outrage, bid thee farewell, O Rama."
Hearing the words of the wretched Sugriva, Bali's brother,
that noble descendant of the House of Raghu, Rama, began
to weep, he, the Destroyer of Hostile Armies, for his mind was
troubled. Thereafter, glancing here and there, that support
of the earth, the protector of the world, Rama, in the midst
of his distress, observed Tara groaning under the load of her
affliction.
The chief queen of that Lion among Monkeys, of lovely eyes,
was lying beside her lord, whom she held in her arms. Then
the first of the ministers raised up that valiant consort of the
King of the Monkeys, and she, trembling as they separated her
from her lord, whom she was embracing, beheld Rama, whose
radiance equalled the sun's, standing with his bow and arrows
in his hand.
226
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Adorned with all the distinguishing marks of royalty, that
large-eyed prince, whom she had never yet beheld, that first
of heroes, was recognized by Tara, whose eyes resembled a
doe's, and she reflected ' It is Kakutstha ! '
Then that noble and unfortunate lady, who had so suddenly
been plunged into affliction, tottering, approached the one
who was the equal of Indra, inaccessible and all powerful.
The venerable Tara, her beautiful frame wasted with grief,
drawing near to the pure-souled Rama, who by his valour
ever attained his end in combat, addressed him thus : —
" Thou art of immeasurable courage, unapproachable, master
of thy senses and of supreme faith ; thy fame is imperishable,
thou art full of wisdom and the support of the earth ! Thine
eyes are the colour of blood ; thou bearest a bow and arrows
in thine hand ; thou art endowed with great strength and
strong limbs ; thou hast renounced the concerns of the body
in this world in order to enjoy divine attributes. The shaft
with which thou didst pierce my beloved lord, now use to
destroy me also. When I am dead, I shall be reunited to
him; without me, Bali will never be happy, O Hero. Far
from me, even in heaven, amidst the red-haired Apsaras,
whose locks are braided in various ways and who are gor-
geously attired, he will not be happy, O Thou whose eyes
resemble the pure petals of the lotus.
" Thou knowest well that he who is separated from his
loved one is wretched ! On account of this, slay me, so that
Bali shall not suffer in mine absence. If, in the greatness of
thy soul, thou shouldst reflect * I will not be guilty of slaying
a woman ', say to thyself, * She is part of Bali himself ' and
strike me down. It will not be a woman whom thou hast put
to death, O Son of that Indra among Men ! By virtue of the
law and according to the different Vedic texts, women are not
other than the higher self of man. Therefore the wise say
that the gift of a woman is assuredly the greatest of gifts.
In this wise thou dost give me back to my dear one in order
that I may fulfil my duty to him, O Warrior ; by this offering
thou shalt not incur the sin of slaying me.
" Filled with sorrow, bereft of support, left desolate, thou
shouldn'st not spare my life. The more so that far from that
227 Q
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sagacious Prince of Monkeys, whose joyful gait resembled an
elephant's, with his glorious golden chain, the insigna of
supreme majesty, I shall not live long, O Prince."
Thus spoke Tara, and in order to consoleher, the magnanimous
Lord addressed her with wisdom and understanding, saying : —
" O Consort of a Hero, do not grieve ! The whole universe
is ordered by the creator ; similarly it is established that the
sum of good and evil is ordained by Him, nor do the Three
Worlds, obedient to His will, transgress His fixed laws. Because
of this, thou wilt attain supreme happiness and thy son become
heir-apparent to the kingdom. The Lord has ordained this
in the order of things ; the consorts of heroes do not complain."
Thus comforted by the magnanimous and powerful victor
of his foes, the wife of the valiant Bali, the gorgeously-attired
Tara, ceased to lament.
CHAPTER 25
Bali's Funeral Rites
Full of compassion for Sugriva's distress and that experienced
by Tara and Angada, Kakutstha, who was accompanied by
Lakshmana, in order to console them, said : —
" It is not by weeping that the happiness of the departed
is assured ! Cany out your immediate duty without delay !
By shedding tears, you have observed the demands of social
convention; it is vain to seek to avoid fate. Time1 is the
driving force that orders the world's events ; it is Time that
creates all conditions here below. None is the real agent of
action and none truly causes action to take place. The world
abides by virtue of the dictates of its own inner being. Time
is its source, stay and goal. Time does not overstep its own
bounds, nor does it suffer decrease. Self-dependent, there is
neither kinship nor friendship in it, nor is it restrained by any,
nor has it any cause. Assuredly, he who sees clearly is aware
of the working of Time. Duty, prosperity and pleasure are
subject to Time ; it is on this account that Bali attained his
1 Time in the form o( Destiny.
228
KISHKINDHA KANDA
own true state. The King of the Plavagas has reaped the
fruit of his works, acquired by his merits, through his integrity
and liberality. He has attained heaven on account of his
observance of duty and he has taken possession of it by sacri-
ficing his life. The Sovereign of the Monkeys has reached
the highest state. Thou hast mourned long enough ; now
perform the last rites."
When Rama ceased speaking, Lakshmana, the Slayer of
His Foes, spoke sagely to Sugriva, who was distraught, saying: —
" O Sugriva, inaugurate the obsequies without delay with
the assistance of Tara and Angada. Issue the order that a
large quantity of dry wood be gathered together with the
sacred sandalwood, for the funeral pyre. Banish indecision ;
this city depends on thee. Let Angada bring garlands and
robes of every kind, together with butter, oil, perfumes and
all that is requisite.
" O Tara, do thou find a palanquin without delay ; prompt
action is always praiseworthy, the more so at such an hour.
Let those who are skilful and strong, accustomed to palanquins,
hold themselves in readiness to bear Bah away."
Having spoken thus to Sugriva, the on of Sumitra, Laksh-
mana, the Slayer of His Foes, took up his position beside his
brother.
Hearing Lakshmana's command, Tara with a beating heart
hastened to the cave, bent on finding a litter, and soon returned
with one borne by strong monkeys to whom the work was
familiar.
It was indeed magnificent, well-cushioned and resembling a
chariot, the sides being marvellously decorated and enriched
with carved wooden figures. Resting on wonderful supports,
it was gorgeously fitted like a palace belonging to the Siddhas
and was furnished with windows and balconies that were
spacious and embellished with carvings, a work of extreme
artistry. Large and well constructed of wood from the
mountain-side, priceless ornaments, strings of pearls and
splendid crowns gave it a dazzling appearance and it was
covered with clay, painted red and sprinkled with sandal-paste.
Festooned with wreaths of lotuses, shining like the dawn, it
was strewn with innumerable flowers.
229
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Beholding it, Rama said to Lakshmana : — " Let Bali's body
be placed upon it with all speed and let the funeral ceremony
proceed." Then Sugriva, weeping, assisted by Angada,
raised Bali's body and placed it on the litter. Having laid
the corpse on its couch, he covered it with ornaments of every
kind together with wreaths and cloths. Thereafter, Sugriva,
the King of the Monkeys, commanded that the last rites of
his noble brother should be carried out on the banks of a river.
The great monkey leaders preceded the litter, scattering
jewels of every kind in profusion. Every honour due to a
king of this world was offered by the Vanaras to their lord that
day.
Then the funeral rites began immediately, Angada,
Tara and the others surrounding the master they had lost.
On their side, the women who had lived subject to his authority
gathered together crying : " O Hero, O Hero ", thus bewailing
the death of their lord.
All the wives of Bali, who had been widowed, with Tara
at their head, accompanied their deceased sovereign, lamenting
pitifully. Their cries were heard in the depth of the forest
and re-echoed through the woods and among the rocks on
every side. Then on a deserted sandbank surrounded by
water, formed by a torrent issuing from the mountain, innumer-
able monkeys, inhabitants of the forest, constructed a pyre,
and those excellent bearers reverently lowered the litter from
their shoulders and all stood round, plunged in mourning.
Seeing her lord lying on the funeral bed, Tara, taking his
head in her lap, a prey to extreme grief, began to lament : —
" O Illustrious and Mighty Prince, O My Dear One, look
on me ! Why dost thou not cast a single glance on all those
who are plunged in sorrow ? Thou smilest even in death,
O Noble Hero, and thy countenance resembles the rays of
the rising sun ! Death, in the guise of Rama, has struck thee
down, O Monkey ! A single arrow discharged by him on the
field of battle has made us all widows. Thy wives, present
here, who no longer know how to leap, O Indra among Kings,
have come this painful road step by step on foot, is it not
known to thee ? Dost thou no longer love these women whose
radiant looks resemble the moon ? Why dost thou not look
KISHKINDHA KANDA
on Sugriva, O King of the Monkeys ? Here are thy counsellors,
O Sovereign, also Tara and the others and the leading citizens
surrounding thee, all plunged in grief. Dismiss thy ministers
as thou wert wont to do, O Vanquisher of thy Foes, and we
will go to the woods with thee in happy dalliance."
Then the women, themselves overwhelmed with affliction,
caused Tara to rise.
Assisted by Sugriva, Angada, sobbing, bore his sire to the
funeral pyre, his mind distraught with grief, and, igniting the
flames according to the traditional rites, keeping his father on
his right hand, he circumambulated him, sorrowfully watching
him setting forth on his last journey.
Having performed the ritual acts in honour of Bali, that
Bull among Monkeys, accompanied by Sugriva and Tara,
performed his ablutions.
Associating himself with Sugriva's loss, the mighty Kakutstha,
sharing his grief, officiated at the funeral rites.
The body of Bali, chief of heroes, full of glory, whom that
descendant of Ikshwaku had slain with his marvellous arrow,
having been cremated, Sugriva, whose splendour resembled
a clear flame, approached Rama and Lakshmana who accom-
panied him.
CHAPTER 26
Sugriva is installed as King
The chief ministers encircled Sugriva, who was clad in dripping
garments and overcome with grief. Approaching the illus-
trious Rama of imperishable exploits, he stood before him with
joined palms like the Sages before the Grand-sire of the World.
Then Hanuman, the son of Maruta, who resembled a moun-
tain of gold, his face shining like the rising sun, addressed him
with profound reverence in the following words : —
" May it please thee, O Kakutstha, to reinstate Sugriva in
the vast and impregnable kingdom of his mighty ancestors.
231
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Be gracious unto him, 0 Lord, and permit him to return to
his magnificent capital. May he regulate his affairs with the
co-operation of his many friends.
" After the purificatory bath of perfumes and aromatic
herbs of every kind, he will pay thee homage and bestow gifts
and garlands and precious gems, scents and herbs on thee.
Thou shouldst enter this marvellous cave, carved out of the
mountain, and unite these monkeys with a master, thus making
them happy ! "
Hearing Hanuman's words, Rama, that Destroyer of Hostile
Warriors, answered him with wisdom and eloquence, saying : —
" Most beloved Hanuman, in accordance with the behests
of my sire I may not enter a village or city for fourteen years.
Let Sugriva, that Bull among Monkeys enter that prosperous
and glorious city and be installed as king according to the
traditional rites ! "
Having spoken thus to Hanuman, Rama said to Sugriva : —
" Thou who art conversant with thy duty, proclaim that noble
and valiant hero, Angada, heir-apparent to the kingdom.
He is the eldest son of thy elder brother and equal to him in
courage ; Angada has a valiant heart and deserves to be thine
heir. It is now Shravana, the first month of the rainy season,1
that brings the floods ; it is no time for military exploits therefore
return to thy capital. As for me, I shall live on the mountain
with Lakshmana. This cavern, carved out of the rock, is
large and airy and possesses a lake whose crystalline waters
abound in lotuses of every kind. When the month of Kartika*
has come, make ready to slay Ravana, this is our pact ; meantime,
O Friend, return to thine home and receive the royal anointing,
thus gratifying thy friends."
Thus dismissed by Rama, Sugriva, that Bull among Monkeys
penetrated into the enchanting city of Kishkindha of which
Bali had been the supreme lord.
Following their sovereign, thousands of monkeys prostrated
themselves, touching the dust with their foreheads, and Sugriva,
full of valour, called on them to rise, addressing his subjects
with affection.
1 July-August.
■ October-November.
232
KISHKINDHA KANDA
That mighty warrior thereafter entered his brother's private
apartments and, having come there, the powerful hero, Sugriva,
that Bull of Forest-dwellers, was proclaimed king by his friends,
as was formerly the God of a Thousand Eyes.
Then they brought him a white canopy, decorated with gold,
and two magnificent whisks of yak's tails with gleaming golden
handles, also gems of every kind and grain and grass, together
with blossoming branches, flowers and rich stuffs, white
unguents, fragrant garlands, wild flowers and those that grow
in water, sacred sandalwood, varied and numerous perfumes,
roasted grain, gold, panic seed, honey, butter, curds, a tiger
skin and wonderfully wrought sandals.
Thereafter six lovely young girls, bringing scents, tallow and
red and yellow pigments,1 entered joyfully and distributed
gems, raiment and food among the foremost of the twice-born.
Those versed in the sacred formulas then prepared heaps of
kusha grass and, igniting a fire, poured out the Soma, purified
by the recitation of traditional prayers. Then Sugriva,
seated on a gorgeous golden-based throne, covered with rich
draperies and a magnificent three-tiered baldaquin, decorated
with marvellous garlands, facing the East, was enthroned.
Those Lions among the Forest-dwellers had visited the banks
of rivers and streams, far and wide, as well as the sacred places
and the seas, in order to draw pure water which they brought
back in pitchers of gold.
Employing golden vases and the polished horns of bulls, Gaja,
Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda, Dvivida,
Hanuman and Jambavan in accordance with the tradition laid
down in the scriptures and on the instructions of the Sages,
poured the clear and fragrant water over Sugriva, as formerly
the Vasus bathed Vasava of a Thousand Eyes.
When the enthronement was completed, all those illustrious
leaders of the monkeys raised a shout of joy again and again.
Thereafter, in order to follow Rama's counsel, Sugriva, the
King of the Monkeys, embracing Angada, installed him as heir-
apparent.
Angada received the investiture, and those magnanimous
Plavagas acclaimed him crying "Excellent! Excellent!",
1 Pigments. Yellow Gorocala used for Tilak ; red Manahshila, a
form of red arsenic.
233
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
praising Sugriva and the great-souled Rama and Lakshmana,
All were overjoyed on this auspicious occasion ; a large and
merry crowd, fully satisfied, filled the streets, carrying banners
and standards in the enchanting city of Kishkindha, which
had been hollowed out of the mountain.
Having informed the illustrious Rama of the great coronation
ceremony and being reunited with his consort, Ruma, the
heroic leader of the monkey army took possession of his kingdom,
like the Chief of the Immortals.
chapter 27
Rama describes Prasravana
The monkey Sugriva, having been crowned king, returned to
Kishkindha, whilst Rama retired to the Mountain Prasravana.
That mountain resounded with the cries of tigers and deer,
and the roaring of the lions that frequented it was heard day
and night; bushes, diverse creepers and innumerable trees
were to be seen everywhere. It was inhabited by bears, lynxes
and many kinds of monkeys and resembled a mass of clouds
sparkling with light and beauty. On the summit was a large and
spacious cave, which Rama, who was accompanied by Saumitri,
chose as a dwelling for himself.
Having contracted an alliance with Sugriva, Rama, the
irreproachable descendant of the House of Raghu, addressed
his brother Lakshmana, the increaser of his delight, in appro-
priate and significant words, saying : —
" O Saumitri, Destroyer of Thy Foes ! We should establish
ourselves in this agreeable rocky cavern during the rainy
season. This peak, the most lofty on this mountain, is en-
chanting, O Prince ! White, black and dun-coloured crags
adorn it and metals of every kind abound, while its rivers
swarm with frogs ; it is filled with innumerable trees and charm-
ing creepers, where a variety of birds warble and splendid
peacocks can be heard ; Malati, Kunda, Sinduvara, Shirishaka,
Kadamba, Arjuna and Sarja trees embellish it with their blossom.
" Here is a lovely pool, festooned with flowering lotus,
adjoining the cave, O Prince. Where the rock is hollowed out,
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
it inclines to the north east, which will make our stay more
agreeable, whilst on the west it is higher and we shall be sheltered
from the winds. At the entrance, O Saumitri, is a smooth
black stone like a piece of antimony washed in oil ; to the
north, O Friend, die crest of the mountain is magnificent
and looks like a mass of polished collyrium or a stationary cloud.
To the south, it stretches like a white veil, resembling Mount
Kailasha, rich in metals, which give it a dazzling appearance.
" Observe this river of translucent water like unto Jahnavi
on the Mount Trikuta ! Candana, Tilaka, Sala, Tamala,
Atimuktaka, Padmaka, Sarala and Ashoka trees embellish it;
Vanira, Timida, Bakula, Ketaka, Hintala, Tinisha, Nipa,
Vetasa and Kritamalaka trees grow on its banks, adorning it
on every side, like a woman attired in rich raiment and precious
gems.
" Innumerable flocks of birds till it with their various notes
and waterfowl enliven it with their amorous frolics. The
river has created enchanting islands which are frequented by
swans and cranes ; its smiling aspect calls to mind a beautiful
woman wearing innumerable ornaments. Here it is carpeted
with blue lotuses, there shining with the red and in the distance
white water-lilies may be seen. Ducks sport here in their
hundreds, whilst peacocks and curlews fill this river, full of
charm and colour, with their cries, and groups of sages
frequent it.
" See how the Sandal and Kadubha trees grow in clusters
of five, as if planned by an intelligent will. Ah! What an
enchanting spot ! O Saumitri, Thou Scourger of Thy Foes,
let us enjoy it to the full and make our retreat a happy one.
Kishkindha too is not far from here, that marvellous city of
Sugriva's, where songs and the sound of musical instruments
are heard, O Most Illustrious of Conquerors ! It is the monkey
warriors sporting to the sound of drums.
" Having recovered his consort and his kingdom, that
monarch of the monkeys, Sugriva, surrounded by his com-
panions, is assuredly celebrating his return to full prosperity."
With these words, Rama with Lakshmana took up their abode
on the Mountain Prasravana, where there were innumerable
caves and woods.
235
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIK1
Yet despite the beauty and abundance of fruits, Rama was
unable to find the least pleasure there. Remembering the
woman who had been torn from him and who was as dear to
him as his very life's breath, the more now, when the moon was
rising over the summit of the mountain, he was unable to sleep,
passing the nights on the couch, sighing, his spirit troubled,
a prey to constant grief.
Seeing Rama desolate and a victim to profound melancholy,
Lakshmana, who was equally afflicted, addressed him in
affectionate words, saying : — " Cease to mourn, O Hero, thou
shouldst not distress thyself thus. One who grieves is never
successful, thou knowest it well. In this world, one should
have faith and trust in God, pursue virtue and engage in action,
O Raghava ! If thy mind is agitated, thou wilt never be able
to overcome that titan, thine adversary, in combat, for he is
a crafty fighter.
" Banish thy grief and persist in thine endeavour ; it will
be thine to triumph over this demon and his entire family.
O Rama, thou canst overthrow the earth with its oceans,
forests and mountains, how much more Ravana ! Wait but
till the autumn, for it is now the rainy season, then thou shalt
destroy him, his kingdom and his kinsfolk. Truly I desire to
rekindle thy dormant valour, as at the hour of sacrifice the
fire buried beneath the ashes is revived by glowing libations."
This salutary and opportune counsel of Lakshmana's was
received by Rama with respect and he answered in tender
and friendly accents, saying : —
" O Lakshmana, inspired by devotion, thou hast spoken to
me with wisdom and courage. Henceforth I shall manifest
that valour no danger is able to subdue. I shall wait
for the autumn and in accord with thy counsel depend on
Sugriva's willing co-operation and the state of the rivers. He
who has rendered a service merits repayment ; the ungrateful
who do not honour an obligation lose the respect of the good."
With joined palms, Lakshmana listened with approval to this
judicious speech and addressed Rama, who had regained his
cheerful mien, saying : " Thou speakest truly, O Chief of
Men; without fail, that monkey will bring about that which
thou desirest. Meantime, while awaiting the autumn, endure
236
KISHKINDHA KANDA
the rains, resolving to slay thine adversary. Restraining thine
anger, let us pass these four months of autumn together,
dwelling on the mountain frequented by lions, and then
hold thyself in readiness to destroy thine enemy.*'
CHAPTER 28
Rama describes the Rainy Season
Having slain Bali and enthroned Sugriva, Rama, who was
dwelling on the Malyavat plateau, said to Lakshmana : —
" Now the rainy season is here, see how the heavens are
laden with clouds as large as hills. After nine months, the
sky, by the action of the sun's rays, has sucked up the waters
of the ocean and is now giving birth to the showers.
" Ascending to heaven by the stairway of the clouds, one
might decorate the sun with garlands of Kutaja and Arjuna
blossom. The sky appears like one wounded, bound with
the rags of moisture-laden clouds, stained with the vivid tints
of the setting sun, bordered with red. With the gentle breeze
as its breath, the saffron colour lent by the twilight and its
yellow clouds, the sky seems like one who is sick with love.
Tormented by the sun's rays, the earth is shedding tears,
like Sita racked by grief. Emerging from the heart of the
clouds, cool as camphor, redolent with the fragrance of Ketaka
flowers, the balmy winds can, as it were, be sipped from the
palms of the hands.
" This mountain of blossoming Arjuna trees, planted with
Ketakas and anointed by showers of rain, resembles Sugriva
freed from his foes. These mountains, that the dark clouds
clothe as with antelope skins, catch the rain drops as the sacri-
ficial thread, their caverns filled with the wind lending them a
voice; they resemble studious brahmin disciples reciting the
holy Veda.
" Whipped by lightning like unto golden thongs, the sky
seems to be crying out in pain. The flash that convulses the
breast of that sombre cloud is to me like Sita struggling in
the arms of Ravana. When covered by dense cloud, the
237
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
quarters of the sky, so dear to lovers, are blotted out, together
with the moon and the stars.
" On the ridges of the mountain, as if drowned in tears,
these Kutaja trees in full flower, that sighed for the rain, rekindle
love in me in the midst of the grief that overwhelms me.
" The dust has settled and a cold wind blows ; the heat of
the summer is allayed ; the martial undertaking of kings is
suspended, and travellers have returned to their own country.
" Now the waterfowl, in their haste to regain the Manasa
lake, have left with their dear companions. Chariots and other
conveyances no longer venture on the roads, deeply rutted
by continuous rain.
" Sometimes visible, sometimes invisible, the sky, sown
with clouds, looks like a ocean encircled with hills. The
streams carrying away the Sarja and Kadamba blossom assume
a yellow hue from the metallic deposits of the rocks and pass
swiftly on amidst the cry of peacocks.
" The Jambu fruit, full of savour and gilded like a bee, is
pleasant to the taste, and ripe mangoes of many tints fall to
the ground shaken by the wind. Clouds like high mountains,
having the lightning as their banner and cranes for their
garlands, give forth a reverberating sound, like great elephants
intoxicated with Mada juice who are about to fight.
" The grassy slopes of those forest tracts, revived by the
rain where delighted peacocks dance, gleam brightly under
the moon at night. Charged with an immense weight of water,
clouds surrounded by cranes emit a muttering sound and in
constant movement journey on and on, sometimes resting on
the mountain tops. In their joyous circling flight, cranes,
in love with the clouds, resemble an enchanting garland of
lotus flowers suspended in space at the mercy of the breeze.
" The earth with its fresh grass strewn with tiny ladybirds,
looks like a woman, whose limbs are swathed in a bright green
cloth flecked with red.
" Sleep falls gently on Keshava;1 the river runs swiftly to rejoin
the sea ; the crane is happy to be united with the cloud ;
fair ones approach their lovers with joy.
1 Tradition holds that the Lord Narayana fell into the cosmic sleep in
the rainy season, prior to the rebirth of Brahma, who issued from his navel.
238
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" See how the groves are rendered gay by the dance of
peacocks and how the Kadamba trees are covered with flowers ;
bulls, filled with desire, follow the cows and the earth is rendered
charming by forests and fields of grain.
" Rivers rush onwards, clouds discharge their rain, frenzied
elephants are trumpeting, the woods grow more fair, lovers
yearn for their loved ones, peacocks dance and the monkeys
have regained their zest for life. Drunk with the aroma of
the blossoming Ketaka trees, amongst the thundering water-
falls, the great elephants mix their amorous trumpeting with
the peacocks' cries.
" Flowers, bruised by the downpour, are expelling their
nectar, that the bees gaily plundered from the branches of the
Kadamba, trees and now it is falling drop by drop. With their
abundant fruit resembling ashes, full of savour, the boughs of
the Jambu tree are swarming with bees.
" Following the woodland track amidst the hills, the chief
of the elephants, hearing the roar of thunder behind him,
halts in his tracks, thirsting to fight and, deeming it to be a
challenge, turns back in fury.
'* Filled now with the humming bees, now with blue-necked
peacocks that dance or great elephants in rut, the woods
take on a thousand varying aspects.
" Abounding in Kadamba, Sarja, Arjuna and Kandala trees,
the forest with the ground saturated with water, resembling
wine and the intoxicated peacocks that cry and dance, takes on
the appearance of a banqueting hall. The raindrops, like
pearls, falling in the folds of the leaves, rest there happily,
and the many coloured birds drink of them, delighted by this
gift from the King of the Gods.
" The soft humming of the bees, the joyous croaking of the
frogs blended with the rumbling thunder of the clouds, resemb-
ling the roll of drums, create a veritable orchestra in the forest.
" The peacocks with their richly decorated tails are the
choir, some dancing, some calling, here and there clinging
to the tops of the trees.
" Roused by the sound of thunder, frogs of different shapes
and colour waken from hibernation and whipped by the rain,
croak loudly.
»39
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" The rivers, frequented by waterfowl, bear away their
crumbling banks proud of their speed, and happy in their
fullness, rush towards their lord, the ocean.
" Sombre clouds charged with fresh rain melt into each other
and resemble the rocks scorched by the forest fire whose bases
cohere with those that are equally laid bare.
" Elephants wander in the midst of the charming groves,
that are filled with the cries of intoxicated peacocks in the
grass sprinkled with ladybirds and planted with Nipa and
Arjuna trees. Ardently embracing the lotuses, whose stamens
are flattened by the recent showers, the bumble bees eagerly
drink the nectar from these and from the Kadamba blossom
that has been laid waste. Bull elephants in rut and leaders of
kine disport themselves in the forest ; the king of beasts bounds
through the thickets and the kings of men are enraptured and
forget their cares and anxieties whilst the Chief of the Gods
is disporting himself in the clouds. Torrents of rain loosed
from the sky, causing the seas and rivers to overflow, flood
the streams, lakes and ponds together with the entire earth.
With sheets of rain falling and the wind blowing with extreme
violence, the banks of the rivers are swept away and the waters
surge onwards so that the familiar paths can no longer be trodden.
" Like kings bathed by their servants, great mountains stand
under the downpour from the clouds, which resemble ewers
emptied by the King of the Celestials assisted by the Wind
God, and seen thus, stand forth in all their native splendour.
" The sky, overcast with cloud, renders the stars invisible ;
the earth is saturated with the recent rains and the four quarters
are shrouded in darkness. The summits of the mountains
washed by the rain sparkle, their great cataracts twisting and
falling like strings of pearls. Obstructed in their course by
the jutting rocks, these mighty waterfalls precipitate themselves
from the heights into the valleys like necklaces of pearls that
break and scatter. Those rushing torrents, bathing the lower
reaches of the rocky crests, fall into immense chasms, where
they find themselves imprisoned and spray, resembling strings
of pearls, which celestial nymphs have broken in the violence
of their emotions, are scattered in unparalleled showers on
every side.
240
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" Only when the birds withdraw to the trees and the lotus
closes, whilst the evening jasmine opens, can one divine that
the sun has set behind the Astachala Mountain. Kings postpone
their warlike expeditions and even the army, already on the
march, halts ; hostilities cease, for the roads are water-logged.
It is the month of Prausthapada,1 when the brahmins who
chant the Veda, the singers of the Sama Veda, begin their
studies.
" Assuredly Bharata, the King of Koshala, having collected
the revenue and completed the storing of provisions, is now
engaged in celebrating the festival of the month of Ashada.2
" The Sarayu river must be overflowing its banks and the
current increasing in velocity, like the shouts of acclamation
with which Ayodhya will greet my return.
" Sugriva will be listening with joy to the sheets of rain
falling, since he has overcome his adversary, recovered his
consort and regained his vast kingdom; but I, O Lakshmana,
separated from Sita, exiled from my immense dominion,
resemble the bank of a river that has been carried away by the
current and precipitated into an abyss.
" My grief is without bourne, the rains close every avenue
and Ravana appears to me a formidable and invincible foe.
Unable to travel on these impassable roads, I wish to make no
demands on Sugriva despite his devotion, who after prolonged
suffering is reunited with his spouse ; I do not desire to press
for an interview on account of the urgency of his private concerns.
" As for that, when he has rested and the time is ripe,
Sugriva will of himself remember the help he has promised me,
there is no doubt of it. Because of this, I wait hopefully, till
the rivers and Sugriva are favourable to me, O Thou who
bearest the auspicious marks of royalty !
" A favour obliges a man to show gratitude ; the ungrateful
who fail to honour an obligation wound the heart of honest
men."
Lakshmana, standing with joined palms, fully concurred
with these words to which he listened with extreme respect;
1 Prausthapada — August-September.
* Ashada — June-July.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
then addressing the magnanimous Rama with a joyful air,
he said : —
" O Prince, the Ring of the Monkeys will not delay in
carrying out the desire thou hast expressed ! Wait for the
autumn and let the rainy season pass, re-affirming thy resolution
to overcome thine adversary."
chapter 29
Hanuman urges Sugriva to honour his Promise
Hanuman observed that the heavens had become serene, tree
from lightning or cloud, filled with the cry of cranes and
marvellously illumined by the light of the moon.
Sugriva however, having attained his end, had become
indifferent to his duty and proper responsibilities, allowing his
mind to engage in lower pursuits. His ambitions fulfilled, he
ceased to harbour any solicitude concerning his affairs and gave
himself up to enjoyment with women, satisfying every capricious
desire.
Having realised his hopes and his fears being allayed, he
passed the time by day and by night with his favourite consort
Ruma and also Tara who was equally dear to him, as the Lord
of the Gods disports himself among the troops of nymphs and
musicians. Leaving the administration of the state to his
ministers without supervision, his realm not being in peril, he
became a slave to sense pleasures.
Seeing this, the resourceful Hanuman, the eloquent son of
Maruta, conversant with what ought to be done and knowing
the appropriate time for the performance of duty, approaching
the King of the Monkeys, who well understood what was
placed before him, spoke to him with confidence, in well
chosen words inspired by respect and affection, words that
were pleasing, full of good sense, practical, true, salutary, in
accord with the law and duty, expedient and diplomatic. Even
such was the speech of Hanuman, which he addressed to the
King of the Monkeys.
242
KISHKINDHA KANDA
He said : —
" Thou hast recovered thy throne and thy glory and added
to the prosperity of thine house ; it now remains for thee to
concern thyself with thy friends ; this is thy duty ! He who,
recognizing the fitting moment, conducts himself honourably
towards his friends, sees the increase of his glory and his power.
" He who treats with equal regard, wealth, sceptre, friends
and life itself, O Prince, acquires a vast empire. Let this be
thy conduct, establish thyself in the path of honour, this is
what thou shouldst do for thy friends in accordance with thy vow.
" He who does not abandon everything in order to occupy
himself with the interests of his friends, whatever his aim,
enthusiasm or undertakings, is courting failure.
" In the same way, he who allows the occasion for coming
to the assistance of his friends to pass is worthless, even if he
achieve great things. We are losing this opportunity of serving
the interests of our friend Raghava, O Vanquisher of Thy Foes.
Let us occupy ourselves with finding Vaidehi. Rama has not
reminded thee that the time appointed has gone by, though
he is fully conversant with the hour ; albeit hard pressed, that
sagacious prince has graciously resigned himself, O King !
" It is to Raghava that thou owest the prosperity of thine
House, he wields immense influence, his power is immeasur-
able, his personal attributes incomparable. Render back the
service he has done to thee, O Chief of the Monkeys, call
together the leaders of thy people ! The delay is not yet serious,
as long as Rama does not call upon thee to redeem thy promise,
but if thou defer till he constrain thee by force, it will be too late.
" Even had he done nought for thee, it would be thy duty
to assist him in his quest, O Chief of Monkeys ! How much
more so after the service he has rendered thee in re-establishing
thee on thy throne and slaying Bali.
" Thou art powerful and thy courage is extreme, O Thou
who rulest the monkeys and the bears, therefore thou art under
a greater obligation to assist Rama.
" Without doubt the son of Dasaratha is able to overcome
the Gods, the demons and the great serpents with his arrows,
he is merely awaiting the fulfilment of thy vow. It was not
without risking his life that he bestowed such happiness on
243 R
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thee. Let us scour the earth and, if need be, the sky, in search
of Sita. Neither the Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas or Asuras
accompanied by the hosts of Maruts, nor the Yakshas are able
to make him tremble, much less the titans.
" It is imperative, O Prince of the Tawny-coloured Ones,
that thou shouldst try to please Rama with thine whole soul,
who is endowed with that power that formerly succoured thee.
"We will not hesitate to enter the subterranean regions
beneath the waters nor ascend into the sky if thou commandest
it, O King of the Monkeys ! Do thou decree who shall proceed
and how and in what order. There are more than ten million
monkeys of indomitable strength ready to serve thee, O
Irreproachable Prince ! "
Hearing these apposite and reasonable words, Sugriva, in
his rectitude, made a supreme decision.
Wisely commanding Nila of inexhaustible valour to gather
the troops from every quarter, he said : —
" Do thou muster mine entire army with its leaders and
generals, whom none can resist, and bring them here immedi-
ately. The Plavagas who are stationed on the frontiers are
skilled and brave, let them come here, see to it personally
that I am instantly obeyed. He who does not present himself
within fifteen days from now will be summarily executed,
none shall escape.
" With Angada, seek out the veterans, carry out my orders
scrupulously."
Having made all these arrangements, the Chief of the Monkeys,
the valiant Sugriva, returned to his private apartments.
chapter 30
Description of Autumn
Sugriva re-entered his palace, and the sky being free from
cloud, Rama, who, during the rainy season, had been overcome
by the intensity of his grief, gazing on the pure and tranquil
moon and the marvellously clear autumnal nights, perceiving
244
KISHKINDHA KANDA
that Sugriva was leading a life of pleasure and reflecting on
his own loss, also that time was passing, fell into a profound
melancholy.
Though he soon mastered his mood, yet the wise Raghava
remained absorbed in the thought of Sita, and seeing the sky
free from cloud taking on a serene aspect, re-echoing to the
call of cranes, he began to lament in sorrowful accents. Seated
on the jutting ridge of a mountain rich in gold, under the
autumnal sky, his thoughts went out to his beloved spouse and
he reflected : —
" What joy can my youthful wife experience now, she, who
loved the call of the cranes in the forest and imitated their note ?
In mine absence, how can that tender maid take any delight in
the tufts of flowers shining like pure gold, she, who formerly
wakened to the cry of the swans ? What felicity can Sita of
soft speech and tender form enjoy now ?
" When she hears the cry of the wild geese, travelling in
skeins, what will become of that princess, whose eyes are as
large as lotuses ? I feel no happiness without Sita, whose eyes
resembled the doe's, when wandering by river, lake and forest,
and my beloved in her tenderness will suffer cruelly in mine
absence, through the desire that the beauty of autumn inspires."
Thus did that son of a King lament like unto the Saranga bird
when it solicits water from Indra.
At that moment, Lakshmana, who had gone out in careful
search of fruits, returned from the enchanting mountain slopes
and perceiving his elder brother absorbed in sorrowful thoughts,
bis mind distraught, alone in that solitude, the sagacious
Saumitri, who was deeply distressed by the grief of bis un-
fortunate brother, said to him : —
" Why, O Noble Prince, hast thou become a slave to love ?
Why this reversion of thy former resolution ? Thy distress
precludes thee from reflecting calmly ; tranquiUity of mind is
essential to carrying out any design ; after mature consideration,
the time ordained together with the strength of thine ally
should be utilised by thee for carrying out thy project without
delay, O Friend!
" Nay ! The daughter of Janaka supported by thee, will
not be of easy access to the foe, O Protector of the Human
245
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Race. None may approach a blazing fire without being burnt,
O Valiant Warrior ! "
On this, Rama answered the indomitable Lakshmana in
characteristic accents that were worthy of him, saying : —
" Thy words are practical and wise, full of good sense and
in accord with duty and the law. We should reflect on how
to act without delay ; this quest must be pursued ; when one
is powerful, invincible, youthful and valiant, one should have
no misgivings concerning one's success."
Then recollecting Sita, whose eyes were as large as lotus
petals, Rama with a downcast mien again addressed Lakshmana,
saying : —
" The Thousand-eyed God, having saturated the earth with
water and caused the grain to germinate, his task accomplished,
is now resting. The clouds, which amidst a deep and pro-
longed rumbling spread over the mountains, forests and
cities, letting loose their showers, are stationary, O Prince.
The fury of the thunderclouds, resembling intoxicated elephants,
black as the leaves of the blue lotus, darkening the ten regions
has abated. Swollen with water, the clouds have visited the
fragrant groves of Kutaja and Arjuna trees with wind and rain
and have now disappeared in their airy flight, O My Friend. The
clamour of the herds of elephants, the cry of the peacocks and
the sound of the rain have ceased, O Irreproachable Lakshmana.
" Washed by dense clouds that have removed their impurities,
the mountains with their magnificent escarpments shine forth
illumined by the moon's rays.
H Autumn now manifests her grace in the branches of the
Saptacchada trees, in the light of sun, moon and stars and in
the gait of the majestic elephants, and her influence appears
everywhere. In the tufts of lotuses opening to the first rays
of the sun, in the scent of the Saptacchada flowers, in the
music of the humming bees, autumn shines in all her splendour.
" The geese with their large and graceful wings, friends of
the God of Love, have just arrived, covered with the pollen
of the lotuses and are walking to and fro on the sandy banks of
the rivers, disporting themselves with the swans.
" In the intoxicated elephants, in the kine, in the tranquilly
flowing rivers, autumn is reflected in her myriad aspects.
246
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Seeing the sky bereft of cloud, the peacocks in the woods,
shorn of their caudal beauty, are no longer attracted to their
chosen ones and having lost their brilliance, their delight has
evaporated and they appear absorbed in their own thoughts.
" The tall trees of sweet fragrance, the tips of whose branches
are bent under the weight of their blossom, shining like gold,
enchanting to look upon, seem to light up the depth of the
forest.
" Accompanied by their females, the great elephants, fre-
quenters of the pools covered with lotuses and the woods,
who formerly stood amidst the flowers, intoxicated with ichor,
now walk with a slow and languid pace, merged in amorous sport.
" The sky has cleared and is as bright as a drawn sword ;
the water in the river flows slowly j a breeze, refreshing the
white water lilies, blows and those regions delivered from the
darkness shine forth.
" Freed from mud by the growing warmth of the sun, the
soil is covered with a thick dust that the wind carries to a
great distance.
" It is the time when kings, at enmity with each other, start
on their campaigns.
" Shining with beauty with which the autumn has endowed
them, exulting, their hmbs powdered with dust, mad with
desire and thirsting to fight, the bulls bellow amidst the kine.
" Sharing his love, the noble she elephant, eager and affec-
tionate, with a slow tread circles round the bull intoxicated
with ichor and follows him in the woods.
" Bereft of their tail feathers, their marvellous natural adorn-
ment, wandering on the banks of the rivers, the peacocks, as if
scorned by the cranes, move about forlornly, in flocks.
" With their formidable cries, the chief of the elephants
strike terror in the ducks and geese standing in the pools
covered with flowering lotuses and, having sprinkled them-
selves with water again and again, begin to drink.
" On the rivers, free of mud, with their sandy banks and
peaceful ripples frequented by herds of kine, re-echoing to the
cry of cranes, herons frolic joyously.
" The sound of the rivers, the clouds, the waterfalls, the
winds, the cry of the peacocks and the croaking of frogs has
247
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
ceased. Many coloured venomous serpents, greatly emaciated,
deprived of food during the rains, tormented with hunger
emerge from their holes where they have been confined so long.
" The evening, caressed by the rays of the trembling moon,
casts aside her veil, revealing her roseate countenance with its
stars, in an ecstasy of joy. The night, whose gentle face is
the full moon, resembles a youthful woman, the clusters of
stars her smile and charming mien ; lit by the orb at its full
it seems as if wrapped in a white mantle.
" Gorged with ripe grain, an enchanting flock of cranes
joyfully crosses the sky in rapid flight, blown by the breeze
like a garland of flowers tastefully interwoven.
" The waters of the great lake, with a solitary swan floating
there asleep amidst countless waterlilies, resembles the heavens
free from cloud, illumined by the full moon and a myriad stars.
With their girdle of swans, their wreaths of blue and white
lotus in flower, the great lakes are surpassingly beautiful and
resemble lovely women decorated with jewels.
" At break of dawn, blending with the sound of the breeze
blowing through the reeds, resembling the notes of a flute,
the deep roarings in the caverns, increased by the wind and the
bellowing of bulls, seem to answer one another.
" The river banks adorned with flowering grasses, stirred
by a gentle breeze, resemble bright linen cloths from which the
stains have been washed away.
" Bumble bees, roaming at will in the forest, gorged with
nectar, heavy with the pollen of lotuses, where they have
rested, in an excess of joy accompanied by their loved ones,
follow the God of the Wind, in the woods.
" The calm waters, the flowering grasses, the cry of curlews,
the ripened paddy fields, the gentle breeze, the immaculate
moon, are all celebrating the departure of the rainy season.
" To-day the rivers, wearing their silver fish as girdles,
flow by slowly, like lovely women, moving languidly, having
passed the night in love.
" With the geese, aquatic plants1 and the reeds that cover
them like woven shawls, the rivers, sparkling, resemble the
faces of women.
1 Aquatic plants, literally Shaivala — Vallisneria Octandra or Blyza.
348
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" In the forest, adorned with arches of blossom and full of
the joyous humming of bees, the God of Love, to-day, im-
patiently wields his fiery bow.
" Having saturated the earth with their profuse showers
and filled the lakes and rivers, preparing the soil for the harvest,
the clouds have disappeared from the sky.
" Little by little, die rivers in autumn uncover their banks,
like chaste brides disclosing their charms.
" O My Friend, the waters having subsided, the rivers re-
echo to the cry of ospreys and flocks of geese abound in the ponds.
" It is the time, O Beloved Prince, when kings declare war
on each other and thirsty for conquest enter upon their cam-
paigns. The inception of hostilities for monarchs has begun,
O Prince, and I do not see Sugriva making ready for an expedi-
tion of this kind.
" Asana, Saptaparna, Kovidara trees are in full flower as also the
Bandhujiva plant and the Tamala trees on the mountain slopes.
" O Lakshmana ! Behold the sandy banks of the rivers abound
in swans, cranes, geese and osprey that are seen on every side.
The four months of rain that have passed seemei to me like a
hundred years, so filled with grief was I on account of Sita's absence.
" Like the Chakravaka bird with its mate, she followed me
in the forest and the dreadful loneliness of the Dandaka
solitudes seemed to that youthful woman a garden of delight.
Though far from my beloved, overcome with sorrow, bereft of
my kingdom and an exile, yet Sugriva shows no pity for me,
0 Lakshmana!
" ' He is without support, deprived of his kingdom, affronted
by Ravana, unhappy, exiled, that amorous prince has taken
refuge with me.' Thus will Sugriva speak, O My Friend,
and in his perversity, he, the King of the Monkeys, holds me
in contempt, I, the Scourge of My Foes. Having fixed a time
to set out in search of Sita and entered into a formal contract
to do so, this false one, having obtained his ends, has forgotten
his pledge.
" Do thou enter Kishkindha and in my name, address that
Bull of the Monkeys, the wretched Sugriva, the slave of domestic
bliss, saying : — * He who, having raised the hopes of those who
have sought his help in adversity and who formerly rendered
249
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
him a service) fails to fulfil his promise to them, is considered
the least of men in this world but that valiant one, who for
good or evil loyally honours his given word,he is the best of men.
" ( Even the carnivorous beasts refuse to feed on the flesh
of those ungrateful beings, who, having obtained their end,
do not assist their friends to do so in their turn.
" * Assuredly thou desirest to behold the gleam of my gold
backed bow, resembling a series of lightning flashes, stretched
ready for combat. Then shalt thou hear the dread twanging
of my bowstring like unto the clash of thunder, when in wrath,
I range the field of battle.'
" Having brought my renowned valour to his remembrance,
O Illustrious Prince, thou, who art my companion, it would be
strange if he did not pause and reflect. O Thou Conqueror
of Hostile Cities, since he, the King of the Plavagas, has gained
his desire, he no longer recollects the time chosen, and the
King of the Monkeys, wholly given over to pleasure, does not
appear to be aware that four months have passed. Drinking
and roystering with his ministers and his court, Sugriva does
not trouble himself about us, who are filled with anxiety.
" Go and address him, O Valiant Hero, inform him of our
displeasure and speak to him in those terms, which are in-
spired by my wrath, saying : — * The Gate of Death, through
which Bali passed, is not closed ! O Sugriva, honour thy
pledge, for fear that thou mayest follow in the path taken
by him ! ' Thy brother died alone, struck down by mine
arrow but if thou failest in faith, I shall destroy thee together
with thine whole House.'
" O Greatest of Men, say all that will further our desire,
we must not delay, O Prince. Say to him ' Honour the promise
thou didst make to me, O King of the Monkeys, recollect that
virtue is eternal or, losing thy life this day, thou shalt fall into
the jaws of death, where my shafts shall despatch thee to
seek out Bali ! ' "
Seeing his elder brother, who was afflicted in his great
misfortune, in the throes of violent anger, Lakshmana, burning
with courage, the promoter of the glory of Manu's Race, pro-
foundly distressed, felt a deep resentment towards the King of
the Monkeys.
250
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 3 I
Lakshmana goes to Kiskkindha
The offspring of that Indra among Men, the son of a king,
then spoke to his elder brother, who, full of tenderness, cheer-
less, despite his natural gaiety and full of distress, had but
now expressed his desire to him : —
" Nay, that monkey is not a civilized being ; he does not
consider the immediate consequences of his acts nor will he
enjoy the glory of the monkey realm ; it is not fitting he should
take advantage of circumstances in this wise. In his stupidity,
he has become the slave of domestic bliss without calling to
mind the debt he owes to thee ; let him therefore die and seek
out Bali ; the throne should not be conferred on one devoid
of virtue. I am unable to contain my violent rage ; I shall
slay that disloyal Sugriva immediately. That son of Bali
with the leaders of the monkeys shall this day assist us to
recover the princess."
Then Rama, the Destroyer of Warriors, in terms that were
prudent and appropriate, addressed Lakshmana, who bow in
hand desired to follow up his words with action and who
full of ire was burning to fight : —
" Nay, thine equals in this world do not commit such an
outrage,1 the warrior who nobly masters his anger, is the
greatest of heroes. Do not belie thy natural integrity, O
Lakshmana ! Recollect the feelings of joy that the alliance
with Sugriva formerly aroused in thee. Speak to him in
moderate tones, omitting all harsh expressions, regarding bis
delay and his tardiness."
Thus counselled by his elder brother, that Lion among Men,
the valiant Lakshmana, the Slayer of Hostile Warriors, entered
the town of Kishkindha. The sage and virtuous Lakshmana,
eager to carry out what was agreeable to his brother, filled with
indignation, entered the abode of that monkey, bearing in his
1 That is slay a Mend.
251
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
hand his bow, resembling India's, high as the peak of a moun-
tain, like unto Mt. Mandara.
Faithful to the behest of Rama, his younger brother, the
equal of Brihaspati, reflected in himself how he should address
and answer Sugriva and, filled with ire on account of his
brother's anguish and displeasure, Lakshmana advanced like a
loosened tempest, uprooting Sala, Tala, Ashwakarna and other
trees in his impetuous strides, like a great elephant shattering
the mountains and crushing the rocks under his feet, thus
cutting short he distance to bis goal.
That Tiger among the Ikshvakus then beheld the splendid
city of the King of Monkeys, the inaccessible Kishkindha,
hollowed out of the mountain and filled with warriors. His
lips trembling in his fury against Sugriva, Lakshmana beheld
those formidable looking monkeys ranging round the city and
seeing that foremost of men, those monkeys resembling
elephants, tore up parts of the mountain, rocks, boulders and
great trees. Lakshmana, observing them seizing hold of these
missiles, felt his anger redoubled, like a brazier lit with innumer-
able brands, and they, beholding that infuriated warrior, who
resembled the God of Death himself at the dissolution of the
worlds, fled in their hundreds on all sides.
At that, those Foremost of Monkeys, returning to Sugriva's
palace, informed him of Lakshmana's approach and of his
anger, but that King of the Monkeys who was passing his time
in dalliance with Tara paid no heed to what those Lions among
Monkeys were saying.
Thereupon, under the orders of the ministers, those monkeys,
their hair standing on end, large as mountains or elephants or
clouds, issued out of the city and terrible to behold with their
nails and teeth, their jaws like tigers, stationed themselves in
the open. Many had the strength of ten elephants, others
were ten times as strong and some were endowed with the
strength of a thousand elephants.
Lakshmana, who was enraged, recognized that Kishkindha,
filled with these monkeys, who were armed with trunks of trees
and endowed with great valour, was difficult of access. And
emerging from the walls and ditches, these monkeys stood
courageously in the open field.
252
KISHKINDHA KANDA
In the face of Sugriva's debauched indifference and the
provocative attitude of the monkeys, the valiant Lakshmana,
guardian of the interests of his elder brother, was seized with
fresh anger, and that lion among men, heaving deep and burning
sighs, his glances flashing with fury, resembled a brazier belching
forth smoke.
With his pointed darts as the flickering tongue, his military
ardour the poison, his bow the coils, he resembled a five-
headed snake or the blazing fire at the end of the world or the
enraged serpent king.
Then Angada, who had gone out to meet him, in his terror,
suffered extreme discomfiture and that illustrious warrior
Lakshmana, his eyes red with anger, commanded him saying : —
" O Child, inform Sugriva of my advent and tell him that
the younger brother of Rama has come. O Conqueror of thy
Foes, tormented by his brother's grief, Lakshmana waits at thy
gate. Do thou seek to prepare that monkey by addressing him
in this wise and return with all speed to inform me of his answer,
O Dear Child."
Hearing these words spoken by Lakshmana, Angada, filled
with distress, went to seek out his uncle, who now occupied his
father's place and said to him : " Saumitri is come ! "
Then Angada, overwhelmed by the harsh accents of that hero,
his countenance bearing the traces of profound distress, went
away, first offering obeisance to the feet of the king in
great reverence and thereafter to those of Ruma.
That valiant prince, having touched the feet of his father,
then made obeisance to his mother also and finally pressed
the feet of Ruma having informed Sugriva of what had taken place.
Sugriva, heavy with sleep and fatigue, did not wake up but
lay in a drunken stupor, sexual indulgence having dulled his
reason.
Meantime, seeing Lakshmana, fear troubling their hearts,
the monkeys welcomed him with shouts to appease his wrath.
Beholding him near at hand, they raised a great clamour, re-
sembling a huge wave or the growl of thunder or the roaring
of lions; and this great tumult roused that red-eyed monkey
adorned with garlands who was bemused with liquor, bis mind
bewildered.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Recognizing his voice, two ministers of that king of the
monkeys, accompanied by Angada, approached him. Both
were of noble and venerable appearance and were named
Yaksha and Prabhava. Ingratiating themselves by their speech
that went straight to the point and sitting down near the king,
who resembled Indra, the Lord of the Maruts, they said to
him: —
" There are two brothers, full of nobility and power, Rama
and Lakshmana, who in human form are worthy of the kingdom
they confer on others. One of them, bow in hand, stands
at the door ; beholding him, the monkeys, terrified, are raising a
great clamour. This brother of Raghava, Lakshmana, his
spokesman, charged by him to communicate his wishes, has
come at Rama's command and the son of Tara, the beloved
Angada, has been sent to thee in all haste by Lakshmana, O
King, as his deputy, O Irreproachable Prince.
" That valiant warrior Lakshmana stands at the door, his
eyes inflamed with anger and consumes the monkeys with his
glances, O King. Go quickly and place thy head at his feet with
all those who belong to thee, O Great Monarch, so that his
anger may be instantly appeased.
" That which the virtuous Rama desires, do thou carry out
scrupulously so that his wrath be softened ; execute his wishes
with care, O King, fulfil thy pledge and be true to thy word ! "
CHAPTER 32
Hanuman's Speech
At these words of Angada and his ministers, Sugriva, learning
of Lakshmana's anger, rose from his seat and came to himself.
Having considered the different aspects of the matter, he
addressed his counsellors, who were versed in the sacred
formulas, with which he too was conversant and of which he
was a strict observer, saying : —
" I have neither spoken nor acted wrongfully; why is the
brother of Raghava, Lakshmana, incensed against me, I ask
254
KISHKINDHA KANDA
myself? Evilly disposed persons, enemies ever looking for an
occasion to charge me with imaginary crimes, have set the
younger brother of Raghava against me. It behoves ye all to
reflect on the matter wisely in order to discover the cause of his
anger. Assuredly I do not fear Lakshmana any more than
Raghava, but a friend who becomes angry without reason
invariably creates anxiety. It is easy to contract a friendship,
but extremely difficult to sustain it, for owing to the fickleness of
the mind a friendship can be broken for the most trivial reason.
Because of this, I am apprehensive in regards to the magnani-
mous Rama, for I have not been able to render back a
proportionate service to him for that which he has done for
me."
Sugriva having spoken, Hanuman, that foremost of monkeys,
answered according to his understanding, saying : —
" It is in no way surprising, O Chief of the Monkey Tribes,
that thou art unable to forget the significant and unexpected
service rendered to thee by Rama. Assuredly that hero, for thy
well-being, fearlessly slew Bali, equal to Indra in power. Un-
doubtedly Rama's feelings have been wounded, which is
evidenced by his sending his brother Lakshmana, the increaser
of his happiness, as his deputy, to thee. O Thou, the most
skilled in discerning the seasons, autumn is here in all her glory,
the Saptacchada and Shyama trees being in full flower, but
thou, given up to pleasure, doth not perceive it. The sky, free
from cloud, is filled with brilliant stars and planets, and on all
the regions, lakes and rivers, calm prevails.
"The time has come to inaugurate the search for Sita of which
thou art conversant, O Bull among Monkeys. Finding thee
forgetful, Lakshmana has come to inform thee that the hour is
at hand. Grieving over the abduction of his spouse, the
magnanimous Rama will speak harshly to thee through the
lips of this hero ; is it a cause for wonder ? Having acted im-
properly towards him, I see no other means tending to thy
welfare but to offer obeisance to Lakshmana and crave his
pardon.
" It is the duty of counsellors to utter what is true freely to a
king and it is for this that after mature reflection I have spoken
thus.
*55
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Armed with his bow, Rama, in his wrath, is able to subdue
the whole world as also the Gods, the Asuras and the Gand-
harvas. It is unwise to provoke one of whom subsequently
forgiveness must be craved, the more so, when the recollection
of a favour received places one under the obligation of gratitude.
Therefore incline thine head before this man with thy son and
thine entourage, O King, and remain faithful to thy promise, as
a woman to her husband's will. It is ill-advised of thee to oppose
Rama's behests, even in thought, for thou art well aware of this
man's power, whose prowess is equal to Indra and the Gods."
chapter 33
Tara pacifies Lakshmana
At Angada's request, and in accord with Rama's command,
Lakshmana, the slayer of hostile warriors, entered the beautiful
city of Kishkindha situated amidst caves.
Seeing Lakshmana approaching, the highly powerful monkeys
of immense size guarding the gate, stood with joined palms and
beholding the son of Dasaratha filled with wrath, breathing
heavily, dared not obstruct his entry.
Then that mighty warrior, gazing about him, beheld that great
city decorated with jewels and flowery gardens and rendered
magnificent by heaps of precious stones with which it was filled ;
abounding in spacious buildings and temples, with jewels of
every kind in abundance offered as merchandise, it was em-
bellished by flowering trees covered with every desirable fruit.
Born of the Gods and Gandharvas, monkeys, able to change
their form at will, wearing celestial garlands and raiment, added
to the beauty of the city by their charming appearance.
Fragrant with the scent of sandalwood, aloes and lotus, the
broad highways were also filled with the intoxicating odour of
Maireya and Madhu1.
1 Wines made from honey.
256
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Lakshmana beheld great mansions also, as high as the Vindhya
and Meru mountains, and streams of pure water flowing through
the city. He surveyed the enchanting abodes of Angada,
Mainda, Dvivida, Gavaya, Gavaksha, Gaja, Sharabha, Vidhumati,
Sampati, Suryaksha, Hanuman, Virabahu, Subahu and the
great souled Nala, Kumuda, Sushena, Tara, Jambavan, Dadhi-
baktra, Nila, Sunetra and Supatala, dwellings like unto white
clouds adorned with fragrant garlands and filled with jewels,
grain and lovely women.
The magnificent and inaccessible abode of the King of
Monkeys, like the palace of Mahendra, stood on a white rock and
was decorated with pinnacled domes resembling the peaks of
Mt. Kailasha. Trees in full flower, bearing fruits of every kind
of delicious flavour, had been planted there and resembled blue
clouds, enchanting with their cool shade, celestial blooms and
golden-hued fruit.
Valiant monkeys, bearing weapons in their hands, guarded the
resplendent gateway, the arches of which were of fine gold
adorned with magnificent garlands.
The mighty Lakshmana entered Sugriva's palace without
hindrance as the sun enters a great cloud, and having traversed
the seven courtyards, filled with conveyances and seats, he beheld
the inner apartments of that Chief of the Monkeys abounding
in gold and silver couches with rich coverlets and fine seats.
On entering there, he heard sweet music blending with the
rhythmic cadence of singing to the accompaniment of stringed
instruments; and in the private apartments of Sugriva, many a
high-born woman, distinguished for her youth and beauty,
sumptuously attired, crowned with flowers and engaged in
weaving garlands was observed by the high-souled Lakshmana.
He noted too, that there were none of the king's attendants,
who were not richly apparelled, happy, well fed and eager to
offer their services.
Hearing the sound of the women's anklets and girdles, the
virtuous Lakshmana became confused and incensed by the
tinkling of those ornaments ; and that hero stretched the cord
of his bow so that the twanging resounded on all sides. There-
after the valiant Lakshmana, indignant on Rama's account,
withdrew into a corner and stood silent, reflecting on his
257
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
presumption in entering Sugriva's private apartments. Hearing
the twanging of the bow, Sugriva, the King of the Monkeys,
recognizing the presence of Lakshmana, began to tremble on his
splendid throne.
He reflected : ' As Angada previously informed me, Saumitri,
through brotherly solicitude, has undoubtedly come hither.'
Then that monkey, informed by Angada, his tidings now made
doubly sure by the sound of the bow, understood that Lakshmana
had come and he grew pale, his heart being filled with appre-
hension, and Sugriva, the King of the Monkeys, addressed
Tara, of charming appearance, in well considered words
saying : —
" O Lady of Lovely Eyebrows, what cause for displeasure
has the younger brother of Rama, who is gentle by nature ?
Why has he come hither like a raving madman ? Dost thou
know the reason of this prince's anger ? Assuredly that lion
among men cannot be enraged without cause. If we have un-
wittingly displeased him, then considering the matter carefully,
inform me without delay or go thyself to him.
" O Lovely One, by thy sweet speech seek to conciliate him.
Seeing thee, his mind will become tranquil and his anger be
allayed, for great warriors do not permit themselves to treat
women with harshness. When thy gentle words have soothed
him and his mind and senses are under control, then I, in my turn,
will approach that prince, whose eyes are as large as lotus petals
and who is the conqueror of his foes."
On this, Tara, swaying slightly, her eyes bright from the
drinking of wine, her girdle loosened, hanging by a golden thread,
wearing the insignia of royalty, with downcast looks approached
Lakshmana. And when that great warrior beheld the consort
of the King of the Monkeys, he, restraining his wrath in the
presence of a woman, bowed his head, conducting himself like
an ascetic.
Under the influence of wine and observing the benign attitude
of that Prince, Tara, discarding all diffidence, addressed him in a
conciliatory manner, in words calculated to gain his confidence
and said : —
" From whence springs this anger, O Son of a King ? Who
has failed to carry out thine orders ? What reckless person has
258
KISHKINDHA KANDA
approached the forest where the trees are dry with a flaming
torch ? "
Mollified by this sort speech, Lakshmana replied with studied
courtesy : —
" Why, given over to lust, does thy consort neglect his duty
and his own true interests ? And thou, who art devoted to him,
why dost thou not give the matter thy consideration ? He has
become indifferent to the affairs of the kingdom and of ourselves
and our displeasure. Surrounded by parasites, O Tara, he
gives himself up to sensual enjoyments.
" The four months appointed as the term of waiting have
passed, but the King of the Monkeys in an orgy of drunken-
ness and pleasure, is unaware of it. Assuredly dissipation is
not a proper means to the observance of one's duty and obliga-
tions. Intemperance brings in its train the loss of wealth,
virtue and the capacity for enjoyment.
" Not to requite a service received is to fail wholly in one's duty
and to lose a good friend is immensely injurious to one's higher
interests. From the point of view of prosperity, the greatest
of virtues is friendship that is rooted in loyalty and justice ; he
who rails in these is not fixed in his duty. This being so,
what should therefore be done, O Thou, who art conversant with
the path of duty ? "
Hearing these just and reasonable words, expressed with
gentleness, Tara assured the prince of the certain fulfilment
of his enterprise and again addressed Lakshmana saying : —
" O Son of a King, this is not the time for recrimination, thou
shouldst restrain thine anger against my lord; he has thine
interests at heart, forgive his folly, O Warrior.
" O Prince, how can a man endowed with every good quality
be indignant with one who is lacking in them ? Which of thine
equals, despite his good character, would give way to wrath ?
I know the reason for the displeasure of Sugriva's valiant ally,
I am conversant with the service that you have both rendered us
and which we must return. I know further, O Best of Men, that
one must master one's passions. I am aware in what company
Sugriva has yielded to lust, which is the cause of the present pro-
crastination that incites thy wrath. When man yields to desire
he forgets time and place as also his duty and what should rightfully
259 s
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
be done. Do thou pardon this Leader of the Monkey Race,
who, at my side, without shame, gives himself up to sensual
enjoyment to which he is the slave. Even the great Rishis,
devoted to the practice of asceticism, when carried away by
desire, lost control of their minds, how should this monkey,
.therefore, volatile by nature, when overcome by passion, not
become a slave to pleasure, king though he be ? "
Having addressed these words of profound understanding to
Lakshmana, whose courage was immeasurable, the gentle
Vanari, with a troubled look, on account of her conjugal
affection, then added for the good of her lord : —
" O Most Excellent of Men, though overcome by desire,
Sugriva has long since made preparation to thine advantage.
Already hundreds, thousands and millions of valiant monkeys,
able to change their form at will, inhabiting every kind of tree,
have come here.
" Be pleased to enter, therefore, O Long-armed Warrior; the
chaste conduct of a sincere friend authorizes him to look on the
wives of others."
At Tara's invitation and urged by a desire to carry out the
commands that had been laid upon him, that illustrious hero,
the conqueror of his foes, entered the inner apartment.
There, seated on a golden throne, covered with a rich cloth,
he beheld Sugriva, resembling the sun itself, his person decked
with celestial ornaments, of a godlike beauty and dignity.
Wearing superb raiment and wreaths he looked like Mahendra
himself, on every side he was surrounded by women adorned
with crowns and jewels meet for goddesses, and his reddened
eyes gave him the appearance of Antaka.
Of the hue of fine gold, clasping Ruma firmly in his arms,
seated on a magnificent throne, that large-eyed hero saw before
him the mighty Saumitri of expansive eyes.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 34
Lakshmana reproaches Sugriva
Seeing that indomitable lion among men, Lakshmana, entering
full of wrath, Sugriva was troubled and, observing that Son of
Dasaratha breathing heavily and burning with indignation on
account of the calamity that had overtaken his brother, the
King of the Monkeys rose and, leaving his golden seat that re-
sembled the highly decorated standard of Indra, his eyes
inflamed, approached Prince Lakshmana and stood before him
like the mighty Kalpa tree.1 Thereupon the women, lead by
Ruma, followed him, like a cluster of stars surrounding the
moon.
Then Lakshmana, filled with ire, said to Sugriva standing
amidst the women with Ruma at his side, like the moon sur-
rounded by stars : —
" That king who is endowed with great and noble qualities
and is compassionate, who has subdued his senses and is grateful
and loyal, obtains renown in the world, but the monarch
who is rooted in unrighteousness and is unjust to his friends
who have rendered him assistance, is the object of opprobrium,
" To utter a falsehood with reference to a horse is to be
guilty of the death of a hundred horses, in regard to a cow of a
thousand cows, but to utter a falsehood in regard to a man is to
destroy one's self as well as one's kindred.
" That ungrateful wretch, who, having gained his end, does
not render service for service, is guilty of the murder of all
beings, O King of the Plavagas ; this is the text recited by
Brahma on beholding one who was guilty of ingratitude ; it is
known throughout the world, O Plavamgama. He who kills a
cow or drinks intoxicating liquor or is a thief or violates his vow is
still able to expiate his sin, but for him who is guilty of in-
gratitude, no expiation is possible.
" Thou art an ignoble, false and ungrateful wretch, O Monkey,
for having obtained what thou didst seek from Rama without
requiting his services. Having achieved thy desire through
1 Kalpa— The Wish-fulfilling tree.
26l
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Rama, is it not thy duty to do everything in thy power to recover
Sita ? Yielding thyself up to sensual delights, untrue to thy
promise, Rama does not know thee for the serpent croaking
like a frog, that thou art.1
" In his compassion for thee, O Wicked Wretch, the magnani-
mous Rama enabled thee to regain the kingdom of the monkeys.
Thou hast failed to acknowledge the benefits conferred on thee by
the high-souled Raghava, therefore pierced by sharp arrows
thou shalt follow Bali. The path thy brother took at death
is not yet closed ! Honour thy promise, O Sugriva, do not
follow in his wake. Since thou dost not behold the Prince of the
Ikshwakus loosing his fiery shafts, thou art still able to remain
serene and happy, without concerning thyself about his
anxieties."
CHAPTER 35
Tara defends Sugriva
Thus spoke Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra, inflamed with
anger and Tara, whose face was as fair as the moon, answered
him saying : —
" O Lakshmana, the King of the Monkeys has not merited
this harsh language, particularly from thy lips. Sugriva is not
ungrateful nor false nor worthy of condemnation nor, O Hero,
does he utter what is not true nor is he an impostor !
" The valiant monkey, Sugriva, has not forgotten the assist-
ance rendered to him by Rama on the field of battle, which no
other was able to give. With the aid of the magnanimous
Rama, Sugriva has regained his glory and the lasting dominion
of the monkey realm and has been restored to Ruma and myself
once again, O Scourge of thy Foes !
" Having been subject to cruel adversity and now enjoying
the summit of good fortune, he has become insensible to the
arrival of the time for the fulfilment of his promise, as was the
Sage Vishwamitra of old. For ten years, that virtuous Sage was
1 The meaning being "croaking like a frog to attracts frogs."
262
KISHKINDHA KANDA
attached to the nymph Ghritachi and failed to perceive that time
was passing, he, who was skilled in discerning time.1
" Sugriva had been deprived of physical pleasures over a long
period, he was exhausted and had not experienced any relaxa-
tion, O Lakshmana, therefore Rama should pardon him. And
thou, O Lakshmana, shouldst not give way to wrath like an
inferior person without ascertaining what has taken place.
Virtuous people like thee, O Lion among Men, do not give way to
immediate and unreasoning anger. In all humility, I appeal
to thee on behalf of Sugriva to control the grief that gives rise
to this anger in thee. It is my firm conviction that Sugriva is
ready to renounce Ruma, Angada, myself, kingdom, wealth,
grain and herds to please Rama. Having slain that vile demon,
Sugriva will restore Sita to Rama, as the moon is re-united with
Rohini.
" In Lanka there are hundreds, thousands and millions of
irrepressible demons able to change their shape at will ; without
destroying these formidable beings, it is impossible to overcome
Ravana, by whom Maithili has been borne away. Sugriva is
unable to defeat those demons of terrible exploits without the
support of auxiliaries, O Lakshmana. This was Bali's con-
sidered opinion, that resourceful and experienced monarch of
the monkeys. Knowing nought of the matter, I heard it from
his lips.
" In order to render thee assistance, the foremost of the
monkeys have been summoned for this enterprise with in-
numerable carefully selected troops. Awaiting those valiant
and powerful monkeys, chosen to assure the success of Rama's
undertaking, the King of the Monkeys has not yet left the city.
" O Lakshmana, some time ago Sugriva, wisely ordered that
these monkeys should come together this very day. Thousands
and millions of bears and hundreds of Golangulas4 as well as
innumerable kotis3 of monkeys, burning with energy, will be at
thy disposal to-day.
" Therefore O Conqueror of Thy Foes, subdue thy wrath.
Seeing thy face distorted with anger and thine eyes inflamed,
1 This story is told in Balakanda.
1 Golangula — a black monkey with the tail of a cow.
* Koti — a crore or tea millions.
263
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the wives of these foremost of monkeys, far from being reassured,
are suffering all the anguish of their former fear."
chapter 36
Lakshmana is reconciled to Sugriva
By nature gentle, Lakshmana listened to those just and gracious
words of Tara with deference.
Perceiving the magnanimous acceptance of her speech, the
King of the Monkeys threw off his fear as one discards wet
clothing. Thereafter Sugriva tore off the gaudy and variegated
garland from his neck and threw it away, his intoxication being
dissipated and that Chief of the Monkeys addressed the re-
doubtable warrior Lakshmana with humility, thus gratifying
him, and said : —
" O Saumitri, I had lost my fortune, my fame and the kingdom
of the monkeys which by Rama's favour have been wholly
restored to me. Who is able to equal this or render it back even
in part to that divine Rama, renowned for his exploits, O Prince?
The virtuous Raghava will recover Sita and slay Ravana by his
own valour alone ; as for me, I shall merely accompany him.
What need of assistance has he who, with a single arrow pierced
seven giant trees and a mountain, penetrating deep into the
earth ? He by the sound of whose stretching bow the earth
with its mountains quakes, what need has he for aid ? I shall
follow that Indra among Men, O Lakshmana, when he goes
forth to destroy his adversary, Ravana, together with his
House.
" If I have betrayed his friendship or confidence in some
measure, may he pardon me; is there any without fault ? "
These words of the magnanimous Sugriva pleased Laksh-
mana who addressed him affectionately, saying : —
" Assuredly my brother will not lack support, O Prince of the
Monkeys, above all, O Sugriva, with thy co-operation, who art
full of humility. Such is thy valour and sincerity, that thou
art worthy of enjoying the unequalled prosperity of the monkey
realm.
264
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" With thine aid, undoubtedly, O Sugriva, the illustrious
Rama will soon slay his enemies in battle. Virtuous, mindful
of what should be done, intrepid in the field, thou utterest noble
words that are worthy of thee, O Friend. Who else, recognizing
his fault, at the height of his power, would speak thus, O Bull
among the Monkeys, save mine elder brother and thee ?
" Thou art equal to Rama in courage and strength ! Thou
has been ordained his ally by the Gods, O Chief of the Monkeys.
Why delay further, O Hero, let us go forth together and offer
consolation to thy friend, who is afflicted on account of separa-
tion from his consort.
" O Sugriva, forgive those reproaches that I addressed to thee
on account of Rama's profound distress."
chapter 37
Sugriva assembles his Troops
Hearing the words of the magnanimous Lakshmana, Sugriva
said to Hanuman who stood near : —
" Call together all those who inhabit the heights of the
Mahendra, Himavat, Vindhya, Kailasha and Mandara mountains,
as also those from the peaks of Mt. Pandu and the Five Hills ;
those who dwell on the mountains that are bright as the dawn;
those who inhabit the furthest shores of the sea in the western
region and those on the mountains in the mansions of the sun ;
those formidable monkeys who have taken refuge in the Pad-
machalu woods ; those monkeys resembling clouds of collyrium,
who possess the strength of die lord of elephants, who dwell
on the Anjana hill ; those possessing the splendour of gold,
inhabiting the caves of the Mahashaila mountains and those who
frequent the slopes of Mt. Mem, as well as those dwelling on
Mt. Dhumra ; those who possess the brilliance of the rising sun,
of immense bounds, who, on the Mt. Maharuna, drink the heady
wine Maireya ; those who dwell in the vast, fair and fragrant
forests with their charming glades, where the ascetics' hermitages
are found. With the aid of the fleetest of monkeys summon
265
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
them all from every quarter of the world by means of gifts
and conciliation, Already I have sent out messengers who
are famed for their agility, yet, in order to expedite matters
further, let them be followed by other emissaries.
" Bring those leaders of monkeys also, who are lazy or given
over to pleasure. If they have not responded to my appeal in
ten days, they will suffer the death penalty for infringing the
royal command. Let those lions among monkeys under my
dominion carry out my orders with all speed in their hundreds,
thousands and millions.
" Resembling mountains of mist shrouding the heavens, let
those excellent monkeys of terrifying aspect come at my call.
Let all the monkeys who are acquainted with the way, scour the
earth ; call them together at my command with all speed."
At the words of the Monkey King, the Son of the Wind dis-
patched groups of intelligent monkeys to every quarter. Setting
out to that region traversed by Vishnu, by the paths fre-
quented by birds and stars, the monkeys, under the commands of
their sovereign set forth immediately.
Scouring the seas, mountains, forests and lakes, they called
all the different monkeys together to help Rama. When these
monkeys heard of Sugriva's order, a very death warrant, they, in
fear, at once set out for Kishkindha.
Those of the Flavagama Tribe, who were as black as coUyrium,
filled with energy, came from the Mt. Anjana to the number of
three kotis to join Rama. Those who frolicked on the high
hills, where the sun sets, shining like gold, offered themselves in
ten kotis. From the heights of Mt. Kailasha, monkeys whose
colour resembled a lion's mane, came to the number of a
thousand and those who lived on fruit and roots, who dwelt
on Himavat came in tens of millions, whilst those terrible apes
of fearful deeds, resembling burning coals, descended in haste
from the Vindhya mountain in thousands of millions. Those
who dwelt on the shores of the white sea, the dwellers of the
Tamala forests and those who fed on coconuts could not be
numbered.
From woods, caves and rivers, a vast army of monkeys issued
forth, who seemed able to drink up the sun's rays. Now those
mighty monkeys, who had gone out in all haste to spur others on,
266
KISHKINDHA KANDA
found a great tree growing on the summit of Mt. Himavat. In
ancient times on that divine and sacred peak, a great sacrifice
had been performed which found favour with Mahadeva, who
satisfies all the desires of the Gods. Thereafter many varieties
of fruit and roots resembling ambrosia had sprung up in that
quarter from the sacred offerings of grain and seed,1 and those
who partook of them had no need of further sustenance for the
period of a whole month.
Then those foremost among the monkeys gathered those
celestial fruits and roots with medicinal herbs from that place of
sacrifice and they brought fragrant flowers also to please Sugriva.
Having called all the monkeys of the world together, those
chosen messengers returned with speed at the head of their
troops and soon those fleet and spirited monkeys had returned to
Kishkindha, where Sugriva was ; and they presented him
with the fruit, herbs and roots that they had gathered, saying : —
" We have scoured the mountains, rivers and forests ; all the
monkeys of the earth have come at thy call."
These words pleased Sugriva, the King of the Monkey Tribe,
who freely accepted all the gifts they had brought.
CHAPTER 38
Sugriva goes to meet Rama
Sugriva, having accepted the gifts presented to him, thanked the
monkeys and dismissed them all.
Having sent away those thousands of monkeys, who had per-
formed their task, he deemed his mission, as that of the mighty
Raghava, well nigh accomplished.
Thereupon Lakshmana addressed the redoubtable Sugriva,
the foremost of monkeys, with a deference which moved him,
saying : — " O Friend, be pleased to set out from Kishkindha."
1 That had been scattered there.
267
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing these words spoken by Shri Lakshmana, Sugriva
filled with joy answered : — " Be it so, let us go forward, I am at
thy command."
Having thus spoken to the illustrious Lakshmana, Sugriva
dismissed Tara with the other women and thereafter summoning
the leaders of the monkeys in a loud voice addressed them,
saying : — " Come hither ! "
At the sound of his voice all those admitted to the presence of
women came immediately and stood with joined palms before the
king, whose brilliance equalled the sun's and who said to
them : —
" Go with all speed and bring a litter, O Monkeys ! " At
this command they set out with rapid strides to seek that mar-
vellous litter and, when it was made ready, the supreme Sovereign
of the Monkeys said to Saumitri : — " Be pleased to ascend the
litter. O Lakshmana ! "
Speaking thus, Sugriva with Lakshmana mounted the golden
litter that shone like the sun and was supported by a large number
of monkeys. A white canopy was spread over Sugriva's head
and magnificent fans made of yaks tails were waved about him.
Eulogized by bards, to the sound of conches and trumpets, he
set out in regal state. Surrounded by hundreds of war-like
monkeys bearing weapons in their hands he proceeded to the
place whereRama dwelt and, having arrived at that excellent spot,
that illustrious prince descended from the litter with Lakshmana
and approached Rama with joined palms. Then the monkeys,
grouped about him, did likewise and, seeing that great army of
monkeys resembling a lake covered with lotus buds, Rama was
well pleased with Sugriva.
Raising the King of the Monkeys, who had prostrated him-
self before him and whose forehead touched his feet, the virtuous
Rama embraced him to demonstrate his affection and esteem
and requested him to be seated. Thereafter seeing him seated
on the ground, Rama said : —
'* He who divides his time judiciously between duty, pleasure
and the legitimate acquisition of wealth and honours his responsi-
bilities in these things is truly a king, O Best of Monkeys ;
but he who neglects his duty, his true interests and legitimate
pleasures is like one who sleeps on the top of a tree and does not
268*
KISHKINDHA KANDA
wake up till he has fallen. The monarch who is ever ready to
destroy his foes and delights in showing favour to his friends,
who plucks the fruit of the threefold food,1 has fulfilled his duty.
" The time has now come to act, O Scourge of Thy Foes,
therefore take counsel with thy ministers, OKing of the Apes ! "
Thus addressed, Sugriva answered Rama, saying : — " I had
lost tame and fortune together with the entire monkey realm,
O Long-armed Warrior but, through thy favour have received
them again by thine and thy brother's grace, O Great One,
O Greatest of the Conquerors. He who does not acknowledge
a service done to him is an object of contempt.
*' These energetic leaders have gone out in their hundreds to
summon all the monkeys in the world, O Slayer of thy Foes.
Monkeys, bears and apes full of valour, of ferocious aspect,
familiar with the woods and inaccessible forests, monkeys that
are born of the Gods and Gandharvas, able to change their shape
at will, are on their way followed by their troops, O Rama.
" These monkeys are proceeding here surrounded by hundreds
and thousands,2 by millions and tens of millions ; these monkeys
and their chiefs, who are as valiant as Mahendra and resemble
mountains in stature, are coming together from the Meru and
Vindhya ranges. They will unite with thee to fight the demon
Ravana and, laying him low on the battlefield, will restore Sita
to thee."
Seeing the preparations made by that valiant monkey, in
accord with his desire, the illustrious prince was delighted and
his countenance resembled the blue lotus in flower.
1 The three ends of life, duty, wealth and legitimate pleasures.
■ Lit. Arvuda — a hundred millions.
Sanku — is a thousand Arvudas.
Madhya is an Arvuda ten times ; Antya is a Madhya ten times ;
Samudra is a Madhya twenty times and a Paradha a Samudra
thirty times.
269
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 39
The Arrival of Sugriva's Forces
Thus spoke Sugriva, standing with joined palms before Rama,
and that most virtuous of men, taking him in his arms, embraced
him saying : — " It is no wonder that Indra sends the rain, nor
that the sun with its thousand rays dispels the darkness from the
sky, O My dear One, nor that the moon by its brilliance makes
the night clear, nor that thine equals create the happiness of
their friends, O Scourge of Thy Foes. To find nobility of
character in thee is not strange ; I know thee by the affectionate
tenor of thy speech. With thy support, O My Friend, I shall
vanquish all my foes on the battlefield ; thou art mine ally and
shouldst assist me.
" To his own destruction, did that vile demon bear Maithili
away, as Anuhlada1 carried away Sachi, having first deceived her
sire.* Ere long, I shall pierce Ravana with my sharp arrows as
Shatakratu, that slayer of his enemies, slew the haughty father
of Paulomi."
At that moment, darkness covered the firmament and veiled
the fiery brilliance of that orb of a thousand rays ; a pall of dust
hung over all regions, and the earth with its mountains, forests
and woods trembled. The entire earth was covered with in-
numerable monkeys resembling kings of men and who, having
sharp teeth, were gifted with great strength. In the twinkling of an
eye, those foremost of monkeys surrounded by troops, number-
ing hundreds of kotis, endowed with extreme energy, roaring
like thunder, gathered from the rivers, mountains and seas with
others who inhabited the forests.
Monkeys the colour of the rising sun or white like the moon or
of the tint of lotus stamens or pale, having their home on the
golden mountain, appeared in tens of thousands in attendance on
that renowned and valiant monkey Shatavali. Then the puissant
1 Anuhlada— A son of Hiranya-kasipu, a Daitya, father of Prahlada. His
story is to be found in the Puranas.
* Fuloman — a Danava who was slain by Indra when he attempted to
curse him for ravishing his daughter Sachi.
27O
KISHKINDHA KANDA
sire of Tara, who resembled a golden hill, appeared at the head
of many thousand kotis. Thereafter the father of Ruma, father-
in-law of Sugriva, who resembled the filaments of a lotus and
was like a youthful sun, arrived accompanied by other thousands
of kotis of monkeys ; and that foremost of monkeys, Kesharin,
Hanuman's illustrious sire, appeared in company with many
thousands of monkeys. And Gavaksha, King of the Golangulas,
endowed with dreadful power came, surrounded by millions of
monkeys ; Dhumra also, the destroyer of his foes, advanced with
two thousand bears endowed with terrific speed. Thereafter
the leader of herds, Panasha of exceeding prowess came, ac-
companied by three million mighty and dreadful warriors and
he was followed by Nila of immense stature, who resembled a
mass of collyrium, with ten kotis of monkeys. And bright as a
golden mountain, the heroic Gavaya arrived with five kotis of
monkeys, and in his devotion to Sugriva the brave chief Dari-
mukha brought a thousand kotis. Thereafter the two powerful
Ashwiputras, Mainda and Dvivida presented themselves with a
thousand million monkeys. The brave warrior Gaja conducted
an army of three kotis of monkeys, and the illustrious king of
the bears, called Jambavan, came at the head of ten kotis, placing
himself under Sugriva's command. The renowned Rumana
followed with a hundred kotis of intrepid monkeys in all haste.
A hundred thousand million monkeys followed Gandhamadana,
and an infinite number were under the command of Prince
Angada, who, like his father, was full of courage. Thereafter,
shining like a star, came Tara of supreme valour, accompanied
by five kotis of monkeys from a great distance and there followed
Indrajanu, a brave and skilful general, who in his turn presented
himself at the head of eleven kotis, and also Rambha with an
ayuta1 of soldiers; and there followed the monkey leader
Durmukha, that valiant one full of phenomenal courage, with
two kotis of monkeys, resembling the peaks of Mt. Kailasha.
Hanuman himself was accompanied by thousands of monkeys
and the supremely brave Nala was followed by the inhabitants
of the woods to the number of an hundred, a thousand and an
hundred monkeys. The fortunate Darimukha was escorted by
ten kotis of monkeys and with loud shouts took his place beside
1 Ayuta— » Ten thousand, a myriad or a. number not to be counted.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Sugriva. And Sharabha, Kumuda, Vahni and Rambha came,
those monkeys who were able to change their shape at will, with
their forces of incalculable numbers covering the entire earth,
its mountains and forests. All the monkeys inhabiting the
earth gathered round Sugriva, leaping, gambolling and roaring,
and those Plavagamas surrounded Sugriva like massed clouds
round the sun. Full of courage and energy, they gave voice to
repeated shouts of acclamation, bowing their heads in salutation
to the King of Monkeys. Others, the leaders of armies,
according to tradition, approached the king and stood by his side
with joined palms ; and Sugriva standing in extreme devotion
before Rama, informed him of the arrival of the monkeys and
then addressed his generals, who were burning with zeal,
saying: — "O Chiefs of Monkeys, station your forces duly on the
mountain near rills in the woods and let each ascertain the
exact number of his troops."
CHAPTER 40
Sugriva sends his Monkeys to the East in search of Sita
Then the Lord of the Monkeys, his purpose accomplished, said
to that lion among men, Rama, the destroyer of hostile hosts : —
" Here, gathered together, are the foremost of monkeys in-
habiting my dominions, who are equal to Mahendra and are
able to transport themselves anywhere at will. These ferocious
monkeys, resembling giants and titans, of immeasurable prowess,
renowned for their exploits, bellicose, valiant, indefatigable
and supremely sagacious in all their deliberations, have come with
their vast forces.
" O Rama, these untold millions, who inhabit various
mountain tracts, traversing land and sea, have come to place
themselves at thy service. All are intent on their master's
welfare and obedient to thy behests ; they are at thy command,
it is for thee to dispose of them as thou wilt. Though I am
fully conversant with thy design, yet do thou order all as thou
judgest best."
272
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Thus spoke Sugriva and Rama, the son of Dasaratha, taking
him in his arms, said to him : —
" O Dear and Wise Friend, let us learn if Sita still lives or no
and ascertain in what country Ravana dwells. Then, having
come to where Videha's daughter is to be found, we will adopt
those measures that circumstances dictate, the hour having been
fixed.
" O Lord of the Monkeys, it is not for me to command this
expedition nor for Lakshmana; it is thou who must direct it;
thou shalt be its leader. Do thou, O Lord, take the command
thyself in this matter, thou art fully acquainted with my purpose,
O Hero. Thou, the second of my friends, 1 art full of courage,
wise, knowing how to choose the fitting moment, devoted to my
true interests, supremely loyal and accomplished."
Thus addressed, Sugriva, in the presence of Rama and the
sagacious Lakshmana, said to his general, Vinata, who resembled
a great hill and whose voice resounded like thunder : —
" O Foremost of Leaders, who art accompanied by monkeys
as bright as the sun and moon, thou art able to turn time and
place to advantage and art skilled in conducting thine affairs !
Taking with thee hundreds and thousands of apes, explore the
eastern region with its forests, woods and mountains, in search
of Sita, the Princess of Videha and also Ravana's stronghold.
Search among the mountain fastnesses, the forests and rivers
for Rama's beloved consort, the daughter-in-law of King
Dasaratha ; search by the beautiful Bhagirathi, the Sarayu, the
Kaushiki and the Kalindi, the enchanting Yamuna and the great
hills bordering the Saraswati, the Sindhu and the Shona of ruby
waters, the Mahi and Kalamahi with their splendid wooded hills.
" Look for them in the Brahmamalas, Videhas, Malavana,
Kashikoshalas, and Magadhas, the Pundras and Angas, lands
where the silkworm and silver mines abound and on the mountains
and cities skirting the sea. Search through the houses in
Mandara, amongst those people whose ears resemble cloths
reaching to their nether lip, whose faces are black and dreadful,
who are one-footed, though fleet withal, and whose bodies do
not deteriorate ; those also who feed on human flesh,
and the Kiratas, hunters who are golden-hued, of pleasing
1 The first being Lakshmana.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
looks, possessing thick hair worn in a knot, who subsist on raw
fish and those creatures, tiger-men, terrible to behold.
" O Dwellers in the woods, search carefully in all these
places that are accessible by climbing and swimming and the
Island of the Seven Kingdoms Yava, also and the islands
Suvarna and Rupayaka, full of gold mines, called the gold and
silver islands. Beyond these, is the mountain Shishira, whose
peaks reach to the heavens, and which is inhabited by Gods and
Giants. Seek here in the mountain fastnesses, cascades and
forests for the glorious consort of Rama.
" Thereafter you will reach the red and swiftly flowing river
Shona ; from there descend to the seashore, where the Siddhas
and Charanas dwell. In these enchanting sacred spots, seek
everywhere for Ravana and Sita. Explore the forests, mountain
sprung rivers, wild tracts and cavernous heights. It behoves
you to examine the terrible islands in the ocean, where great
waves arise and, whipped by the tempest, let forth a thunderous
roar. There dwell Asuras of immense size, who by Brahma's
permission, seize the shadows of birds flying over the sea.
Arriving at that vast ocean, that resounds like clouds at the time
of the dissolution of the universe, frequented by huge serpents,
keep careful watch and crossing over that sea, called Lohita,
whose red waters are terrible to behold, you will come upon the
mighty knarled ShamaU tree. There, constructed by Vish-
wakarma, like unto Mt. Kailasha, decorated with every kind of
gem, towereth the abode of Garuda. Terrible demons resembl-
ing hills of diverse forms, named Mandehas, hang suspended
from the rocks there. Day after day, at the rising of the sun,
those demons tormented by that planet, fall into the water, struck
by Brahma's energy and then suspend themselves on the rocks
once more.
" Proceeding further, you will come to the sea, named
Kshiroda, that resembles a white cloud with its waves shining
like a necklace of pearls. In its centre rises the great
white mountain Rishabha, planted with trees, bearing fragrant
blossoms and a lake named Sudarshana covered with dazzling
silver lotuses having golden stamens, where flamingoes abound.
Vibudhas, Charanas, Yakshas and Kinneras in the company of
troops of Apsaras, disport themselves on the shore of that lake.
274
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" Leaving the Kshiroda Sea behind, O Warriors, you will
come to the Jalada sea which is a source of terror to all beings.
There the Rishi Aurva1 created a shining object by the power of
his anger, which was transformed into the head of a horse by
Brahma. Its heat is unequalled and its food is the universe of
movable and immovable beings. There the cries of the
creatures of the sea, who are unable to bear the flames, can be
heard wailing in its vicinity.
" To the north of the Svadu Sea rises the high mountain
Jatarupashila, covering thirteen yojanas, of the splendour of
gold. There, O Monkeys, you will behold the supporters of
the earth, the serpent resembling the moon, with eyes as large
as lotus petals, worshipped by the Gods, and possessing a
thousand heads, the divine Ananta of dark hue sleeping on the
summit of the mountain. There stands a golden palm tree
with three branches resembling a standard set upon an altar. This
is the boundary of the Eastern region set up by the Gods.
" Reaching up to the heavens, measuring a hundred yojanas,
the mountain, Udaya, rises with its golden peak, beautiful with
its Sala, Tamala and flowering Karnikara trees bright as the sun.
" There also is the peak Saumanasa four miles in breadth and
forty in height. From there in former days, Vishnu, the supreme
Lord, measured the earth with three strides, the second being
Mt. Meru.
" The sun passing from Jambudwipa on the north and reach-
ing the summit of Saumanasa, again becomes visible to the
dwellers in Jambudwipa. It is there that the great Rishis,
Vaikhanasas, bright as the sun, perform their austerities.
" This is the island Sudarshana, where the sun rises, giving
light to all beings. Search for Janaki and Ravana on these
mountain fastnesses and in the forests and woods. Here,
when the sun shines on the Shaila mountain, the east appears
roseate. Because the sun rises there, Brahma established it,
in ancient times, as the gateway of the world, called the East.
1 A miraculously born sage who castigated the warrior class, but on the
persuasion of his ancestors, cast hiB anger into the sea, where it assumed
the form of a being with a horse's head.
In other versions it was said to be the subterranean fire that consumes
the world at the end of the cycle and is represented as a flame with a horse's
head.
275 T
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Here you should look for Sita and Ravana on the mountain
breast, in the caves and by the waterfalls.
" Beyond is the impassable eastern quarter inhabited by the
Gods, bereft of sun and moon, covered by darkness. Search
for the princess in all those rocks, woods and streams that I
have made known to you, but, O Foremost of Monkeys, you are
only able to proceed thus far. Beyond is the region without sun
or bourne of which I have no knowledge. Proceeding in search
of Vaidehi and Havana's abode, having reached the mountain
Udaya, return, when a full month shall have passed. Do not
exceed the period ; he who does so, will be punished by death.
" Having attained your end, and met with Maithili and with
care explored the favourite region of Mahendra, which is
covered with woods and thickets, return satisfied."
CHAPTER 41
Sugriva sends out other Monkeys to explore the Southern Region
Then having sent away that mighty host of monkeys to the east,
Sugriva dispatched another well tried army to the south.
Appointing Angada leader of those heroic monkeys, that hero,
the lord of the monkey bands, conversant with the countries
that had to be explored, sent out those endowed with speed and
valour : Nila, the Son of Agni, and the monkey Hanuman, the
exceedingly energetic Jambavan, Suhotra and Sharari,
Sharagulma, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Vrishabha,
Mainda, Dvivida, Gandhamadana, Ulkamukha and Ananga,
the two sons of Hutashana.
And the King of the Monkeys began to describe those regions
that were difficult of access to those simian chiefs, saying : —
" You will first behold the Vindhya ranges, possessing a
hundred peaks covered with trees and shrubs of every kind, and
the enchanting river, Narmada, frequented by mighty serpents,
and the wide and charming stream, Godavari, with its dark
reeds, and the captivating Krishnaveni ; the regions of Mekhalas
and Utkala and the city of Dasharna also ; Abravanti and Avanti,
276
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Vidarbhas and Nishtikas and the charming Mahishakas. You
will sec too, the Matsyas, Kalingas and Kaushikas, where you
should search for the princess and the Dandaka Forest with its
mountains, rivers and caverns and the Godavari, also examine
the districts of Andhras, Paundras, the Cholas, Pandyas and
Keralas. Then repair to the Ayomukha Mountain, rich in ore,
with its marvellous peaks and flowering woodlands ; that
mountain, possessing lovely forests of sandalwood, should be
carefully searched by you.
" Thereafter you will behold that divine river of pure waters,
the Kaveri, rendered gay by troups of Apsaras. On the summit
of the mighty Mountain Malaya, bright as the sun, you will behold
Agastya, the foremost of Rishis. By the permission of that high-
souled one, you will cross over the great river, Tamraparni,
abounding in crocodiles. Ravishing forests of sandalwood cover
the islands of these waters flowing to the sea, which resemble a
youthful bride going to meet her lover.
" Proceeding further, O Monkeys, you will see the golden
gates set with pearls of the city of the Pandyas ; then in order
to ensure the success of your enterprise, you will approach the
sea and ascertain your ability for crossing it. In the centre of
the ocean, Agastya has set that foremost of mountains, Mahendra,
its slopes covered with trees. Entirely made of gold it extends
deep down into the waters ; the abode of Gods, Rishis, Yakshas
and Apsaras, thronged by innumerable Siddhas and Charanas
and of surpassing loveliness, it is visited by the thousand-eyed
God at each new moon.
" On the other side of the sea is an island, four hundred miles
in length, inaccessible to men and splendid to look upon ;
search there with particular care, it is the abode of the wicked
Ravana, who merits death, the Lord of the Titans, in splendour
equal to Indra himself.
" In the middle of the ocean dwells the female titan named
Angaraka, who procures her prey by seizing the shadow of
those who fly in the air. Your doubts at rest, search there
for the consort of that king of men whose glory is limitless.
" Beyond that island in the sea there rises a lovely hill on which
Celestial Beings dwell, named Pushpitaka, bright as the rays of
sun or moon, lapped by the waves of the ocean, whose peaks
277
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
seem to pierce the heavens. Of these, one all golden, on which
the day's orb lingers, the ungrateful and the unbeliever may not
behold. Inclining your heads to that peak, offer salutations and
search on. After this you will come to another mountain,
difficult of access, named Suryavan extending over fourteen
yojanas and, beyond this, the mountain Vaidyuta, ever green,
with trees bearing every desirable fruit in all seasons. Par-
taking of these delectable fruit and roots and drinking the honey,
pass on, O Monkeys.
" Beyond there is the Mountain Kunjara which delights the
eye and heart, where Vishwakarma constructed the abode of
Agastya. Extending over four miles, this stately golden
edifice adorned with many kinds of gems rises to the height of
ten yojanas. There also is the city of Bhogavati, the abode of
the Serpent Race, with spacious streets, incapable of being
captured, guarded by formidable snakes and sharp-toothed
highly-poisonous serpents, where the dread King of the Serpents,
Vasuki, dwells. Search that city with care in every hidden
place wheresoever it may be.
" Going beyond, you will find the beautiful Rishabha Mountain
in the form of a bull, filled with gems where excellent Goshiraka,
Padmaka, and Harishyama trees and those possessing the
brilliance of fire are seen. Approaching the sandalwood forest
by no means should you enter there, for a certain Gandharva,
named Rohita, protects it with five other Celestial Beings re-
splendent as the sun, named Shailusha, Gramani, Shiksha,
Shuka and Rabhru.
" Thereafter you will see the retreat of those ascetics, whose
splendour resembles the sun, moon and fire ; this is the end of
the earth where those who have won the heavenly regions, dwell.
Beyond is the dread abode of the Pitris, which is inaccessible.
There Death has his city, enveloped in abysmal gloom, O
Bulls among Monkeys. Pursue your explorations thus far; but
those who go beyond never return.
" Having searched all those regions which are accessible to you,
seeking for some trace of the princess, he who shall return
within a month saying * I have seen Sita ' will pass his days in
happiness, enjoying prosperity equal to mine, in the midst of
every delight. None will be dearer to me ; I shall cherish him
278
KISHKINDHA KANDA
as a relative and, however great the number of his faults, he will
become my friend.
" Your strength and vigour are immeasurable and you are
born in families endowed with great qualities ; strive manfully
therefore to find the princess ; set forth on this mission of
supreme importance and demonstrate your heroism."
CHAPTER 42
Other Monkeys are sent to explore the Western Region
Having despatched those monkeys in a southerly direction,
Sugriva, addressing the leader, Sushena, who resembled a cloud,
with bent head and joined palms approached his father-in-law,
Tara's sire, who was endowed with great prowess, and spoke
to him also. Then he issued orders to Maricha, the son of
Maharshi and the mighty ape, Archismat, surrounded by the
foremost of monkeys, possessing the splendour of Mahendra
and like unto Vainateya in brilliance, and also to Marietta's
offspring, the Marichas, the mighty Archirmalayas, that all
these sons of the ascetic1 should march towards the region
of the West, saying : —
" O Ye Monkey Chiefs, let two hundred thousand monkeys,
led by Sushena, set out in search of Vaidehi ! Scour the
countries of the Saurashtras, the Bahlikas and Chandrachitras
abounding in antimony and other provinces and populous
places and fair and pleasant cities and Kukshi, dense with Punnaga
trees and filled with Bakula and Uddalaka trees, as well as the
tracts covered with Ketakas and the auspicious streams whose
cool waters flow towards the west.
" Explore the forest of the ascetics and the mountain wood-
lands ; there, having searched the tracts resembling deserts, the
towering cliffs and the mountain ranges, extremely difficult of
access, proceed further, when you will behold the sea, which
abounds in whales and crocodiles, O Monkeys.
[ > Marichi.
279
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
'* Then the apes shall disport themselves amidst the groves
covered with Ketakas and dense with Tamala and coconut trees.
Look for Sita and Ravana's stronghold there, in hills and woods,
on the shores of the sea and explore Murachipattana and the
delightful cities of Jafapura, Avanti and Angalapa as also the
forest of Alakshita and all these spacious kingdoms.
" There, where the river Sindhu joins the ocean, is a high
mountain named Somagiri, possessing a hundred peaks and
covered with tall trees. On its slopes dwell the Sinhas1 who
carry whales and elephants to their nests. These are found on
the mountain ridges and on the extensive plateaus, where wild
elephants range, gratified with food, whose trumpeting re-
sembles the roar of thunder. The monkeys, able to change their
shape at will, should scour that golden summit, towering to the
sky and covered with graceful trees.
" In the middle of the sea rises the golden summit of the
Mountain Pariyatra, extending over a hundred yojanas. There
dwell thousands of powerful Gandharvas, effulgent as fire,
formidable and mischievous, resembling flames. O Valiant
Monkeys, do not approach them nor seek to eat the fruits from
that region. These fruit trees are guarded with ferocious
vigilance by those mighty Gandharvas, nevertheless you should
search for Janaki there, nor have you ought to fear if you pre-
serve your monkey form.
" There is a mighty hill, the colour of emerald, shining like a
diamond, named Vajra, covered with trees and creepers, an
hundred yojanas in height and area ; carefully search all the
caves of that mountain.
" In the fourth quarter of the ocean is the Mt. Charavat ;
there Vishwakarma forged the discus Sahasrara, which together
with the conch was taken possession of by Shri Vishnu when he
had slain Panchajana and the Danava Hayagriva. In those
deep caverns and amidst those charming slopes, search for
Ravana and Videha's daughter with care.
" Beyond, rising from the depths of the sea, is the mighty
mountain, Varaha with its peak of pure gold which measures
four and sixty yojanas. On it is the golden city named
Pragjyotisha where the giant, Naraka, dwells. There do you
1 Lit. " Flying lions," possibly eagles or prehistoric birds.
280
KISHKINDHA KANDA
search for Ravana and Vaidehi among the beautiful plateaus
and huge caves.
*' Passing beyond that foremost of mountains, revealing
glimpses of the gold in its depths, you will come to the Mountain
Sarvasauvarna with its many fountains and waterfalls ; there
elephants, wild boar, lions and tigers roar ceaselessly on every
side, filling it with their clamour day and night. Then there is
the mountain named Megha where the Gods crowned the
fortunate Mahendra, he of the bay horses, the Vanquisher of
Paka. Having passed that mountain protected by Mahendra,
you should repair to a range of sixty thousand golden hills, bright
as the rising sun, casting their light on every side and embellished
with blossoming golden trees. In their midst rises the monarch
of mountains, Meru, the foremost of hills, on whom Aditya, well
pleased, conferred a boon saying : —
" ' By my grace all the mountains under thy protection shall
be golden by night and day and those Gods who inhabit thee,
the Gandharvas and Danavas, shall both assume the radiance of
gold.'
" At dusk, the Vishwadevas, the Vasus, the Maruts and the
Celestials gather to adore the Sun-god and worshipped by them
the sun sinks below the horizon traversing forty thousand miles
in the space of an hour, when it withdraws behind the mountain
range. On the summit of that mountain rises a palace resembling
the sun in splendour, consisting of countless towers, which was
built by Vishwakarma and is graced by various trees filled with
birds. It is the abode of the magnanimous Varuna, who bears
the noose in his hand.
" Between the Meru mountain and the Astachala Range there
is a great Tala tree with ten crests, made of pure gold, which
shines with extreme brilliance on a marvellous base. Search all
the inaccessible places on this mountain, as well as the lakes and
rivers for Ravana and Vaidehi.
" It is there that the virtuous Merusavarni dwells, sanctified
by his asceticism and equal to Brahma himself. Bowing down,
you should make enquiries of the Maharishi Merusavarni,|who
resembles the sun, concerning Mithila's daughter.
" From the end of the night, all those regions, that the sun
illumines till it sets behind the Astachala mountains, should be
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
searched by you, O Bulls among the Monkeys, but of that which
lies beyond which is covered in darkness and without bourne,
we know nought !
" Search for Sita and Ravana in this region as far as the
Astachala Mountain and at the end of a month, return ; those
who tarry beyond this term will die. My father-in-law of long
arms gifted with great prowess, I appoint as your leader ; you
should abide by his commands and listen to all he says ; he is
my spiritual preceptor. All of you are valorous and well able
to ascertain the wisdom of a course, still you will be doing your
duty in accepting him as your leader. In this wise, explore the
western quarter. Having requited the good that has been done
to us, we shall attain our end. Do you also determine what is
pleasing to Rama and, in accord with time and place, execute it."
Then those monkeys and their leaders with Sushena at their
head, having given a due hearing to the wise counsel delivered
by Sugriva, offered salutations to him and set out for the quarter
protected by Varuna.
chapter 43
Searchers are sent to the Northern Region
Having directed his father-in-law to the western region, the
Lord of the Apes spoke to that heroic monkey Shatavali, in
words fraught with his own and Rama's interests : — " With an
escort of a hundred thousand rangers of the woods, the sons of
Vaivasvat and thy counsellors, do thou explore the northern
region, O Hero, which is crowned with the snowy peaks of
Himalaya, and search everywhere for Rama's illustrious consort
there.
" O Most Grcumspect of Beings, having executed this task
and done that which is pleasing to the son of Dasaratha, we shall
have honoured our obligation and achieved success. The
magnanimous Raghava has rendered us a great service and, if
we can make some return, our life will not have been lived in
vain. To render assistance to any in need is to make one's life
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KISHKINDHA KAN",DA
fruitful, even if one is under no obligation to do so ; how much
more if one is able to repay one's benefactor. Reflecting on this,
those who value our well-being and happiness should do all in
their power to discover Janaki.
" Rama, the foremost of men, revered by all beings, the
conqueror of hostile citadels, is united with us in friendship.
Endowed with courage and discrimination, do you explore these
numerous and dangerous regions, rivers and mountains.
" Search the lands of the Mlecchas, Pulindas, Shurasenas,
Prasthalas, Bharatas, Kurus, Madrakas, Kambojas and Yavanas.
The cities of Shakas should be visited by you as well as the
Varadas, thereafter do you explore Himavat. In the tracts of
Lodhras and Padmakas and in the Devadaru woods, search on
every side for Ravana and Vaidehi. Reaching the Soma
hermitage, frequented by Devas and Gandharvas, proceed to
the mountain named Kala, possessing spacious plateaus. In
the midst of these mountainous tracts, in the valleys and caverns
search for that illustrious lady, Rama's irreproachable consort.
Having traversed that golden breasted mountain, you should
scale Mt. Sudarshana and further Mt. Devasakha, the refuge
of birds, filled with every variety of winged creature and
covered with trees of differing fragrance. Amidst its golden
rocks, fountains and caves, search for Ravana and Videha's
daughter.
Going beyond this mountain, you will come upon an open
space, measuring four hundred miles in extent, devoid of
mountains, rivers and trees, nor are any living beings to be
found there. Speedily traversing this desert you will reach
the stainless Kailasha Mountain which will fill you with delight.
There, resembling a pale cloud, you will see the charming
domain of Kuvera, of burnished gold, constructed by Vish-
wakarma, where lies a great lake covered with flowering lotuses
and lilies, frequented by swans and ducks, where troops of
Apsaras disport themselves. There the King Vaishravana,
adored by the whole world, the gracious dispenser of riches,
sports with the Guhyakas1. Amidst these mountains, bright as
the moon, as also in the caverns, search carefully for Ravana
and Sita.
* Hidden Beings attendants on Kuvera.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMI4CI
Coming to Mt. Krauncha, with exceeding circumspection,
enter its inaccessible caverns, which are well known to be ex-
tremely hard to penetrate. There dwell certain great and
illustrious Rishis, effulgent as the sun, adored by the Gods,
whose forms they assume. You should explore the other caves,
plateaus and peaks of the Krauncha Mountain thoroughly. Then
the tree-less Manasa peak will be seen, the abode of birds, and
the scene of Kama's austerities, where no way for any creature,
God or Titan exists ; this mountain should also be searched by
you. Beyond this is the Mainaka Mountain where the great
giant Maya has built his abode ; this place with its plateaus,
plains and woods must also be searched by you. Women with
the faces of horses dwell there.
" Going beyond there, you will reach the abode of the Siddhas,
where the ascetics — Valakhilyas and Vaikhanasas are. Fay
obeisance to those great beings, whose austerities have cleansed
them from all sin and, in humility, enquire of them concerning
Sita. There is the Vaikhanasa lake covered with golden
lotuses, the resort of beautiful swans, bright as the dawn. The
elephant of Kuvera, Sarvabhauma by name, in the company of
she-elephants, wanders about in that region.
" Beyond that lake is a sky bereft of moon, sun, stars and
clouds but it is illumined as if by so many solar rays, through the
effulgence of god-like Sages crowned by asceticism, who rest
there. Leaving that region behind, you come to the river
Shailoda, on whose banks the Kichaka reeds grow, by the help
of which the Siddhas cross to and fro. There are the Uttara
Kurus, with whom those who have acquired spiritual merit take
refuge. There are lakes there, whose waters are covered with
golden lotuses and innumerable rivers abounding in dark green
leaves and pools of the hue of the rising sun, embellished by
clumps of crimson lotuses. Pearls and gems of great price and
masses of blue flowers possessing golden stamens cover those
tracts and rivers with floating islets, where gold abounds and
high banks scattered with precious stones, are seen. The trees
there, thronged with birds, bear fruit and flowers at all seasons,
charged with delectable juices and distilling delicious perfumes,
fulfilling every desire. Other excellent trees give rich attire of
different kinds and ornaments of pearls, emeralds and other
284
KISHKINDHA RANDA
gems desired by men and women ; some also bear fruit which
can be partaken of in every season. Some trees bring forth
precious couches bedecked with costly and variegated coverlets
and others furnish enchanting garlands, costly drinks and various
kinds of viands. Women possessed of every accomplishment
distinguished for their youth and beauty, are there, sporting with
Gandharvas, Kinneras, Siddhas, Nagas, and Vidyadharas of
great splendour; and all those of righteous deeds engaged in
pleasure and those who enjoy what is pleasant and useful,
sojourn there with their wives.
" There the continual sound of musical instruments, blended
with sweet laughter, is heard, giving delight to all beings : there
is none there who is not happy or wants for any desirable
object and every day the enchantment of that place increases.
" Beyond that region is the Northern Sea. There in
the bosom of the deep rises the Somagiri Mountain of immense
size. Though bereft of the sun, yet on account of the brilliance
of the Soma mountain, that land is as bright as if Vivasvat
himself had warmed it with his luminous rays. There dwells
the Soul of the universe, Shambhuinin, in his cosmic form as the
eleven Rudras surrounded by Brahmarishis.
" O Foremost of Monkeys, you should not venture beyond
the region of the Uttara Kurus, nor is there any way for creatures
to do so. That mountain, named Soma, is incapable of being
scaled, even by the Gods. Sighting this mountain, turn back
speedily. You may proceed so far, O Foremost of Monkeys,
but the region beyond, where unending night broods, is unknown
to us.
" You should search all those places, which I have described
to you, and also those I have omitted to mention. O You who
are equal to the wind and fire, by discovering the place of con-
cealment of Videha's daughter, you will be doing what is
exceedingly pleasing to the son of Dasaratha as well as to me !
Having achieved your purpose, do you with your relatives,
honoured by me and having acquired every distinction, your
enemies slain, range the earth, the support of all beings, O
Monkeys."
285
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 44
Rama gives his Ring to Hanuman
Sugriva disclosed his plan to Hanuman in particular, being
supremely confident that this leader, the foremost of monkeys,
would accomplish his purpose.
Then the monkey king, the lord of all the dwellers in the
woods, well pleased, addressed the son of the Wind-God, the
peerless Hanuman, saying : — " Nowhere on the earth, in the air
or sky, in the celestial regions or in the depths of the sea, do I
know of any obstacle that can impede thy course, O Best of
Monkeys ! All the worlds with the Asuras, Gandharvas,
Nagas, Men and Gods, as well as the mountains and the seas are
well known to thee. In motion, speed, skill and energy thou art
the equal of thy sire, O Valiant One, and there exists no creature
on this earth that is like thee in vigour, O Hero of infinite
resource ! Reflect therefore on how Sita may be found ! In
thee, O Hanuman, repose strength, wit, courage and policy
in conjunction with the knowledge of time and place."
Realizing that success in the venture depended on Hanuman
and that Hanuman himself was chosen on account of his ex-
ploits, Rama reflected : " This Lord of the Monkeys has
supreme confidence in Hanuman and Hanuman too is sure of
success ; he who has been tested by his deeds and who is con-
sidered worthiest by his master is certain to accomplish his
purpose."
Thereupon that mighty warrior, Rama, considering that his
ends were already gained, felt a great felicity flooding his mind
and heart and that scourge of his enemies, highly gratified, gave
Hanuman a ring inscribed with his name that would be a sign
to the princess and said to him : —
" O Foremost of Monkeys, by this token, the daughter of
Janaka will not fail to recognize thee as my messenger. O
Warrior, thy resolution, thy courage and thine experience as also
Sugriva's words seem to me to predict success."
286
KISHKINDHA KANDA
Thereupon, taking the ring and placing it to his forehead, that
foremost of monkeys, offering obeisance to the feet of Rama,
prepared to depart. Taking with him a mighty band of monkeys,
that hero, the son of Pavana, resembling the moon in a cloudless
sky encircled by stars, set forth.
And Rama addressed that mighty warrior saying : — " O Thou
endowed with the strength of a lion, I depend on thy valour ;
by summoning up thy great resources, do all in thy power,
O Son of the Wind, O Hanuman, to bring back the daughter of
Janaka."
chapter 45
The Departure of the Monkeys
Summoning all the monkeys, the Lord of the Apes, Sugriva,
spoke to them touching the success of Rama's enterprise, and
said: —
" O Chiefs of the Monkeys, knowing my commands, go forth
and search those regions indicated by me." Whereupon,
covering the earth like locusts, the army started out. During
the month fixed for the search for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana
remained on the mountain Frasravana.
The valiant Shatavali set out with all speed for the north, that
marvellous region where the monarch of the mountain rises1
whilst the leader of the monkey bands, Vinata, went towards the
east. Tara,2 Angada and others, in company with that monkey
born of Pavana, marched towards the southern region inhabited
by Agastya ; and Sushena, that lion among monkeys, went to the
west, that fearful region protected by Varuna.
Having despatched the generals of his forces to each of the
quarters, that king of the monkey hosts experienced supreme
satisfaction.
Under the orders of their sovereign, all the monkey leaders
departed in great haste, each in the direction assigned to him
and, full of valour, those monkeys shouted, cheered, howled and
287
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
chattered, rushing on and on amidst a great uproar. Having
listened to the instructions of their monarch, the leaders of these
monkeys cried : " We shall bring Sita back and slay Havana ".
Some said : " I alone shall defeat Ravana in open combat and
having laid him low, shall deliver the daughter of Janaka, still
trembling with fear, saying to her * Rest here, thou art weary '."
Others said: " Singlehanded I shall recover Janaki even if it be
from the depth of hell ; I shall uproot the trees, cleave the
mountains, penetrate the earth and churn up the ocean." One
said, " Without doubt I can clear four miles in one bound ! "
and another, " I can clear a hundred," and yet another, "1 am
able to leap more than a hundred. Neither on earth, in the
sky nor on the sea nor mountains nor in forests, not even in the
nether regions can anything bar my progress ".
Thus in turn did the monkeys, proud of their strength, speak
in the presence of their king.
CHAPTER 46
Sugriva narrates Ms Travels through the World
The leaders of the monkeys having departed, Rama enquired of
Sugriva saying : — " How is it that thou knowest all the quarters
of the earth ? "
Then Sugriva, bowing low, said to Rama : " Hear me and I
will tell thee all.
" When Bali pursued the giant Dundubhi, in the form of a
buffalo, in the direction of the Malaya mountain, Mahisha1
entered a cave in that mountain and Bali, desirous of slaying that
Asura, followed him.
" I remained obediently at the entrance of the cave, but a
whole year passed and Bali did not re-emerge. Then the cavern
was filled with foaming blood which gushed forth, and seeing
this, 1 was terrified and consumed with a burning grief on
account of my brother. Distracted, I reflected : * My elder
1 Another name of Dundubhi, meaning " great or powerful animal,"
a buffalo.
KISHKINDHA KANDA
brother is certainly dead ' and I placed a rock, as large as a hill,
at the mouth of the cave, thinking ' The buffalo will not be able
to come out and will die* ; after which I returned to Kishkindha
giving up all hope of Bali being alive.
" There obtaining the mighty kingdom with Tara and Ruma,
surrounded by my friends, I began to pass my days in peace.
" That bull among monkeys, however, having slain Dundubhi
returned, and trembling with fear, in all humility, I made over
the crown to him.
" That wicked wretch, however, beside himself with rage,
wishing to slay me, followed me whilst I sought to fly with my
ministers. It was then that, hotly pursued by him, I passed
by various streams, forests and cities. The earth appeared
to me like the reflection of a whirling firebrand seen in a mirror
or a puddle.1
" Journeying towards the eastern region, I beheld many kinds
of trees, beautiful mountains, charming caverns and lakes. I
saw the Udaya Mountain rich in gold and the white sea, the
abode of Apsaras. Pursued by Bali, flying on and on, O Lord,
I turned and continued my course then, changing my direction
once more, I made for the south, covered by the Vindhya
Forest and embellished with sandal wood trees. Thereafter,
seeing Bali among the woods, on the mountains, I went west-
wards still followed by him.
"It is thus that I grew conversant with every kind of region
and finally reached the Astachala Mountains. Beyond that
most beautiful and elevated of ranges I turned to the north
and passed Himavat, Meru and the Northern Sea.
" Unable to find refuge from Bali, the sagacious Hanuman
said to me :— * O King, I recollect now that the Lord of the
Monkeys was formerly cursed by the Sage Matanga in this very
hermitage. If he should enter this asylum, his head will be
split into a hundred pieces ; we can, therefore, take up our abode
here without anxiety.'
" O Son of a King, I, thereupon, went to the Rishyamuka
Mountain, nor did Bali dare to come there for fear of the Sage
Matanga. This is how, O King, I visited every part of the world
and took refuge in this cave."
1 Lit. : Made by the imprint of a cow's hoof.
289
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 47
The Return of the Monkeys
In order to find Vaidehi, those leaders of monkeys, in obedience
to their sovereign's will, speedily went forth in all directions to
their destinations, and they explored lakes, streams, plains,
cities and tracts rendered impassible by torrents. Then those
chiefs of the monkey bands searched the regions described by
Sugriva with their mountains, woods and forests. Engaged
during the day in seeking for Sita, when night fell, they stretched
themselves on the ground, and coming to trees covered with
fruits in all seasons, they slept there.
Counting the day of their departure as the first, at the end of a
month, giving up hope, they returned to their king on the
Prasravana mountain.
Having scoured the eastern region with his forces, the mighty
Vinata returned without having seen Sita. Thereafter the great
monkey Shatabali came back disappointed with his forces,
having scoured the whole of the northern quarter. And
Sushena, at the end of the month, ranging the western region
without success, presented himself in company with his monkeys
before Sugriva.
Coming before Sugriva who was seated with Rama on a ridge
of the Prasravana Mountain, and paying obeisance to them,
Sushena said : " We have searched all the mountains, deep
woods, valleys, ravines and the countries situated on the shores
of the sea. All the places described by thee have been scoured
by us, as also all the jungles intertwined by creepers abounding
in thickets that are impassable and the hilly districts. Huge
animals have been encountered by us, which we have slain, and
we have searched these densely wooded regions again and again,
O Lord of the Monkeys. It is Hanuman, who is mighty and
nobly born, who will discover Maithili ; the son of the Wind has
undoubtedly gone to where Sita has been taken."
KISHRINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 48
Angada slays an Asura
The monkey Hanuman, accompanied by Tara1 and Angada,
swiftly set out to the quarter assigned to him by Sugriva. With
all those leaders of monkeys, he travelled a great distance and
explored the woods and caves of the Vindhya Mountains.
Rugged crags, impassable rivers, lakes, vast jungles, groves,
innumerable hills covered with forests were searched by the
monkeys on every side, without their being able to find Maithili,
the daughter of Janaka, anywhere.
Subsisting on various roots and fruits, they were overcome by
fatigue in that uninhabited and waterless region amidst the
fearful ravines and solitary places. Having searched that
immense area extremely hard of access, with its mighty forests,
containing caves, all those foremost of monkeys fearlessly
penetrated into another equally inhospitable region, where the
trees yielded neither fruit, flowers nor foliage and where the
streams were dried up and even roots were rare. There, neither
buffaloe nor deer, nor elephants, tigers, birds nor any other
animals, that are found in the forest, could be seen. There were
neither trees, grass, plants nor herbs, and in that place there were
no pleasant pools with flowering or fragrant lotuses and no
bees to be observed.
There dwelt the fortunate Sage, Kandu, a treasury of ascetic-
ism, of truthful speech, whose austerities had rendered him in-
vincible and who was irascible, having lost his young son at the
age of ten years in the forest. Filled with wrath on account of
his death, that great-souled One had laid a curse on the entire
vast forest, rendering it unfit to harbour any creature. This in-
accessible region, deserted by beasts and birds, the hidden
recesses of the woods, the mountain caves and the bends of the
rivers were carefully searched by the monkeys in order to carry
out Sugriva's desire, but they were unable to find the daughter
of Janaka or her abductor, Ravana, there.
1 The General Tara.
291 V
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having entered a wood, overgrown with creepers and briars,
they beheld a terrible titan, of dreadful deeds, cherishing no fear,
even for the Gods. Seeing that formidable titan, who stood
erect like a great hill, the monkeys pressed close to each other
girding up their loins.
Then that mighty Asura said to them " You are lost ! " and,
clenching his fists, rushed upon them in fury, but Angada, the
Son of Bali, thinking it was Ravana, struck him with the palm
of his hand with such force, that he fell to the earth like a great
hill, vomiting blood. When he had ceased to breathe, the
triumphant monkeys searched that mountain cavern; and
having satisfied themselves that it had been thoroughly explored,
those dwellers of the woods entered into another fearful cave.
After having searched that place also, they emerged exhausted
and wholly dispirited sat down at the foot of a solitary tree.
chapter 49
The Monkeys search the Southern Region in vain
Then the eminently wise Angada addressed all the monkeys and,
though himself fatigued, exhorted them to take courage, saying :
" We have searched the forests, mountains, rivers and im-
penetrable wilds, valleys and caverns with care, without finding
the daughter of Janaka, Sita, or that wicked wretch, the titan,
who bore her away. A great part of the time assigned to us
by Sugriva, whose commands are inexorable, has elapsed ;
therefore, banishing languor, despondency, torpor and
fatigue, together let us examine every region once again. Search
in such a way that Sita may be discovered by us. Perseverance,
ability and ardour are said to conduce to success ; I therefore
address you thus : — O Dwellers in the Woods, explore the whole
inaccessible forest to-day without counting the cost, success will
wholly depend on your exertions ; to permit yourselves to be
overcome by fatigue or give way to sleep is not fitting. Sugriva
is irascible and inflicts harsh punishments ; he is ever to be
feared, as also the magnanimous Rama. I speak in your own
292
KISHKINDHA KANDA
interests ; therefore, if you concur, act accordingly or let someone
point out what alternative will benefit us all, O Monkeys."
Hearing Angada's words, Gandhamadana, though faint from
thirst and fatigue, spoke in clear accents, saying : — " That which
Angada has said is worthy of him and is appropriate and timely,
let us act upon it ! Let us search the hills, caves, rocks, desert
places and waterfalls, in accord with the instructions given by
Sugriva; let us scour the forest and the mountain ridges
together ! "
Then the monkeys, rising, full of valour, began to range the
south covered by the Vindhya forests, afresh. Scaling the
mountain that resembled an autumnal cloud, rich in silver, with
its innumerable peaks and valleys, those foremost of monkeys,
eager to find Sita, ranged the enchanting Lodhra forests and die
woods of Saptaparna trees. Ascending to the summit of the
mountain, though endued with immense energy, they were
overcome with fatigue, yet they did not see Vaidehi, the beloved
consort of Rama, anywhere. Having surveyed that hill with its
innumerable ravines, as far as eye could see, the monkeys looking
on every side, descended and, reaching the base, harassed and
beside themselves, halted for an instant under a tree; then
finding themselves less fatigued, they prepared to explore
the southern region again.
Thereafter the chiefs of the monkeys, with Hanuman at their
head, began to range the Vindhya hills once more.
CHAPTER 50
Hanuman and his Companions enter the Rikshabila Cavern
The Monkey Hanuman, in company with the General Tara and
Angada, once again explored the deep woods and ravines of the
Vindhya range. Those monkeys searched the caverns which
resounded with the roar of lions and tigers as well as the in-
accessible and mighty torrents. Finally they came to the south'
western summit of the mountain and, while they rested there,
time passed.
*93
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
That region is hard to explore on account of the vast extent
of the forests and the dangerous ravines and caverns ; neverthe-
less the Son of the Wind examined it all thoroughly. Separated
from each other by a short distance, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya,
Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman and
Jambavan, the youthful Prince Angada and Tara, dwellers of
the woods, began to search those regions in the south covered
by the mountain range.
While they were exploring this place on every side, they
observed the opening to a cave named Rikshabila, difficult of
entry, guarded by a giant. Tortured with hunger and thirst and
overcome with exhaustion they espied this cavity overgrown by
trees, bushes and creepers, from which herons, swans, geese
and waterfowl were issuing, dripping with water and covered
with the pollen of lotuses.
Drawing near to that fragrant cave, difficult of access, those
monkeys were struck with astonishment and desired to enter it.
Then those foremost of monkeys, seeing signs of water, full of
joy, approached that subterranean chamber abounding in every
kind of creature, resembling the abode of Indra, which was im-
penetrable and fearful to behold.
And Hanuman, the son of the Wind-god, who resembled
the peak of a mountain, said to those redoubtable monkeys,
who dwelt in the woods and forests : — " We have explored the
southern region covered with a chain of mountains ; we are
exhausted with fatigue and unable to find Maithili. From
yonder cave, swans, cranes, herons and waterfowl are emerging
on every side, drenched with water. Without doubt there is a
well or pool to be found there for these trees at the mouth of the
cave are green."
Hanuman having spoken thus, all the monkeys entered into
the dark cave, bereft of sun and moon, that caused their hair to
stand on end. They heard the roar of lions and the sound of deer
and birds and those invincible monkeys felt their courage and
prowess fail ; moving with the speed of the wind and despite
the darkness, their sight being unimpaired, they penetrated
deep into the cave and beheld a luminous, enchanting and
marvellous region filled with different kinds of trees of varying
fragrance. Pressing close to one another, they advanced four
394
KISHKINDHA KANDA
miles into the interior and fainting with fatigue, bewildered,
seeking for water, they continued to descend into the darkness.
Emaciated, their faces woe-begone, spent, despairing of their
lives, those monkeys then beheld a light. Happily they
approached that spot and saw trees glistening like gold, posses-
sing the brilliance of fire, and they beheld Salas, Talas, Tamalas,
Punnagas, Vanjulas, Dnavas, Champakas, Nagavrikshas and
Karnikaras in full flower with clusters of golden blossom,
crimson buds, twigs and creepers adorning them, dazzling as the
dawn, their trunks being of emerald and their bark luminous.
There were also lakes of blue lotus, abounding in waterfowl,
there, and great golden trees encircled that place, that shone like
the first light of dawn and fishes of gold and enormous lotuses
were to be seen in pools of tranquil waters. Gold and silver
palaces were to be found there with little windows of refined
gold festooned with chains of pearls, the floors paved with
silver and gold and encrusted with pearls and diamonds.
And the monkeys beheld splendid mansions everywhere and
trees laden with fruit and flowers that shone like coral and
precious gems and golden bees and honey in abundance.
Couches and marvellous seats of immense size, decorated with
gold and diamonds, drew their gaze, as well as gold and silver
vessels, heaps of aloes and sandal, pure foods, fruits and roots,
cosdy vehicles, delicious syrups, priceless raiment and great
piles of woollen cloths and wonderful skins.
Whilst wandering here and there about that subterranean
chamber, those courageous monkeys beheld a woman at a short
distance from them. Attired in robes of bark and a black
antelope skin, that ascetic, given to fasting, shone with a great
effulgence.
Astonished, those monkeys halted suddenly and Hanuman
addressed her saying : — " Who art thou ? To whom does this
cavern belong ? '*
Bowing down to that aged woman, Hanuman, who resem-
bled a mountain, with joined palms, enquired of her: "Who
art thou ? To whom does this retreat, this cave and its jewels
belong?"
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 5 I
The Tale of the Ascetic
Having spoken thus to that blessed ascetic given to the practice
of austerity, who was clad in bark and a black antelope skin,
Hanuman added : —
" We entered this cave enveloped in darkness being wholly
exhausted with hunger and thirst and overcome with fatigue ;
having penetrated into the depths to seek for something to eat,
we have become distracted on seeing all these marvels so that
we have almost taken leave of our senses.
" To whom do these golden trees belong, that shine like the sun
about to rise and these pure foods, roots and fruits ;
these mansions of gold and silver with their windows of gold
refined in the crucible and their network of pearls ? Who has
produced these golden trees covered with marvellous flowers
and fruit emitting a delicious fragrance, the golden lotuses
that float on the pure waters, the golden fish and the
turtles ? Are they sprung from thy power or do they owe their
existence to another? It behoves thee to tell us, who are
ignorant in the matter."
Hearing the words of Hanuman, the virtuous ascetic, engaged
in the welfare of all beings, replied to Hanuman saying : — " O
Foremost of Monkeys, Maya is the name of the magician of
great powers, by whom this entire golden grove has been con-
structed. He who created this enchanting and celestial place
was formerly the chief architect of the Giants.1 Having prac-
tised austerity for a thousand years in the vast forest, he obtained
a boon from the Grandsire of the World, in virtue of which he
attained complete mastery in his art, as well as an absolute con-
trol over the materials required therein. Having accomplished
everything , that wonderful one, commanding every enjoyment,
for a time lived happily in the mighty forest. Thereafter he
conceived a great passion for the nymph Hema, whereupon
Purandara hurled his thunderbolt at him and slew him.
1 Danavas or Daityas.
296
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" Then Brahma bestowed this marvellous forest with his
golden mansion on Hema with the perpetual enjoyment of her
desires. I, Swayamprabha by name, the daughter of
Merusavarni, guard this dwelling belonging to Hema, who,
skilled in the arts of dancing and singing, is my dear friend, O
Foremost of Monkeys ! By her favour, this vast forest has been
given into my hands. Now tell me for what purpose and with
what motive you have come hither ? Why are you roaming in
these inaccessible woods ? Having partaken of these fruits and
roots and drunk of the pure water, tell me all."
CHAPTER 52
Swayamprabha frees the Monkeys from the Cave
That virtuous ascetic, greatly mystified, addressed all those
leaders of monkeys who were now rested, saying : —
" O Monkeys, if, satisfied by the fruits, your fatigue is alleviated,
I would fain listen to your story if it is fit to be heard by me."
Hearing these words, Hanuman, the Son of Maruta began to
relate all with perfect candour, saying : " The Sovereign of the
whole world, Rama, who is equal to Mahendra and Varuna,
the illustrious son of Dasaratha, retired to the Dandaka Forest
in company with his brother Lakshmana and his consort Vaidehi.
The latter was forcibly carried away by Ravana.
" His friend is that valiant monkey named Sugriva. By that
monarch, the foremost of monkeys, we have been sent hither
and with the assistance of those led by Angada, we have been dis-
patched to search the southern region inhabited by Agastya and
protected by Yama. We have been commissioned to search for
Sita, the daughter of Videha and the demon Ravana, who is
able to change his form at will. Having scoured the forests and
the seas of the south, overcome with hunger, we sat down at the
foot of the trees. Our faces drained of colour, absorbed in
thought, we were sunk in an ocean of anxiety which we were
unable to cross.
" Casting our eyes round, we observed a huge cave hidden by
trees and creepers and enveloped in gloom. Now swans, geese
297
THE RAMAVANA OF VALMIKI
and osprey flew out from that cave their wings dripping with
water, and I said to those monkeys, ' Let us enter there ! '
which all agreed to do. Anxious to accomplish our purpose, we
went in grasping each others hands, thus forcing an entry into
that dark cave ; this is our purpose and the reason why we have
come hither. Having come here, famished and exhausted, we,
who were sorely tried by hunger, have been entertained on fruits
and roots with the traditional hospitality. Thou hast saved us,
who were weary and suffering from starvation ; now say what
service the monkeys may render thee in return ? "
Thus addressed by the apes, the all-knowing Swayamprabha
replied to those monkey leaders, saying : " I am well pleased
with all these excellent monkeys ; I am but fulfilling my duty and
have no need of anything."
Thus answered in words filled with nobility and virtue,
Hanuman addressed that irreproachable lady saying: "We
have all found refuge with thee, O Virtuous Ascetic, but the time
fixed by the magnanimous Sugriva has run out since we entered
the cave, it behoves thee, therefore, to assist us to leave this place.
If the commands of Sugriva be disregarded, it will mean death
for us. Please deliver us all ; the fear of Sugriva afflicts us.
Great is the task that has been undertaken by us and if we remain
here, that work of ours will not be accomplished."
Thus addressed by Hanuman, the ascetic answered him say-
ing : — " For a living being to emerge from this cave alive, is
hard, but by the power of my asceticism acquired through self
control I shall deliver all the monkeys from this subterranean
chamber. Do you all close your eyes, for none will succeed in
issuing from this place if their eyes remain open."
Then, desirous of going out, all those magnanimous monkeys
instantly closed their eyes covering them with their hands,
possessed of slender fingers, and in the twinkling of an eye, the
ascetic transported them outside the cave and having saved them
from danger, in order to encourage them, said : —
" This is the auspicious Vindhya Mountain covered with
trees and herbs, there the Prasravana Mountain and the great
ocean. May good fortune attend you ! X go to my abode, O
Foremost of Monkeys."
With these words Swayamprabha re-entered the cave.
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KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 53
Angada and his Companions consider what Course to take
Then the monkeys beheld that awe-inspiring ocean, the abode
of Varuna, shoreless, thunderous and abounding in huge
billows.
Now the month fixed by the king as the term set for the search
had passed while they were exploring that mountain fastness,
the miraculous creation of Maya. Sitting down at the foot of
the Vindhya Mountain amidst the blossoming trees, those high-
souled monkeys anxiously began to reflect among themselves.
Perceiving the spring trees bending beneath the weight of
flowers interlaced by hundreds of creepers, they were filled with
apprehension. Recognizing the advent of spring and knowing
the time appointed for their task had run out, each in turn sank
to the ground.
Then that monkey having the shoulders of a lion, with plump
and long arms, the youthful Prince Angada, endowed with
wisdom, duly honouring the aged apes and other dwellers in the
woods, spoke thus : —
" At the command of the monarch of the monkeys, we set out
and, while we sojourned in the cave, a full month has passed
away, O Monkeys. The month Ashvayuj 1 was the time fixed,
which was not to be exceeded. This is known to you ! What
should now be done ? Receiving the mandate from your master,
you who are his trusted men, politic, devoted to his welfare,
skilled in every work, incomparable in its execution and re-
nowned in every quarter, have set out on this campaign with
me as your appointed leader. Now, having failed to attain our
objective, we shall certainly die, of this there is no shadow of
doubt. Who, failing to execute the commands of the King of
the Monkeys, can live at ease ? The time allotted by Sugriva
has run out, all that remains is for us, the dwellers in the woods,
to die fasting. Stern by nature, jealous of his authority, he will
not forgive us if we return having transgressed his orders. He
1 September-October.
299
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
will regard it as a crime if we come before him without news of
Sita ; it is therefore better to allow ourselves to die of hunger here
than give up all hope of seeing our sons, wives, wealth and homes.
It were preferable to die here than perish ignominously at the
hands of Sugriva. Further, I was not installed as heir-apparent
by Sugriva but by Rama, that king among men of immortal
exploits. Entertaining enmity to me of old, the king, finding
me at fault, will determine to take my life by cruel means. Of
what use is it to meet death in the presence of my friends who
will witness the last moments of my existence ? I shall remain
here en the sacred shore of the sea for the last supreme fast."
Hearing the words of the crown prince, all those monkeys,
exclaimed in sympathy : —
" Sugriva is harsh by nature and Raghava is devoted to his
tender spouse. The king, perceiving that the time has past
without our having been successful in our undertaking and that
we have not found Vaidehi, will certainly put us to death in
order to do what is agreeable to Rama. Those who fail (to
execute his commands) may not enter the presence of a king.
Having come hither as the principal servants of Sugriva, we must
either find Sita or obtain information concerning her or else we
must enter the region of Yama, O Hero."
Hearing the monkeys speak thus in their terror, the General
Tara said : — " Of what use is it to yield to despair ? Let us re-
enter the subterranean chamber and take up our abode there.
That place abounding in flowers, food and water, which has
been created by the power of illusion, is inaccessible. There
we need not fear Purandara Himself or Raghava or the King of
the Monkeys."
At these words to which Angada himself assented, all the
monkeys with renewed confidence, cried : — " Without delay, let
us from now on employ those means that will save us from
death."
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KISHKINDHA KANPA
CHAPTER 54
Hanuman seeks to discourage Angada from his Design
When the General Tara, who was as radiant as the moon, had
spoken thus, Hanuman deemed that Angada had already usurped
supreme authority. He knew the son of Bali to be endowed
with the eightfold intelligence, the four powers and the fourteen
qualities,1 to be possessed of valour, energy and martial ardour,
waxing in glory like the moon in the bright fortnight, the equal of
Brihaspati in wisdom, in bravery resembling his sire and obedient
to Tara's counsel as Purandara regards the instruction of Shukra.2
Thereupon, Hanuman, versed in all branches of learning,
resolved to win over Angada, who had become lax in the service
of his sovereign and bring him back to the right path. Reflecting
on the four means for bringing about peace, he chose the second,
that of sowing dissension amongst the monkeys by subtle
suggestion ; when the disaffection was general, he sought to
instil fear in Angada's heart, by harsh words uttered in severe
tones : —
He said : — " O Son of Bali, surely thou art a warrior more
skilful even than thy sire and art able to govern the monkey
kingdom as well as he, but, O Foremost of Monkeys, the apes
were ever fickle by nature. Bereft of their wives and sons, they
will never suffer thy rule. This I declare to thee in the presence
1 Eightfold Intelligence — The quality of accepting the truth and what is
right, cherishing it, remembering it. propagating
it. Knowledge of the positive and negative
side of a matter. Knowledge of the ultimate
essence.
Four Powers — Physical power, mental power, power of resource, power
of making friends.
Fourteen Qualities — Knowledge of Time and Place. Endurance.
Empirical knowledge. Skill. Physical strength.
Power to conceal one's counsel. The honouring
of one's obligations and promises. Heroism.
Appreciation of the enemy's strength and one's
own in relation to it. Gratitude. Beneficence to
one's dependents or suppliants. Non-acceptance
of insult. Freedom from uncontrolled movements.
Poise.
1 Shukra— Indra's spiritual preceptor.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of all ! Neither by conciliation, gifts nor penalties shalt thou
succeed in drawing Jambavan, Nila, the mighty ape, Suhotra, or
myself to thy side. One who is strong can overcome the weak
and usurp his place, therefore, he who is weak should, for his
own safety, never incur the enmity of the strong. This cave,
that thou deemest to be a safe refuge and which is said to be
impregnable, can easily be penetrated by Lakshmana with his
arrows. Formerly this tiny rift was made by Indra hurling his
thunderbolt against it, but Lakshmana will pierce it like a leaf
by means of his keen arrows. He possesses innumerable
arrows of this kind, whose impact resembles lightning, capable
of shattering the mountains themselves.
" O Scourge of Thy Foes, as soon as thou dost install thyself
in that place, the monkeys, remembering their wives and sons,
will decide to forsake thee. Pining for domestic happiness, ever
restless, anxious and weary of their pitiable plight, they will
abandon thee. Thereafter, bereft of friends, relatives and those
who seek thy welfare, even the trembling of a blade of grass will
fill thee with terror.
" Lakshmana's arrows, irresistible in flight, keen, formidable
and of exceeding velocity, will transfix thee where thou hast
sought to conceal thyself.
" If, however, assuming a humble guise, thou, with us, dost
present thyself before Sugriva, he will establish thee in the
kingdom and restore thee as rightful heir. A virtuous monarch,
firm in his vows, honorable and loyal, he desires thy welfare and
will assuredly not kill thee. Thy paternal uncle is devoted to
thy mother and wishes to do what is agreeable to her, this is
the purpose of his life and she has no other son, therefore, O
Angada, return with us."
30a
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 55
The Monkeys decide to die of Hunger
Hearing Hanuman's speech uttered with humility, filled with
wisdom and justice and reflecting honour on Sugriva, Angada
answered him saying : —
" Stability, purity of mind and disposition, compassion,
rectitude, daring and perseverance are unknown to Sugriva.
He who, while her son was living, united himself to the beloved
queen of his elder brother, on whom he should rightfully have
looked as a mother, is to be condemned. What does he know of
morality who, while his brother was in the grip of an Asura,
closed up the opening of the cave ? What gratitude will he
manifest who, having clasped his hand in friendship, forgot the
favours received from his great benefactor, Raghava, of im-
perishable deeds ? Where is righteousness in one who directed
us to search for Sita here, not from fear of disloyalty but of
Lakshmana ? Who would trust that fickle, impious and un-
grateful wretch, more especially those sprung from his own race ?
Whether he be possessed of good qualities or no, having estab-
lished me in the kingdom, will he suffer the son of his enemy to
live? How can I, whose counsels have been disclosed, who
have been found guilty, who am powerless, poor and weak,
expect to survive if I repair to Kishkindha ? In his desire to
retain the throne, Sugriva, who is wily, cunning and cruel, will
assuredly place me in chains. For me death through fasting is
preferable to being tortured and confined. Let all the monkeys
abandon me here and return home. I vow I shall never re-
enter the city but shall stay here and fast to the end ; death is
better for me.
" Bowing to the king and also to the mighty Raghava, enquire
after their welfare for me and bring news of my health and state
to my adopted mother Ruma. To Tara, my real mother, offer
consolation, for she is compassionate and pious and naturally
full of love for her son. When she learns of my death, she will
certainly yield up her life."
303
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having said this, Angada, making obeisance to the elders, his
countenance woe-begone, weeping, spreading out some kusha
grass sat down on the ground ; as he sat there, those foremost
of monkeys groaned, burning tears falling from their eyes.
Thereupon surrounding Angada, condemning Sugriva and
praising Bali, those monkeys resolved to starve themselves to
death and, seating themselves on the seashore on heaps of darbha
grass, pointing towards the south, those excellent monkeys
sipping water, facing the east, resolved to die, saying : — " This is
better for us ! "
As they spoke of the exile of Rama, the death of Dasaratha,
the carnage in Janasthana, the slaying of Jatayu, the abduction of
Vaidehi, the killing of Bali and the wrath of Raghava,
those monkeys were filled with fear ; and while those in-
numerable monkeys, resembling the peaks of mountains sat
there, the whole region with its torrents and caverns resounded
with their lamentations like the roll of thunder in the skies.
CHAPTER 56
The Intervention of Sampati
While the monkeys remained seated on the mountain plateau
resolved on their last great fast, the King of the Vultures by
chance came to that place. That long-lived bird, the fortunate
brother of Jatayu, was renowned for his strength and prowess.
Issuing from a cave on the mighty Vindhya Mountain, he
observed the monkeys seated there and, highly gratified, said: —
" Every man reapeth the fruit of his former acts, on account of
this, after a long time, this food comes to me. I shall eat up these
monkeys one by one as they die."
Eyeing those apes, the Vulture expressed himself thus, and
hearing the utterance of that famished bird, Angada, full of
apprehension, addressed Hanuman in faint accents, saying : —
" Behold, on account of Sita, Death, the descendant of
Vivasvat, has come to this place to destroy the monkeys.
Rama's purpose not having been effected nor the mandate of the
304
KISHKINDHA KANDA
king obeyed, this calamity has overtaken the monkeys unaware.
Thou art conversant in detail with all that Jatayu, that Prince of
Vultures did for the sake of Sita. All beings, even those born
of the mating of beasts, desire to please Rama at the cost of their
lives as we have done. On account of Rama's love and com-
passion, people bear each other affection and pity. The blessed
Jatayu voluntarily laid down his life for the good of Rama ;
we too, exhausted and about to die, came to this forest to render a
service to the Son of Raghu. We have searched the woods in
vain for Maithili. Happy is that Prince of Vultures who was
slain in combat by Ravana for he is freed from the fear of Sugriva
and has attained the supreme abode. The death of Jatayu and
King Dasaratha and the abduction of Sita has placed the monkeys
in jeopardy. The sojourn of Rama and Lakshmana in the forest
with Sita, Raghava's slaying of Bali with an arrow, the slaughter
of innumerable demons by Rama in his wrath, all owe their
origin to those boons granted to Kaikeyi."
Hearing these piteous words and seeing the monkeys stretched
on the ground the magnanimous King of the Vultures was
deeply moved and that sharp beaked bird cried out : —
" Who is it who, causing my heart to tremble, speaks thus of
the death of my brother, dearer to me than life itself ? How did
the demon and the vulture come to fight in Janasthana ? It is
after a long time that I hear the name of my brother spoken. I
wish to descend from this lofty mountain height. I am well
pleased to hear of my youthful and valiant brother, renowned
for his exploits. I wish to learn of the death of my brother,
Jatayu, O Foremost of Monkeys, and how King Dasaratha, whose
elder son is Rama, beloved of his elders, came to be his friend ?
I am unable to fly in consequence of my wings having been
scorched by the rays of the sun. Assist me to descend from this
mountain, O Conquerers of your Foes ! "
305
THE RAMAYANA' OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 57
Angada's 'Narrative
Though the voice of Sampati faltered on account of grief, the
Chiefs of the Monkeys did not trust him, doubting his in-
tentions.
Seated for the purpose of fasting to death, the monkeys,
seeing that vulture, framed the following resolution, saying : —
" Let us help him to descend and he will then devour us all ;
should he do so, while we are seated here fasting, we shall have
achieved our purpose and shall speedily attain success."
Having thus resolved, they assisted the vulture to descend
from the summit of the mountain and Angada addressed him
saying : —
" There was a great King of the Monkeys named Riksharajas,
the founder of our race ; he was my grandsire, O Bird. He had
two virtuous sons, Bali and Sugriva, both were exceedingly
powerful. My father Bali, was famed throughout the world for
his exploits.
" Now it happened that the Sovereign of the whole earth,
the descendant of Ikshwaku, the great and illustrious car warrior,
Rama, the son of King Dasaratha, obedient to the injunctions of
his sire, fixed in the path of righteousness, entered the forest of
Dandaka with his brother Lakshmana and his consort Vaidehi.
His spouse was forcibly borne away from Janasthana by
Ravana and the friend of Rama's father, the Prince of Vultures,
Jatayu, observed Sita, Videha's daughter, being carried through
the air. Having shattered Ravana's chariot and released
Maithili, that vulture being old and exhausted finally fell under
Ravana's blows. Slain by the powerful Ravana, he had his
funeral rites performed by Rama himself and attained the
celestial abode. Then Raghava allied himself with my paternal
uncle, Sugriva, and slew my sire, who had banished him from
the kingdom with his ministers.
" Having killed Bali, Rama installed Sugriva as Lord and
Monarch of all the Monkeys. We have been sent by him in all
306
KISHKINDHA KANDA
directions under Rama's orders to search for Sita but we have not
found Vaidehi, as by night one is unable to perceive the splendour
of the sun. Having explored the Dandaka Forest, we, through
ignorance, penetrated into a cave through a rift in the earth.
That cavern was constructed by the illusive power of Maya and
there we passed the month fixed by the King of the Monkeys, as
the term appointed ; while executing the commands of Sugriva,
we exceeded the time fixed and from fear have seated ourselves
here, resolved to die of hunger, for, if we return to face the
wrath of Kakutstha, Sugriva and Lakshmana, we shall surely
be put to death ! "
CHAPTER 58
Sampatt tells the monkeys of Stta's Place of Concealment
Hearing the pitiful narrative of the monkeys, who had resolved
to give up their lives, the vulture in mournful accents, with tears
in his eyes, answered them saying : —
" O Monkeys, you have told me, that Jatayu, my younger
brother, was slain in combat by Ravana, who was his superior in
strength. Old and bereft of my wings, I can only resign myself
to these tidings for I no longer nave the power to avenge my
brother's death.
" Formerly, when Indra slew the demon Vritra, my brother
and I, wishing to prove which of us was superior, soared into
the sky, drawing nearer and nearer to the sun with its aureole of
rays. Flinging ourselves into the currents of air, we rose rapidly
higher and higher, but the sun having reached its zenith, Jatayu
grew faint. Seeing my brother tormented by the sun's rays, I
covered him affectionately with my wings, for he was suffering
greatly, whereupon they were scorched and I fell on the Vindhya
Mountain, O Foremost of Monkeys, where I remained, not
knowing what had befallen him."
Thus addressed by Sampati, Jatayu's brother, the eminently
sagacious Prince Angada answered : — '* If thou art indeed the
brother of Jatayu and hast heard what I have related, then tell
307 x
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
us, dost thou know aught of that titan's abode ? Say, if thou
knowest, whether the retreat of that short-sighted, vilest of
demons, Ravana, is near or far away ? "
Then the illustrious elder brother of Jatayu answered in
words worthy of him, causing delight to the monkeys, and said :
" O Monkeys, my pinions being burnt, I am a vulture bereft of
strength, yet by my words alone, I shall render Rama a signal
service.
" I know the realm of Varuna and those covered by Vishnu's
three strides. I am also conversant with the wars between the
Gods and Asuras and the churning of the ocean, from whence
the Amrita issued. Though age has deprived me of strength and
my vitality is ebbing away, this mission of Rama's must be- my
first concern.
" I saw a young and lovely woman, beautifully attired, being
carried off by the wicked Ravana and that beautiful creature was
crying out * O Rama ', ' O Rama ', ' O Lakshmana '. Tearing
off her ornaments she cast them on the earth ; her silken cloak,
resembling the rays of the sun striking on a mountain summit,
shone against the dark skin of the demon like a lightning flash
irradiating a cloudy sky. Since she was calling ' Rama ',
* Rama ' I believe her to have been Sita. Now hear me, and I
will tell you where the abode of that demon is to be found.
" The son of Vishravas and brother of Kuvera, that demon,
named Ravana, resides in the city of Lanka, constructed by
Vishwakarma, which lies a full hundred yojanas from here on
an island in the sea, furnished with golden gateways and
ramparts of Kancana gold, with lofty palaces gleaming with
Hema gold adorning it. A great wall, bright as the sun, en-
circles it, and it is there that the unfortunate Vaidehi, attired
in a silken cloth, is confined in Ravana's inner apartments,
carefully guarded by demon women. It is there you will
find Sita.
" Four hundred miles from here on the southern shore of the
sea dwells Ravana. O Monkeys, hie thither speedily and
demonstrate your valour ! By supernatural means, I know that
having seen that place you will return. The first course is the
path taken by the fork-tailed shrikes and others living on grain ;
the second by those who live on insects and fruit ; the third by
308
KISHKINDHA KANDA
cocks ; the fourth by herons, hawks and birds of prey ; the
fifth by vultures ; the sixth by swans endowed with strength,
energy, youth and beauty and the last by eagles ; we have all
derived our origin from Vainateya,1 O Foremost of Monkeys.
I shall avenge that execrable deed of that eater of flesh (Ravana) as
also his cruelty to my brother.1
" Resting here, I am able to see Ravana and Janaki, for we all
possess the supersensual sight of Suparna.3 It is by virtue of
our nature and on account of the food we eat, that we can see
clearly to a distance of four hundred miles. We are instinctively
drawn to search for our food at a distance, whilst other birds
scratch it up with their claws at the foot of the trees where they
roost, their sight being limited.
" Do ye look about for a means to cross over the salty waves ;
having found Vaidehi, return, your purpose accomplished.
Now I desire to be taken by you to the shore of the sea, the abode
of Varuna ; I will there perform the water ritual for the spirit
of my high-souled brother, who has gone to the celestial abode."
At those words those mighty monkeys carried Sampati, whose
wings had been burnt, to the shore of the ocean, after which they
brought back that King of the Birds to the Vindhya Mountain ;
and, having received the information concerning Sita, they
experienced great joy.
CHAPTER 59
He encourages them to pursue their Quest
Hearing these words, sweet as nectar, uttered by the Vulture
King, the monkey chiefs were filled with relief.
Then Jambavan, the foremost among the apes, with all the
monkeys, rising from the ground, said to the Vulture King : —
" Where is Sita ? Who has seen her? Who has carried away
Mithila's daughter ? Do thou tell us all this, and thus be the
1 Vainateya — The Eagle Garuda. said to be Vishnu's messenger and
vehicle.
* Implying by sending the monkeys he would be avenged on Ravana.
* Suparna — another name for Vainateya or Garuda.
309
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
means of saving the dwellers in the woods. Who is able to
forget the power of the arrows of Dasaratha that fly with the
speed of lightning and those that are loosed by Lakshmana ? M
Then Sampati, once again consoling those monkeys who had
risen from their fasting and who were all attention to what was
being related concerning Sita, well pleased, said to them : —
" Hear how I came to learn of Sita's abduction at this place
and who it was that told me where that large-eyed lady could be
found ! It is a long time since I fell on to this inaccessible
mountain, many miles in extent. Now I am old and feeble in
life and limb ; in this condition my son, named Suparshwa, the
best of birds, brought me food regularly. If the Gandharvas
are extremely pleasure loving and the serpent race prone to
anger and the deer exceedingly timid, we, in our turn, are
voracious.
" One day, tormented with hunger, I demanded food and my
son flew off at sunrise to procure it, but returned at night with-
out any flesh. He, the increaser of my delight, had grown tired
of searching for nourishment and in order to propitiate me said
in all sincerity : —
" ' My dear father, wishing to bring thee thine accustomed
portion, I flew into the air and stationed myself near the approach
of the Mahendra Mountain in order to obstruct the passage of
thousands of creatures who range the sea. There I was, look-
ing down, guarding the pass, when suddenly I observed some-
one resembling a mass of collyrium, carrying a woman as
beautiful as the dawn. Seeing them, I resolved to seize them for
my prey, but he humbly implored me in peaceful accents to let
him pass. None on earth, not even the wicked, devour the
peaceful willingly, how much less a creature like myself! He
passed on quickly, pushing away the air, as it were, with his
energy. Thereafter, those beings that inhabit space approached
me and paid obeisance to me and the great Rishis said tome: —
" ' " By good fortune Sita still lives ! It is well for thee that
he has passed by thee with this woman."
" * Then the glorious Siddhas addressed me and informed
me that it was Ravana, the King of the Demons, whom I had seen
with the consort of Rama, the son of Dasaratha, the daughter
of Janaka, who, her silken attire torn, overcome with an excess
310
KISHKINDHA KAN DA
of grief, her hair falling about her, was calling the names of
" Rama " and " Lakshmana ". Thus, 0 My Father, is how the
time has passed/
" All this did Suparshwa tell me, and even on hearing it I did
not consider exerting my strength, for without wings, how can a
bird undertake anything ? But hear how I can help you with
my word and knowledge, so that you can manifest your prowess !
By my speech and my experience I will do what is agreeable to
you. I shall make the concern of the son of Dasaratha my con-
cern, do not doubt it. Possessed as you are of intelligence,
energy and wisdom, incapable of being overcome even by the
Gods, you have been sent here by the King of the Monkeys.
The arrows of Rama and Lakshmana furnished with heron
plumes are able to destroy the Three Worlds. Although the
ten-necked Ravana is endowed with strength and energy, yet
assuredly none can resist your united efforts ! There is no need
for further delay. Now accomplish your purpose. The wise,
such as you, are not dilatory in their undertakings."
CHAPTER 60
The Story of the Ascetic Nishakara
When the vulture had offered oblations of water for the spirit of
his brother and performed his ablutions, the monkey chiefs sat
down on that marvellous mountain, placing him in their midst.
Then Sampati, in order to reassure them, said cheerfully to
Angada, who was seated surrounded by all the monkeys who
escorted him : — " Listen to me with attention and in silence, O
Monkeys, and I will tell you truly how I came to know of
Maithili.
" A long time ago, I fell on the summit of the Vindhya
Mountain, O Irreproachable Prince, my wings scorched by the
heat of the sun, which consumed them with its rays. On re-
gaining consciousness at the end of six days, faint and bereft of
strength, looking round, I was unable to distinguish anything.
Nevertheless on scanning the lakes, rocks, rivers, ponds, woods
and countries, my memory returned and I reflected, * This
3"
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
mountain filled with cheerful birds, containing deep caves and
innumerable ridges is certainly the Vindhya Peak on the shores
of the southern sea.'
" Here lay a sacred hermitage revered by the Gods them-
selves, where a Sage named Nishakara, of severe austerities,
dwelt ; since that time, that saint conversant with virtue has
ascended to heaven.
" X passed eight thousand years on this mountain. Then
not having seen that ascetic, crawling slowly and pain-
folly down from that high peak to the ground covered with sharp
pointed grass, eager to see that sage, I rejoined him with great
difficulty. Formerly Jatayu and I visited that sage many times.
" In that neighbourhood, sort and fragrant breezes blew and
there was no tree without flowers or fruit. Approaching that
sacred hermitage, desirous of seeing the blessed Nishakara, I
waited at the foot of a tree. Then, at a distance, I beheld that
Rishi, blazing with effulgence, who, having performed his
ablutions, was returning towards the north.
" As all living beings surround a giver, so was he surrounded
by bears, srimaras, tigers, lions and snakes of various kinds.
And when they observed that the saint had entered his hermitage,
they all went away, as when a king retires, the ministers who have
escorted him withdraw.
" The Sage, on seeing me, was pleased, and retiring into his
hermitage for a while, came out again and enquired as to my
welfare. He said : — ' O My Friend, on account of thy dis-
coloured plumes, I am unable to recognize thee ; thy two wings
have been scorched by fire and thy trail frame is shaken by
gasps. In former times, I knew two vultures resembling the
wind in speed, who were brothers, able to change their shape at
will. Thou art, I know, the elder, Sampati, and Jatayu is thy
younger brother. Both assuming human shape were wont to
massage my feet with their hands.
" * By what disease hast thou been afflicted ? From whence
comes the loss of thy wings ? Who has inflicted this punish-
ment on thee ? Do thou tell me all ! ' "
3"
KISHKINDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 6l
Sampati tells his Story to the Sage Nishakara
Thereupon Sampati related to the ascetic the whole of his
fearful, arduous and rash act of flying towards the sun : —
" O Blessed One, the wounds I have received, the shame I
feel and the exhaustion I experience, all prevent me from enter-
ing into a lengthy narrative.
" From pride in our power of flight, Jatayu and I, in order to
test each other's powers, vowing in the presence of the sages on
Mt. Kailasha that we would follow the sun till it set behind the
Astachala Mountain, flew into the sky. Reaching a great height
together, we looked down on the earth with its various cities
that appeared like chariot wheels. Sometimes the sound of
musical instruments reached us, at others the tinkling of
ornaments. In certain places we saw many damsels clad in red
who were singing.
" Passing rapidly through the air, we followed the path of the
sun and observed a forest intersected with green rides ; the
mountains appeared like pebbles and the rivers like threads
binding the earth ; Himavat, Vindhya and that mighty mountain,
Meru resembled elephants standing in a pond.
" Nevertheless we were perspiring freely and were filled with
anxiety and extremely fatigued, no longer being able, in our
bewilderment, to distinguish between the south, west or the
quarter presided over by Fire ; the earth seemed to us to have
been consumed by flames, as at the end of the world period.
My mind and my eyes failing, with a violent effort I fixed them
on the sun and with great difficulty succeeded in doing so.
The blazing orb seemed to us much larger than the earth in
extent, and at that instant, Jatayu, without speaking to me, began
to fall. Seeing this, I flew down from the sky and covered him
with my wings, in consequence of which my brother was not
burnt, but I, in my arrogance was scorched and thrown out of
the wind's course. I surmised that Jatayu had fallen in
313
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Janasthana, but my wings scathed, deprived of strength, I fell
on the Vindhya Mountain.
" Bereft of my dominion, my brother, my wings and my power,
I now long to hurl myself headlong from the summit of this
mountain and put an end to my existence."
CHAPTER 62
Sampati learns where Sita is from the Sage Nishakara
" Having spoken thus to that foremost of Sages, in my distress,
I began to weep, and that blessed One, reflecting for a while,
said to me :■■ —
" ' Thy two wings with their feathers will grow again and thou
wilt recover thy sight, thine energy and thy prowess. Having
learnt it from the Puranas and foreseen it by mine ascetic power,
I know that a great event is about to take place.
" * It concerns a certain king, named Dasaratha of the race of
Ikshwaku, to whom a son, full of valour, will be bornty the
name of Rama. He will repair to the forest with his brother
Lakshmana, having been constrained to do so by his sire.
" * The son of Nairriti, Ravana, the King of the Titans, in-
capable of being slain by Gods or Danavas, will bear off his
consort from the forest of Janasthana. And, albeit tempted by
delicious viands and objects of enjoyment and desire, that noble
and illustrious one, overcome by grief, will not partake of them.
Then Vasava learning of this will offer her ' payasa * resembling
ambrosia that the Gods themselves only obtain with difficulty.
Receiving this food, Maithili, knowing it to come from Indra,
will offer part of it to Rama, by pouring it on the ground, saying :
— ' Whether my husband or bis younger brother still live or have
attained the celestial state, may this food be acceptable to them.*
" * Rama's envoys having been sent hither, it will be for thee
to inform them of the facts relating to Sita, O Airy Traveller !
Do not go hence for any reason, but whither canst thou go in
this condition? Wait for the time and place; thou shalt
recover thy wings. I am able this very day to furnish thee with
3M
KISHKINDHA KANDA
wings but by waiting here thou canst render a service to the
worlds. Even so, thou shalt be doing thy duty to the two
princes, the brahmins, thy spiritual preceptors, the sages and
Indra. I also am desirous of beholding the two brothers, Rama
and Lakshmana, after which I shall yield up my life.*
" Thus did that great Rishi, conversant with the nature of all
things, speak to me."
chapter 63
The Wirtgs of Sampati grow once more
" Having consoled me with these words and many others, the
eloquent ascetic took leave of me and re-entered his hermitage.
Thereafter I crawled slowly out of the cave and scaled the
Vindhya Mountain to wait for you. Since that time, a whole
century has passed, and, keeping the words of that hermit in my
heart, I await the time and place.
" Nishakara has ascended to heaven and I, distracted by many
thoughts, have been consumed with grief. When the idea of
death comes to me, I put it away, remembering the words of
the Sage. The determination he inspired in me to preserve my
life dissolves my distress, as a flame in a lit brazier dispels the
darkness.
" Though fully conversant with the power of the evil-hearted
Ravana, yet I approached my son saying : — * Hearing her
lamentations and knowing these two princes to be deprived
of her, how is it that thou didst not free Sita ? ' In my affec-
tion for King Dasaratha I was displeased with my son."
As Sampati was speaking thus to the monkeys, his wings
suddenly began to grow again in the presence of those dwellers
in the woods. Thereupon seeing his body covered with
tawny feathers, he experienced an immense joy and
said to those monkeys : — " By the grace of Nishakara, that
Sage of immeasurable power, my wings, that had been scorched
by the sun's rays, have grown again and the prowess I possessed
in my youth has returned. To-day I have regained my strength
315
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and vigour. Do you spare no effort to find Sita ; the recovery
of my wings is a pledge of your success."
Having spoken thus to the monkeys, Sampati, the foremost of
birds, anxious to ascertain his powers of flight, flew up to the
mountain top. Hearing his words, those mighty monkeys were
delighted and confident of their success, prepared to demonstrate
their valour.
With the speed of the wind those foremost of monkeys, intent
upon finding Sita, the daughter of Janaka, set out towards the
south to the quarter dominated by Abhijit.1
CHAPTER 64
The Monkeys are disconcerted at the sight of the Ocean
Thus informed by the King of the Vultures, the monkeys,
endowed with the strength of lions, began to leap about, emit-
ting cries of delight.
Hearing from Sampati that Ravana would be slain, the happy
monkeys reached the sea, anxious to discover Sita. And
coming to that place, those redoubtable warriors beheld the
ocean, the mirror of the whole world.
Arriving at the northern side of the southern sea, those
exceedingly powerful and heroic monkeys halted there. And
seeing the ocean which at times appeared to be asleep, at others
playful, sometimes covered with huge waves and thronged with
aquatic animals, causing their hair to stand on end, those fore-
most of monkeys were amazed and became despondent. Be-
holding that ocean incapable of being traversed, even as the sky
itself, the monkeys began to lament, crying : " What is now to
be done ? "
Then the foremost of the monkeys, the mighty Angada,
seeing the despair of the army at the sight of the sea, began to
reassure those warriors afflicted with terror, saying : —
" One should never give way to agitation, of all things it is
1 Abhijit — the name of a constellation. Some Commentators translate
it as meaning " he who is to be conquered " implying the region in which
Havana was to be found.
316
KISHKINDHA KANDA
the most fatal : agitation destroys a man even as a provoked
serpent doth a child. He who, when the time is ripe for dis-
playing his valour, becomes agitated, will grow weak and fail to
attain his object."
The night having passed, Angada took counsel with
the older monkeys, and that monkey host surrounding him
resembled the hosts of the Maruts surrounding Vasava. Who,
save Bali's son or Hanuman was capable of maintaining dis-
cipline amongst those troops ?
Having called the elders together in company with the army,
the fortunate Angada, the subduer of his foes, saluting them,
spoke words fraught with good sense, saying : —
" Who amongst you is of sufficient stature to cross the ocean ?
Who is able to carry out the commands of Sugriva, the conqueror
of his foes ? Which valiant monkey can leap the four hundred
miles and deliver the leaders of the monkeys from their great
anxiety ? By whose favour shall we, crowned with success
and content, return and behold our wives, our sons and our
homes ? Who will enable us to meet Rama, the mighty Laksh-
matia and that dweller in the woods, Sugriva, with a light heart ?
If there be any monkey capable of leaping over the ocean, then
may he show his blessed form to us and deliver us from fear ! '
Hearing Angada's speech, no one uttered a word and the entire
monkey host appeared stunned. Then that foremost of
monkeys once more addressed them saying : —
" O Ye Excellent Warriors, of tried valour, unimpeachable
family and worthy of honour, say how far each of you is able to
leap over the sea without any being able to hinder you ! "
chapter 65
The Leaders of the Monkeys each state what they are able to
accomplish
Having listened to Angada's words, those Chiefs of Monkeys,
each in turn, began to dilate on what he was able to accomplish —
Gaya, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda,
317
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Dvivida and Angada as also Jambavan. Gaya speaking first,
said: —
" I can leap a hundred miles ! " and Gavaksha said : — " I
can leap two hundred ! " Then the monkey Sharabha said to
his companions : — " I am able to leap three hundred miles,
O Monkeys ! " thereafter Rishabha said, " I can undoubtedly
cross over four hundred miles 1 " and the mighty Gandhamadana
said " I can leap five hundred miles ! " In his turn the monkey,
Mainda, said " And I, six hundred miles " and the illustrious
Dvivida " Without difficulty I can leap over seven hundred
miles ! " Then Sushena, full of energy, the best of monkeys
said, " I declare that I can leap eight hundred miles ! "
And as they were speaking thus, the oldest of them, Jambavan,
offering salutations to them all, spoke in this wise: — " Formerly I,
also, had the power of motion but now I am advanced in years.
Nevertheless in the present situation, nothing should be over-
looked to assure the success of both Rama's and the King of
Monkeys' mission : I shall therefore leap three hundred miles.
There is no doubt whatever about this." Then Jambavan,
addressing all those monkeys, added : " Alas ! I have assuredly
not the strength for that ! Of old, I circumambulated the eternal
Vishnu when he covered the world in three strides at the sacrifice
of Virochana's son ; now, however, I am old and tire quickly.
When I was young, my energy was great and unmatched ; to-
day, I can only go as far as I have told you, which is not sufficient
to bring success to our undertaking."
Thereupon the sagacious Angada, bowing to that mighty
monkey, addressed him in pregnant words, saying : "I am
able to leap these four hundred miles easily but should I be able
to return ? Nothing is certain ! "
Thereat Jambavan answered that excellent monkey and said :
" O Foremost of Monkeys, thy power of motion is well known,
but art thou able to cross over eight hundred miles ?1 It is
not fitting that thou shouldst do so. My Dear Son, the master
must in no way be commanded by his servants ; it is for thee to
order this expedition. Thou art our leader and our only good.
The head of the army is, as it were, the wife, who should con-
stantly be protected ; this is thy role, O Dear Child. One
1 That is, there and back.
318
KISHKINDHA KANDA
should take care of the root of a thing, this is the practice of
men of experience ; the root being sound, the juices that have
for their purpose the maturing of the fruit will be safeguarded.
Thou art the essential part of this undertaking and, O Subduer
of Thy Foes, thou, furnished with wisdom and valour, art the
principle underlying it. Thou art our superior and the son of
our superior, O Excellent One ; with thy support we shall be
able to accomplish our mission."
Thus, in his great wisdom, Jambavan spoke and that mighty
monkey born of Bali, Angada, answered him saying : — -
" If I do not go nor any among these powerful monkeys does
so, then undoubtedly we must begin our supreme fast once
more, for if we return without having fulfilled the commands
of that lord of the monkeys, then I do not see how we can hope
to preserve our lives. Whether he show clemency or wrath,
he is the chief of the monkeys and to disregard his will means
death. In this matter no other alternative is possible ; there-
fore it is for you who are able to see clearly to reflect upon it."
Thus spoke Angada and that powerful and heroic monkey,
Jambavan, answered him in felicitous words saying : —
" O Warrior, this mission will be carried out without obstruc-
tion ! I will call on the one who is able to accomplish it."
Thereupon that heroic monkey sent for the foremost of the
apes, Hanuman, who was sitting tranquilly apart.
CHAPTER 66
Jambavan appeals to Hanuman to sacrifice himself for the good of all
Perceiving the discouragement of that great army composed of
hundreds and thousands of monkeys, Jambavan said to
Hanuman : —
" O Warrior, foremost among the multitude, thou who art
versed in the scriptures, why art thou sitting apart, silent ?
In courage and strength, thou art the equal of Rama and Laksh-
mana and of the King of the Monkeys himself, O Hanuman !
319
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" ArishtanemiV son, the mighty Vainateya, the illustrious
Garuda is the foremost of all winged creatures, Many a time
I have seen that all-powerful bird of immense wings and exceed-
ing energy bearing away serpents from the ocean ; the strength
that is in his wings resembles the might and vigour of thine arms;
none can withstand thee. Thine energy, intelligence, courage
and loyalty sets thee apart from the rest of beings, therefore
prepare thyself to cross the ocean.
" The most noble of all the Apsaras, Punjika-Thala, under the
name of Anjana, became the wife of the monkey Kesarin. She
was renowned in the three worlds and her beauty was unequalled
on earth. As a result of a curse, O Friend, she was born in the
monkey race, able to change her form at will.
" Once that daughter of the king among the monkeys, Kunjara,
having assumed the form of a woman radiant with youth and
beauty, adorned with garlands of various kinds, clad in silk,
was wandering about on the summit of a mountain, which
resembled a mass of clouds in the rainy season.
" And it happened that the God of the Wind stole away the
red-bordered yellow robe of that large-eyed maiden, who stood
on the mountain top. Then Maruta perceived her rounded,
well-proportioned thighs and her breasts touching each other
and her amiable and pleasing mien. Beholding that youthful
woman of lovely limbs and slender waist, her whole being radiant
with beauty, he was filled with desire and beside himself, en-
veloping that irreproachable lady in his arms, Manmatha em-
braced her.
" In her distress, Anjana, faithful to her conjugal vows, cried
out : — * Who desires to sever the ties of a woman devoted to her
lord ? ' Hearing these words, the Wind-God answered, * I
do not wish to wrong thee, O Lady of Lovely Hips, let not thy
heart be troubled. By embracing thee and entering into thee
thou shalt bear a son endowed with strength and intelligence,
of immense energy, of noble nature, possessed of vigour and
courage and in agility and speed equal to myself.'
" These words pleased thy mother and she gave birth to thee
in a cave, O Foremost of Monkeys.
1 Arishtanerai — A name of Garuda meaning " the felly of whose wheel
is unscathed ".
3»
KISHKINDHA KANDA
" While still a child, thou didst see the sun rise over the great
forest and taking it to be a fruit sought to seize it. Bounding
into the air, thou didst mount up for a thousand yojanas, O
Great Monkey and, though the burning rays of the sun beat upon
thee, thou didst not falter. Seeing thee rushing through space,
Indra, full of wrath, hurled this thunderbolt at thee, whereupon,
falling, thou didst fracture thy left jaw on the point of a rock
from which arises thy name, Hanuman.1 Observing thee in this
state, Vayu the Destroyer, the Bearer of Fragrance,* in the
height of anger, ceased to blow throughout the Three Worlds.
" Then all the Gods were distressed on account of the calamity
that has befallen the worlds and these Lords of the Universe
sought to pacify the wrathful Wind-god, whereupon Pavana
being placated, Brahma accorded thee the boon of invulnera-
bility in combat. Seeing how thou didst sustain the impart of
the thunderbolt, that God of a Thousand Eyes was pleased with
thee and also conferred an excellent boon on thee, saying : —
' Thou shalt not die till thou desireth to do so ! Thou, en-
dowed with extreme vigour, the son of Kesarin, resembling the
Wind God in energy, art born of his loins and equal to him in
speed '. O Friend, we are lost, but thou, possessed of skill and
courage, art in our midst a second Lord of the Monkeys.
" In the time when Vishnu covered the world with three
strides, I, O Child, circumambulated the earth with its mount-
ains, forests and woods, one and twenty times. Then com-
missioned by the Gods, we gathered all the herbs which (when
cast into the sea) produced the nectar of immortality and at
that time our strength was great. Now I am old and my
prowess has deserted me, but thou, endowed with every virtue
art amongst us. Employ thy valour, O Hero, for thou are most
fitted to do so. Bestir thyself and cross the vast ocean, O
Redoubtable Monkey; the entire monkey host is eager to
behold thy prowess. Arise and leap over the mighty sea, for
thou surpasseth all beings in motion. Canst thou remain in-
different to the despair of all the monkeys ? Put forth thy
strength, as did Vishnu when traversing the Three Worlds with
three strides, O Lion among Monkeys ! "
1 Hanuman — " He of the fractured jaw ".
* The Wind -god.
321
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thus exhorted by the foremost of monkeys, Hanuman,
renowned for his great might, the son of the Wind, assumed a
form preparatory to crossing the sea that gladdened the hearts
of those monkeys.
CHAPTER 67
Hanuman prepares to go to Lanka
Seeing that extremely agile leader of monkeys stretching him-
self in preparation for crossing the four hundred miles of sea,
the monkeys, renouncing all despondency, were filled with
delight and began to shout and praise the heroism of Hanuman.
And, struck with amazement, beings from every sphere re-
joiced unitedly, even as when they beheld the Lord Himself
displaying his powers, when taking the three strides.
Thus acclaimed, the mighty Hanuman expanded in size and
waved his tail in pleasure, demonstrating his strength. Ap-
plauded by the older monkeys and filled with energy, he assumed
an unparalleled shape, like a lion that stretches himself at the
mouth of a rocky cavern, and that Son of Maruta began to
yawn and the mouth of that intelligent monkey resembled a
blazing brazier or a smokeless fire.
Rising in the midst of those monkeys, his hair standing on end
for joy, he paid obeisance to the older leaders and said to them : —
" I am the son of him who shatters the mountain peaks and is
the friend of fire, the mighty and incommensurable Vayu, who
circulates in space, Maruta, of impetuous bounds, rapid pace
and great soul. A thousand times am I able without pausing, to
encircle Mem, that colossus that seems to lick the heavens.
With my strong arms, churning up the sea, I can inundate the
world with its mountains, rivers and lakes ; with my thighs and
legs, I can cause the ocean, the abode of Varuna with its great
denizens, to overflow. I can encircle Vainateya, revered by all,
who feeds on serpents, a thousand times while he courses once
through space. What is more, I am able to reach the sun which
rises in glory crowned with rays, before it sinks in the west and
return without touching the earth. I can leap beyond the
322
KISHKINDHA KANDA
stars and planets, suck up the ocean and rive the earth ; I can
shatter the mountains with my bounds and in the immeasurable
energy of my leaping I can cause the sea to overflow. When I
mount into the sky, flowers from countless shrubs and trees will
be borne away by me on my aerial course this day and studded
with flowers my path shall resemble the Milky Way.
" And, O Monkeys, all beings shall behold me coursing
through the air, encompassing the firmament, now rising, now
descending, as it were devouring space. I shall scatter the
clouds, shatter the mountains and dry up the ocean with my
constant leaping. My powers are equal to the eagle's or the
wind ; I know of none that surpasses the King of the Birds,
the Wind-god or myself. In the twinkling of an eye, I shall
float through the air like lightning from a cloud. While crossing
the sea, my form will resemble Vishnu's taking his three strides.
My heart foretells that I shall encounter Vaidehi, therefore
rejoice. Equal to Maruta in motion and Garuda in speed, I
shall cover ten thousand miles ; this is my firm conviction. I
am able to wrest the * amrita ' from Indra, armed with his thunder-
bolt or from Brahma himself. Be assured, that having turned
Lanka upside down, I shall return ! "
That monkey of immeasurable vigour roared thus, and astoun-
ded, the monkeys gazed on him with joy ; and hearing those words
that dissipated the distress of his kindred, that foremost of
monkeys, Jambavan, transported with delight, said : — " O Hero !
O Son ofKesarin! O Offspring of the Wind ! Thou hast dispelled
the immense anxiety of thy fellows, and these foremost of
monkeys assembled here will perform acts tending to thy
welfare. By the grace of the Sages, the approval of our elders
and the blessing of our spiritual preceptors do thou cross the
ocean. We will stand on one foot awaiting thy return. On
thee depend the lives of all the inhabitants of the woods ! "
Then that tiger of the monkeys said to those rangers of the
woods : — " None in this world will be able to sustain the force
of my leaping. Here is the mountain Mahendra with its com*
pact mass of rocks and high escarpments, it is from its summit
that I shall spring. With its trees of varied fragrance that
cover it and its many crags, it will be able to bear my weight,
when I prepare to leap over four hundred miles."
323 v
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
With these words that monkey, the scourge of his foes, born
of Maruta, whose equal he was, scaled that monarch of
mountains, carpeted with flowers of every kind and grassy
swards ranged by deer, containing flowering creepers and trees
laden with fruit and blossoms, frequented by lions and tigers
and herds of intoxicated elephants maddened with ichor ;
there flocks of birds trilled and waterfalls tumbled on every side.
Ascending that mountain, that foremost of monkeys, equal to
Mahendra in power, began to wander from one crest to another
and crushed between the arms of that high-souled one, that great
mountain emitted a loud clamour, like a mighty elephant that
has been attacked by a lion and waters gushed out from the
scattered rocks and deer and elephants were seized with fear,
whilst the giant trees shook.
Its spacious uplands were deserted by the-pairs of Gandharvas
engaged in drinking and dalliance, the birds flew away and the
bands of Vidyadharas fled from the high plateaus ; the huge
serpents hid themselves in terror and the cliffs and spars broke
away. With its serpents hissing, their bodies half issuing from
their holes, the mountain shone, as if decorated by pennants.
The Rishis in fear and agitation fled from that support of the
earth so that it resembled a wayfarer in a vast forest, deserted by
his companions.
And that agile and valiant monkey, endowed with great speed,
the destroyer of his foes, filled with an exalted purpose, had
already reached Lanka in thought.
End of Kishkindha Kanda
BOOK V.
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER I
The Departure of Hanuman
Then that Scourge of His Foes, Hanuman, prepared to follow
the path of the Charanas1 in quest of the place to which Sita
had been borne away by Ravana.
Desirous of accomplishing this difficult feat without hindrance,
impossible to any other, that powerful monkey, stretching
out his head and neck like a bull, frightening the birds, up-
rooting the trees with his breast and destroying innumerable
creatures, like a lion overflowing with energy joyfully bounded
over the grassy slopes resembling the sea.
On that mountain plateau, frequented by the Chiefs of the
Serpent Race, embellished by blue, red, yellow, rose and various
coloured metals, thronged with Celestial Beings, Yakshas,
Kinneras and Gandharvas, able to change their form at will,
that foremost of monkeys stood like a Naga in a lake.
Then, having paid homage to the Sun-god, Mahendra,
Pavana, Swyambhu and all beings, he prepared to set out on his
journey. Turning towards the east and saluting his sire, the
resourceful Hanuman, having resolved to cross the ocean to fulfil
Rama's purpose, in order to reach the southern region, expanded
his body under the eyes of the leaders of the monkeys, as the
sea increases under the full moon.
Assuming an immense stature, desirous of traversing the
ocean, he pressed the mountain with his hands and feet and that
immoveable peak shook under his weight and all the blossom
from the tops of the trees fell in a shower wholly covering it
with a mass of fragrant blooms.
Under the extreme pressure of that monkey's weight, water
gushed forth from the mountain like ichor from the temples of
an elephant in rut. Trampled underfoot by that mighty forest
327
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dweller, the mountain let loose innumerable streams of gold,
silver and collyrium and, from that rocky mass, enormous
boulders detached themselves containing red arsenic so that it
resembled a brazier wreathed in smoke.
Crushed on every side by the monkey, those creatures,
dwelling in the caverns, bruised and stifled, emitted strange cries
and the formidable clamour created by them filled the whole
earth and other regions.
Great serpents, rearing their distinctive hoods, vomited fire
and bit the rocks with their fangs and those great crags, split
by the venom, broke into flames and were shivered into a
thousand fragments. The medicinal herbs also, which grew
there, were affected by the poison which they were unable to
neutralise.
Then the ascetics, terrified, reflecting that the mountain was
being riven by great Beings, fled away, as well as the Vidya-
dharas with their attendant women. Forsaking their golden
seats, goblets and precious vessels with the ewers of gold in the
feasting hall ; abandoning the priceless sauces, wines and viands
of every kind and the bides and swords with guards of Kanaka
gold ; intoxicated, their necks encircled with jewelled chains,
adorned with garlands and red sandal paste, their eyes resembling
blue lotuses, they rose into the air ; and those fair Ones,
wearing strings of pearls, rings and bracelets, startled, ascended
smiling into the sky, close to their loved ones.
Witnessing this great marvel, Maharishis and Vidyadharas
stood in the firmament gazing down on the mountain and they
heard those pure-minded ascetics saying : " This Hanuman,
born of the Wind, endued with great energy, desirous of crossing
the ocean, the abode of Varuna, in order to carry out Rama's
purpose and that of the monkeys, is eager to reach the further
shore, a most difficult feat."
Hearing the words of the ascetics, the Vidyadharas beheld that
foremost of monkeys on the mountain, bristling and quivering
like a flame, emitting a great roar like the rumble of thunder.
Then raising his tail which twitched convulsively, like a snake
shaken by an eagle, he waved it to and fro and, lying curled
across his back, it resembled a great serpent borne away by
Garuda.
328
SUNDARA KANDA
And that monkey, stiffening his arms like unto two immense
clubs, girded up his limbs and, crouching down, contracted his
neck and arms, summoning up all his strength and courage.
Scanning the path he was to take and examining the distance to
be covered, he drew in bis breath, pressing his two feet firmly
on the ground and that elephant among monkeys, Hanuman,
flattening his ears, leapt forward and, full of energy, addressed
the forest dwellers, saying :
" As an arrow loosed by Raghava flies with the speed of the
wind so shall I course to Lanka which is guarded by Ravana.
If I fail to find the daughter of Janaka there, I shall repair with
the same speed to the region of the Gods, where, if despite
mine efforts I do not recover Sita, I shall bring back the King of
the Titans in chains. Either, achieving success, I shall return
or uprooting Lanka from its foundation, I shall bear it hither,
together with Ravana."
With these words, Hanuman, the foremost of monkeys,
without pausing for breath, deeming himself to be a second
Suparna, sprang into the air and, such was the force of his leap,
that the trees growing on the mountain, tossing their branches,
were sent spinning on every side.
In his rapid flight, Hanuman bore away those trees with their
flowering boughs filled with lapwings intoxicated with love,
into the empyrean. Carried away by the impetus of his tre-
mendous bound, those trees followed in bis wake, like relatives
accompanying their dear one setting out on a journey to a far
country. Uprooted by the force of his motion, Sala and other
forest trees followed in Hanuman's wake, like an army its leader.
Surrounded by countless trees, the crests of which were laden
with blossom, the monkey Hanuman, resembling a glorious
mountain, was wonderful to behold. And those great trees,
full of sap, fell into the sea, as formerly the mountains in fear of
Indra plunged into Varuna's abode.
Covered with flowers of every kind, as well as young shoots
and buds, that monkey shone like a cloud or a hill aglow with
fireflies. Torn away by his leaping, those trees, scattering their
blossom here and there, plunged into the sea, like friends who,
having escorted one of their company, return. Borne away in
their fragility by the wind produced by the monkey's impetuous
329
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
flight, which had detached them from their stems, the multi-
coloured flowers fell into the sea.
Covered with a drift of fragrant blooms of diverse tints, that
monkey, in his flight, resembled a mass of clouds embellished by
lightning and the waters strewn with the blossom of his leap,
looked like the firmament when the enchanting stars appear.
His two arms outstretched in space, resembled two five-headed
serpents issuing from the summit of a mountain.
Sometimes that mighty monkey seemed to be drinking up the
ocean with the multitudinous waves and sometimes it seemed as
if he would swallow the sky itself. As he thus followed the
wind's path, his eyes, shining like lightning, sparkled like two
fires that have been kindled on a mountain.
The eyes of that tawny-hued one resembled the sun and moon
in juxtaposition, and his coppery nose lent his countenance the
same hue as the solar orb at the approach of dusk ; his uplifted
tail caused that offspring of the wind to appear like the raised
banner of Indra. With his coiled tail and white teeth, that
exceedingly sagacious son of Anila, Hanuman, shone like the
star of day encircled by a halo of rays and his plump form, of a
copper}' hue, caused him to resemble a mountain which is being
excavated for its deposits of red ochre. Bounding over the
waters, the air imprisoned in the armpits of that leonine monkey,
emitted a sound like thunder.
As in space, a meteor from a higher region rushes through the
skies so did that elephant of monkeys appear or like a great
bird soaring into the air or a great tusker tightly-bound by a
girth, whilst the reflection of his body cast on the deep resembled
a vessel foundering in a storm.
Wherever that great monkey passed, the sea rose tumultuously
under the force of his bounds and, rushing on with extreme
speed, with his breast like a great prow, he caused the salty sea
to surge mountainously. Pushing those high heaving billows
before him, that lion among monkeys seemed to be separating
heaven and earth ; the waves that rose up resembled Mount
Meru and Mandara and, breasted by him in his impetuous
course, the waters lashed by bis speed, overspread the sky like
autumnal clouds. Whales, crocodiles, huge fish and turtles
were uncovered in turn, like the limbs of one shedding bis
330
SUNDARA KANDA
attire, and sea serpents, beholding that lion among monkeys
travelling through space took him to be Suparna himself.
The shadow of that great monkey, forty miles in extent and
thirty wide, grew larger in the rapidity of his flight and, re-
sembling a mass of white clouds, falling on the salty waters,
looked exceedingly beautiful. That supremely illustrious and
mighty monkey of vast body appeared like a winged mountain
as he followed his aerial path without rest.
Wherever that mighty elephant among the monkeys passed,
the sea was instantly transformed into a fountain and, following
the path of the birds, Hanuman, like the King of the feathered
tribe, thrust aside the massed clouds like the Wind-god
himself. Great clouds, red, blue, pate or dark, scattered by the
monkey's flight, looked exceedingly beautiful and he, now
entering into them, sometimes hidden sometimes visible,
resembled the moon.
Seeing that Plavaga1 coursing with such speed, the Gods,
Gandharvas and Danavas began to rain flowers on him and,
as he sailed on, the sun refrained from tormenting him and the
wind ministered to him for the sake of Rama's enterprise.
Then the Rishis praised that dweller of the woods as he was
coursing through the sky and the Gods and Gandharvas
extolled him in song. Seeing him bounding in space, Nagas,
Yakshas and Rakshasas of various races lauded that excellent
monkey and the ocean, ever solicitous for the honour of the
House of Ikshwaku, reflected : — " If I do not lend assistance to
this Lord of Monkeys, I shall be an object of obloquy to all
those gifted with speech ; was I not reared by Sagara, the
foremost of the race of Ikshwaku ? This monkey is their
counsellor, it is therefore incumbent on me not to let him perish
in the waves. It behoves me to act in such wise that he may
rest and, thus relieved by me, he will happily traverse the
remaining way."
In this magnanimous thought, the sea addressed that most
excellent of mountains, the golden-hued Mainaka, which was
covered by waves, saying : —
" Thou hast been placed here by the King of the Celestials, as
a rampart against trie Asuras inhabiting the nether regions.
1 Plavaga. — One who moves by leaps and bounds.
331
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Their power is well known and, lest they rise up anew from that
hell of immeasurable dimensions, thou art here to prevent their
escape. Nevertheless thou art able to move upwards and down-
wards and from side to side. I command thee, therefore, O
Best of Mountains, to rise up. That lion among monkeys,
performer of mighty exploits, engaged in Rama's service, over-
come with fatigue is passing over thee ; thou art witness of his
exertions, now lift thyself up ! "
Hearing the Ocean's words, the golden-breasted Mountain
Mainaka with its tall trees and creepers, instantly rose from its
watery bed and, as the sun with its burning rays divides the
cloud, that great mountain, which the waters had concealed, on
Sagara's request, exposed its golden peaks inhabited by Kinneras
and great serpents, shimmering like the sun at dawn, as if it
were licking the skies. The summits of that high mountain,
shining like a sword, possessed the brilliance of gold and its
gilded crests emitted a dazzling light lending it the lustre of a
thousand suns.
Beholding that mountain suddenly emerge before him from
the middle of the sea, Hanuman reflected : ' This is an obstacle ',
and that mighty and impetuous monkey crushed that stony mass
with his breast as the wind scatters the clouds ; then that fore-
most of mountains, recognizing the power of Hanuman, shouted
for joy. Thereupon, assuming the form of a man, stationing
himself on his own summit, with a glad heart he addressed
Hanuman saying : —
" O Most Excellent of Forest Dwellers, thou hast undertaken
an arduous task, take thine ease on my crest and continue
without fatigue. The ocean king was born in the House of
Raghu and, seeing thee engaged on Rama's behalf, offers
obeisance to thee. To render service for service is the divine
decree. Desirous of serving Raghu's race, he is worthy of thy
consideration. To do thee honour, the Sea God adjured me
thus : —
" * Traversing a hundred yojanas through the air, this monkey
is worn out by bis exertions, let him rest awhile on thy summit
and continue his way without fatigue.' Do thou therefore re-
main here, O Best of Monkeys and repose thyself. Having
feasted on these many sweet and fragrant fruits and roots,
332
SUNDARA KANDA
proceed on thy course at thy leisure. O Foremost of Monkeys,
the sum of thy virtues is well-known in the Three Worlds. O
Son of the Wind, of all the Plavagas who abound in energy, I
esteem thee to be the chief, O Lion among Monkeys ! Even an
ordinary man is honoured as a guest by one conversant with his
duty, how much more one such as thou ? Thou art the Son of
Maruta, the Foremost of the Celestials and dost equal him in
speed, O Best of Monkeys ! In honouring thee, who art con-
versant with virtue, one is honouring thy sire, therefore thou
dost merit my reverence. Hearken, there is a further reason
for this :
" In olden times, Dear Child, the mountains, endowed with
wings, began to range the four quarters with the speed of
Garuda, and journeying thus, the companies of Celestials,
ascetics and other Beings trembled with fear lest they should
fall. Then, highly enraged, the God of a Thousand Eyes, the
performer of an hundred sacrifices severed the wings of those
hundreds and thousands of mountains with his thunderbolt.
" When, full of wrath, the Lord of the Celestials approached
me, brandishing his mace, I was suddenly swept away by that
high-souled Wind-god. O Foremost of Monkeys, I was thus
cast into the salty waves and, retaining my wings, was preserved
unhurt by thine ancestor. On account of this, thou art an
object of adoration to me and this is the powerful bond which
unites us, O Chief of the Monkeys. The time for honouring
the benefit conferred having come, it behoves thee to accord this
felicity to the Ocean and myself, O Illustrious One ! Repose
thyself therefore and accept our homage, who are worthy of thy
respect, O Venerable Hanuman ! Happy am I to see thee here ! "
Thus accosted by Mainaka, the foremost of mountains, that
excellent monkey answered, saying : — " I am grateful for thy
welcome but time presses and I have vowed not to rest on the
way ; day is declining, let nothing disturb thy serenity."
Then, touching the mountain with his hand, that lion among
monkeys, smiling, sailed on through the air, whereupon the
mountain and the ocean offered him their respect and gave him
their blessings. Rising high into the sky, he looked down on the
mountain and the vast ocean and proceeded unsupported in
the pathway of the wind.
333
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Seeing Hanuman achieve this difficult feat, the Celestial
Beings and the ascetics acclaimed him ; then the Gods present,
in their turn, applauded the action of that golden mountain of
beautiful slopes, as did Indra, the Thousand-eyed Deity also,
and supremely gratified, the consort of Sachi paid homage to
that illustrious mountain personally, saying : —
" O Lord of Mountains, I am extremely pleased with thee !
I grant thee full security, proceed therefore where thou desirest,
O Friend. Thou hast fearlessly offered assistance to Hanuman,
who was exhausted after crossing four hundred miles of sea,
despite every hazard. It is on Rama's behalf, the Son of King
Dasaratha, that the monkey has undertaken this journey and
thou hast welcomed him to the best of thy power, I am well
pleased with thee ! "
Beholding the King of the Gods, Shatakratu highly gratified,
that foremost of mountains experienced supreme felicity and
having received that boon from Indra, resumed its former place.
Then Hanuman, in a short space, sped over the sea.
Thereupon the Gods, Gandharvas and Siddhas with the
ascetics called upon Surasa, the Mother of Serpents, who
resembled the sun, saying : —
" The effulgent Son of the Wind is crossing the main, it is
for thee to delay him awhile Assuming the form of a terrible
Rakshasi, as high as a mountain, with monstrous jaws and
coppery eyes, do thou reach up to the sky. We desire to test his
strength and measure his fortitude to see if he is able to over-
come thee or if he retires discomfited."
At these words, Surasa, having been honoured by the Gods,
rose from the ocean in the form of a female demon, deformed and
hideous, inspiring terror in all beings and, staying Hanuman in
his flight, addressed him saying : —
" O Foremost of Monkeys, thou hast been destined by the
Lords of the World to be my food, I am about to devour thee,
do thou enter my mouth ! This boon was formerly granted to
me by Dhatar."
With these words she opened her vast mouth wide, placing
herself in Maruti's path.
Having listened to Surasa's speech, Hanuman, smiling,
answered her : —
334
SUNDARA KANDA
" Rama, the Son of Dasaratha, who retired to the Dandaka
forest with Lakshmana his brother, and Vaidehi his consort,
as a result of a certain exploit, became the enemy of the demons.
His beloved wife, the illustrious Sita was subsequently carried
away by Ravana. I have been sent to her on Rama's behalf,
to whom thou shouldst proffer assistance, O Thou who in-
habitest his dominion. Having found Maithili and rejoined
Rama, whose deeds are memorable, I shall return and enter
thy mouth, this I promise thee in good faith.**
Thus addressed by Hanuman, Surasa, who was able to change
her form at will, answered : — " None shall pass me alive, this is
the boon I have received." Then seeing him continue on his
way, the Mother of Serpents added : — " I have received this
favour from Brahma, first enter my mouth then go thy way."
Thereafter, extending her capacious jaws, she placed herself
in front of Maruti. Surasa's words incensed that lion among
monkeys and he said : —
" Open thy mouth wide enough to swallow me." Having
said this in anger, Surasa extended her jaws to the width of forty
miles and Hanuman increased his girth accordingly ; thereat
Surasa enlarged her mouth to fifty miles, and seeing the jaws
of Surasa wide open with its long tongue, terrible to look upon,
resembling a mountain, measuring fifty miles, Hanuman
enlarged himself to that extent also. Then Surasa increased her
mouth to sixty miles and the heroic Hanuman to seventy,
whereupon Surasa widened her jaws to eighty miles, and
Hanuman, resembling Fire1 itself, to ninety miles. Then
Surasa enlarged her mouth to the extent of an hundred miles
and Hanuman, reducing his body like a cloud to the size of a
thumb's breadth entered into her mouth and, re-emerging
from it, standing in space, addressed her saying : —
" O Dakshayani, salutations to thee, I have entered thy
mouth, now I go to seek out Vaidehi. Thy boon has been
honoured 1"
Seeing Hanuman emerging from her mouth like the moon
from the mouth of Rahu, that goddess, assuming her own form,
said to the monkey : —
" Go, O Best of Monkeys ! Accomplish thy mission. Thou
1 Lit. : The Fire-god.
335
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
hast done well, O Friend ! Now restore Sita to the magnani-
mous Raghava ! "
Seeing this third supremely difficult feat accomplished by
Hanuman, all beings extolled that monkey, crying : ' Excellent !
Excellent J ' paying obeisance to him ; and he, flying into the sky,
with the speed of Garuda, went on across the sea, the abode of
Varuna, coursing through the air which was filled with clouds,
where birds ranged and which was frequented by Vidyadharas
and shining vehicles drawn by lions, elephants, tigers and
winged serpents. And Maruti, scattering the clouds like the
wind itself, sailed on like Garuda through that firmament,
which was illumined by flashes of lightning, resembling the five
fires, inhabited by beings, who, by their merits had conquered
heaven, occupied by the Deity of Fire bearing the sacrificial
oblations. Adorned by the constellations of planets, the
sun, the moon and hosts of stars ; thronged with Maharishis,
Gandharvas, Nagas and Yakshas ; pure, stainless, immense ;
inhabited by Vishvavasu ; trodden by the elephant of the King
of the Gods, that orbit of the sun and the moon, the canopy of
the world, stretched by Brahma over the earth, was visited by
countless heroes and aerial beings.
Mighty clouds, shining with the tints of Kalaguru,1 red,
yellow and black, sparkled with brilliance as they were dispelled
by Hanuman and he, penetrating those cloudy battlements,
emerged once more as the moon in the rainy season disappears
and re-appears in the clouds. Everywhere the son of Maruta
could be seen cleaving the air like the King of the Mountains
furnished with wings.
Seeing him sailing through space, a female demon of immense
size, named Singhika, who was able to change her form at will,
said to herself : — ' To-day, after a long time, I shall be able to
satisfy my hunger ! That great creature has appeared in answer
to my wish ! *
Reflecting thus in her heart, she seized Hanuman's shadow,
and he, feeling it held fast, thought : * My power has suddenly
been dissipated like a mighty barque which is retarded in its
course by an adverse wind ! ' Then looking round on every
side, Hanuman perceived that immense being rising from the
1 Kalagu.ru — Agallochura : A species of sandal paste.
33«
SUNDARA KANDA
salty waves. Seeing that monster, the Son of the Wind-god,
reflected : — * This is without doubt that creature of wonderful
form, possessed of exceeding power, given to securing its prey
by means of theit shadow, vtto ms <&s&afeft& \<o \n£ ty ti&fc
monkey king.' Concluding by her action that it was Singhika,
that sagacious monkey expanded his frame to gigantic pro-
portions so that he resembled a mass of cloud during the
rains.
When the demon saw the enlarged body of that mighty
monkey, she extended her jaws so that they resembled the sky
and the nether regions and, roaring like thunder, hurled herself
upon him, but marking the proportions of her mouth and the
vulnerable parts of her body, that intelligent monkey, hard as a
diamond, contracting his limbs, threw himself into her
jaws.
And the Siddhas and Charanas beheld him diving into her
mouth, disappearing like the moon devoured by Rami at the
time of eclipse. And Hanuman, with his sharp nails tore the
entrails of that demon and, with the rapidity of thought, emerged,
having slain her by his acuteness, endurance and skill and, having
overthrown her, began to expand once more. Thereafter that
hero among monkeys suddenly regained his power, whilst Sing-
hika, deprived of life by him, torn asunder, sank into the waves,
Swyambhu having created him for her destruction.
Perceiving Singhika speedily overcome by him, all the beings
who range the skies addressed that foremost of monkeys saying :
" Tremendous is this deed that thou hast performed this day !
Mighty was this monster whom thou hast slain. O Illustrious
Monkey, now pursue the purpose dear to thine heart without
hindrance. He, who like thee, possesses the four attributes :
fixity of purpose, circumspection, wisdom and ability, does not
fail in his enterprise O Indra among Monkeys ! "
Honoured by those whose wishes are fulfilled, as he merited
to be, that monkey flew into the sky like Garuda, the devourer
of serpents. Then, having reached the further shore, Hanuman
looking round on every side, observed countless woods a
hundred miles distant and, as he went on, that leader of forest
dwellers saw an island adorned with trees of various kinds and
thickets belonging to the Malaya mountains ; and he surveyed
337
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the sea and the lands bordering it and the trees growing on its
shores as also the mouths of the ocean's consorts.1
Gazing down on his own body which resembled a great cloud
covering the sky that self-contained monkey reflected : " Ob-
serving mine immense stature and the rapidity of my flight the
demons will be seized with curiosity concerning me."
Thinking thus, in his great prudence, he contracted his body,
which was the size of a mountain and assumed his ordinary
form as one whose wits have been scattered resumes his normal
state. Abandoning his gigantic dimensions, he took on his
native form, as did Vishnu, the depriver of Bali's power, when
he made the three strides.
Constantly mindful of his mission, Hanuman, who was able
to assume various graceful forms, having crossed the sea, a feat
not to be accomplished by any other, reduced his body to its
former size.
Thereafter that high-souled One, resembling a cloudy
pavilion, alighted on the summit of the glorious mountain Samva,
of many splendid peaks which was covered with Ketaka,
Uddalaka and Narikela trees.
Reaching the shore of the sea, the monkey beholding Lanka
on the top of the foremost of mountains, descended, having
assumed his native form, causing agitation among the deer and
birds.
Through his valour having traversed the ocean heaving with
waves and abounding in Danavas and Pannagas, Hanuman,
alighang on the further shore, beheld Lanka which resembled
the dry of Amaravati.
CHAPTER 2
Hanuman* s Arrival in Lanka
Having crossed the unconquerable sea, that mighty monkey,
standing on the summit of the Trikuta Mountain, surveyed
1 Ocean's Consorts: Probably eatuaries.
338
SUNDARA KANDA
Lanka and that ape endowed with great prowess was covered
by a shower of blossom that fell from the trees on every side,
nor did that fortunate monkey, who had just traversed many
hundreds of miles of sea without pausing for breath, experience
any fatigue.
' I am able to journey many hundreds of miles, what then is
this ocean measuring four hundred miles only ? ' Thus think-
ing, that foremost of monkeys, endowed with great energy,
turned quickly towards Lanka, having crossed the mighty ocean
and he passed between green fields and dense thickets fragrant
with the scent of honey and traversed the mountainous district
covered with trees and blossoming woods. Stationing himself
there, the Son of the Wind-god beheld forests and groves and
Lanka itself perched on the summit of the mountain.
Sarala, Karnikara, Kharjura trees in full flower with the
balmy Priyala, Muchulinda, Kutaja, Ketaka and Priyangu
trees heavy with scent ; Nipa, Saptachchada, Asana, Kovidara
and Karavira trees laden with buds and flowers, whose crests,
waving in the wind abounded with birds, were seen by him and
ponds filled with swans and waterfowl and carpeted with white
and blue lotuses; flower gardens with ornamental fountains
and marvellous parks planted with every kind of tree which
yielded fruit and flowers in every season.
Drawing nearer to Lanka, which was protected by Ravana,
surrounded by a moat embellished with blue and white lotuses,
the auspicious Hanuraan noted that a strong guard had been
placed round it since Sita's abduction; and demons with for-
midable bows ranged it on every side and that great and mar-
vellous city was encircled by a golden wall, its buildings as high
as mountains, resembling autumn clouds.
The main highways were lined with tall white buildings with
hundreds of turrets decorated with flying pennants and banners.
Most wonderful, with its golden archways festooned with climb-
ing plants, the city of Lanka appeared to Hanuman to be like
the city of the Gods. Built on the summit of a mountain, with
its palaces of dazzling white, it resembled an aerial city. Con-
structed by Vishwakarma and ruled by the Lord of the Titans
himself, it seemed to that monkey to be suspended in the sky
with its ramparts as the thighs, the stretches of water and woods,
339 z
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the raiment, Sbataghnis1 and spears the hair, the terraces the
diadem, Lanka resembled a woman, a creation of Vishwakarma's
thought.
Reaching the northern gate resembling Mount Kailasha,
which seemed to cleave the skies and support the firmament
with its splendid lofty towers and, observing that city thronged
with ferocious titans, like a cavern full of venomous snakes,
protected by the ocean and, recollecting that terrible adversary,
Ravana, the monkey reflected : —
* Even should the mighty armed Raghava succeed in reaching
this dread and impregnable city protected by Ravana, what
could he do ? It is not possible to enter into negotiations with
these demons nor could one win them over by bribes nor
succeed in sowing dissension among them nor overcome them
in fight. Among the monkeys, only four have power to reach
this place — Bali's son, Nila, the sagacious Sugriva, and I. But
first let me ascertain if Vaidehi still lives or no ; after
seeing Janaka's daughter, I shall consider these matters
further.'
Then that elephant among monkeys, stationed on the summit
of the mountain, bethought himself how he could discover Sita,
the delight of Rama. * In this shape I shall not be able to enter
the city guarded by valiant and ferocious demons nor outwit
those warriors full of courage, energy and prowess. In order
to find Janaki, I must enter the city by night at a favourable
moment, in a form which will not attract attention so that I may
carry through this great enterprise.'
Beholding that city, inaccessible even to the Gods and Asuras,
Hanuman, sighing deeply, reflected within himself : * How can
I succeed in finding Maithili, the daughter of Janaka, without
being discovered by the perfidious Ravana, Lord of the Demons ?
How may the work of Rama, who is cognisant of the Self, not be
brought to nought ? How may I see the daughter of Janaka
alone and in secret ? Undertakings fail in the face of hindrances
raised by time and place or through the fault of an incompetent
messenger, as darkness is dispelled by the rising sun. When it
concerns that which should be undertaken or avoided, the best
laid plans may come to nought through the heedlessness of a
1 See Glossary of Weapon*.
340
SUNDARA KANDA
messenger nor do they appear in all their splendour ; a pre-
sumptuous messenger may spoil all !
* How shall I act so that there shall be no incompetence on
my part ? How may my crossing of the ocean bear fruit ?
If I am discovered by the demons, the project which the sagaci-
ous Rama has formed, who desires the destruction of Ravana,
will miscarry. Even if I assume the form of a demon I cannot
remain here long without being discovered by them, how much
less in some other shape. Even the wind is not able to circulate
here unrecognized, I deem. Nothing escapes the vigilance of
these formidable titans. If I remain here in my native form, I
shall be courting disaster and the purpose of my master will be
frustrated, therefore, reducing my size, I shall enter Lanka as a
monkey in order to carry through Rama's design. Entering
this inaccessible city by night, I shall penetrate into every dwell-
ing in order to find Janaka's daughter.'
Having thus resolved, Hanuman, eager to find Vaidehi,
waited for the sun to set.
When the day's orb had sunk behind the Asta Mountain,
Maruii reduced his body to the size of a cat, extraordinary to
behold and, in the dusk, the mighty Hanuman, springing up,
entered that marvellous city traversed by wide streets with rows
of houses adorned with golden pillars and balconies, which
lent it the appearance of a city of the Gandharvas.
Then he beheld that capital containing seven and eight storied
buildings with marble floors inlaid with golden mosaic and
golden archways, lending it a great brilliance and, seeing the
unimaginable splendour of Lanka, in his eagerness to find
Vaidehi, he experienced both sadness and delight.
With its garlands of palaces rivalling each other in whiteness
and the arches interlaced with gold of great price, that magnifi-
cent city protected by Ravana was encircled by intrepid
warriors of great prowess.
And the moon at its full with its flocks of stars seemed to be
ministering to Hanuman and, with its myriad rays, filled the
worlds with its light. Then that hero among monkeys gazed
on the moon shining like a conch-shell, white as milk or a lotus
stalk that, floating all luminous in space, resembled a swan
swimming on a lake.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 3
Hanuman enters the City
Having rested on Mount Samva of lofty summits, that resembled
a great cloud, Hanuman, the son of Maruta, that lion among
monkeys, confident of his own strength, entered Lanka by night,
with its wealth of ravishing groves and waters, guarded by
Ravana ; that enchanting city with its dazzling palaces re-
sembling autumn clouds, where the sound of the sea could be
heard, the breezes of which it inhaled day and night.
Prosperous, surrounded by great forces, resembling Vitapavati
with its white gates and decorated arches, protected by infuri-
ated elephants, splendid as Bhogavati filled with huge serpents,
similar to the city of Indra, embellished by hosts of stars,
resounding to the clamour of blustering winds, encircled by a
golden rampart, re-echoing to the pealing of innumerable bells
and adorned with banners, that city was approached by Hanuman
in exaltation, his heart full of wonder.
And he surveyed it on every side, with its golden gates, the
lintels of emerald and the pavements studded with pearls,
crystal and gems ; with its steps inlaid with precious stones, and
floors of lapis lazuli, the grilles of refined gold and parapets of
silver ; the stairways of crystal that, free from dust, were
possessed of emerald treads. And there were charming rooms,
which, on account of their elegance, seemed to be built in the air.
The cries of curlews and peacocks could be heard and geese
frequented that place whilst swans floated majestically on the
lakes ; everywhere the sound of the beating of drums and the
tinkling of ornaments resounded and, beholding Lanka that
resembled Vasvakara and seemed to be built in space, the
monkey was filled with rapture.
Gazing on that splendid city belonging to the Lord of the
Titans, that no other surpassed in opulence, the sagacious
Hanuman reflected : — * This capital, protected by Ravana's
warriors is not to be subdued by force and is only accessible
to Kumuda, Angada and that mighty monkey, Sushena or
342
SUNDARA KANDA
Mainda and Dvivida or the offspring of Vivaswata or the
monkey Kushaparva or Rikshya, that foremost of monkeys, or
myself/
Thereafter, recollecting the valour of the long-armed Raghava
and the prowess of Lakshmana, the confidence of that monkey
was restored.
And that mighty monkey surveyed Lanka, the capital of the
Lord of the Titans, that had the sea as her raiment, cow sheds
and stables for her pendants, the armouries her breasts, decked
out like a woman, where darkness was dispelled by the bright
light of torches and the gleaming of the stars.
And as that tiger among monkeys, son of the great Wind-god,
entered the city, the Deity who presided over the capital pro-
tected by Ravana, she of monstrous aspect, rose up and barred
the way of that heroic son of Vayu. Emitting a great roar, she
challenged the offspring of the Wind-god, saying : —
" O Dweller of the Forest, who art thou and for what purpose
hast thou come hither ? Answer truthfully if thou dost value
thy life ! Under no pretext wilt thou be able to obtain entry
into this Lanka protected by the forces of Ravana, which patrol
it on every side."
Then the valiant Hanuman answered her, who stood before
him, saying : — '* I shall tell thee ail about that on which thou
questioned me anon but say first who thou art in this hideous
form and why thou dost admonish me in anger, O Irascible
One."
Hearing Hanuman's words, the Goddess of Lanka, able to
change her shape at will, waxed wrath and in harsh tones
addressed the son of the Wind-god, saying : —
" Obedient to the mandate of the magnanimous Ravana, the
King of the Titans, I guard the city. None may pass me, yet
if any should contrive to enter here, he will soon fall under my
blows, deprived of his life breaths. I am the city of Lanka
itself, and whatever betide I shall remain true to the words I
have uttered ! "
Hanuman, born of Maruta, the foremost of monkeys, stood
motionless like a rock and beholding her in the form of a woman,
that lion among monkeys, endowed with intelligence and courage,
spoke to her thus : —
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" I wish to behold this city with its turrets, walls and arches,
and have come hither for this purpose. Great is my desire to
see it and explore its woods, groves and gardens, as also its
great buildings."
Hearing these words, the presiding Deity of Lanka, who was
able to change her form at will, was still further provoked
and answered in anger : —
" O Insensate One, O Last of the Monkeys ! without over-
coming me, thou canst not behold this city to-day, which is
ruled over by the King of the Titans."
Then that lion among forest dwellers replied to that female
ranger of the night, saying : — " After viewing the city, O
Auspicious One, I shall return from whence I came."
On this, Lanka emitted a terrible cry and struck that excellent
monkey with the palm of her hand. Under the force of her
blow, the valiant Son of Maruta let out a roar and closing the
fingers of his left hand, pushed her away with his fist. Reflect-
ing ' She is a woman ' he controlled his anger, nevertheless the
demon fell to the ground instantly, her face distorted and, seeing
her lying on the earth, Hanuman, who was full of courage and
nobility, had compassion on her, she being but a woman.
Thereupon, Lanka, exceedingly agitated, addressed that
monkey in low and faltering accents, saying : —
" O Mighty-armed One, have pity on me ! Spare me, O
Best of Monkeys ! Those endowed with strength and prowess,
stay their hand betimes ! O Thou of great might, thou hast
overcome me by thy valour ! Hear the following truth from me
which was proclaimed by Swyambhu who prophesied saying :
' In the hour that a monkey overcomes thee by force, the titans
will cease to be invincible.'
" That time, fixed by Swyambhu has come, as is shown by
thy presence here to-day ! The truth ordained by the Self-
create is unalterable. The destruction of the unrighteous King
Ravana together with all the titans is imminent, in consequence
of the abduction of Sita. Therefore, O Best of Monkeys, do
thou enter this city, which is protected by Ravana, and accom-
plish all thou desirest. Entering this splendid city, protected by
the Lord of the Titans, which is doomed, go about freely where-
soever thou wilt, in search of the chaste daughter of Janaka."
344
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 4
Hanuman observes the City and its Inhabitants
By his valour, the mighty Hanuman, foremost of monkeys,
having triumphed over Lanka, that splendid city, able to change
her form at will, without passing through the gate, leapt over the
wall and, by night, penetrated into the centre of the capital.
Hanuman, faithful to the interests of the King of the Monkeys,
having found his way into that city, thus placed his left foot on
the heads of his foes ;' and that excellent son of Maruta,
entering by night, proceeded along the royal highway strewn
with flowers and continued to advance through that enchanting
capital where the sound of musical instruments blended with
laughter.
That magnificent city with its innumerable dwellings bearing
the mark of the mace and the goad, with windows of diamond,
resembled the sky adorned with clouds. Lanka belonging to
the titans, with its opulent mansions like white clouds, adorned
with lotuses and swastikas, hung with garlands, highly decorated,
was viewed by Hanuman with delight, who ranged it on Rama's
behalf and in the interests of Sugriva.
That illustrious monkey passing from house to house,
observed the many dwellings of varying forms, on every side and
listened to the melodious chanting in triple modulation, of women
sick with love, who resembled celestial nymphs. He heard the
tinkling of their girdles and the clashing of their anklets, as
they ascended the stairways of those dwellings belonging to the
great Ones, and here and there the sound of clapping of hands
and the clicking of castanets. He heard also the intoning of
sacred formulas in the dwellings of the titans and the recitation
of those occupied in the study of the Veda.
He also saw titans who were singing the praises of Ravana in a
loud voice, a great company of them being stationed on the
royal highway which they obstructed ; and he observed a large
1 Placed his left foot . . . implying that he thereby initiated the defeat
of the titans.
345
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
concourse of spies in the central courtyard, who had been
initiated, some with matted locks, some shaven, some wearing
deerskins and some stark naked, bearing handfuls of darbha
grass, braziers, picks, clubs and staves, and others in rags, who
had only a single eye or ear or breast which twitched ; and some
were dwarfs, hideous to behold ; and there were bowmen,
swordsmen and warriors bearing clubs and iron bars or efful-
gent in curious armour ; some were neither exceedingly fat nor
too lean nor unduly tall nor short nor extremely fair nor dark
nor humpbacked nor dwarfed ; some were deformed, some
handsome, some distinguished and there were also standard
bearers and some who carried flags and every kind of weapon.
And Hanuman observed that some were armed with spears,
darts, harpoons, arrows, slings and other weapons and many
ranging about at will wore garlands and were daubed with
paste, sprinkled with perfume, clothed in rich stuffs and
adorned with magnificent jewels ; some of these mighty warriors
were furnished with javelins and maces and hundreds and
thousands of them were garrisoned in the central courtyard,
engaged in guarding the private apartments with vigilance by
order of their king.
And he saw the famous palace of the Lord of the Titans,
built on the summit of the mountain, with golden arched gate-
ways, surrounded by a moat, embellished with pale lotuses and
completely encircled by a rampart, resembling heaven itself;
and it was marvellous, resonant with pleasant sounds and filled
with the neighing of superb steeds and well-bred beasts and
the noise of chariots and elephants; and there were four tusked
elephants resembling great clouds and many herds of deer.
Then the monkey entered that palace protected by the Titan
King, guarded by thousands of mighty Yatudhanas, the portals
of which were richly decorated with beasts and birds and he
penetrated to the inner apartment encircled with walls of
Hema and Jambunada gold, its ceilings adorned with pearls
and gems of great price and pervaded by the fragrance of aloe
and sandalwood.
346
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 5
Hanuman ranges the City without finding Sita
Then the fortunate Hanuman beheld that brilliant orb of the
night in the midst of the stars covering all beings with its light,
like a bull inflamed with desire in the midst of a herd of cows,
and that heroic monkey gazed on that moon, floating in the sky,
white as the sheen of a conch or a lotus stalk, that star of cool-
ing rays which destroys the sorrows of the world, draws up the
tides and sheds its light on all beings. That brightness
which shines on the summit of Mount Mandara and at dusk
sparkles on the sea, as well as on the lotuses of the lakes, now
blazed from the face of that nocturnal planet.
Like a swan on its silvery nest or a lion in a cave of the Mandara
Mountain or a warrior on a proud elephant so was the splendour
of the moon in the heavens. Like a humpbacked buffalo with
pointed horns or the lofty Mountain Shveta with its high peaks
or an elephant with gold-encircled tusks, so did the moon appear
with its clearly defined prominence.
Just as the great orb of the sun dissolves the ice and frost on
muddy pools so was darkness dispelled by the brilliance of the
auspicious moon, whose symbol is the hare, so that even the dark
patches on its surface appeared bright. Like the King of
Beasts issuing from his cave or the lord of elephants entering the
deep woods or a sovereign of men ranging his dominions so did
the moon appear in its full splendour.
The brightness of its rising had dispelled the night, accentuat-
ing the swarthiness of the titans, those eaters of flesh, and
awakening thoughts of love in the lover.
Women, whose melodious voices had charmed the ear, having
disported themselves, now slept in the arms of their lords,
whilst titans of strange and terrible deeds went forth marauding.
And the sagacious Hanuman beheld mansions where intoxica-
tion and folly reigned, where chariots, horses and golden seats
were seen everywhere in luxurious and warlike abundance .
He beheld titans in violent debate, raising their great arms,
discoursing wildly, railing at each other and exchanging
347
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
acrimonious words ; and some were striking their breasts and
brandishing great bows, whilst others adjusted their attire or
embraced their consorts.
And Hanuman observed courtesans performing their toilet,
whilst others slept and incomparably lovely women laughing
or frowning in anger. Here gigantic elephants trumpeted,
there worship was being performed, whilst warriors were utter-
ing threats, so that the city resembled a lake filled with angry
serpents.
And he beheld in that place, persons full of intelligence, able
debators, pious men, leaders of fashion and observers of ritual,
and beholding those magnificent beings, endowed with every
attribute in accord with their nature, Hanuman was delighted ;
such was their splendour, that even those who were ugly,
appeared fair.
And he saw their consorts, full of nobility and of great beauty,
worthy of adornment, like unto stars in the excellence of their
conduct, who were filled with affection for their protectors,
some casting tender glances, others exchanging tokens and some
drinking.
And by night, Hanuman observed lovely women being em-
braced by their paramours, affecting modesty or passion, like
birds sporting with their mates, whilst others, in their homes,
lay peacefully on the breasts of their lords, full of tenderness,
and faithful to their conjugal duty.
Some, lying without raiment, deserted by their lovers, had
the radiance of gold and were marvellously beautiful with their
golden skins, graceful limbs and complexions like the moonlight.
And Hanuman saw other women in their homes experiencing
the height of joy with their lords, full of delight, decked with
flowers, charming the hearts of their consorts with their beauty.
These lovely women of radiant countenance, resembling the
moon, possessing marvellous eyes with sweeping lashes and slant-
ing lids and adorned with innumerable jewels, seemed to
Hanuman to resemble flashes of lightning.
But of the nobly-born Sita, offspring of a royal House, fixed
in the path of virtue, resembling a delicate flowering creeper or
the frail Sadhujata plant, sprung from the mind of Brahma
Himself, he could find no trace. Sita, established in the path
34»
SUNDARA KANDA
of chastity, her gaze ever fixed on Rama, ever absorbed in his
contemplation, his very mind and heart itself, exalted above all
women, a prey to burning grief, her bosom wet with tears,
she who was formerly adorned with priceless ornaments, Sita
with her charming lashes and enchanting throat, resembling a
blue-necked peahen disporting itself in the woods, or the blurred
outline of the moon or a golden ingot covered with dust or a
scar left by a wound or a golden arrow snapped by the wind.
And that monkey, after his long search, not finding Sita,
consort of that lord of men, Rama, the foremost of those skilled
in speech, was overcome with grief and bereft of all courage.
CHAPTER 6
Hanuman explores Ravana's Palace
Wandering here and there at will on the roofs of the houses,
that monkey, able to assume any form he chose, ranged the city
of Lanka, and that auspicious one came to the abode of that
Lord of the Titans, encircled by a shining wall, sparkling like the
sun and guarded by terrible demons, as is a mighty forest by
lions.
And that foremost of monkeys beheld that marvellous palace
with its fretted archways, inlaid with silver and embellished with
gold, abounding in splendid courts and gateways, filled with the
drivers of elephants and indomitable warriors, irresistibly
swift horses harnessed to chariots and curious waggons, covered
with lion and tiger skins, that were embossed with images of
gold and silver and hung with jingling bells.
Strewn with precious stones and furnished with rich seats,
this was the favourite haunt of the Maharathas and their meeting
place. Rare deer and birds of every species and variety abounded
here, whilst disciplined sentries protected it. Everywhere
noble and distinguished women could be seen and the palace
was filled with the tinkling of their ornaments ; there the fore-
most of the titans dwelt and it was decorated with royal symbols
and fragrant with sandalwood. Crowded with great beings, like
a forest filled with lions, resounding to the bearing of gongs,
349
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
tambourines and the blare of conches, it was also the place of
worship of the titans, where offerings were made at the times of
the moon's change ; sometimes, in fear of Ravana, silent as the
sea and sometimes resounding like the waves, that vast abode
belonging to the mighty Ravana was strewn with precious gems,
and that great monkey beheld it blazing in. splendour and filled
with elephants, horses and chariots.
' It is the jewel of Lanka ' reflected that illustrious monkey,
Hanuman, wandering about the outskirts of the palace and he
began to range the dwellings of the titans and their gardens,
and he bounded into the abode of Prahasta and then plunged
courageously into the palace of Mahaparshwa ; thereafter, that
mighty monkey entered the residence of Kumbhakarna which
resembled a mass of cloud's and also that of Bibishana ; then
in turn he visited the dwellings of Mahodara, Virupaksha,
Vidyujjibha and Vidyunmala and with a bound he entered the
house of Vahudanshtra and that of Suka and the intelligent
Sarana. Then the mansions of Indrajit, Jambumala and Sumala
were explored by that foremost of monkeys and thereafter he
passed on to the abodes of Rashmiketu, Suryasachu and Vajra-
kaya ; and next the offspring of the Wind-god searched the
habitations of Dhumraksha, Sampati, the grim Vidyudruna,
Phana, Vighana and Sukanabha, Shakra, Shatha, Kapatha,
Hrasvakarna, Danshtra and the demon Lomasa, Yudhyonmatta,
Matta and the horseman, Dhwajagriva, Sadin, Vidyujjibha and
Vijibha, as also that of Hastimukha and of Karala, Vishala and
Sonitaksha. The illustrious Son of Maruta then searched the
dwellings of other prosperous titans one after the other, marking
their affluence.
And having searched all the residences belonging to those
titans in every way, that fortunate monkey approached the palace
of the king. Then the foremost of monkeys observed demon
women of menacing looks, prowling outside the apartments
where Ravana slept, bearing darts and maces in their hands and
equipped with spears and clubs and he beheld innumerable
bands of them in the abode of the titan king and gigantic
demons brandishing weapons of every kind. He beheld steeds
of exceeding swiftness, red, white and black and wonderfully
bred elephants, vanquishers of hostile tuskers, trained for every
350
SUNDARA KANDA
suitable purpose and equal to Airavata himself in conflict and
these elephants, the destroyers of hostile armies resembled
scurrying clouds or moving hills and their trumpeting was like
the crash of thunder.
Then that monkey, the son of the Wind-god, beheld thousands
of the titan host in that palace and cars of gold and glittering
mail which shone like the rising sun ; he saw also many litters
of different shapes, and bowers, picture galleries, gymnasiums,
mountains constructed of wood, pavilions and entertainment
halls. And in that palace belonging to Ravana, was a charm-
ing edifice as beautiful as the Mandara Mountain and pens for
peacocks and banners and flagpoles. Heaps of jewels lay about
and a great accumulation of treasure had been brought there by
the exploits of those valiant titans so that it resembled the palace
of Kuvera. On account of the lustre of those gems and the
resplendence of Ravana himself, that palace glittered like the sun
with its myriad rays.
And that monkey chief beheld couches and seats of gold, and
vessels wrought with pearls overflowing with wines.1 and the
dimensions and magnificence of that place caused it to resemble
the mansion of Kama or the abode of Kuvera, and that palace
resounded with the tinkling of anklets and girdles, with drums
and cymbals and other musical instruments and was thronged
with women as lovely as pearls and surrounded by great
ramparts.
chapter 7
Description of the Aerial Chariot Pushpaka
Then that mighty monkey continued to explore those dwellings
fitted with golden windows, studded with emeralds, resembling
a mass of clouds in the rainy season rent by Ughtning and tra-
versed by flocks of cranes. And he beheld various halls and
1 Overflowing with Wines — Lit. : Madha and Asava— spiritous liquor*
made of honey, molasses or the blossom of Bassia Caryola, or according to
some, grapes.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
buildings stored with conches, bows and weapons of war,
furnished with turrets as high as hills, and these mansions, con-
taining treasure of every kind were held in regard by both Gods
and titans and were flawless and constructed by Havana by his
own power.
Hanuman having scoured the mansions of that Lord of Lanka
meticulously furnished with every comfort as if Maya had
created them, thereafter visited the palace of that King of
Rakshasas himself, which surpassed all others and resembled a
mass of towering clouds. Of incomparable loveliness, it seemed
as if heaven itself had descended on earth and its beauty was
dazzling. Teeming with innumerable gems, trees of every kind
covered it with flowers like the summit of a mountain on which
snow has fallen ; beautiful women served as its ornaments and
it shone like a cloud riven by lightning ; such was its splendour
that it resembled a marvellous chariot drawn through the skies
by ravishing swans.
Like the peak of a mountain rich in ore or the firmament
adorned by the moon and stars or like clouds of many hues,
it glistened with innumerable gems. Artificial rocks made of
clay, resembling mountain ranges, planted with counterfeit
trees laden with heaps of flowers, fashioned with stamens and
leaves could be seen there and improvised dwellings, dazzlingly
white, with pools covered with flowering lotuses possessing
golden stamens, and diverse groves and ravishing fountains.
The monkey gazed on the vast aerial chariot named Pushpaka,
which, gleaming like pearl, planed above the highest buildings
and contained birds made of emerald, silver and coral and
serpents marvellously fashioned of various metals and life-sized
horses and birds with charming beaks and wonderful wings
which contracted and expanded, their plumage like that of
Kama himself, posed on gold and coral flowers ; and there were
elephants with tapering trunks, bearing lotus leaves, engaged in
showering water on the Goddess* Lakshmi, who, seated in a pool,
held lotuses in her fair hands.
Such was the marvellous creation which met the astonished
monkey's gaze, which resembled a mountain of charming caverns
or a tree from whose hollows delicious fragrance escapes in the
springtime.
353
SUNDARA KANDA
Yet that monkey searching that exalted city, protected by the
ten-headed Ravana, was unable to find the daughter of Janaka,
so highly regarded and deeply afflicted and who had been con-
quered by the virtue and valour of her lord. And not finding
Janaka's daughter, despite his investigations and the vigilance
of his search, the illustrious Hanuman, who was virtuous and
generous of soul, felt a burning anguish take possession of his
heart.
chapter 8
A further Description of the Aerial Chariot Pushpaka
Halting there, the intelligent monkey, born of Pavana, regarded
that splendid chariot encrusted with gold and gems more care-
fully. Fashioned of plated gold, embellished with lovely images,
regarded by Vishwakarma himself as an incomparable artistic
achievement, travelling in space like a guiding light in the orbit
of the sun, it was immeasurably resplendent. No detail of
that car had been executed unskilfully, no ornament but appeared
to be a jewel of great price nor was there anything surpassed by
the chariots of the Gods, every part being excellently wrought.
By the merit of his asceticism and contemplation Ravana
had obtained it and it repaired wheresoever its master directed
it by the power of his thought. Irresistible and swift as the
wind, a source of happiness to those magnanimous beings
given to pious deeds, who had reached the peak of prosperity
and glory, capable of ranging the firmament, containing many
apartments and furnished with innumerable works of art,
captivating to the mind, stainless as the autumnal moon, re-
sembling a mountain with splendid peaks, borne by thousands
of demons whose cheeks were graced with earrings, voracious
eaters, of large unwinking eyes, who travelled through space
with exceeding velocity day and night, that aerial chariot,
Pushpaka, splendid to look upon, covered with flowers, fairer
than spring itself, drew the gaze of that Prince of Monkey
Warriors.
353
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 9
Hanmnan searches the Harem
Within these precincts, a magnificent building, remarkable
for its spaciousness and splendour, arrested the attention of
Hanuman, the son of Maruta ; it was two miles in width,
four in length and belonged to the King of the Titans himself.
And Hanuman, the slayer of his foes, ranging here and there
in search of the Princess of Videha, the large-eyed Sita, beheld
that goodly residence where the titans dwelt together and he
approached the palace of the king, surrounded by three and
four tusked elephants and guarded in its entire length by
warriors bearing weapons in their hands. He beheld that
dwelling, thronged with titan women, consorts of Havana,
and also the daughters of kings who had been forcibly carried
away by him, which resembled an ocean teeming with crocodiles,
sharks, whales, enormous fish and serpents, agitated by the
force of the tempest. And the splendour of the abode of Vaish-
ravana, Chandra and Harivahana was reflected in Havana's
palace, a splendour that was unequalled and changeless and
the prosperity of the residences of Kuvera, Yama and Varuna
were rivalled, nay surpassed, by that of the titan's abode.
In the centre of that palace, the offspring of the wind, saw
yet another edifice, well constructed and furnished with in-
numerable grilles. Formerly created in heaven at Brahma's
wish by Vishwakarma, that noble car embellished with gems
was called Pushpaka, which Kuvera had acquired by pro-
longed austerities and of which the King of the Titans, having
vanquished him by his might, took possession. And that
mighty monkey ascended that splendid car, containing figures
of wolves made of Kartasvara and Hiranya gold and adorned
with slender pillars of dazzling splendour, furnished with
private rooms and gleaming pavilions, resembling the Meru
and Mandara Mountains, licking the skies and blazing like the
354
SUNDARA KANDA
This masterpiece of Vishwakarma had many golden stairways
and a superb and marvellous ceiling; it contained balconies
and galleries of deep blue sapphire and other precious gems ;
the floors were encrusted with rare pearls which rendered it
blindingly beautiful ; built of red sandalwood and shining
like pure gold, it resembled the rising sun and subtle perfumes
rose therefrom.
That mighty monkey, stationed there, smelt the rich odour
of wines and viands which rose on every side, and those
ambrosial and penetrating fumes seemed to him to be the
embodiment of Anila herself and were inhaled by him as
coming from an intimate friend, and that aroma seemed to
say to Hanuman " Come hither where Ravana is to be found ",
and he proceeded further and beheld a vast and glorious hall.
Now that spacious apartment was very dear to Ravana,
who looked on it as a greatly cherished woman and its jewelled
stairways and galleries of pure gold gave it a dazzling appear-
ance, the floors being of crystal with inlay of ivory, pearl,
diamond, coral, silver and gold. It was adorned with many
jewelled pilasters, which were symetrical, straight, elegant and
inlaid with exceeding artistry and it was supported by tall
pillars of equal size resembling wings so that the building
seemed to be flying in the air and the floor was covered by
a carpet, wide and four-cornered like the earth1 and patterned
as with varied countries* kingdoms and dwellings, and there
the song of birds could be heard and it was pervaded by a
celestial fragrance.
Hung with rich tapestries, darkened by incense fumes,
spotless and pure as a swan, garlanded with leaves and flowers
lending it the resemblance of Kamadhenu, bringing delight to
the heart, colour to the cheek, giving birth to prosperity and
banishing all sorrow, the apartments of the King of the Titans
gratified every sense, as if it were a mother.
Entering that abode protected by Ravana, Hanuman
asked himself: " Can this be paradise or the region of the
Gods or Indra's capital or the state of supreme bliss ? "
and he examined the golden lamps, which resembled gamblers
1 Four-Cornered — The ancient Hindu belief was that the earth was four-
cornered.
355 2a
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
absorbed in their dice, who, defeated by their opponents, are
plunged in thought, and Hanuman perceived that the brilli-
ance of the lamps and the lustre of Ravana and the splendour
of the decorations, illumined the appartment.
He beheld innumerable women, lying on the rugs, attired
in every kind of raiment with wreaths on their heads, who,
under the influence of wine, had fallen asleep, having ceased
to disport themselves, half the night being spent. And, on
account of the silence, that great company, decked with orna-
ments, the tinkling of which was no longer audible, resembled
a vast lake filled with lotuses where the sound of the swans
and the humming of bees has ceased.
Maruti gazed on the faces of those lovely women with eyes
and mouths shut fast, emitting a flower-like fragrance and they
resembled lotuses that, folding their petals at evening, wait
for the dawn to open them once more or like water lilies
which the bees, intoxicated with love, visit continually. With
just cause did that noble and mighty monkey compare rhem to
nymphoeae, for the harem was bright with their radiance, as
the starry heavens on a serene autumnal night and, in their
midst, the King of the Titans blazed like a fair moon, encircled
by attendant stars.
Then that monkey said to himself : " Those planets that
have fallen from the firmament, their merit exhausted, are all
re-united here ", and in sooth, those women in their grace,
beauty and magnificence shone like dazzling meteors.
Some lay wrapped in slumber into which they had fallen in
the midst of dancing and feasting, their hair and crowns in
disarray, their ornaments scattered here and there; others
amongst those lovely beings had lost their anklets and the
tilaka mark on their foreheads had been effaced ; some had
allowed their garlands to fall aside, some had broken their
pearls and, their raiment in disorder, their girdles loosened,
resembled disburdened mules, whilst others, bereft of ear-
rings, their garlands torn and crushed, looked like flowering
creepers trodden under foot by great elephants in the forest.
Sometimes the loosened pearls, like the scintillating rays of
the moon, lay between the women's breasts like sleeping swans,
whilst chains of emerald resembled drakes or those of gold
356
SUNDARA KANDA
looked like Chakravata birds. And those women were like
unto rivers, their thighs being the banks, where swans, geese
and other waterfowl disport themselves or, sleeping, resembled
streams, the golden bells on their girdles, the ripples, their
faces, the lotuses, their amorous desires, the crocodiles, their
grace, the banks.
On their tender limbs the marks of the ornaments looked
like bees, whilst the veils of others, rising and falling with their
breath, fluttered gracefully before their faces like bright streamers
of many-coloured yarn and the earrings of others vibrated
gently with the circulating air.
Their subtly perfumed breath impregnated with the aroma of
sugar-sweetened wines which they had drunk, caused Ravana
delight and, some of his consorts, in dream, savoured the lips
of their rivals again and again, deeming them to be the king's.
Passionately devoted to their lord, these lovely women, no
longer mistresses of themselves, offered their companions
marks of their affection. Some, in their rich attire, slept
leaning on their arms laden with bracelets, some rested on
their companions' breasts, some on their laps, their bosoms,
their thighs and backs, and under the influence of wine, cling-
ing amorously to one another, those women of slender waist,
slept, their arms intertwined.
Those groups of damsels enfolding one another, resembled
a garland of flowers visited by amorous bees or, like creepers
opening to the caress of the vernal breeze that intertwine,
forming clusters of blossom or the interlocking branches of
great forest trees full of swarming bees ; thus seemed this
gathering of Ravana's consorts. And on account of the
proximity of these women, sleeping close to one another, it
was impossible to distinguish to whom the jewels, veils and
garlands covering their limbs, belonged.
While Ravana slept, the beauty of those women resembling
golden lamps, seemed to watch over him and there were
daughters of Rajarishis, Giants and Celestial Beings, who had
become his consorts and that war-like titan king had acquired
them after subduing their relatives, though some had followed
him of their own accord from love. None had been forcibly
borne away who had not been attracted by his prowess and
357
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
qualities and none had belonged to another, save the daughter
of Janaka whose heart was set on Rama ; none was devoid
of nobility, beauty, intelligence and grace and each was the
object of Havana's desire.
Then the lord of the monkeys, endowed with virtue, reflected:
" If the consort of Raghava were as one of these women, the
King of the Titans wou!d indeed be blessed to-day, but Sita
is far superior to them on account of her great qualities, which
is evident, since for her sake that mighty monarch of Lanka
has committed this wicked deed.
CHAPTER 10
Hanuman sees Havana surrounded by his Wives
Looking round, Hanuman observed a splendid dais, worthy
of the Gods, made of crystal encrusted with pearls, furnished
with couches of emerald mounted on ivory and gold and
covered with rich and priceless rugs. And he saw a white
canopy, in that place, festooned with celestial garlands that
gleamed like the moon.
And he observed a magnificent couch inlaid with gold,
flaming like fire and bearing garlands of Ashoka flowers,
around which figures were waving fans to and fro, creating
cooling draughts and perfumes of every kind wreathed it with
delicious fragrance. Spread with soft woollen cloths and
decked with chaplets of flowers, it was adorned on every side.
And there, resembling a thundercloud, the Sovereign of the
Titans lay with bright and flashing earrings, reddened eyes,
golden raiment, his limbs smeared with saffron and fragrant
sandal, like a purple cloud at dusk, riven with lightning. Adorned
with celestial ornaments, magnificent to behold, able to change
his form at will, as he lay asleep he resembled the Mandara
Mountain with its trees, groves and bushes without number.
Having ceased from dalliance, decked with priceless ornaments,
the delight of the titans and dear to all the titan women, his
feasting over he lay sleeping on the golden bed, breathing
like a serpent.
358
SUNDARA KANDA
And Hanuman, filled with awe, shrank back in fear, and
stationed himself on a landing of the stairway, pressing himself
against the inner wall; then that courageous monkey looked
down on that lion among titans lying there in a drunken stupor.
And as the King of the Titans lay sleeping, his luxurious
couch resembled a great waterfall by which a mighty tusker
in mustha is resting.
Hanuman looked down on the two outstretched arms,
encircled with golden bracelets of that gigantic monarch,
resembling the standards of Indra, which had formerly been
pierced in combat by the sharp tusks of Airavata and torn by
the discus of Vishnu and the great shoulders that had been
lacerated by India's mace. Those vast arms, firmly set with
well-formed, powerful muscles and thumbs and nails bearing
auspicious marks, rings coverings the fingers, those arms,
thick as clubs, rounded like the trunk of an elephant, that
lay along the opulent couch as it were two snakes with five
heads, smeared with sandal of the colour of hare's blood,
fresh, extremely rare and of a delicious fragrance massaged by
women of sovereign beauty with precious unguents, those
arms that had caused Yakshas, Pannagas, Gandharvas Devas
and Danavas to cry out in terror, that monkey gazed upon
as they lay along the couch, like two great and angry reptiles
sleeping in a cave on the Mandara Mountain. And with his
two great arms, the Chief of the Titans resembled Mount
Mandara with its twin peaks.
The scent of the Mango or Punnaga tree, impregnated with
that of the Bakula blended with the savour of viands and the
aroma of wine, issued from the vast mouth of that Monarch
of Titans during sleep and seemed to fill the whole apartment.
His diadem was decorated with rubies and precious stones,
gleaming with gold and he was adorned with earrings, smeared
with red sandal, his well-developed chest bearing a string of
pearls ; a white silken cloth, flung aside, revealed his scars
and he was covered with a costly yellow coverlet. Like a
mass of light he lay, hissing like a serpent so that it seemed
as if an elephant lay asleep in the deep waters of the Ganges.
Four lamps, set on golden pillars, cast their light to the four
sides as lightning reveals the surface of a mass of cloud.
359
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then that foremost of monkeys saw the wives of that great
monarch of the titans sleeping at the foot of their lord, their
faces bright as the moon, wearing precious earrings and fresh
garlands. Skilled musicians and dancers, they lay in the arms
and on the breast of that Indra of Titans, attired in beautiful
raiment, and the monkey gazed on those women wearing
golden bracelets and earrings set with diamonds and emeralds,
their faces fair as the moon, illumined by the reflection of
their glittering earrings, lighting the hall as stars illumine the
firmament.
Overcome with drinking and amorous dalliance, those slender-
waisted wives of the King of the Demons lay fast asleep where
they had been seated ; and one, possessed of lovely limbs,
skilled in the dance, slept there, wearied by her graceful motions,
whilst another, embracing her Vina, looked like a lotus that had
fallen into the water clinging to a passing raft ; a third dark-
eyed maiden held her Mankuka in her lap, as a youthful woman
would her child, while yet another with graceful limbs and
shapely bosom, slept with her tambourine pressed to her heart,
as one embraces his love after a long absence. This one,
with eyes like lotuses had fallen asleep clasping her Vina, as a
beautiful girl enfolds her beloved one affectionately in her arms.
Here one of restrained sense lay beside her lute which she
encircled with her arms, resembling one affianced lying by
the side of her chosen one ; there, one whose limbs gleamed like
Kanada gold, dimpled, ravishing, her eyes heavy with wine,
though sleeping, was striking her drum. One of slender waist
and flawless beauty, worn out by feasting, slept with a cymbal
in her lap and yet another held a Dindima and had another
slung on her back so that she looked like a young mother
with her husband and her child. One, with eyes large as lotus
petals, clasping her Adambara tightly to her breast, had fallen
asleep under the influence of wine and yet another, her water
vessel overturned, resembled a flowery wreath that is sprinkled
with water to keep it green ; another, falling under the sway
of sleep, with her hands covered her breasts resembling two
golden cups, and one, with eyes like lotuses, fair as the moon,
had fallen asleep embracing one of her companions possessed
of lovely nips. Peerlessly beautiful women, clasping musical
360
s;un;dara kanda
instruments, pressed them to their bosoms like lovers their
chosen ones.
And that monkey beheld a marvellous bed set apart, on
which one of these lovely women lay, richly attired, adorned
with pearls and precious gems, who seemed to lend radiance
to that magnificent apartment. Clad in silk bright as Kanaka
gold, Havana's favourite Queen, Mandodari by name, that
slender-waisted woman of gracious features, lay fast asleep,
adorned with ornaments and, seeing her, that offspring of the
Wind -God said to himself : " This one, endowed with the
wealth of youth and beauty may be Sita " and he rejoiced
exceedingly. Thereafter, in his delight, he leapt into the air,
waving his tail and manifesting his joy by his antics, frolicking,
singing, climbing up the pillars from whence he dropped
to the ground, thus demonstrating his monkey nature.
CHAPTER II
Description of the Banqueting Hall
Then that mighty monkey dismissed this thought concerning
Sita and began to reflect further :
" Separated from Rama, that lovely woman would be unable
to sleep, eat or adorn herself nor would she submit to any
other, were he King of the Celestials himself, for Rama has
no equal even among the Gods ; this is therefore some other."
In this conviction, that foremost of monkeys began to search
the banqueting hall anew, anxious to discover Sita.
Leaning on their tambourines, drums and Celikas, or
stretched on luxurious couches, all these women slept soundly,
worn out with playing, singing, dancing and drinking. And
that leader of monkeys saw thousands of women beautifully
adorned, some having fallen asleep discussing each other's
charms, some debating the art of singing, some skilled in dis-
cerning time and place, discoursing on circumstance, some
given over to merriment and, elsewhere also, he observed
beautiful and youthful women who had fallen asleep talking of
36i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
beauty, or, full of perspicacity, deciding what was opportune.
And in their midst, the Lord of the Titans, resembled a bull
in a spacious stall, surrounded by graceful kine. Encircled
by those women, that King of the Titans looked like a mighty
tusker accompanied by female elephants in the forest.
In the abode of that powerful Titan King, that lion among
monkeys searched the banqueting hall throughout, furnished
with every desirable object and he beheld the flesh of buffalo,
deer and bear in separate dishes together with peacock and
fowl on golden platters, that had not been broached, and
percupine, deer and peacocks, seasoned with curds and sochal
salt and goats, leverets and fish half consumed, with portions
of dressed venison and sauces. There were wines of superior
vintage and rare dishes with salted pies spiced with vinegar
and diverse confections capable of stimulating the appetite.
Costly bracelets and anklets were scattered here and there
and fruit was arranged in small dishes, whilst flowers were
spread about, lending the whole floor an air of splendour, and
elegant couches and seats set round that place of feasting
caused it to shine like fire. In addition, meats of every kind
and flavour, seasoned with diverse substances and dressed by
skilful cooks, were placed round the hall and Hanuman ob-
served delicious beverages made of a variety of ingredients,
some from sugar, some distilled from fruit and flowers or
impregnated with fragrant powders.
The vast floor reflected the innumerable garlands, golden
vessels, crystal bowls and cups lying everywhere and looked
exceedingly beautiful and that mighty monkey saw golden
wine jars studded with gems, some of which were full of wine,
some half full and some wholly drained ; and there were many
wines that had not yet been served and various kinds of viands
that remained untouched.
Elsewhere he saw many couches that were unoccupied, and
some, where women of unsurpassed beauty slept, clasping each
other in their arms. One of these youthful women had forcibly
possessed herself of another's quilt and, wrapping herself
therein, had fallen asleep. The gentle breathing of these
women barely stirred their attire or the garlands that adorned
them but caressed them as it were and a gentle breeze, laden
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SUNDARA KANDA
with the odour of sandal and the sweet-tasting Sidhu, with
the diverse floral wreaths and flowers, perfumed bark pre-
pared for ablutions and incense, spread over the aerial car,
Pushpaka.
And in that residence of the titan there were women of
incomparable beauty, some dark-skinned, some the colour of
Kancana gold, who, overcome by slumber and worn out with
dalliance, resembled sleeping lotuses.
Thus that mighty monkey searched every quarter of Havana's
private apartments without seeing Janaki anywhere and,
having scanned the faces of all these women, he was filled with
apprehension, fearing lest he had failed in his purpose. Then
he reflected : " Beholding the wife of another while she is
sleeping, is undoubtedly an infringement of the moral law,
verily to look on another's wife was never my intention but
here I have seen one who hath lusted after the wives of others."
Then another thought came to that sagacious monkey,
single-mindedly bent on the execution of his duty : "All
these consorts of Ravana have been beheld by me without
their knowledge yet I find no fluctuation in the tenor of my mind.
The mind is the motive power of every movement of the
senses, whether it be good or evil and mine remains untroubled ;
further, how could I search for Sita otherwise ? It is amongst
women that one should look for women ; every being is to be
sought amongst its own kind, none searches for a woman among
deer. Therefore with a pure heart I have explored Ravana's
inner apartment but I have not seen the daughter of Janaka."
And Hanuman scrutinized the faces of the daughters of
Devas, Danavas and Nagas, without finding Sita and, not
finding her in that place, he left the banqueting hall and
began to search elsewhere. Leaving that place of feasting, the
offspring of the Wind-god began to look for Sita in another
quarter.
#1
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 12
Hanuman becomes despondent
Remaining in the precincts of the palace, Hanuman searched
the arbours, galleries and the sleeping apartments, eager to
discover Sita but without being able to find that lady of
gracious appearance there ; and, not finding the beloved of that
descendant of Raghu, the mighty monkey reflected : —
" Since, despite mine exertions I am unable to find the
daughter of Mithila, assuredly Sita is no longer alive. That
youthful and virtuous woman, anxious to defend her honour,
has been slain by the wicked Lord of the Titans for remaining
faithful to her conjugal duty or the daughter of King Janaka
has died of fright on seeing those consorts of the Sovereign
of the Titans, who are deformed, sallow-skinned, misshapen
and who possess huge heads and monstrous forms. Failing
to discover Sita, my valour has been expended in vain and a
large part of the term allotted to the monkeys has run out;
I dare not present myself before Sugriva, who is powerful and
given to meting out harsh punishment. I have explored the
inner apartments thoroughly but the gentle Sita was not to be
found there and I have spent myself in vain. Further, on
my return, the assembled monkeys will enquire of me saying :
" O Valiant Hanuman, having reached the further shore, what
didst thou accomplish there, tell us ? "
Not having seen Janaka's daughter, what shall I answer?
The term fixed having passed, assuredly it is meet that I should
fast to death, and what will the aged Jambavan and Angada
say with all the assembled monkeys since I have crossed the
ocean to no purpose ? Yet perseverance is the root of success,
perseverance is the root of prosperity, perseverance brings
supreme felicity, therefore I will search all those places still
left unexplored by me. Moreover it is my intention to put
forth fresh efforts and investigate all those regions not yet
visited by me and the banqueting halls, the gardens, the sports
pavilions, the courtyards, dwellings, highways, alleys and
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SUNDARA KANDA
chariots, though already searched by me, shall be examined
once again.
Having thus resolved, Hanuman set about exploring the
basements, temples and many-storied dwellings, going up and
down, to and fro, opening doors and closing others, entering
here and making an exit there, till there was not even the
space of four fingers left unscrutinized by him. And he
visited the galleries running inside the ramparts and terraces
supported by stanchions and the groves and lotus pools and
he saw there hideous and monstrous female titans of every
shape but not the daughter of Janaka ; and the illustrious
consorts of Vidyadharas fell under his gaze but not the beloved
of Raghava.
Hanuman beheld there also the daughters of Nagas, of lovely
limbs, whose faces shone like the full moon, who had been
forcibly brought there by the Lord of the Titans, but not the
cherished daughter of Janaka and, not seeing her among all
those lovely women, a profound despair seized that warrior
born of Maruta.
Reflecting that the exertions of all those leaders of monkeys
and the crossing of the ocean had proved vain, the son of Anila
became extremely anxious and descended from that aerial car.
Thereafter Hanuman, born of Maruta, grew pensive and a
great melancholy invaded his soul.
CHAPTER I 3
Hanuman's Dilenma
Descending on to the ramparts from the aerial car, that leader
of monkeys, the agile Hanuman, resembled a flash of lightning
athwart the clouds and, having searched the apartments of
Ravana without finding Sita, Videha's daughter, he said to
himself: —
" Seeking the object of Rama's affection, I have explored
Lanka again and again without rinding the daughter of Janaka
of immaculate form 1 Many times have the marshes, pools,
365
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
lakes, streams, rivers, banks, forests and inaccessible mountains
been scoured by me without any trace of Sita being found !
" The King of the Vultures, Sampati, affirmed that Sita
was in Havana's palace but I do not see her there, how can
this be ? Or has the daughter of Videha, Maithili, born of
Janaka, who was carried away against her will, being wholly
helpless surrendered to Havana? Or perchance, fearing Rama's
arrows, in his rapid flight, that titan has allowed Sita to slip
from his grasp or she seeing herself borne away on the path
of the Siddhas and beholding the ocean, has yielded up her
life ? Who can say whether that noble large-eyed lady has not
succumbed on account of the great speed assumed by Ravana
and the pressure of his arms ?
" It may happen that, while Ravana flew over the sea, the
daughter of Janaka struggling to free herself, fell into the waves,
or alas, far from her lord, seeking to defend her honour, was
devoured by that vile Ravana. May not that innocent dark-
eyed lady have become the food of those impure consorts of
that Indra of demons ? Ever absorbed in the contemplation of
Rama, whose countenance resembles the moon, has she
breathed her last, bewailing her lot and crying : * O Rama !
0 Lakshmana J O Ayodhya ! ', or, having been banished to
the dungeons of Ravana's palace, is that youthful woman
grieving like a caged bird? How could the slender-waisted
consort of Rama, born of the blood of Janaka, possessing eyes
like lotus petals, submit to Ravana ? But whether she be slain
or is lost or has died, I dare not speak of it to Rama. To
tell him would be an offence, yet it is also wrong to with-
hold it from him ; what should I do ? I am perplexed ! In
such a dilemna, how shall I act ? "
Thus thinking, Hanuman added : — " If, without finding Sita,
1 return to the city of that lord among monkeys, in how far
will my courage have availed me ? My crossing of the ocean
has come to nought as also my entry into Lanka and my
survey of the titans. When I come to Kishkindha, what will
Sugriva and the assembled monkeys say to me or those twin
sons of Dasaratha ? If I approach Kakutstha with these fatal
tidings saying : ' I have not found Sita ', he will give up his
life. Hearing these cruel, terrible, heartrending and barbarous
366
SUNDARA KANDA
words, he will not survive and, when his mind has been with-
drawn into the five elements, the sagacious Lakshmana, deeply
attached to Rama, will also cease to exist ! Then, hearing that
his two brothers are dead, Bharata will yield up his life and
Shatrughna will renounce his existence also. Beholding their
sons dead, their mothers, Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi
will undoubtedly surrender their lives and, seeing Rama's
plight, his grateful and loyal friend, Sugriva, will give up
his life. Then the grief-stricken Ruma, distracted and crushed
with sorrow, will perish on account of her lord and the Queen
Tara, already inconsolable on account of Bali's end, worn out
by suffering will be unable to continue living. The loss of
his parents will lead the youthful Angada to the brink of death
and, overwhelmed by the passing of their leader, the inhabitants
of the woods having been cherished with gentleness, gifts and
regard by their illustrious monarch, will strike their heads
with their fists and die.
" Thenceforth, those foremost of monkeys will no longer
assemble to disport themselves in the woods, among the rocks
and caves, but with their sons, wives and servants, in despair
on account of their master's death, will hurl themselves from
the height of the rocks into the abysses and chasms. And they
will take poison or hang themselves or enter the fire or fast
to death or fall on their own weapons. It is certain that a great
calamity will follow my return and the House of Ikshwaku
and the inhabitants of the forests will meet with destruction.
" But, if I do not return, those two virtuous and great car-
warriors as also the swift-footed monkeys will continue to live
in the hope of receiving tidings of Sita, and I, not having
found Sita, shall exist by that which falls to my lot, living a
life of privation and subsisting on fruit and roots in the forest.
" Preparing a funeral pyre on the shores of the sea, in a place
abounding in roots, fruits and water, I shall enter the names
or allow myself to die of hunger and, without fail, offer my
emaciated frame as food for the birds and beasts of prey.
In my belief, this is the death the sages envisaged for them-
selves ; either I must find Janaki or enter the sea.
" My bright garland of glory, so nobly plaited and begot
of courageous acts has perished because I have not been able
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to find Sita. I shall therefore become an ascetic living under
the trees but return I will not without having seen that dark-
eyed damsel. If I go back without finding Sita, neither
Angada nor the other monkeys will survive. Yet incalculable
ills lie in store for one taking his own life ; if however I con-
tinue to live, I may achieve success, therefore I shall maintain
my existence ! If I live, the re-union of Rama and Sita may
be effected."
Revolving these innumerable and painful considerations in
his mind, that lion among monkeys sought to prevent himself
from being overcome by despair. Summoning up all his
courage, that mighty monkey said to himself: —
" I shall slay Dashagriva the terrible Ravana and thus
avenge the abduction of Sita or, crossing the sea, I shall drag
him before Rama as a beast is offered up to Pashupati."
Reflecting thus, that monkey, who was filled with anxiety
and grief, not having been able to find Sita, thought : " So
long as I do not find the illustrious consort of Rama, I shall
not cease from searching the city of Lanka on every side. If,
according to Sampati's words, I bring Rama hither, Raghava,
not beholding his consort, will burn all the monkeys with
the fire of his wrath. Therefore I shall stay here, living a
life of abstinence with my senses under control lest all men
and monkeys perish through my fault.
" Here is a great Ashoka grove, containing huge trees, which
has not yet been searched by me. Having paid reverence to
the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Ashwins and the
Maruts, in order to increase the torment of the titans, I shall
enter it. Having vanquished the demons, I shall restore the
divine Sita, the delight of the House of Ikshwaku to Rama
as the fruit of austerity is bestowed on an ascetic."
Having thus reflected for a space, the mighty offspring of
the Wind-god suddenly rose and said : " Salutations to Rama
accompanied by Lakshmana and Anila ! Salutations to Chandra,
Agni and the Maruts ! "
After paying obeisance to all the Gods as also to Sugriva,
the offspring of the Wind-god, surveying the four quarters,
in imagination as it were advanced towards that magnificent
grove and began to consider what should be done further.
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SUNDARA KANDA
He reflected : " This Ashoka Grove which is sacred with
its dense thickets must be filled with titans, its trees are surely
protected by trained guards and the blessed Vishvatam
himself refrains from blowing vigorously here. In Rama's
interests I shall contract my form so that I may not be detected
by Ravana. May all the Gods, as also the hosts of sages,
confer success on me ! May Swyambhu, the Celestial Beings,
as also the ascetics, the God of Fire, the God of the Wind,
the Bearer of the Thunderbolt, Varuna, the Moon and the
Sun, the high-souled Ashwins and all the Maruts grant me
success ! May all beings and the Lord of all Beings and
those unknown, who are met with on the way, confer success
on me !
" When shall I behold that noble and irreproachable queen
with her arched nose, pearly teeth, sweet smile and eyes
resembling lotus petals, bright as the King of the Stars, O when ?
" O how will that frail and virtuous one, ruthlessly borne
away by that wicked and vile wretch, the scourge of human
beings, who masks his savagery under an alluring disguise,
disclose herself to me ? "
chapter 14
The Ashoka Grove
Having meditated for a space, Hanuman, who had rejoined
Sita in thought, leapt from the rampart on to the surrounding
wall and trembling with delight, that mighty monkey, standing
there, beheld every variety of tree and flower, it being early
spring He saw Sala, Ashoka, Bhavya, Champaka, Uddalaka,
Nagavriksha, Mango and Kapimukha trees in flower with
clumps of Amras intertwined with hundreds of creepers.
And Hanuman, leaping down into that enchanting grove,
like an arrow shot from a bow, entered that garden resembling
the rising sun which re-echoed to the song of birds, planted
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with gold and silver saplings and containing flocks of birds
and deer with trees of varying fragrance which .filled him
with wonder.
Abounding in trees of every kind, laden with flowers and
fruit, where cuckoos called deliriously and swarms of bees
hummed, where all creatures expressed happiness in their
movements, where the cries of the peacock could be heard and
waterfowl teemed, the heart of the beholder was ravished.
And Hanuman, searching for that princess of beautiful and
faultless limbs, woke the birds that had been sleeping sweetly
and blown by the wind set up by the wings of those birds in
flight, a shower of variegated blossom fell, covering Hanuman,
the son of the Wind-god in the midst of the Ashoka Grove
lending him the loveliness of a hill covered with flowers.
Then all the creatures beholding that monkey, as they darted
from all sides, thought : " It is the God of Spring ".
Wholly hidden in blossom which had fallen from the trees,
the earth looked like a bride covered with jewels and, shaken
in diverse ways by the motion of that impetuous monkey
the trees rained down a shower of multi-coloured blooms.
And those trees, whose tops were stripped of leaves, from
which both blossom and fruit had fallen, looked like gamblers
who have staked their raiment and possessions only to lose
all. Buffetted by Hanuman's leaping, those lovely trees
speedily let their flowers, leaves and fruit fall to the ground
and, deserted by the birds, no longer able to seek shelter there,
on account of the shaking administered by Maruti, presented
their bare branches only, so that the Ashoka grove, battered
by the blows of the monkey's feet and tail, resembled a youthful
woman with her locks dishevelled, the brightness of her lips
and teeth dimmed, her tilaka mark effaced and her arms and
legs scarred. And in his haste, that monkey snapped the
clusters of creepers as the wind dispels the clouds during the
rainy season.
Banging here and there, that monkey observed places that
were paved with gold and silver with ponds filled with trans-
lucent water, their steps encrusted with valuable gems, pearls
and coral, their floors being of crystal and the banks set with
trees of Kancana gold which emitted a dazzling light.
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SUNDARA KANDA
These pools were covered with clumps of lotuses and lilies
whilst waterfowl enhanced their beauty and they re-echoed
to the cry of Natyuhas, swans and geese ; broad and beautiful
streams, bordered on every side by trees, fed them with their
waters which resembled Amrita and glided under variegated
shrubs decorated by hundreds of creepers, the ground being
carpeted by rhododendron and oleander flowers.
Then that foremost of monkeys beheld a high hill, bright as a
cloud crowned with lofty peaks, many kinds of trees and filled
with caves, and it was one of the wonders of the world ! And
he beheld a river falling from those heights, like a youthful
woman tearing herself from her lover's aims in order to leave
him and the branches of the trees, sweeping the water, looked
as if the companions of that damsel were detaining her, whilst
fuither down, Hanuman beheld that stream returning on its
course, as if the maiden, appeased, were reconciled to her beloved.
Thereafter at some distance from the river, a pool filled with
lotuses, frequented by birds of every kind drew the gaze of
that lion among monkeys, Hanuman, born of Maruta ; and
he saw a fountain of fresh water with enchanting steps made of
precious gems, its basin strewn with pearls, which was embellished
on every side with countless herds of deer, ravishing groves,
and mansions built by Vishvakarma himself, adorned with
artificial woods and trees laden with fruit and flowers, their
branches spreading like umbrellas giving shade, whilst the
ground beneath was paved with gold and silver.
And that great monkey beheld a single golden Shingshapa
tree surrounded by a golden dais and he saw many flower beds
and trees which resembled flames, the radiance of which
rivalled Mount Meru and caused him to think they were made
of gold. Seeing those beautiful golden trees, with their
flowering crests, buds and shoots agitated by the wind,
emitting a sound like the tinkling of many ornaments, Hanuman
was astounded.
Climbing quickly into that many-leafed Shingshapa tree
Hanuman reflected : " From here I may perchance behold
Vaidehij that unhappy being who sighs for Rama's presence
and who, filled with grief, wanders aimlessly to and fro.
Without doubt, this Ashoka Grove embellished by Candana,
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Champaka and Vakula trees, belongs to the wicked Havana.
Here by this lovely pool frequented by birds, that princess and
royal spouse, Sita, will certainly repair. She, the beloved of
Raghava, accustomed to wander in the woods, bereft of Rama,
will assuredly come hither. That lady, whose eyes resemble
a doe's, tormented with grief on account of separation from
Rama, fond of roving in the woods, will certainly walk in this
grove. She, the chaste and virtuous wife of Rama, Janaka's
daughter, who ever loved the creatures of the forest, anxious
to offer up her devotion, will come to this river of translucent
waters, for this purpose.
" Truly this beautiful grove is worthy to be the abode of that
chaste consort of the king of men, Rama. If that goddess,
whose countenance resembles the moon, still lives, she will
inevitably visit this river of cool waters."
Thus reflected the high-souled Hanuman, expecting the
consort of that lord of men to appear and, concealing himself
in the Shingshapa tree covered with leaves and flowers, gazed
out over the whole scene.
CHAPTER 15
Hanuman sees Sita
Seated in the tree, glancing round in quest of Sita, Hanuman
surveyed the entire grove filled with trees intertwined with
creepers and redolent with celestial odours. Manifesting
every aspect of beauty, possessing the splendour of the Nandana
Gardens, it was inhabited by various animals and birds,
embellished by palaces and temples and re-echoed to the call
of the cuckoo. Adorned with pools filled with golden lotuses
and silvery waterlilies, furnished with seats and cushions,
buildings and courtyards, with its ravishing trees laden with
fruit and flowers in every season and the blossoming Ashoka
trees, it resembled the effulgence of the rising sun.
Seated there, Maruti never wearied of gazing on those
lovely woods, whose foliage was almost concealed by hundreds
of birds disporting themselves there and the beauty of those
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SUNDARA KANDA
Ashoka trees, bending under the weight of their flowers, so
that their blossoming seemed to extend to their very roots,
dispelled all sorrow. The entire region seemed ablaze with
the brilliance of the Karnikara and Kimshuka trees in flower ;
the giant-rooted Punnaga, Saptaparna, Champaka and Udda-
laka blazed forth in blossom and there were thousands of
Ashoka trees some of a golden colour, some like flames of
fire and some as dark as collyrium so that the whole place
resembled the Garden of Nandana or the enchanting domain of
Chaitaratha or even surpassed them. This celestial un-
imaginably beautiful region was like a second heaven, having
flowers for its constellations or a fifth ocean, its pearls being
the blossom scattered there. Planted with trees, which bloomed
in every season, emitting honeyed scents, that garden was filled
with the cries of birds and beasts and redolent with
exquisite scents, a delicious spot, equal to that King of Moun-
tains, a second Gandhamadana.
Now, in that Ashoka Grove, that lion among monkeys
observed, at a short distance, a splendid temple as white as
Mount Kailasha, flawless, supported by a thousand pillars,
its steps of coral, its floors of refined gold, dazzlingly beautiful,
blinding to the eyes and of such a height that it seemed to
kiss the sky.
Then, all at once, he beheld a woman, in soiled raiment,
surrounded by female titans and she was emaciated through
fasting, sorrowful, heaving frequent sighs, immaculate as the
moon's disc in its first quarter, resplendent with a radiance
which now shone but dimly so that she seemed like a flame
wreathed in smoke.
Clad in a soiled robe of yellow silk, divested of every orna-
ment, she resembled a lotus pool stripped of its flowers.
Oppressed, racked with grief and tormented, she was like
unto Rohini pursued by Ketu. Her face bathed in tears,
distressed, worn out by privation, plunged in anxiety and
separated from her kith and kin, no longer able to behold
Rama and Lakshmana but only the titans, she appeared like
a gazelle surrounded by a pack of hounds.
With her long hair resembling a black serpent, hanging
down her back, she looked like the earth with its dark blue
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
forests in the rainy season. That large-eyed lady, worthy of
happiness, not having known adversity till that hour, sunk
in woe and emaciated was attired in soiled raiment.
Then Hanuman, beholding her, for many reasons deduced
that it was Sita and reflected : — " That princess, borne away
by the titan, able to change his shape at will, must be this
woman before me."
Her race shone like the full moon and she possessed beautiful
brows and gracefully rounded breasts ; by her radiance she
dispelled the darkness in all regions ; her neck was of a bluish
tint, her lips like the Bimba fruit, her waist slender and her
carriage full of dignity, her eyes, resembling lotus petals equalled
those of Rati, the beloved spouse of Manmatha, lovely as the
moon, adored by all.
Now that youthful woman of graceful form was seated on
the ground practising austerity like a female ascetic and that
timid lady was heaving frequent sighs like the consort of the
Serpent King.
Entangled in a mighty web of sorrow, her beauty was veiled
like a flame enveloped in smoke or a traditional text obscured
by dubious interpretation or wealth that is melting away or
faith that is languishing or hope that is almost extinguished
or perfection unattained on account of obstacles or an intellect
which is darkened or fame tarnished by calumny.
Distracted by her separation from Rama, tormented by the
presence of the female titans, her eyes, like a young doe's
ranged here and there searching everywhere in her distress.
Tears streamed from her eyes with their arched brows and dark
lashes and, her features altered, she sighed again and again.
That unfortunate one, worthy of every decoration, now bereft
of all, covered with stains, resembled the King of the Stars
obscured by heavy cloud. Beholding Sita in that pitiable
state, Hanuman was perplexed as one whose learning is lost
for lack of sustained endeavour and, seeing her without ornaments,
he recognised her with difficulty as a text that is wrongly
construed. Beholding that large-eyed and irreproachable
princess, Hanuman concluded from her many distinctive
characteristics that it must indeed be Sita.
Perceiving on her person such ornaments as had been
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SUNDARA KANDA
described by Rama at the time of his departure, such as the
Svadangstras and jewelled armlets, which were now darkened
by dust and neglect, nevertheless, they appeared to Hanuman
to be those mentioned to him and he reflected : — " Those
which were cast off by Sita on the way, I do not see but those
she preserved are certainly here.
" The rich silken mantle shining like Kanaka gold, which she
let fall, was found by the monkeys caught in a tree and the
valuable ornaments cast off by her fell on the earth with a
tinkling sound. The robe she now wears is exceedingly worn
but its colour remains and resembles her own radiance. Here
is the one for whom Rama has suffered torment through
affection, pity, grief and love : through affection in con-
sequence of bis beloved spouse being borne away ; through
pity, by his inability to protect her who is dependent on him ;
through grief, at her loss, and through love by his separation
from her. Verily from the grace of her person and her beauty,
that resembles his, this lady of dark eyes must be his spouse.
She has her mind fixed on him, and he on her, it is on account
of this that they are able to survive. Indeed the Lord Rama
has achieved a great feat by still existing separated from her
and not yielding up his life in grief."
Having beheld Sita, the Son of Pavana allowed his
thoughts to fly to Rama, to whom he silently offered obeisance,
and to that princess also.
CHAPTER 16
Hanuman's Reflections on seeing Sita
Having offered obeisance to Sita who was worthy of homage,
and also to Rama of gentle conduct, that bull among monkeys
became absorbed in thought once more.
Reflecting awhile, his eyes full of tears on account of Sita,
that sagacious monkey, Hanuman, gave voice to his distress
in the following words : —
" None can withstand the force of destiny, since Sita, the
consort of the illustrious brother of Lakshmana ever obedient
375
THE RAM'AYANA OF VALMIK^I
to his preceptors, has met with this misfortune. Conversant
with the prowess of Kama and the sagacious Lakshmana,
that divine lady is no more perturbed than is the Ganges at
the approach of the rainy season. In character, age, conduct
and family, they are equal and Raghava is worthy of Vaidehi,
that one of dark eyes, who is his."
Seeing Sita, radiant as newly minted gold and who resembled
Lakshmi beloved of the worlds, Hanuman approaching Rama
in thought, said : —
" On account of this large-eyed lady, the mighty Bali was
slain, and Kabanda, equal to him in strength ; for her, the
mighty demon Viradha, despite his renowned prowess, also
succumbed in the forest under the thrusts of the valiant Rama,
as Shambara under Mahendra's blows. It was for her that
fourteen thousand demons of outstanding exploits were pierced
by Rama's arrows resembling tongues of fire in Janasthana.
Khara too was brought low on the field of battle ; Trishiras
was overthrown and the mighty Dushana also by the righteous
Raghava. And it was on her account that that supreme and
inaccessible kingdom of the monkeys belonging to Bah was
acquired by Sugriva, renowned in the Three Worlds ; it is
for this large-eyed damsel, that the effulgent Lord of the
Waters has been crossed by me and this city explored. Me-
thinks that if Rama had turned the whole earth, with its boun-
daries, upside down for her sake, it were fitting ! Were the
dominion of the Three Worlds on one side and Sita, born of
Janaka, on the other, the former would not equal a fraction of
the latter ; such is the virtuous daughter of the magnanimous
King of Mithila, who is wholly devoted to her lord. She,
as a field was being dug, rose from a furrow which the blade
of the plough had turned, covered with dust which gleamed
like the pollen of a lotus ; she, the eldest daughter-in-law of
King Dasaratha, who was full of courage and nobility and
was never known to retreat in battle ; she, the beloved consort
of the faithful and dutiful Rama, knower of his own Self, is
now in the power of the titans.
" Renouncing every pleasure, actuated by love of her lord,
disregarding the inevitable privations, she entered the beautiful
forest to live on fruit and roots, ever engaged in the service of
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SU4N£DARA KANDA
her spouse and considered herself to have attained the peak
of felicity there, as if it were the palace itself. This lady,
whose limbs resemble Kanaka gold and who was ever wont
to smile when conversing, now suffers unimaginable woes and
Raghava, like a thirsty man panting for a stream, sighs for
the sight of that noble woman oppressed by Ravana. Re-
united with her, Raghava will enjoy felicity once more, as a
king who has been deprived of his throne rejoices on regaining it.
" Deprived of all comfort and pleasure, far from her kinsmen,
she preserves her life in the hope of seeing Rama and being re-
united with him. Oblivious of the titans and the trees covered
with fruit and flowers, her spirit is wholly absorbed in the
thought of Rama. For a woman the greatest decoration is
her lord and Sita, though incomparably beautiful, no longer
shines in Rama's absence. It is only Rama's heroism that
makes it possible for him to continue living separated from
his consort and prevents him from being overwhelmed with grief.
This lady of dark eyes, resembling the moonlight, worthy of
happiness, is now utterly wretched and my heart is troubled.
Patient as the earth, this lady whose eyes resemble lotuses,
who was formerly protected by Rama and Lakshmana, lying
at the foot of a tree, is being guarded by demons of hideous
aspect. Like a waterlily snapped by the frost, the daughter
of Janaka, her beauty faded, is fainting under the rain of
misfortunes and, like a doe separated from the herd, is fallen
into this distress. The Ashoka trees with their boughs bend-
ing under the weight of their blossom seem to increase her
grief, as also the moon of pure beams that is rising in this
spring season."
Reflecting thus, that valiant monkey, being convinced that
it was Sita, stationed himself in the Shingshapa tree.
chapter 17
Description of the Female Titans toko guarded Sita
Then the moon, pure as a waterlily, rose in the stainless heavens,
sailing through the firmament like a swan floating on blue waters.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
As if to aid him with her light, that pure and clear orb covered
the Son of Pavana with her cool rays.
Thereupon that monkey beheld Sita endowed with a moon-
like countenance who, under the load of grief, resembled a
heavily laden ship foundering in the waves. And gazing on
Vaidehi, Hanuman, born of Maruta, observed a number of
grim-visaged titan women at a distance, some with but a
single eye or ear, some with ears concealing their visage, some
without ears, some with noses on their foreheads, some
possessed of disproportionately large heads and long necks,
some with sparse hair and others covered with hair so that
they appeared to be wrapped in a woollen cloth ; the ears and
brows of some were set low, and their breasts and bellies
protruded ; others were knock-kneed, stunted, humpbacked,
crooked, dwarfed, unkempt, their mouths set awry, their eyes
inflamed, their faces fearful to behold Hideous, irascible,
quarrelsome, they were armed with spears, darts, hammers
and mallets and some had snouts like bears or the muzzles of
deer or the faces of tigers, camels, buffalo, goats and jackals
and some had the feet of elephants, camels, horses and the
heads of some were sunk in their breasts.
Some had a single hand or foot, some the ears of asses,
horses, kjne and elephants or some the ears of monkeys. Some
had enormous noses, some crooked noses and some none at all,
some had noses like the trunks of elephants, some had their
noses fixed in their foreheads, through which they breathed
like beasts. The feet of some were like elephants and some
had the feet of kine, some were hairy ; some had huge heads,
gigantic faces and long tongues ; some had the heads of goats,
elephants, cows, pigs, horses, camels and donkeys.
These titan women of formidable appearance held spears
and maces in their hands, they were ill-humoured and rejoiced
in discord. Their hair was black as soot or smoke-coloured,
their aspect repellant and they feasted continually, regaling
themselves on wine and meat without surcease, their bodies
being spattered with blood from the flesh they consumed.
That foremost of monkeys surveyed those titan women
whose appearance caused his hair to stand on end and who
were seated in a circle round the many-branched tree under
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sun;dara kanda
which the divine and irreproachable Janaki stood. And the
graceful Hanuman beheld that daughter of Janaka bereft of
her radiance, consumed with grief, her locks soiled with dust,
like a star which has fallen on the earth its merits exhausted,
Sita, famed throughout the worlds for her fidelity, yet with
little hope of being re-united with her lord.
Stripped of her jewels, she whose chief ornament was her
devotion to her lord, held captive by Ravana, appeared like a
female elephant separated from the herd who has been attacked
by a lion or like the moonlight enveloped in cloud at the
end of the rainy season. Her beauty dimmed, she resembled
a stringed instrument that one has ceased to pluck and has laid
aside. Far from her lord, that illustrious one had fallen under
the sway of the titans without having merited it. Sunk in
an ocean of grief, surrounded by those titan women in the
midst of the Ashoka Grove, she looked like Rohini about to
be devoured by Rahu and, beholding her there, Hanuman
thought she resembled a creeper divested of its blooms.
Having lost her radiance, her limbs covered with dust, with
her hidden grace she looked like a lotus spattered with mud.
The monkey, Hanuman, beheld that youthful woman, whose
eyes resembled a doe's, clothed in a soiled and tattered cloth
and though that blessed one was shorn of her beauty, yet her
soul did not lose its transcendency, upheld as it was by the
thought of Rama's glory and safeguarded by her own virtue.
Beholding Sita, whose eyes, wide with fear, resembled a
doe's, casting her glances here and there like a fawn and con-
suming the trees and their leaves with her sighs, like a moun-
tainous wave rising from the ocean of adversity, incomparably
beautiful with her slender limbs and graceful form, bereft of
ornaments, Maruti experienced a great felicity ; and Hanuman
wept tears of joy at this fortunate meeting and silendy offered
obeisance to Rama.
Having bowed down to Rama and Lakshmana, the valiant
Hanuman, filled with happiness on having beheld Sita, remained
there wholly concealed.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 18
Ravana goes to the Ashoka Grove
Surveying the woods filled with flowering trees, desirous of
beholding Sita closely and the night being almost spent, towards
dawn, Hanuman heard the chanting of the Vedas by those
among the titans conversant with the holy Shastras and the
six supplementary portions.1
Then the mighty ten-headed Lord of the Titans awoke to
the sound of auspicious music, delightful to the ear and,
waking, that great and powerful king, his garlands and attire
in disarray, remembered Vaidehi. Passionately enamoured of
her, that titan filled with pride could not restrain his desire.
Thereupon, adorned with every kind of ornament, gor-
geously robed, he entered the Ashoka Grove filled with in-
numerable trees, laden with fruit and flowers of every kind
with pools embellished with lotuses and lilies, enlivened by
birds of rare beauty ecstatic with love and sculptured wolves
wonderful to behold.
Dashagriva gazed on those avenues with their arches of gold
and gems, thronged with deer of every sort and carpeted with
the fruit that had fallen on the earth. And one hundred
damsels, daughters of the Gods and Gandharvas, followed in
the train of the son of Poulastya, resembling the nymphs who
follow Mahendra and some carried lamps of gold whilst
others bore chanwaras and tans in their hands. Some carrying
water in golden ewers, walked ahead, others following with a
golden seat and round cushions and one on his right bore
a cup encrusted with gems and filled with wine whilst another
carried a canopy resembling a swan, golden-ribbed like the
moon and having a handle of fine gold.
In this way, the most beautiful of Ravana's wives, their eyes
heavy with sleep and wine followed their august lord like
' Grammer, Prosody, Astronomy, Pronunciation, the meaning of un-
usual terms and Ritual.
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SUNDARA KANDA
flashes of lightning following a cloud. Their bracelets and
necklets of pearl, swung to and fro, their sandal-paste was
effaced and their hair hung loose while drops of perspiration
stood on the brows of those women of lovely mien who stumbled
on account of the effects of wine and sleep, and the sweat had
caused the flowers that adorned them to wither and their
locks were full of shreds from their garlands j in this way,
those women of tender appearance full of pride and affection,
followed the King of the Titans.
And that powerful lord, the slave of his desires, his heart
fixed on Sita, proceeded at a slow pace.
Then the monkey heard the sound of the bells on the women's
girdles and anklets, and the joy of Maruta beheld Ravana of
inconceivable prowess, whose energy and valour were un-
imaginable, as he entered the gate ; and he was illumined on
all sides by the innumerable lamps, fed with fragrant oil,
which were carried by those damsels and, intoxicated with
pride, desire and wine, his eyes of a coppery red, he looked
like Kandarpa himself bereft of his bow. He adjusted his
magnificent cloak, decorated with flowers, stainless as the foam of
Amrita when churned, and which flung back was held by a clasp.
Hanuman, concealed behind the curtain of leafy branches,
stared at him as he approached and from his hiding place,
that elephant among monkeys beheld that mighty king, Ravana,
surrounded by beautiful and youthful brides, with majestic
strides enter that grove, which re-echoed to the cry of deer
and birds. Already intoxicated, adorned with priceless orna-
ments, possessing pointed ears resembling darts, full of energy,
that Son of Vaishravas, the Lord of the Titans, appeared sur-
rounded by lovely women, as the moon amidst the stars, and
that illustrious monkey, beholding him, reflected : —
" This is the long-armed Ravana who was formerly sleeping
in that sumptuous apartment in the centre of the city."
Then the valiant Hanuman, born of Maruta, despite his
great courage and though highly effulgent, found himself eclipsed
by Ravana's glory and effaced himself among the leafy branches.
Ravana however, eager to see that dark-eyed Sita of faultless
limbs, whose breasts touched each other, and whose tresses
were black, strode on.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 19
Sita's Grief
Beholding Havana, the Lord of the Titans, endowed with
youth and beauty, wearing gorgeous raiment and priceless
jewels, that irreproachable princess trembled like a palm
agitated by the wind and, covering her breasts and belly with
her hands, seeking to conceal them, shrank away.
Dashagriva gazed on Vaidehi, who was guarded by com-
panies of female titans and that unfortunate One, given over
to grief, resembled a ship foundering in the sea.
Seated on the naked ground, Sita who was fixed in virtue,
resembled a branch severed from a tree that has fallen to earth.
Her limbs covered with a soiled cloth, she, who was worthy of
ornaments, now no longer adorned, resembled a lotus stalk
stained with mud and, though radiant, her beauty was dimmed.
In imagination, she took refuge with that lion among men,
Rama, her mind a chariot drawn by the steeds of resolution
and that charming princess, devoted to Rama, emaciated,
weeping, separated from her kinsfolk, was a prey to anxiety
and grief and saw no end to her misfortune. Rocking herself
to and fro, she resembled the female of the King of the Snakes
under the spell of an incantation or the planet Rohini pursued
by Dhumaketu or a saintly and virtuous woman of a noble
house who finds herself, through marriage, placed in a low-
born family. She resembled a great reputation that has been
lost or a faith that has been disregarded or a mind that has
become clouded or a hope destroyed, a future shattered, an
order misinterpreted, a region obliterated at the destruction of
the world or an offering rejected by the Gods, a night on
which the full moon is obscured by clouds or a lotus pool laid
waste, an army bereft of its warriors, a moon under eclipse,
a dried up river, an altar which has been desecrated or a flame
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SUNDARA KANDA
that has been extinguished or a lotus pool bereft of flowers,
its birds struck with terror agitated by the trumpeting of
elephants.
In separation from her lord, consumed with grief, she
appeared like a river whose waters have run dry and on account
of her limbs not having been washed, she resembled night
during the period of the waning moon. That lovely and
graceful woman, accustomed to a palace rilled with precious
gems, now, with wasted limbs, resembled the stalk of a lotus
freshly plucked and wilting in the sun.
As the female elephant which has been captured, chained
to a stake, grieving for its mate, sighs again and again, so
seemed she. Her long dark tresses, utterly neglected, lay
along her back so that she appeared like the earth covered
with a dark forest at the end of the rainy season. Tortured
by hunger, sorrow, anxiety and fear, emaciated, desolate,
weakened by abstinence and given over to austerity, stricken
with grief, resembling a goddess, her hands were joined
offering prayers to Rama for the destruction of Ravana.
And beholding that blameless Maithili with her beautiful
dark eyes and graceful lashes, Ravana, to his own destruction,
sought to seduce her.
CHAPTER 20
Ravana begs Sita to iced him
Thereupon Ravana approaching Sita, who was helpless, sur-
rounded by female titans and vowed to a life of austerity, with
sweet words and courteous gestures said to her : —
" O Thou whose thighs resemble the trunk of an elephant,
who, beholding me dost seek to conceal thy breasts and thy
body as if thou didst fear me, O Lady of large eyes, I love
thee. Be gracious to me, O Thou of charming looks, who art
adored by all the world I There is no man present here nor
any titan able to change his form at will therefore banish the
fear which I inspire in thee, O Sita.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" It has ever been the unquestioned and special privilege of
titans to unite themselves with the wives of others, either
taking them of their own free will or bearing them away by
force. In spite of this, O Maithili, I shall not lay hands on
thee since thou hast no affection for me but, for myself, I am
completely under thy sway, therefore trust in me and respond
to my love. O Goddess, have no fear of me, take courage,
O Dear One, and do not let thyself be consumed with grief.
To wear but a single plait, to lie on the earth in soiled attire
and fast unnecessarily does not become thee. In my company,
O Maithili, do thou enjoy garlands, perfumes, sandal, orna-
ments, wine, rich beds and seats, singing, dancing and music.
Thou art a pearl among women, do not remain in this condi-
tion, adorn thyself as heretofore. Having united thyself with
me, O Lady of Lovely Form, what will not be thine ?
" Thine enchanting youth is passing away, which like the
water of a river, once gone, does not return. O Thou of
Fair Looks, the creator of thy loveliness, Vishvakrita, after
devising thee, ceased from his work for I see none who is
equal to thee in loveliness and grace ! Who, having seen thee,
resplendent with beauty, could withstand thee O Vaidehi ?
Even Brahma Himself is moved, how much more other beings ?
O Thou whose countenance resembles the moon, on whatever
part of thy body mine eyes rest, my gaze is riveted. O Maithili,
do thou become my consort and renounce this thy folly. Be-
come the foremost queenof these innumerable andlovelywomen
who belong to me. O Timid One, all the treasure I have
won throughout the worlds I offer thee as also my kingdom.
O Sportive Damsel, for thy sake, having subjugated the entire
earth with its many cities, I will confer them on King Janaka.
None on this earth can withstand my prowess ; behold mine
immeasurable valour in battle ! Did not the Celestials and the
Demons find me irresistible on the battlefield as I broke
through their ranks shattering their standards ?
" Therefore yield to my desire and attire thyself in splendid
robes, letting brilliant gems adorn thy person. O Timid One,
enjoy every comfort and luxury according to thy pleasure,
divert thyself and distribute land and treasure to others. Live
happily depending on my support and exercise supreme
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SUNDARA KANDA
authority. By my favour, all thy relatives shall share thy
felicity. Observe my prosperity and glory, O Gentle Lady,
what canst thou hope from Rama who is clothed in robes of
bark? O Fortunate One, Rama has been deprived of his
kingdom and is bereft of his might, he practises asceticism,
his couch is the bare earth, indeed it is doubtful whether he
still lives. O Vaidehi, Rama will never be able to find thee,
thou who resemblest a star veiled by dark clouds preceded
by cranes. Raghava will never rescue thee from my hands,
as Hiranyakashipu was not able to recover his consort Kirti,
who had fallen under the sway of Indra.
" O Lady of Sweet Smiles, O Thou of lovely teeth and
beautiful eyes, thou dost ravish my heart as Suparna carried
away a serpent. Although thy robe is torn and stained and
thou art stripped of ornaments, seeing thee, my mind turns
away from all my other consorts. O Daughter of Janaka, do
thou hold sway over all the women in my harem, who are
endowed with every accomplishment. O Princess of raven
locks, these women, the foremost among the beauties of the
world, shall be thy slaves and attend on thee as the Apsaras
attend on Shri. O Graceful Princess, enjoy the pleasures of
the world with me and the riches of Kuvera to the utmost
of thy desires. O Goddess, neither in asceticism, strength,
prowess, wealth nor fame is Rama equal to me. Therefore
drink, eat, enjoy thyself and indulge in every pleasure. I
shall confer on thee immense wealth, nay, the whole world.
" Do thou satisfy all thy desires in my company, O Timid
One, and let thy relatives share thy felicity also. Adorned
with dazzling golden bracelets, O Beautiful One, in my com-
pany range the groves of flowering trees on the shores of the
sea where the black bees hum."
CHAPTER 21
Sita rejects Havana's Advances with disdain
Hearing the words of that terrible titan, Sita, overwhelmed
with grief, answered in a faint and feeble voice. The un-
385
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fortunate Sita, afflicted and trembling, faithful to her lord and
anxious to preserve her virtue, her heart fixed on Rama, placed
a straw between Ravana and herself and with a sweet smile
answered him, saying : —
" Take bade thy heart and set it on thine own consorts.
As a sinner may not aspire to heaven, so shouldst thou not
expect to win me. That which should never be done and is
condemned in a woman faithful to her lord, I shall never do.
Born in a noble House, I have been joined to a pious family."
Having spoken thus to Ravana, the virtuous Vaidehi, turning
her back on him, continued : —
" It is not meet that I become thy wife since I am united
to another. Do thy duty and follow the rules laid down by
men of integrity. The wives of others, like thine own, are
deserving of protection, O Prowler of the Night. Do thou
furnish a good example and enjoy thine own consorts. That
wretch who, in the inconstancy and levity of his heart, is not
satisfied with his own wives, will be brought to misery by those
of others. Either no pious men exist here or thou dost not
follow their example, since thy mind is perverse and turns
from what is virtuous; or the wise having uttered sage counsel,
thou, to the destruction of the titans, dost ignore them.
" Prosperity, kingdom and city are all brought to nought
in the hands of a vicious monarch who is not master of himself,
hence Lanka, overflowing with treasure, having thee for her
king, will suffer destruction 'ere long. O Ravana, that wicked
being who brings about his own downfall, succumbs, to the
delight of all. When thou meetest with thine end, this evil
deed will cause the oppressed to say : ' Fortunate are we that
this great tyrant has fallen.'
" Thou art not able to tempt me with wealth and riches ;
as the light of the sun cannot be separated from the sun so
do I belong to Raghava. Having rested on the arm of that
Lord of Men, how should I depend on any other ? Like unto
the spiritual truth known to a brahmin faithful to his vows,
I belong to the Lord of the World alone and am lawfully
wedded to him. It is to thine own advantage to restore me to
Rama, wretched as I am, like unto a she-elephant anxiously await-
ing her mate in the forest. It behoveth thee to seek Rama's
386
SUNDARA KANDA
friendship, that lion among men, if thou desireth to preserve
Lanka and dost not wish to bring about thine own destruction.
He is wise, conversant with every duty and ever eager to serve
those who seek his protection ; form an alliance with him if
thou desirest to survive. Seek to conciliate Rama, who is
full of devotion to those who take refuge in him and humbly
conduct me to him once more. If thou dost bring me back
to the greatest of the Raghus, thy well-being is assured but
if thou dost act otherwise thou art doomed. Thou mayest
evade the thunderbolt of Indra, even death himself may over-
look thee but there will be no refuge for thee from the fury of
Raghava, that lord of men, when thou dost hear the terrible
twanging of Rama's bow resembling the thunderbolt hurled
by Indra. Soon shall those arrows, bearing the impress of
Rama and Lakshmana, like serpents with flaming jaws, penetrate
Lanka and those shafts, decorated with heron's plumes, shall
cover the whole city annihilating the titans. As Vainateya
bears away great reptiles, so shall that eagle, Rama, speedily
bear away the titans.
" And like unto Vishnu wresting the radiant Shri from the
Asuras by covering the worlds in three strides, so shall my
lord, the destroyer of his foes, recover me from thee.
" This cowardly deed has been perpetrated by thee in order
to revenge thyself for the destruction of Janasthana and the
hosts of the titans. In the absence of these two brothers,
those lions among men who had gone forth hunting, didst
thou carry me away, O Vile Wretch ; but, dog that thou art,
thou didst not dare stand before those tigers, Rama and
Lakshmana ! Wealth and friends will be of no avail to thee
in conflict with them and thou shalt be defeated as the one-
handed Vritra who entered into combat with the two-handed
Indra.
" Soon shall my protector, Rama, accompanied by Saumitri,
draw out thy life's breaths, as the sun with its rays dries up
shallow water.
Whether thou takest refuge in the abode of Kuvera or
terrified, descendest into Varuna's realm, thou shalt assuredly
perish, struck down by the son of Dasaratha, like a mighty
tree felled by lightning.*'
387 20
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 22
Ravana's Threats
To this stern speech from the gracious Sita, the King of the
Titans replied harshly :—
" In the world it is said the more gentleness one manifests
towards a woman, the more responsive she becomes, but the
more kindness I show to thee the more thou dost repulse me.
Verily only the love I bear thee restrains my wrath, as a skilful
charioteer controls the horses who seek to leave the road.
Mighty indeed is the power of love, for even if the object of
his affection invoke his anger, man covers her with pity and
tenderness. It is on this account, O Lady of lovely mien,
that I do not slay thee, thou dost merit death and dishonour,
thou who delightest in asceticism without reason. For each
and every harsh word which thou hast addressed to me, thou
meritest a dreadful end, O Maithili."
Having spoken thus to Sita, the Princess of Videha, Ravana,
Lord of the Titans, filled with indignation, added : — " I shall
grant thee two months as the term assigned to thee, after
which thou must share my bed. If thou should'st refuse, my
cooks shall mince thy limbs for my morning repast."
Hearing these threats addressed by the King of the Titans
to Janaki, the daughters 01 the Gods and Gandharvas were
exceedingly perturbed and, by the expression of their lips and
eyes and their gestures sought to reassure Sita thus menaced
by him.
Encouraged by them, Sita, fortified by her virtue and her
pride in Rama, addressed Ravana, the Lord of the Titans, in
his own interests, saying : —
" It appears that there is none in this city who desires thy
welfare and therefore seeks to prevent thee from this despicable
deed. Who in the Three Worlds would desire to possess the
chaste consort of the high-souled One, who resembles Indra's
Sachi ? O Vilest of Demons, how wilt thou escape the con-
388
SUKDARA KANDA
sequences of this insult offered to Rama's consort, he whose
valour is immeasurable? Like unto an infuriated elephant,
encountering a hare in the forest, so shah thou, the wretched
hare, meet with that elephant Rama. Thou dost not fear to
rail at the Chief of the Ikshwakus so long as thou art not
in his presence. Why do not those cruel, terrible, coppery
eyes of thine fall out, looking on me so lustfully, O Ignoble
Creature ? O Contemptible Wretch, when thou didst threaten
the spouse of that high-souled Rama, the daughter-in-law of
King Dasaratha, why did not thy tongue dry up? O Ten-
necked One, by the power of my asceticism, I could reduce
thee to ashes instantly had I Rama's mandate. On account
of my consuming virtue and ascetic observances, I could never
have been wrested from Rama, were it not that thine evil act
was to be the cause of thy destruction, O Dashagriva ! Assisted
by the brother of Kuvera and proud of thine own heroism,
thou didst lure Rama from the hermitage and succeed in
bearing me away by stealth."
Hearing Sita's words, Ravana, the King of the Titans, cast
ferocious glances at her. Like a mass of black clouds, with
his enormous arms and neck, endowed with an elephantine
gait, his eyes smouldering, his tongue like a darting name, of
immense stature, wearing a plumed diadem, covered with
necklaces, sprinkled with perfume, decked with garlands and,
bracelets of gold, his waist encircled with a dark blue belt
so that it resembled the Mandara mountain encompassed by the
snake at the time of the churning of the ocean ; with his vast
arms, the Lord of the Titans looked like a mountain with
twin peaks. Adorned with earrings gleaming like the rising
sun, he resembled a hill between two Ashoka trees enveloped
in crimson flowers and buds or like the wish-fulfilling tree or
spring incarnate or an altar in a crematorium.
Then Ravana cast furious glances from his bloodshot eyes
at the Princess of Videha and, hissing like a serpent, addressed
her, saying : — " O Thou who art attached to that wretch
without resource or moral sense, I shall destroy thee to-day
as the sun*s radiance is obliterated at the time of dusk."
Having spoken thus to Maithili, Ravana, the oppressor of
his foes, looked at those female titans of formidable appearance,
389
the RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
some of whom had a single eye or car, some enormous ears
and some the ears of kine or elephants. Some had ears
that hung down and some none at all, some had the feet of
elephants, some of horses, some of kine, some were hairy,
others possessed but a single eye and foot, some had enormous
feet and others none at all. Some had heads and necks of
inordinate size, some enormous chests and bellies, some dis-
proportionately large mouths and eyes or long tongues and
nails and some had no nose or possessed jaws like lions, some
had mouths like oxen or snouts like pigs.
Then Ravana, transfiixing those titans with his glance, said
to them : — " Ye Titans seek by fair or foul means, by threats
or persuasion or honeyed words or gifts to induce Sita to
look on me with favour."
Repeating his command again and again, the King of the
Titans filled with desire and anger began to inveigh against
Janaki, whereupon a female titan named Dhanyamalini,
approaching Dashagriva, embraced him and said :-—
" O Great King, enjoy thyself with me, what need hast
thou for this human being who is wretched and whose counten-
ance is pale ? O King of the Titans, it is not with her that
the Gods have destined thee to taste the exquisite pleasures
that are the reward of the strength of thine arms. He who
loves one who is unwilling exposes himself to torment, whereas
he whose love is reciprocated, enjoys perfect happiness."
Having said this, the female titan drew Ravana away but he,
resembling a mass of cloud, turned back, laughing scornfully.
Then Dashagriva strode away, causing the earth to tremble,
and returned to his palace that shone with the brilliance of
the orb of day.
Surrounding Ravana, the daughters of the Gods and Gand-
harvas as well as those of the Serpent Race returned to that
sumptuous abode with him. Thus Ravana, distracted with
desire, left the Princess of Mithila of irreproachable virtue
trembling and entered his own dwelling.
39o
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 23
The Female Titans seek to persuade Sita to wed Ravana
Having spoken thus to Maithili and issued his commands to
the titan women, Ravana, the scourge of his foes, went away.
And that Sovereign of the Titans having returned to his inner
apartment, those women of hideous appearance bore down on
Sita and, filled with ire, addressed her in harsh tones, saying: —
" Thou dost not fully value an alliance with the offspring of
Poulastya the illustrious Ravana, the magnanimous Dashagriva,
O Sita."
Thereafter, one among them named Ekjata, her eyes in-
flamed with anger addressed Sita of small belly, saying : —
"According to tradition, Poulastya is the fourth of the six
Prajapatis, a mind-born son of Brahma renowned in all the
world, O Sita, and that glorious Ascetic Vaishravas sprang from
the mind of that great Rishi whose glory equalled the Praja-
patis. O Large-eyed Princess, his son was Ravana, the scourge
of his foes; it behoveth thee to become the consort of that
King of Titans. Why dost thou not consent, O Thou of
Lovely Form ? "
Thereupon another titan called Harijata, rolling her eyes
that resembled a cat's, said furiously : " It is for thee to
become the wife of one who defeated the thirty-three Celestials
and their king in combat ; dost thou not desire to be united
with him who is heroic, of indomitable prowess and never
turns back in battle ? Renouncing his cherished and beloved
Queen Mandodari, that mighty King Ravana will be thine,
and seek the gorgeous inner apartment, enriched by thousands
of women adorned with jewels, and thou wilt be the object of
his worship ! "
There followed another titan by name Vikata, who said :
" He who again and again triumphs over the Gandharvas,
Nagas and Danavas by his valour in battle has made advances
391
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
to thee, why dost thou not wish to be the wife of that illustrious
Lord of Titans, Ravana, who is endowed with riches ? "
Thereafter the titan, Durmukhi spoke saying : — " O Lady of
Lovely Lashes, why dost thou not yield to him, in fear of
whom the sun dares not shine nor the wind blow, at whose
command the trees shower down their blooms and the hills
and clouds loose their floods.
" O Beautiful One, why dost thou not consent to be the
consort of that King of kings, Ravana ? We speak thus for
thy welfare ; accede to our request, O Goddess of Sweet
Smiles or thou shalt surely die."!
CHAPTER 24
Their Menaces
Thereupon all those titans of hideous appearance, unitedly
reproached Sita in harsh and unpleasing words, saying : —
" Why dost thou not consent to dwell in that inner apart-
ment abounding in costly couches ? O Lady, thou prizest
union with a mere man ; dismiss Rama from thy thoughts for
assuredly thou wilt not see him more. Live happily with
Ravana, the Lord of the Titans as thy consort who owns the
treasure of the Three Worlds. Thou art a woman, O Irre-
proachable Beauty, and for this dost mourn a man who is
banished from his kingdom and who leads a life of misery."
Hearing the words of those titans, Sita, her lotus eyes filled
with tears, answered them, saying : — " What you have uttered
is immoral and wholly reprehensible and will never find
acceptance with me. A mortal woman may not become the
wife of a demon. Devour me, if you wish, I will never accede
to your request. Poor or deprived of his kingdom, he who
is my husband is my spiritual preceptor and I shall ever follow
him, as Suvarchala follows the sun or the blessed Sachi re-
mains at Indra's side or Arundhati near Vasishtha or Rohini
by Shashin or Lopamudra by Agastya, Sukanya by Syavana,
392
SUNDARA KANDA
Savitri by Satyavat, Shrimati by Kapila, Madayanti by Sandasa,
Keshini by Sagara and Damayanti, the daughter of King
Bhima by her Lord Naishada."
These words of Sita infuriated those titan women, who had
been sent by Ravana and they overwhelmed her with hard
and bitter reproaches while Hanuman crouched silently in
the Shingshapa tree. And that monkey heard those demons
threatening Sita in this wise.
Surrounding Sita on every side, licking their burning lips
again and again and, armed with spears, they menaced her in
a paroxysm of rage, saying :
" Dost thou think that the great King of the Titans, Ravana,
is not worthy to be thy lord ? "
Threatened by those terrible looking titan women, the lovely
Sita, wiping away her tears, took refuge beneath the Shingshapa
tree, where, surrounded by those women, that large-eyed
princess, overcome with distress, seated herself. And all
those hideous demons overwhelmed her with reproaches, as,
clad in a mud-stained sari, reduced to the last extremity, her
countenance wan, she remained absorbed in her grief.
Thereupon, a grim-visaged demon, named Vinata, having
hideous teeth, and a protruding belly, cried out angrily : —
" O Sita, thou hast demonstrated thy devotion to thy lord
sufficiently but all excess leads to suffering. May good betide
thee ! We are satisfied, thou hast preserved the conventions
common among men, now hear what I say to thee for thy
good ! Do thou take Ravana for thy lord, he, the chief of the
titan host who, like unto Vasava, triumphs over his enemies
and is brave, liberal and gracious to all beings. Forsaking
that wretched wight, Ramachandra, take Ravana as thy hus-
band ! Thy person, sprinkled with celestial perfume and adorned
with excellent ornaments, do thou, O Vaidehi, like unto Swaha,
the consort of Agni or the goddess Sachi, wife of Indra, from
to-day become the Queen of the Worlds ! What shalt thou
do with Rama who is wretched and has but a short time to
live ? If thou dost not follow my counsel, that very instant
we shall devour thee."
Thereafter, another titan, named Vikata, with pendulous
breasts, clenching her fists angrily addressed Sita, saying :—
393
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" O Foolish Daughter of Mitbila's King, out of compassion
and forbearance, we have endured thy harsh speech and yet
thou dost not follow our sage and expedient counsel. Thou
hast been transported to the further shore of the ocean which
is inaccessible to others ; Ravana has imprisoned thee in his
private apartments to be guarded by us, O Maithili, not even
Indra himself can liberate thee. Cease from weeping and
lamenting and yield thyself up to pleasure and delight, O Sita;
disport thyself with the King of the Titans. O Timid Damsel,
dost thou not know how swiftly the youth of women is gone ?
Ere it fades, pass thy days happily. Till then range the
enchanting woods, groves and hills with the sovereign of the
titans, O Thou of Sparkling Eyes ! Thousands of women will
attend on thee if thou dost take the lord of all the titans as thy
consort, but if thou dost not follow my counsel, I will tear
thy heart out and feast on it, O Maithili."
Then another titan of ferocious looks, named Chandari,
brandishing a great spear, said : " Seeing this youthful woman,
with the eyes of a young doe who was carried away by Ravana
and brought hither, whose breast is now trembling with fear,
I feel an intense desire to feast on her liver, spleen, breast,
heart, limbs and head."
At this, a female titan called Praghasa, said : " Of what use
to argue about her ? Let us stop the breath in the throat of
this heartless woman and inform Ravana of her death. He
will undoubtedly say : * Do ye devour her '."
The titan, Ajamukhi then said : " Let us divide her equally ;
disputation is unpleasing to me ; let our favourite drink and
different garlands be brought hither speedily."
At that moment the demon Shurpanakha said : " I am in
full accord with Ajamukhi's words, let wine that dispels all
anxiety be brought without delay. Gorged with human
flesh, we will dance in the Nikumbhila Grove."
Hearing the monstrous titan's threats, Sita, who resembled
the daughter of a God, her endurance at an end, burst into
tears.
394
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 25
Sita gives way to Despair
The many barbarous threats of the titan women, caused the
daughter of Janaka to give way to tears and the noble Vaidehi,
terror stricken, in a voice broken by sobs, answered them,
saying : —
" A mortal woman may not be the wife of a titan ; tear me
to pieces if you will but I shall never follow your counsels."
Surrounded by those demons and threatened by Ravana,
Sita, who resembled the daughter of a God, could find no
refuge anywhere and, seized with violent trembling, she shrank
away from them, as a fawn in the forest, separated from the
herd, surrounded by wolves. Clinging to the flowering branch
of an Ashoka tree, sunk in grief, Sita bethought herself of her
lord. Streams of tears bathed her lovely breast and over-
come with affliction, she could see no end to her distress.
Like a plantain tree uprooted by the storm, she lay, the fear
that the titan women inspired in her blanching her cheek ;
her long thick plait moving to and fro as she shook, resembling
a gliding serpent.
Groaning in her grief and overcome with indignation,
Maithili, weeping, began to lament, exclaiming sorrowfully: —
" O Rama ! " and again, " O Lakshmana ", " O My Mother
Kaushalya ", " O Sumitra ". " True indeed is the saying
of the sages : * neither man nor woman can die ere the hour
strikes ', since tormented by the savage titans and separated
from Rama, I am still able to survive an instant. Alas ! A
woman of little virtue and wretched, I am about to die far
from my protector as a laden vessel founders in the midst of
the waves driven by the blast of the tempest. In the absence
of my lord, I am sinking under the load of my affliction, like
a river bank undermined by the current. Happy are those who
are able to look upon my lord, whose eyes resemble the petals
of the blossoming trees, whose gait is like a lion's and who is
full of gratitude and gende of speech. Deprived of the
395
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
presence of Rama of subdued soul, it is as hard for me to
breathe as for him who has swallowed a virulent poison and
henceforth my life is forfeit. What heinous fault have I
committed in a previous existence that I should now have to
surfer such cruel misfortune ? So intense is my grief that I
long to die, but alas, I am surrounded by these titan women
and cannot be reunited with Rama. Cursed is the human
state, cursed is dependence on others, since one may not yield
up one's life when one so desires it."
CHAPTER 26
Sita prophesies the Titan's Destruction
Her face bathed in tears, with bowed head the daughter of
Janaka began to lament once more and, distracted with grief,
beside herself, she rolled on the earth like a colt as though
she had lost her senses, crying : —
" I, the spouse of Raghava, who allowed himself to be
deceived by the titans able to change their form at will, was
seized by the ruthless Ravana who bore me away. Having
been made captive by the titans, subject to their insults and
menaces, sunk in grief and anxiety, I am no longer able to
endure life. Of what use is existence, wealth or jewels to me,
living amidst the demons far from Rama of the great Car ?
Assuredly my heart must be of iron, ageless and imperishable,
since it does not break under mine affliction. Woe is me,
vile and wicked creature that I am, since I still breathe, in
the absence of my lord. Even my left foot shall not touch that
Ranger of the Night, how should I feel any love for Ravana,
a titan ? He, who in his perversity seeks to seduce me, is not
conversant with my nature, nor my race, nor the aversion in
which he is held by me. Torn to pieces, rent limb from limb
or cast into the fire, I shall never submit to Ravana, what use
is there in further discussion ?
*' It is well known that Raghava is righteous, grateful and
compassionate; that he has become pitiless is due to mine
396
SUNDARA KANDA
evil karma. Will he not deliver me, he who in Janasthana
destroyed fourteen thousand titans singlehanded ? Even were
Lanka in the midst of the sea and inaccessible, Raghava's
arrows would transcend all obstacles. What can prevent the
valiant Rama from rejoining his beloved wife, who has been
borne away by a titan ? I fear that the elder brother of
Lakshmana does not know that I am here, for if he did, that
warrior would not endure this affront.
" The King of the Vultures, who would have informed
Rama of mine abduction, was slain by Ravana in the struggle.
Great indeed was the courage manifested by Jatayu in coming
to mine aid and, despite his age, seeking to destroy Ravana.
Did Raghava know that I was here, this very hour, he would
rid the world of titans with his flaming shafts ; he would
burn up Lanka, swallow the ocean and blot out the might of
Ravana. From each dwelling the groans and cries of the
female titans, their husbands slain, would have risen, as mine
do now or even louder, and Rama, aided by Lakshmana
would range the city, slaughtering the titans, for the foe in-
stantly yields up his life, who comes face to face with them.
Then Lanka, its streets tilled with smoke issuing from the
funeral pyres, encircled by wreaths of vultures, would soon
resemble a charnel house. Soon shall I be avenged ! This
matter will cost you all dear, for such inauspicious omens are
to be seen in Lanka, that she will soon be shorn of her
splendour.
The King of the Titans, the vicious Ravana having been
slain, Lanka, now prosperous and happy, will resemble a
widow. Assuredly I shall soon hear the wailing of the daughters
of the titans in every dwelling, mourning in their sorrow.
Plunged in darkness, deprived of her glory, her valiant titans
slain, the city of Lanka will perish, consumed by Rama's
arrows, when that hero, the corners of whose eyes are red,
learns that I am held captive in the titan's abode. The time
fixed by that cruel and wicked Ravana is at hand and that
vicious wretch has resolved to destroy me. To ignore what
is prohibited, is the practice of these base demons. Terrible
is the calamity which will follow this outrage; those titans
who live on flesh are ignorant of virtue. Assuredly that titan
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
intends me for his morning repast ; I am helpless, what can
I do in the absence of my beloved ? Deprived of my lord's
presence, stricken with grief, not beholding Rama, the corners
of whose eyes are red, may I soon see the God Vaivasvata !
Nay, the elder brother of Bharata is unaware that I still live,
else he and Lakshmana would have scoured the earth for me.
Without doubt, overwhelmed by my foes, that warrior, the
elder brother of Lakshmana has renounced his body and
repaired to the Celestial Region.
Happy are the Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas and the great
Rishis who are able to look on the heroic Rama. It may be
that the sagacious and royal Sage Rama, has been absorbed in
the Absolute and hath no longer any need of a consort or that
one who is present inspires joy, but the absent are forgotten.
Perchance the fault is mine, and I have lost the right to happi-
ness, I, the lovely Sita, separated from the illustrious Rama.
Death to me is preferable to life, bereft of that magnanimous
One, that great hero of imperishable exploits, the destroyer
of his foes ! It may be that the two brothers, those chiefs of
men have laid down their arms, they who feed on the roots
and woodland fruits, passing their lives in the forest or they
have been put to death through treachery by the vile Ravana,
the last of the titans. If that be so, then with all my heart
I long for death nor is it forbidden me in my distress. Blessed
are those high-souled ascetics who are illumined, their senses
subdued, for whom there is neither desire nor aversion ; for
them, neither love nor hate gives rise to joy or pain ; they are
free ; salutations to those great beings ! Forsaken by the
beloved Rama, versed in the science of the soul and having
fallen into the power of the wicked Ravana, I shall yield up
my life."
CHAPTER 27
Trijata's Dream
These words of Sita roused the female titans to great fury
and some hurried away to repeat them to that vile creature,
Ravana.
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SUNDARA KANDA
Then those monsters of hideous aspect approached her and
began to threaten her in the same way as before with as little
success and some said :
" O Wretched Sita, to-day those demons whose destruction
thou hast planned, will devour thy flesh at their pleasure."
Seeing Sita threatened by those vile demons, Trijata, who was
aged and prudent, said to them : " Ye Wretches, devour me,
but do not lay hands on Sita, the daughter of Janaka and the
beloved daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha. Last night, I
had a terrible dream causing my hair to stand on end, fore-
telling the overthrow of the titans and the triumph of this
woman's husband."
Hearing these words uttered by Trijata, all those titan women,
filled with ire, terrified, demanded that she should speak
further, saying : — " Do thou relate the manner of thy dream
and what thou didst behold last night."
Hearing those words, falling from the lips of the titan women,
Trijata began to relate the dream that had come to her in the
early hours, saying: —
" I beheld a celestial chariot made of ivory, drawn by a
hundred swans traversing the ethereal regions in which
Raghava accompanied by Lakshmana stood clad in dazzling
raiment, adorned with garlands. And I saw Sita wearing the
purest white, standing on a snow-white mountain surrounded
by the sea and she was re-united with Rama, as the light with
the sun. And again I beheld Raghava seated on a mighty
elephant possessing four tusks, resembling a hill, as also Laksh-
mana, whereupon those two lions among heroes, ablaze with
their own effulgence, approached Janaki arrayed in dazzling
robes and decked with garlands. Upon this, she mounted
on the shoulders of an elephant led by her lord, appearing
in the sky near the summit of that mountain ! Thereafter,
that lotus-eyed one, rose into the air from her husband's
embrace and I beheld her wiping the sun and moon with
her hand. Then that foremost among elephants with those
two princes and the large-eyed Sita stood over Lanka.
" And again, in dream, I saw Rama, clothed in brilliant attire,
wearing garlands, accompanied by Lakshmana, in a chariot
drawn by eight white bullocks and I beheld that foremost of
399
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
men, Rama, whose essence is valour with his brother Laksh-
mana and Sita ascending a celestial flowery car, bright as the
sun, driving towards the northern regions.
" Then I saw Ravana, lying on the earth covered in oil, shaven,
attired in red, garlanded with oleander flowers, intoxicated and
still drinking. And I beheld him falling from the flowery
chariot, Pushpaka, on to the earth, shorn, wearing a black cloth,
dragged hither and thither by a woman. Thereafter I saw
him seated in a chariot drawn by asses, robed in red, with his
body stained likewise, quaffing sesamum oil, laughing and
dancing, his mind confused, his senses clouded, speeding
toward the south. Again I saw Ravana, the Lord of the
Titans, stricken with fear, fall headlong on the earth, thereafter
leaping up suddenly, terrified, bemused with liquor, staggering
about naked like a madman, incapable of speech yet babbling
continuously, stinking and foul, resembling hell itself. Then,
proceeding towards the south, he entered a lake where even
the mud had dried up and a dark woman clad in red, be-
smeared with mud, placed a rope round the neck of Dasha-
griva dragging him to the region of death.
" There I beheld the mighty Kumbhakarna and all the sons
of Ravana, their heads shaven, besmeared with oil. Dasha-
griva riding a boar, Indrajita a porpoise and Kumbhakarna a
camel ; only Bibishana appeared to me standing in space,
under a white canopy, accompanied by four ministers. There-
after a great company of titans wearing red garlands and
raiment filed past, playing on stringed instruments, dancing
and drinking. And I beheld the enchanting city of Lanka,
filled with elephants, chariots and horses, her gateways and
arches shattered, falling into the sea. And in Lanka, crimson
with flames, the female titans were laughing and creating a
terrible clamour, quaffing oil. I saw Kumbhakarna and all
the other titans, dark-hued, wearing scarlet robes, falling
headlong into a cesspool.
" Do ye now depart since Raghava is about to be re-united
with Sita and, in extreme ire, will exterminate you all with the
titans. If his beloved and revered consort, who, for his sake,
followed him to the forest, is threatened and tormented by you,
Raghava will never brook the insult. Enough therefore of
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SUNDARA KANDA
these invidious threats, occupy yourselves in consoling her
and crave her forgiveness ; you should seek to influence Vaidehi
by persuasion. That unfortunate one, on whose account I
had so significant a dream, is about to be delivered from
her woes and re-united to her beloved and illustrious lord once
more. Even after the menaces you have uttered, let us give up
all harsh words and implore her forgiveness. In truth, a
terrible disaster for the titans will proceed from Raghava.
By casting yourselves at her feet, you may placate Maithili,
the daughter of Janaka, who is able to preserve us from a
great calamity. Furthermore, I do not find any blemish in
that lady of large eyes nor the least defect in any of her limbs.
Verily I deem the misfortune that has befallen this goddess,
who does not merit adversity, has no more substance than a
shadow.
" I foresee the immediate attainment of Vaidehi's desires,
the destruction of the King of the Titans and the imminent
triumph of Raghava. Behold the indications of great joy,
held in check by that lady, in the twitching of her left eye
large as a lotus petal and without apparent cause ; the slight
trembling of the left arm of that virtuous daughter of Videha,
her left thigh too resembling an elephant's trunk is quivering,
as if Raghava himself stood before her and the winged crea-
tures nesting in the branches above her are pouring forth
their song as if to announce the advent of an auspicious hour."
Thereupon, that modest and youthful woman, greatly
delighted at the prospect of her husband's victory, said to
them : " If this prove true I will be your protector."
CHAPTER 28
Site's Lament
Hearing the harsh speech of that King of the Titans, Ravana,
the unfortunate Sita began to tremble, as a she-elephant
attacked by a lion on the edge of the forest,
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Threatened by Ravana and encircled by the titans, that
timid damsel gave way to despair like a young girl abandoned
in a wood.
She reflected : " The sages affirm truly that death does not
come before the appointed hour since, worthless creature that
I am, I still live after these insults. Bereft of happiness,
rilled with misery, my heart must be hard indeed that it does
not break into a hundred pieces this day, like the crest of a
mountain struck by lightning. Nay, I am not to blame for this
— I may be slain by that dreadful monster but I can no more
give him my affection than a brahmin can impart the teachings
of the Veda to one of low caste. If that Lord of the Worlds
does not appear at the appointed hour, that vile King of the
Titans will cut me to pieces with his sharp weapons as a sur-
geon cuts the foetus from the heart of its mother. Two
months will quickly pass away and I shall have to suffer the
pain of death, unhappy creature that I am, like a thief, who
having disobeyed his sovereign is bound and being led to
execution when the night is over.
" O Rama, O Lakshmana, O Sumitra ! O Mother of Rama !
O My Mothers ! I am about to perish miserably as a ship
foundering in the sea battered by the storm. Assuredly those
two valiant princes must have fallen under the blows of that
creature disguised as a deer, like a bull or lion struck by light-
ning. There is no doubt that it was fate in the form of a
deer that deluded me, unfortunate creature that I am and in
my folly I sent those two princes, Rama and Lakshmana to
capture it. Alas ! O Rama, O Thou of truthful vows and
long arms ! O Thou, whose countenance shines like the full
moon ! O My Life, thou, the benefactor and friend of all
beings, art not aware that I am about to be put to death by
the titans. For me, who have no other God than my lord,
my patience, my sleeping on the bare ground, my observance
of duty, my devotion to my husband have all been in vain,
as a service rendered to one who is ungrateful. Vain has it
been, that I have fulfilled my duty and that I am wholly
devoted to thee alone since I do not behold thee and in thine
absence, wasting away, pale and weak, have given up all hope
of being re-united with thee. Having courageously carried out
402
SUNDARA KANDA
the behests of thy sire, having fulfilled thy vow, returning
from the forest, thou shalt sport with many large-eyed ladies
in peace. O Rama, I, who conceived a lasting love for thee,
to mine own destruction was wholly attached to thee ; having
practised asceticism and observed my vows, I am about to lose
my life, woe unto me, unfortunate wretch that I am ! Gladly
would I take my life by means of poison or by sharp weapons
but there is none who will bring them to me in this city of
the titans."
Overcome by sorrow, reflecting for a long time, Sita undid
the cord that tied her hair, saying : — " I shall hang myself with
this cord and reach the abode of death."
Then the lovely Sita, whose form was full of grace, took hold
of a branch of the tree under which she stood and became
absorbed in the thought of Rama, Lakshmana and her kinsfolk;
and many auspicious signs removing her grief and lending
her courage, well-known in the world, appeared to her, in-
dicating the advent of future well-being.
chapter 29
Sita observes auspicious Portents
Whilst the irreproachable and lovely princess remained
bereft of joy and full of anxiety, she beheld auspicious portents
on every side, resembling willing servants attendant on a
wealthy man. And the large left eye of that lady of lovely
looks, with its dark pupil, began to twitch like a lotus set spinning
by a fish. And her beautiful plump and rounded arm, sprinkled
with sandal and aloes which ere this, had served her lord
as a pillow, began to tremble again and again. Her left thigh,
like unto the tapering trunk of an elephant, moved convul-
sively foretelling that she would soon behold Rama and the
golden sari, now covered with dust, of the large-eyed Maithili,
whose teeth were like the seeds of a pomegranate, slipped from
her beautiful shoulders.
4°3 2D
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Comforted by these signs and others also, that foretold a
happy ending, Sita of lovely lashes resembling a plant dried
by the wind and sun, reviving under tardy rain, experienced
a great felicity. Then her countenance, her lips like Bimba
fruit, her beautiful eyes, the curve of her lashes and her sharp
teeth, recovered their beauty once more as the moon issuing
from the mouth of Rahu.
Her despair and exhaustion removed, her fever allayed, her
grief was assuaged and her heart filled with joy and that noble
lady looked as beautiful as the moon of cool rays in its waxing
period.
CHAPTER 30 •
Hanumari's Reflections
The valiant Hanuman who had heard all that Sita, Trijata
and the titans had said, gazed on that illustrious damsel who
resembled a celestial being from the Nandana Gardens and
many thoughts flitted through the mind of that monkey.
He reflected : " She, who was sought in every place by
thousands and millions of monkeys, is here and it is I who
have found her. Engaged as a skilful spy to discover the
strength of the enemy I have stolen into the city and know
everything concerning the might of Ravana and the resources
of the titans as also of their capital. It is for me to console the
consort of that immeasurably illustrious prince, who is com-
passionate to all beings, for she is pining for her lord. I shall
seek to gain the confidence of this lady, whose countenance
resembles the full moon, who formerly was unacquainted with
suffering and who cannot see any end to her woes. If I return,
without having comforted that virtuous lady whose soul is
overwhelmed with grief, my journey will have been in vain.
In sooth, when I have departed, that illustrious Princess Janaki,
giving up all hope of deliverance, will yield up her life and that
long-armed warrior, whose countenance resembles the full
moon, anxious to behold Sita is equally worthy of consolation.
404
SUNDARA KANDA
To speak to her in the presence of these titans is impossible,
what then shall I do ? I am in a great dilemna. If I do not
give her some reassurance in the last hour of the night, she
will undoubtedly give up her life and if Rama enquires of me,
* What did Sita of slender waist say ? ' what answer can I give
to him if I have had no converse with her ? If I return without
having achieved my purpose regarding Sita, Kakutstha will
consume me with his fiery glance, then it were vain to urge
my master to take action for Rama's sake, by placing himself
at the head of his forces.
" I shall take the first opportunity offered by these titan
women to reassure that sorely tried lady, yet in this insigni-
ficant form and monkey shape, if I assume a human voice and
speak in sanskrita like a sage, Sita will deem me to be Ravana
and she will be terrified ! It is essential however that I express
myself in the human tongue, how otherwise can I inspire this
irreproachable lady with courage ? Seeing my shape and hear-
ing me speak, Janaki, who has been terrorised by the titans,
will be seized with an even greater fear and that illustrious
and large-eyed Sita will cry out, imagining me to be Ravana,
who is able to change his form at will.
" Hearing her cry, the whole company of titans, armed with
every kind of weapon, will form themselves into a great mass
resembling death itself and, hideous and indomitable, will
rush on me from every side and seek to destroy me or take me
captive. Then, beholding me leap from branch to branch
and climb to the tops of the highest trees, they will become
exceedingly alarmed and will fill the woods with their wild
cries ; thereafter they will call the titans who are engaged in
guarding the king's palace to their aid and, on account of their
native excitability, will seize hold of every kind of weapon,
spears, darts, and swords and hasten to join in the fray.
Surrounded by them on all sides, if I slay that host of titans,
exhausted, I shall be unable to cross the ocean or they, out-
numbering me, will succeed in capturing me and, being a
prisoner, that lady will reap no benefit from my attempt.
" Alternatively, in their passion for evil doing, they may
even slay the daughter of Janaka, which will completely defeat
the great design of Rama and Sugriva E Janaki dwells in an
405
THE RAMAYAXA OF VALMIKI
inaccessible and secret place surrounded by the sea, guarded
on all sides by the titans with all its approaches closed. If I
am slain or captured by the titans in combat, I know of no
other monkey who can cross the four hundred miles of sea.
Even if I destroy thousands of titans, I should not then be
able to reach the other shore of the vast ocean. Battles are
hazardous and I do not like to engage in so uncertain an enter-
prise ; what wise person would take any risk in a matter of
trust ? It would be a great error to frighten Vaidehi by address-
ing her, yet if I do not do so, she will surely perish. Under-
takings often fail through an incompetent messenger unable to
take advantage of time and place, as darkness is overcome by
the rising sun ; in such cases, whether it concerns the accom-
plishment or avoidance of any matter, the most widely planned
projects do not succeed. Assuredly a presumptuous messenger
ruins all ! How shall I act therefore, so that my mission does not
prove vain ? How shall I show myself equal to this charge ?
How shall the crossing of the ocean not prove to have been use-
less ? How can I persuade Sita to listen to me without inspiring
fear in her ? "
Having put all these questions to himself, Hanuman formed
the following resolution :
" I shall speak to her of Rama of immortal exploits, for then
his dear consort will not be afraid of me since she is wholly
absorbed in the thought of her lord. In a gentle voice, utter-
ing the name of Rama, the foremost of the Ikshwakus of subdued
soul and, lauding his piety and renown in sweet accents, I
shall induce Sita to listen to me. There is nothing I will not
do to inspire her with confidence."
Thereupon, the mighty Hanuman, looking down on the
consort of the Lord of the World from the branches of the
tree where he sat concealed, spoke to her in melodious and
candid tones.
CHAPTER 31
Hanuman praises Rama
Having examined the matter from every aspect, that intelligent
monkey began to pour sweet words into Vaidehi's ear, saying : —
406
SUNDARA KANDA
"There was a king named Dasaratha, the possessor of
chariots, horses and elephants, one by nature devout and
illustrious, the glory of the Ikshwakus. To harm none was
his delight and he was high-minded and compassionate, a
true hero of his race that found its splendour and the growth
of its prosperity in him. Clad in all the insignia of royalty
and majesty, that lion among kings, renowned in the four
regions, shed the felicity he enjoyed over all. His beloved
eldest son, whose countenance was as bright as the moon,
was called Rama, possessor of a keen intellect and the most
skilled of archers. Faithful to his vows, the defender of his
people, the protector of all beings, upholder of justice, he was
the scourge of his foes.
" At the command of his aged sire, his word his bond, that
hero accompanied by his consort and his brother was banished
to the forest. Whilst giving himself up to the chase in that
vast solitude, he slew large numbers of valiant titans who
were able to change their form at will.
When Ravana learnt that he had destroyed Janasthana and
killed Khara and Dushana, he in fury, bore Janaki away, having
lured her lord far into the forest by the aid of Maricha in the
form of a deer.
" Whilst searching everywhere to discover the divine and
irreproachable Sita, Rama found a friend in the forest, the
Monkey Sugriva, Bringing about the destruction of Bali,
Rama, the conqueror of hostile cities, conferred the monkey
kingdom on the magnanimous Sugriva and by his decree,
thousands of monkeys, able to change their form at will, set
out to search for that goddess in every region. I am one of
those who, at the instance of Sampati, crossed the sea four
hundred miles in width, on account of that large-eyed beauty.
Hearing of her comeliness, her grace and distinguishing
characteristics from Rama, I have been enabled to findherat last."
Having spoken thus, that bull among monkeys fell silent.
And Janaki was extremely astonished, hearing that speech
and brushing aside her lovely tangled locks which concealed
her face, she looked up into the Shingshapa tree.
Hearing the words of that monkey, Sita glanced enquiringly
to the four quarters and other regions, whilst an extreme delight
407
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
flooded her whole being as she remembered Rama. Then,
glancing from side to side and up and down, she espied the
son of Vata, who resembled the rising sun, that minister of the
King of the Monkeys of incomparable wisdom.
CHAPTER 32
Sita sees Hanuman
Beholding that monkey of pleasing speech, clad in white
raiment, resembling a flash of lightning, crouching concealed
among the branches, bright as a cluster of Ashoka flowers
and like gold refined in the crucible, Sita was greatly agitated.
Observing that foremost of monkeys of humble mien,
Maithili said to herself in extreme surprise: "Ah! What a
terrible looking monkey, unacceptable and hideous to behold."
Thinking thus, her fears increased and she broke into counriess
plaintive lamentations. Then the lovely Sita cried out in her
terror : " O Rama, O Rama, O Lakshmana ! " and the voice
of that virtuous princess grew fainter and fainter till, casting
her eyes on that excellent monkey once more, who had assumed
a reverent attitude, Maithili said to herself : " It must be a
dream."
Observing the face of that Indra among Monkeys with its
deep scars as has been described and, looking on that excellent
ape, the most honourable son of the Wind, the first of the
wise, Sita lost consciousness and became like one dead. There-
after, slowly regaining her senses, she said to herself : " This
vision of a monkey is condemned by the scriptures and is an
inauspicious dream! Can all be well with Rama, who is accom-
panied by Lakshmana and my father King Janaka ? Yet it
can be no dream for, in the grief and misfortune that over-
whelms me, I am no longer able to sleep and, far from him
whose countenance resembles the full moon, no joy remains
for me. Through constantly thinking and calling on Rama,
I imagine I hear and see only those things which are related
to Rama. For my love is a torment, my whole being flows
408
SUNDARA KANDA
towards him, ever absorbed in his rememberance I see and
hear him alone. Is it an illusion ? This is what perturbs me
and makes me uneasy. I deem this to be but a phantom of
the mind yet thinking thus, I still behold it, while an imaginary
object can never have a form and he who is thus addressing
me has a distinct form. Salutations to Vachaspati who is
accompanied by the God who bears the Thunderbolt ! Saluta-
tions to Swyambhu and the God who partakes of offerings!
May they grant that the creature who has spoken in my presence,
be real and not illusory ! "
chapter 33
Hanuman's Converse with the Princess Sita
Slipping down from the. tree, Hanuman, whose face was the
colour of coral, attired in a humble guise, approached Sita
and that mighty son of the Wind with joined palms addressed
her in gentle tones, saying :
" Who art thou, O Lady, whose eyes resemble lotus
petals, who, wearing a soiled silken garment art supporting
thyself by the branch of the tree ? O Irreproachable One,
why are tears of suffering falling from thine eyes, that resemble
the lotus, as water flows from a broken vessel ? O Fair One,
who art thou among the Celestials, Titans, Nagas, Gandharvas,
Rakshas, Yakshas and Kinneras ? Or do the Rudras claim that
thou art born of them or the Wind-gods or the Vasus, O Lady
of exquisite features ? To me thou appearest to be of divine
origin. Art thou Rohini, foremost and most brilliant of stars,
who, separated from the moon has fallen from the abode of
the immortals ? Or art thou the lovely dark-eyed Arundhati,
who hath fled in wrath or in pride from her lord, Snri Vasishtha?
Is it for a son, a father, a brother or a husband, whose departure
from this world thou art mourning, O Lady of slender waist ?
By thy tears and sighs and thy lying on the earth, it seems
to me that thou art not a celestial being and further thou dost
ever and again call on the name of a king. From the marks on
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thy person I deem thee to be the consort or the daughter of a
monarch. Art thou not Sita, who was ruthlessly borne away
by Ravana from Janasthana ? May prosperity attend thee !
From thy wretched plight, thine unrivalled beauty and thine
ascetic garb, I deem thee to be Rama's consort."
Hearing Hanuman's words and filled with joy at the sound
of Rama's name, Vaidehi answered him, as he stood beneath the
tree, saying :
" I am the daughter-in-law of Dasaratha, foremost among
the kings of the world, a knower of the Self, the destroyer of
hostile armies. I am the daughter of King Janaka, the
magnanimous sovereign of Videha and my name is Sita, the
consort of the highly intelligent Rama, who is endowed with
wisdom. For twelve years I dwelt in Raghava's abode,
experiencing every earthly delight and satisfying every desire.
In the thirteenth year, the king, with the approval of his ministers,
resolved to install Rama, the joy of the House of Ikshwaku
on the throne. As they were preparing to anoint Rama as
heir-apparent, Queen Kaikeyi addressed her lord, saying : —
" ' I will neither eat nor drink of that which is served to me
each day but shall put an end to my existence if Rama be
installed. Let the boons that, in gratitude, thou didst grant
me, be redeemed and let Raghava repair to the forest '.
" The king, faithful to his bond, recollected the boons
made to the queen and hearing those cruel and unpleasing
words was lost in grief. Then that aged monarch, adhering
firmly to his vow, weeping, besought his eldest son to renounce
the throne. That illustrious prince to whom the words of his
sire were more to be prized than the throne, inwardly assenting,
promised to obey. Rama, ever a giver, seeking no return,
truthful, never uttering a falsehood even were his life to be
made forfeit, is essentially brave. Laying aside his costly
attire, the highly glorious Rama with his whole heart, re-
nounced the kingdom and gave me into his mother's keeping,
but I, assuming the garb of an ascetic, quickly prepared to
accompany him to the forest, for, separated from him, I could
not bear to dwell even in the celestial regions. Then the
fortunate Saumitri, the enhancer of his friends' delight, donning
robes of bark and kusha grass also prepared to follow his
410
SUNDARA KANDA
elder brother. In deference to the will of our sovereign, firm
in our vows, we entered the dark and unknown forest. While
that one of immeasurable effulgence was dwelling in the
Dandaka Forest, I, his consort, was carried away by the Titan,
Ravana of perverse soul. Two months is the time fixed by
him, after which I am to die."
CHAPTER 34
Sita's Uncertainty on seeing Hanuman
Hearing the words of Sita, who was stricken with grief,
Hanuman, the foremost among monkeys, in order to reassure
her, said : —
" O Divine Vaidehi, by Rama's decree I have come as a
messenger to thee ; he is safe and enquires as to thy welfare.
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who is versed in the Veda, con-
versant with the use of the Brahmastra, the foremost of the
learned, offers salutations to thee, O Queen ! The highly
resplendent Lakshmana too, the most powerful and cherished
companion of thy lord, in the midst of his burning anxieties,
bows before thee and wishes thee well."
Hearing of the welfare of those two lions among men, Sita,
trembling with delight, said to Hanuman : — " Verily the wise
say that happiness visits a man even if it be at the end of a
hundred years."
Thereupon Sita and Hanuman began to converse with
delight and mutual confidence. Hearing Sita speak in this
wise, Hanuman, the son of Maruta drew nearer to her who
had been overwhelmed with grief and, as he did so, she grew
apprehensive and reflected : — "Alas ! Why have I entered into
converse with him ? It is Ravana in another guise ! " There-
upon, letting go the Ashoka branch, Maithili of faultless limbs,
exhausted with suffering, sank down on the earth.
Then that long-armed monkey bowed unto Janaka's daughter,
who, rilled with terror, did not dare raise her eyes to him, yet,
411
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
seeing him bowing humbly before her, Sita, whose face re-
sembled the moon, sighed deeply and said to him in gentle
accents : —
" If thou art Ravana's self, who has assumed a perfidious
guise in order to increase my distress, it is a vile act. Thou
art he, who, renouncing his own shape, appeared to me in
Janasthana as a mendicant, O Ranger of the Night. O Thou,
wearing shapes at will, it doth not behove thee to torment me,
who am distressed and emaciated with fasting.
" Yet thou canst not be he whom I fear, since my heart
feels delight in seeing thee. If thou art truly Rama's messenger,
may good betide thee ! Thou art welcome, O Best of Monkeys
for it is sweet to me to hear of Rama. Set forth the virtues of
Rama, O Monkey, and ravish my soul, O Gentle One, as the
current of a river bears away its banks. O how sweet a dream
does an inhabitant of the woods bring to me so long after
mine abduction ! If I might only see the valiant Raghava
accompanied by Lakshmana once more but even a dream
denies me this delight. Can it be a dream ? To see a monkey
in dream does not give rise to happiness yet I am happy now !
Is my mind not deranged or has fasting disturbed the humours
of my body and caused this delusion or is it perchance a
mirage ? Nay, it cannot be an hallucination for I am in full
possession of my senses and perceive this monkey clearly."
Such were the thoughts that haunted Sita, as also that the
titans were able to change their form at will, which convinced
her that this was the King of the Titans himself. Having
arrived at this conclusion, the daughter of Janaka, of slender
waist, ceased to converse with the monkey but Hanuman,
divining what was passing through her mind, consoled her
with sweet words, enhancing her delight saying: —
" Bright as the sun and like the moon, beloved of all, that
sovereign of the world is as munificent as Kuvera. In valour
resembling the glorious Vishnu, of sweet and truthful speech
like unto Vachaspati, handsome, illustrious and fortunate
like the God of Love, the just dispenser of punishment to
evil-doers, he is the foremost of car-warriors in the world.
" He in whose arms the whole world takes refuge, that
magnanimous Raghava was lured away from the hermitage
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SUNDARA KANDA
by means of Maricha in the form of a deer, thus allowing
Havana to bear thee away. Soon shall that mighty hero
destroy Havana in combat with his fiery shafts discharged in
anger. It is he, who has sent me with these tidings. Worn
with grief at thy separation, he enquires as to thy welfare, as
also the highly resplendent Lakshmana, enhancer of Sumitra's
delight, who offers salutations to thee. The king of the
monkey hosts, Sugriva by name, who is Rama's friend, also
pays homage to thee; Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva have
thee ever in mind ; though subject to the titans, by good
fortune thou dost still live, O Vaidehi. Ere long thou shalt
behold Rama and Lakshmana of the great car with Sugriva
of Umitless prowess.
"I am Sugriva's minister, the monkey Hanuman, I have
entered the city of Lanka, having crossed the ocean, thus
setting my foot on the head of Ravana of perverse soul. I
have come here to see thee, depending on my own prowess,
I am not he whom thou deemest me to be. Do thou renounce
thy doubts, and have confidence in my words."
chapter 35
Hanuman makes himself known to Sita
Hearing that lion among monkeys discoursing on Rama,
Vaidehi spoke to him in sweet and gentle accents, saying : —
" Where didst thou encounter Rama and how didst thou
come to know Lakshmana ? How did men and monkeys come
to form an alliance ? O Monkey, describe the distinctive
characteristics of Rama and Lakshmana once again and so
dispel my grief. Speak to me of Rama's grace and form,
his arms and thighs, as well as Lakshmana's."
To these questions of Vaidehi, Hanuman, born of Maruta,
began to give a detailed description of Rama and said : —
" By good fortune, recognising me to be a messenger of
Rama, O Vaidehi, whose eyes are as large as lotus petals, thou
hast asked me to describe the person of thy lord as well as that
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of Lakshmana. O Large-eyed Lady, hear me while I tell
thee of those marks of royalty I have observed in the persons
of Rama and Lakshmana. O Daughter of Janaka, Rama has
eyes like unto lotus petals, his countenance resembles the
moon and he is endowed with great beauty and virtue. In
radiance like the sun, in patience resembling the earth, in
wisdom like unto Brihaspati, in renown equal to Vasava, he is
the protector of all beings and the upholder of his race, the
guardian of law and tradition and the scourge of his foes.
O Lovely One, Rama is the preserver of the people and the
four castes, he inaugurates and establishes the social order,
he is worshipped by all like the sun and is an observer of pious
vows ; he knows well the proper time to pay honour to holy
men and is conversant with the path of right action.
" Born with royal prerogatives, the servant of the brahmins,
learned, endowed with nobility, humble, he is the scourge of
his foes. Versed in the Yajur Veda, honoured by those con-
versant with the Vedas, he is proficient in archery and possesses
a thorough knowledge of the Vedas and Vedangas. Broad
shouldered, long-armed, handsome, possessing a conch-shaped
neck his ribs are well covered and muscular and his
eyes are red ; such is Rama renowned among men. The
tone of his voice resembles the Dundubhi, his skin is smooth,
his three limbs, thigh, fist and wrist are hard, and the others,
long, his navel, abdomen and breast are well-proportioned
and high. The rims of his eyes, his nails and palms are red,
his voice and gait grave ; there are three folds in the skin
of his body and neck ; the lines on the soles of his feet and
breast are deep; his neck, back and thighs are muscular;
his hair is coiled in three circles ; his thumb is marked with
four lines indicating his deep knowledge of the Vedas ; there
are four lines on his forehead, the sign of a long life ; he is
four cubits in height ; his arms, thighs and cheeks are plump ;
wrists, knee-joints, hips, hands and feet are well-proportioned,
his four front teeth have auspicious marks ; his gait is like a
lion's, a tiger's, an elephant's or a bull's ; his lips and jaws
are fleshy, his nose long, his face, speech, down and skin,
cool; his two arms, little fingers, thighs and legs, slender;
his countenance, eyes, mouth, tongue, lips, palate, breast,
414
SUNDARA KANDA
nails and feet resemble lotuses ; his forehead, neck, arms,
navel, feet, back and ears are ample. He is gifted with grace,
renown, and radiance ; his lineage is pure on both sides ;
his armpits, abdomen, breast, nose, shoulders and forehead
are elevated ; his fingers, hair, down, nails, skin, eyesight and
intellect, clear and sharp. Raghava delights in what is just
and true, he is filled with energy and is well able to judge how
to act under all circumstances ; he is benevolent to all.
" His brother Saumitri, whose mother is second in rank
among the queens, whose glory is immeasurable, resembles
him in beauty, devotion and good qualities ; he is of a golden
complexion whereas Rama is dark of hue. Those two tigers
among men, who yearn to see thee once more, scouring the
earth for thee, met with us in the forest. Ranging the earth
in search of thee they beheld the King of the Monkeys, who
had been banished by his elder brother, at the foot of the
Rishyamuka Mountain that is covered by innumerable trees.
We were in attendance on the handsome Sugriva, Lord of the
Monkeys, who had been driven from the kingdom by his elder
brother and, beholding those foremost of men, clad in bark,
bearing splendid bows in their hands, that monkey fled to the
summit of the mountain, distracted with terror. Thereafter
he sent me out to meet them in all haste and, at Sugriva's
command, I approached those two princes, those lions among
men, with joined palms.
" Distinguished by their handsome features, those two
heroes, being informed of what had taken place, were well
pleased and I, placing them on my shoulders, transported
them to the crest of the hill where the magnanimous Sugriva
was to be found. There I related all to Sugriva and they
conversed together and a great friendship grew up between those
illustrious persons, the King of the Monkeys, and those
monarchs among men. Then they comforted each other,
narrating their respective misfortunes and Lakshmana's elder
brother consoled Sugriva who had been banished by Bah' of
great prowess on account of the love of a woman. Thereafter,
Lakshmana related the suffering and loss that had befallen
Rama to Sugriva, who, hearing this recital from his lips, was
bereft of his radiance like the sun under eclipse. Then
415
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
gathering together all the ornaments that thou didst let fall on
the earth when the Titan bore thee away, the monkeys brought
them to Rama with delight, but they were ignorant of where
thou wert.
" All those ornaments which had fallen tinkling to the ground,
and had been collected by me, I gave over to Rama, who
was beside himself with grief and, clasping them to his breast,
that God of divine beauty, the son of Dasaratha, inflamed with
grief, with many groans bewailed his loss. For a long time
that magnanimous hero lay crushed under the weight of his
affliction and I addressed many words of comfort to him,
persuading him to rise. Whereupon Rama with Saumitri,
gazing again and again on those precious objects, gave them
over to Sugriva. In thine absence, O Noble Lady, Raghava
is consumed with grief, like a volcano burning with perpetual
fire. On account of thee, sleeplessness, sorrow and care
consume the magnanimous Rama, as the sacred fires burn
down a temple in which they are enclosed. The pain of
thy separation has shattered him as a violent earthquake
shatters a great mountain. O Daughter of a King, he wanders
among the enchanting woods, on river banks and by the side
of waterfalls but nowhere finds delight. O Daughter of
Janaka, ere long, Ramachandra will undoubtedly bring about
the destruction of Ravana with all his kith and kin, and that
foremost of men will soon liberate thee.
" It was thus that Rama and Sugriva entered into a friendly
alliance to encompass Bali's destruction and institute a search
for thee. Thereupon, returning to Kishkindha with those two
heroic princes, that lord of monkeys slew Bali in battle and
having struck him down by his prowess in fight, Rama made
Sugriva king of all the monkeys and bears. Such was the
alliance between Rama and Sugriva, 0 Goddess, know then
that I am Hanuman who have come as their deputy. When
he had recovered his kingdom, Sugriva, gathering all the
great and powerful monkeys together, sent them forth to every
region to seek for thee. Under the commands of their king,
Sugriva, those mighty monkeys, equal to the Indra of Moun-
tains, scoured the land on every side. Since that time, in
fear of Sugriva, those monkeys have been exploring the whole
416
SUNDARA KANDA
earth ; I am one of those. The mighty and illustrious son
of Bali, Angada by name, set out with a third part of the army
under him ; many were the days and nights we spent over-
whelmed with distress, having lost our way on the foremost of
mountains, Vindhya. Despairing of accomplishing our pur-
pose and the time appointed having passed, in fear of that
lord of the monkeys, we resolved to give up our lives. Having
searched the mountains and the inaccessible fastnesses, the
rivers and waterfalls without finding any trace of thee, we made
up our minds to die. Thereafter we began our final fast on
the summit of the mountain.
" Submerged in an ocean of grief, Angada lamented un-
ceasingly, reflecting on thine abduction, O Vaidehi, on the
death of Bali, on our resolution to die of hunger and on the
death of Jatayu. Whilst we were fasting thus, waiting for death,
having given up all hope of carrying out the behests of our
lord, to the good fortune of our enterprise, there appeared,
a mighty vulture, the brother of Jatayu, by name Sampati.
Hearing of his brother's death, he cried out in anger : —
" * By whom was my younger brother slain and where does
he dwell ? I wish to hear this from you, O Excellent Monkeys ! '
" Thereupon, Angada related all in detail to him and how
that Titan of terrible form destroyed Jatayu on thine account
in Janasthana. In his grief for Jatayu's death, that son of
Aruna told us that thou wast to be found in Havana's abode,
O Exquisite Damsel !
" Hearing the words of Sampati, our joy was extreme and
led by him we all rose up and, leaving the Vindhya Mountain
came to the shores of the sea. There a cruel anxiety seized
the monkeys anew, eager as they were to find thee, but I was
able to dispel that sharp anguish of the monkey host, who
beholding the main had lost heart. Then, removing their
fear I leapt a hundred leagues over the sea and entered Lanka
by night, which was filled with titans; there I beheld Ravana
and saw thee overcome with grief, O Irreproachable Lady !
" Now I have told thee all, do thou, in thy turn speak to me,
O Goddess ! I am the messenger of the son of Dasaratha and
have come here to thee, to carry out Rama's purpose. Know
me to be Sugriva's minister and the Wind-god's son ! All
417
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
is well with thy lord, Kakutstha, the foremost of those bearing
weapons, as also with Lakshmana possessed of auspicious
marks and ever engaged in the worship of his superiors and
the well-being of his lord.
" I have come here at Sugriva's command and have accom-
plished the journey alone. Changing my form at will, I have
scoured the southern region and, in my eagerness to find thee,
have sought thee on every side. With tidings of thee, I shall
by divine grace be able to dispel the grief of the monkey
host, who have been lamenting on thy account and my cross-
ing the ocean will not have been in vain. I shall win renown
for having found thee, O Goddess and the highly powerful
Raghava will rejoin thee without delay, having first slain
Ravana, the king of the Titans with his sons and relatives.
" Mount Malyavat is the highest of mountains, O Vaidehi,
and there dwells my sire, Kesarin. Obedient to the will of the
divine Sages, he once repaired to Gokarna and at that sacred
spot belonging to the Lord of the Rivers, brought about the
destruction of the Titan, Samvasadana. I was born of the
consort of Kesarin, O Maithili and my name is Hanuman ;
I am known throughout the world for my exploits. To inspire
thee with confidence, I have described the virtues of thy lord.
Ere long, O Goddess, Raghava will certainly take thee hence."
Reassured by the proofs given to her, Sita, exhausted by
suffering, recognised Hanuman to be Rama's messenger.
Then Janaki, in an excess of joy, allowed tears of felicity to
fall from her eyes fringed with dark lashes. The gentle counten-
ance of that large-eyed damsel with her reddened eyes shone
like the moon released from Rahu's hold.
Taking him for a real monkey at last, she reflected in herself;
" How could it be otherwise ? "
Then Hanuman again addressed that lady of charming mien,
saying: —
" I have told thee all, now have confidence in me, O Maithili!
What more can I do for thee and what is thy pleasure, ere I
return? When the Asura, Samvasadana was destroyed in
combat by the foremost of monkeys at the behest of the celestial
sages, I was born of Vayu, O Maithili, and though a monkey,
I am his equal in prowess ! "
418
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 36
Sita questions Hanuman
The exceedingly mighty son of Pavana, Hanuman, in order
to increase Sita's confidence in him, again addressed her in re-
assuring words, saying : —
" O Fortunate One, I am a monkey, the messenger of the
sagacious Rama ; behold this precious ring on which his name
is engraved ! O Goddess, it was given to me by that magnani-
mous hero so that thou shouldst have faith in me. Take heart
therefore, may good betide thee ! Soon shall there be an end
to thy grief! "
Then Janata, taking the jewel that had adorned the finger
of her lord, was overcome with joy, as if he himself were
present. Her gentle countenance with its large eyes began to
sparkle with delight resembling the moon released from
Rami's hold. Blushing with pleasure on receiving this token
from her lord, that youthful woman, in her satisfaction, began
to look on that great monkey as on a friend and paid tribute
to him in the following wise : —
" O Foremost of Monkeys, verily thou who have entered this
city of Ravana's alone, art full of courage, valour and address.
With admirable tenacity thou hast traversed the ocean,
four hundred miles in breadth, the abode of great monsters,
reducing it to the measure of a cow's hoof. I do not look
on thee as an ordinary monkey, O Lion among Forest Dwellers,
since thou dost not stand in awe of Ravana. O Best of
Monkeys, thou hast merited associationship with me, since
Rama the knower of Self has dispatched thee as his messenger.
It is certain that the invincible Rama would never have sent
thee to me without first testing thy prowess. By good fortune
the virtuous and truthful Rama as also the illustrious Laksh-
mana, enhancer of Sumitra's delight, are well, yet if Kakutstha
live untouched by ill, how is it that he does not burn up the
419 26
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
earth encircled by the sea in his wrath like the fires at the dis-
solution of the worlds ? Those two heroes are able to subdue
the Gods themselves and yet they retrain from action ; I deem
therefore that my sufferings are still not at an end ! Is Rama
not disquieted ; is he not torn with anxiety on my account ?
Is that son of a king making every preparation to deliver me ?
Is he sorrowful and pre-occupied ? Has he lost sight of his
ultimate purpose ; is he fulfilling his duty with fortitude ? Is
that slayer of his foes, desirous of victory, propitiating his
friends with forbearance and gifts and employing the three-
fold means of dealing with his enemies ? Does he show good-
will to his friends and have they confidence in him ? Does he
ally himself with those of good repute and do they pay him
honour ? Does that son of a king seek the favour of the Gods;
does he depend on them for his power and fortune ? Has
Rama's affection for me decreased as a result of my living far
from him ? Will he deliver me from this peril ? Is he not
unstrung by this extreme misfortune, being accustomed to
felicity and unused to adversity? Has he received frequent good
tidings of Kaushalya, Sumitra and also Bharata? Is not
Raghava, worthy of honour, overcome with grief at my
absence ? Is he reflecting on how he may rescue me ? Will not
Bharata, ever devoted to his brother, send out a great army
led by experienced generals for my sake? O Foremost of
Monkeys, will not the King of the Monkeys, the fortunate
Sugriva, come to mine aid at the head of a host of valiant
monkeys using their teeth and nails ? Will not the heroic
Lakshmana, the increaser of Sumitra's delight, skilled in the
use of weapons, destroy the titans with his shafts ? Shall I
not see Rama strike down Ravana on the battlefield ere long
with his friends and kinsfolk by means of Rudra's weapon ?
Is the golden countenance of Raghava, fragrant with the scent
of lotuses, not dimmed under adversity, like a lotus deprived
of water under the burning sun? Does he still retain his
fixity of purpose, he who, for the sake of righteousness, with-
out regret renounced the throne and on foot entered the
forest with me ? Neither for his mother nor his father nor for
any other does he bear the love that he cherishes for me.
I shall only live as long as I hear of him,"
430
SUNDARA KANDA
Having addressed these words, full of meaning and sweetness
to that monkey, that charming lady became silent so that she
might hear more of her lord.
And listening to Sita, Maruti, of immeasurable prowess,
with joined palms paid obeisance to her and spoke again,
saying:
" O Illustrious Princess, the lotus-eyed Rama does not
know that thou art here and for this reason has not delivered
thee as Purandara rescued Sachi. Learning this from me,
Raghava will instantly come hither with his great army of
bears and monkeys and, having triumphed over the invincible
ocean, the abode of Varuna with his terrible shafts, Kakutstha
will rid the city of Lanka of all the titans. Even if death
himself or the Gods or the mighty titans seek to bar bis passage,
he will destroy them all. O Princess, in thine absence, Rama
stricken with grief is no longer able to find rest, like an elephant
who is attacked by a lion. O Goddess, I swear to thee by
the Mandara, Malava, Vindhya, Meru and Dardura Mountains
and all the fruits and roots, that thou shalt soon behold Rama's
lovely countenance with his beautiful eyes, lips like unto the
Bimba fruit, and charming earrings, who resembles the risen
moon. Soon thou shalt see Rama on Mount Prasravana,
O Vaidehi, like Shatakratu seated on Airavata. Eschewing
flesh and wine, Rama subsists on the fruits and roots of the
forest alone, carefully prepared by Lakshmana of which he
partakes at the fifth period of the day. So absorbed is he in
the thought of thee that he no longer drives away flies, insects
and worms from his body. Sunk in his reflection, lost in grief,
he is wholly absorbed in thy contemplation. Rama, the fore-
most among men no longer sleeps but should his eyelids
close in weariness he starts up crying : * O Sita ! * in gentle
accents. Whenever he beholds a fruit or flower or any other
object dear to women, he sighs ' O My dear Love ! \ O
Goddess, that prince unceasingly calls on thee, crying : ' O
Sita '> and in order rind to thee has resorted to every means."
Hearing Rama's praises, Sita was greatly delighted, but
grieved also to learn of his pain so that she resembled the
autumn moon entering a dark cloud to re-appear once more.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 37
Sita refuses to be rescued by Hanuman
The moon-faced Sita, hearing this speech, addressed Hanuman
in words, fraught with piety and sound judgment : —
" O Monkey, thou hast revealed to me that Rama is wholly
pre-occupied with my remembrance and also that he is plunged
in grief, which is as nectar mingled with poison. Whether
man be at the height of his power or in the abyss of sorrow,
death draws him as with a cord. Living beings are unable
to escape their destiny, O Excellent Monkey, behold how I,
Rama and Saumitri are sunk in misery ! As a wreck floating
on the waters seeks to reach the shore, so does Raghava seek
to come to the end of his woes.
" After destroying the titans, slaying Ravana and laying
Lanka waste, will not my lord see me once again ? Do thou
tell him to hasten, for at the end of this year I must die. This
is the tenth month and two alone remain, that is the term
fixed for me by that evil wretch, Ravana. His brother Bibi-
shana made great entreaty to him to restore me, but he paid
no heed to his proposals. Ravana does not look with favour
on my release for death lies in wait for him, driven on, as he is,
by fate. O Warrior, on her mother's request, Kala, Bibishana's
eldest daughter told me of this. There is an old and trusty
titan, named Avindha, full of wisdom, virtue, intelligence and
nobility, highly revered by Ravana, who prophesied the im-
minent destruction of the titans by Rama, but that perverse
wretch disregarded his salutory words. O Best of Monkeys,
I still hope that my lord will soon be re-united with me, for my
heart is pure and Rama's virtues are infinite. He is endowed
with endurance, courage, compassion, gratitude, energy and
strength, O Monkey. What foe would not tremble before
him, who slew fourteen thousand demons in Janasthana without
his brother's aid ? That lion among men cannot be surpassed
by the titan warriors; I am conversant with his powers as
4»
SUNDARA KANDA
Sachi is with Indra's. O Monkey, that sun, Rama, with his
innumerable arrows as his rays, will dry up the lake of hostile
titans ! "
Speaking thus, Sita, overwhelmed with grief at the thought
of Rama, her face bathed in tears, was again addressed by
Hanuman, who said to her : —
" No sooner shall I have spoken to Raghava, than he will
hasten hither at the head of a powerful army composed of
bears and monkeys or shall I deliver thee this very day from
the grasp of those titans and these present afflictions ? Do
thou climb upon my back, O Irreproachable Lady, and bear-
ing thee on my shoulders, I will cross over the sea ; verily I
am able to carry away the City of Lanka together with Ravana
himself. This day, as Anila bears the sacrificial offerings unto
Shakra, I shall bring thee back to Raghava on the Prasravana
Mountain, O Maithili ! To-day thou shalt behold Rama,
who is accompanied by Lakshmana, preparing to destroy the
enemy, as Vishnu engaged in the destruction of the Daityas
and thou shalt see that mighty hero, eager to behold thee, on
that solitary mountain, resembling Purandara on the head of
the King of the Serpents.
" O Lovely Goddess, mount on my shoulders, do not hesitate
and be united with Rama, as Rohini is restored to Shashanka,
as Sachi to Indra, or Savarshala to the Sun. I shall cross
the ocean by the aerial path ! O Fair One, bearing thee away
from here, none of the dwellers in Lanka will be able to follow
me. I shall return as I came, O Vaidehi, bearing thee through
space."
Hearing these astonishing words, Maithili, trembling with
joy, said to Hanuman : " How canst thou hope to carry me
so great a distance, O Hanuman? This demonstrates thy
monkey nature ! How dost thou deem it possible that thy
little body should convey me from here to my lord, that
king among men, O Monkey ? "
At these words Hanuman reflected: "This is the first
affront I have suffered ! Vaidehi is unaware of my prowess and
strength. She snail learn that I am able to assume any shape
at will ! " Thinking thus, that foremost of monkeys, Hanuman,
the scourge of his foes, showed himself to Sita in his true form.
423
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
In order to inspire Sita with confidence, leaping down from
the tree, that monkey began to expand in size and grew equal
to the Meru or Mandara Mountain or a flaming brazier and
that lion among monkeys, of a coppery countenance, his body
like a mountain, with nails and teeth like diamonds, standing
before Sita, said : —
" I am capable of uprooting Lanka with its hills, woods,
fields, palaces, ramparts and gates and its monarch also !
Take heart therefore O Queen, do not delay further, O Vaidehi!
Come and dispel the grief of Raghava as also Lakshmana's."
Seeing the son of the Wind-god grow to the size of a moun-
tain, the daughter of Janaka, whose eyes resembled lotus
petals, said to him : —
" O Mighty Monkey, now I recognise the extent of thy
powers and thy speed which equals the wind, also thy radiance
like unto fire. How should an ordinary monkey have reached
this land beyond the infinite ocean ? I know that thou art able
to take me from here and bear me away, but, O Foremost of
Monkeys, I must consider if the consequences are to mine
advantage. Furthermore, is it fitting for me to go with thee ?
Thy speed equal to the wind may render me giddy and I
might fall from thy back whilst thou wert proceeding high
over the ocean. Flung into the sea filled with sharks, croco-
diles and giant fish, I should certainly become the chosen prey
of those monsters. Nay, I cannot go with thee, O Destroyer
of Thy Foes and for thee undoubtedly there is also grave
danger. When the titans see thee bearing me away, they will
pursue thee at the wicked Ravana's command and, surrounded
by those warriors furnished with spears and maces, carrying
a woman, thou wilt be beset with peril, O Hero ! Fully armed,
in great numbers, those titans would pursue thee, who art
unarmed ; how couldst thou then resist them and protect me ?
And when thou art engaged in combat with those terrible
demons, O Foremost of Monkeys, I, stricken with fear, will
slip from thy back. Those terrible, huge and powerful titans
would then end by overcoming thee in the conflict, O Excellent
Monkey. Or turning my head, whilst thou art engaged in
fight, I should fall and those wicked titans would bear me
away and bring me hither or, wresting me from thy grasp,
424
SUNDARA KANDA
tear me to pieces. Victory or defeat is uncertain in combat !
If I died under the threats of the titans, O First of the Monkeys,
all thine efforts to deliver me will have been in vain. Though
thou art well able to destroy all the titans, Rama's fame would
thereby suffer decrease or the titans, bearing me away, would
confine me in a secret place unknown to the monkeys or to
Rama. Then, all thine efforts to rescue me will have been
fruitless, but if Rama returns with thee, great will be the
chances of success.
" O Great-armed Warrior, the lives of Raghava, of his
two brothers and of King Sugriva depend on me. Having
given up hope of delivering me, worn out with grief and
anxiety, those two brothers with all the bears and monkeys
would end their existence. O Monkey, furthermore, being
wholly devoted to my lord, I am unable to touch the body of
any save Rama. When I was forced into contact with Ravana's
limbs, I was helpless and without a defender and was no
longer in control of my person. If Rama comes to destroy
Ravana and the titans and takes me away from here, it will
be a feat worthy of him ! I have heard of that hero's great
exploits and have myself witnessed them, nor can Devas, Nagas
nor titans equal Rama on the field of battle !
" Who, having beheld him in combat, wielding his mar-
vellous bow, endowed with a valour and strength like unto
Indra's, could withstand Rama who is accompanied by Laksh-
mana and who resembles a fire fanned by the wind ? O Fore-
most of Monkeys, who would seek to oppose Rama, accompanied
by Lakshmana, resembling elephants intoxicated with Mada
juice, showering shafts like the rays of the sun at the time of
the dissolution of the worlds ? O Best of Monkeys, do thou
bring my dear one and Lakshmana with the Lord of the
Monkey Hosts, here with all speed. On account of separation
from Rama, I have long been consumed with grief, now, O
Valiant Monkey, make me happy once more."
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 38
She gives Hanuman her Jewel
Highly gratified by Sita's words, that lion among monkeys
answered thus : —
" O Fair Lady of auspicious presence, thou hast spoken
in accord with thy feminine nature and with the modesty of
one devoted to her lord ! As a woman, it would not be possible
for thee to cross the sea, four hundred miles in width on my
back and the plea that thou hast made, saying ' I may not touch
the body of any save Rama' is worthy of thee, O Goddess, con-
sort of that rnagnanimous One. Who but thou would utter
such words, O Janaki ? Truly Kakutstha shall hear from
beginning to end all thou hast said and done in my presence,
O Princess. For many reasons did I speak to thee thus, O Lady,
anxious as I was to compass Rama's design, and my heart
troubled with feelings of affection. Further it was with great
difficulty that I penetrated into the City of Lanka and traversed
the ocean and debating what was meet for me to do, I addressed
thee in this wise. I wished to bring thee back to the one
who is the delight of the House of Raghu this day ! It was my
devotion for him and in regard for thee, that I uttered those
words. As, however, thou art unable to come with me, O
Irreproachable Lady, do thou give me some token which will
inspire Rama with faith in me."
Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Sita, who resembled
the daughter of the Gods, answered him in feint accents, her
voice broken with sobs : — " This is the most perfect token
thou canst take to my dear lord ! Do thou say this to him : —
* O Rama, when we formerly resided at the foot of the Chittra-
kuta Mountain in the eastern region, not fer distant from
where the ascetics dwelt, in a place rich in roots, fruit and
water near the river Mandakini, whilst ranging the flowery
groves, redolent with fragrance, thou, having sported in the
lake, rested all dripping on my breast. At that moment a
426
SUNDARA KANDA
crow, approaching, sought to peck me and I threw a stone
at it ; nevertheless that ferocious devourer of offerings, deter-
mined to wound me, would not leave its prey and in my wrath
I removed my girdle, in order to strike the bird and my robe
slipped down. On seeing this, thou didst laugh at me, whereat
I blushed with shame and indignation. Harassed by that crow,
who was wild with hunger, X took refuge with thee, and ex-
hausted, threw myself into thine arms as thou wert seated there.
Though I was still vexed, thou didst pacify me by thy laughter
and my face being bathed in tears, gently dried my eyes ; thus
I was seen by thee, greatly enraged by the crow, O Lord.
Exhausted, O Rama, I slept for a long time on thy breast, and
thou in thy turn, didst sleep on mine, O Elder Brother of
Bharata. Then, as I awoke, that crow approached me once
more and, as I rose from thine arms, tore my breast with its
beak, O Raghava. Thereupon, at the shedding of blood,
thou didst wake and beholding my breast lacerated, O Long-
armed Hero, highly incensed and hissing like a serpent, thou
didst speak thus : —
" O Thou, whose thighs resemble the trunk of an elephant,
who has wounded thy breast ? Who seeks to play with an angry
five-headed serpent ? "
" Thereafter, looking round, thou didst perceive that crow,
who, with sharp and bloody talons stood before me. That
bird, prince of winged creatures, was the son of Indra and with
the swiftness of the wind, it disappeared into the earth. Then
thou, O Long-armed Warrior, thine eyes rolling in fury,
resolved to destroy that crow and, plucking a blade of kusha
grass, from where thou hadst lain, transformed it into Brahma's
shaft and it burst into flame, like unto the fire of death before
the bird. Hurling that fiery brand, it followed that bird high
into the sky and, pursued by the fiery dart, the crow flew
this way and that, thus traversing many regions and ranging
through the Three Worlds, repulsed by his sire and the sages;
at last it sought refuge with thee, falling on the earth and
beseeching mercy of thee. Though worthy of death, thou,
O Kakutstha, ever willing to succour all beings, out of com-
passion, spared him. Then, speaking unto the one who was
exhausted and distressed, thou didst say : — " This weapon of
427
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Brahma may never remain ineffective, therefore say what is
now to be done ? " Then the crow answered : — " I will give
up my right eye," whereupon Ramachandra destroyed the
right eye of that crow. Having sacrificed the right eye, his
life was spared and, paying obeisance to Rama, as also to
King Dasaratha, the crow, delivered by that warrior, returned
to his abode. O Thou, who, on my behalf, didst discharge the
Brahma-weapon, even at a crow, why dost thou leave him who
bore me away, unpunished ? O Foremost of Men, show thy
compassion to me and inspire me with hope. I am conversant
with thy great energy, thine immense endurance, thine amazing
strength, thine irresistible power unfettered by the limitations
of time and space, incapable of being disturbed, thou who art
deep like the ocean, lord of the earth and the equal of Vasava
himself ! Thou, the first among bowmen, who art full of ardour,
and courage, wherefore dost thou not direct thy weapons against
the titans ? Neither Nagas, Gandharvas, Gods nor Maruts can
resist thee in combat \
" If that warrior still retains any regard for me, why does he
not exterminate the titans with his whetted shafts, or why
does not Lakshmana, the repressor of his foes, endowed with
energy, deliver me at his brother's behest ? Since those two
tigers among men, equal to Vayu and Indra are invincible
even against the Celestials, why do they disregard me ?
" Alas ! I must be guilty of some heinous sin, since those
twin scourges of their foes, though able to do so, fail to come
to my rescue ! "
Hearing Vaidehi's piteous words, uttered with her eyes full
of tears, the mighty Hanuman, foremost of the monkeys,
said : — " O Exalted One, I swear to thee that Rama's features
are altered on account of the sorrow he feels for thee and,
seeing his brother overwhelmed with grief, Lakshmana too is
rilled with distress, this is the truth, O Goddess. Since I
have now found thee, there is no cause to lament further and
thou shalt soon see an end to thy woes, O Lovely One. Those
two tigers among men, those princes of incalculable energy,
in their eagerness to see thee, will burn the worlds to ashes.
Having slain that formidable warrior, Ravana with his kinsfolk,
Raghava shall return with thee to the palace.
428
SUNDARA KANDA
" Now tell me what I shall say to Rama and Lakshmana,
who are filled with valour and the illustrious Sugriva and all
the assembled monkeys ? "
Hanuman having uttered these words, Sita answered him
saying : —
" Bowing low to that Lord of the World, enquire after the
welfare of that protector of men, whom Kaushalya has brought
forth and wish him all prosperity from me. Then offer
salutations to the one of whom Sumitra is the happy mother,
he, who renounced garlands, jewels, his beloved consort, the
dominion of a vast realm hard to attain and his father and
mother, after bidding them a tender farewell, in order to
follow Rama. That virtuous prince, who, in his devotion,
sacrificed unsurpassed felicity, accompanied his brother
Kakutstha to the forest, watching over him ; he who is great,
wise and pleasing to look upon, possessing broad shoulders
and who looks on Rama as his father and reverences me as his
mother, that valiant Lakshmana, who did not know that I was
being borne away. Full of deference for the aged, dignified
and brave, measured in speech, the foremost of those dear
unto that king's son and worthy of his father-in-law, he who
even undertaketh these tasks to which he is not equal, whose
presence causes Rama to forget his sire, who is dearer to him
than I ; Lakshmana, the brother of Rama, to him do thou
offer obeisance from me and repeat my words to him. May
that noble and virtuous one, beloved of Rama, ever mild and
pure, bring an end to my sufferings, O Best of Monkeys ! O
Chief of the Monkeys, do thou bring about the success of
this undertaking. May Rama, on thine instigation, make a
supreme effort on my behalf. Further, do thou repeat these
words of mine again and again to him : —
" ' I have but one month to live, O Son of Dasaratha ! After
that month I shall die ; I swear to thee that this is the truth I
speak ! Deliver me from the hands of that cruel and wicked
Ravana, O Hero, as Kaushiki was delivered from hell V*
Saying this, Sita drew from her robe the pearl which formerly
adorned her forehead, which shone with celestial radiance,
and bestowing it on Hanuman, said : " Give this to
Raghava."
429
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then the valiant Hanuman, taking the priceless jewel, placed
it on his finger, it being too small for his arm and, that foremost
of monkeys, having received the pearl, paid obeisance to Sita,
circumambulating her from left to right. Filled with delight
on having found the princess, Hanuman had already returned
to Rama and Lakshmana in thought.
And taking that costly and superb ornament that the daughter
of King Janaka had carried carefully concealed in her sari,
Hanuman, as if delivered from a hurricane that had overtaken
him on a high mountain, his heart full of serenity, once more
prepared to set out on his return journey.
chapter 39
Hanuman calms Sita's Fears
Having given the jewel to Hanuman, Sita said to him : —
'* This token is well known to Raghava and seeing this pearl,
the valiant Rama will call three people to mind, my mother,
myself and King Dasaratha. O Best of Monkeys, thy heroism
being further stimulated by this enterprise, consider carefully
what fresh efforts are needed ; thou art capable of under-
taking this task, think therefore what course Rama should
adopt to bring my misfortunes to an end. O Hanuman seek
by thine exertions to terminate my sufferings ! "
Thereupon the son of the Wind-god of immense energy,
replied : " So be it," and making obeisance to Vaidehi, pre-
pared to depart, but that exalted one, Videha's daughter,
seeing Hanuman about to leave, her voice strangled with sobs,
said unto him : —
" O Hanuman, do thou communicate my desires for the
happiness of Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva, his ministers and all
the other monkeys and, O Best of Monkeys, in consonance
with righteousness, wish them well. It behoveth thee to do
that which will cause the long-armed Rama to deliver me
from the ocean of affliction in which I am plunged. O
Hanuman, do thou speak so that the illustrious Rama rescue
430
SUNDARA KANDA
me from here while I am yet alive and thereby reap the fruits
of virtue. Listening to that which thou shalt relate to him
of me, that son of Dasaratha, ever filled with valour, will feel
his daring increased a hundredfold in the thought of reunion
with me. The heroic Rama, hearing the appeal I have charged
thee to deliver to him will be inspired to display increasing
prowess."
Listening to Sita's words, Hanuman, born of Maruta, with
joined palms, made answer to her saying : —
" Soon shall Kakutstha, surrounded by the foremost monkeys
and bears, come, and vanquishing his enemies in fight, dispel
thy grief. I know of none among mortals, titans or Gods,
who can withstand him when he discharges his arrows. Wert
thou the price of victory, he would be able to challenge the
Sun or Parjanya or Vaivasvata or Yama himself in conflict
and would prepare to conquer the whole earth that is bounded
by the sea, O Delight of Janaka."
Hearing these pleasing, true and sweetly expressed words,
Janaki addressed Hanuman with respect, who had spoken out
of devotion to his master, and said : — " O Hero, if thou
judgest it to be wise, then tarry here for one day more and,
having rested in some hidden spot, set out to-morrow ! Thy
presence, O Monkey, will cause me to forget my great mis-
fortune awhile, I who have experienced so little happiness.
But shouldst thou depart to-day, O Lion among Monkeys,
my life will be in danger till thy return, this is certain. Further-
more, not seeing thee will prove an increased torment, afflicted
as I am with grief and, O Hero, this doubt haunts me con-
tinually,— ' How will that powerful King, in the midst of the
forces of his monkeys and bears and those two sons of a
monarch, cross the impassable ocean ? ' In all the worlds,
three beings alone have the power to traverse the sea ;
Garuda, thou and Maruta ! In the face of this insurmountable
obstacle, what means to success canst thou see, O Most Skilled
of Beings? Undoubtedly thou art able to encompass this
undertaking unaided, O Destroyer of Hostile Warriors but
thou alone wouldst then reap the glory. If Rama, however,
together with his armies vanquished Ravana and, delivering
me, returned to his own city, that exploit would be worthy
43*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of him. If, crossing the sea and besieging Lanka, that destroyer
of hostile forces Kakutstha, bore me hence, he would have
accomplished what is natural to him. Do thou therefore act
in such wise that that valiant warrior may be able to manifest
his prowess ! "
Hearing these words, fraught with sense and reason, full of
affection, Hanuman replied mildly : —
" O Queen, the leader of the forces of bears and monkeys,
Sugriva, full of energy, has resolved to liberate thee. Sur-
rounded by millions of monkeys, that destroyer of titans will
come hither without delay. There are, under his command,
monkeys endowed with valour, energy and extreme prowess,
swift as thought, able to go upward or downward and to every
side, nothing can impede their course, no task, however hard,
defeats their immeasurable courage. Nay, more than once,
by their amazing endurance, they have encircled the entire
earth with its seas and mountains on every side, by resorting
to the wind's path. Among those Rangers of the Woods,
some are equal to me and some superior and, in the whole of
Sugriva's company, there is none who is less so. Since I
have reached this place, how much more are those valiant
monkeys able to do so ! Nor are the superior ones sent on
errands but those of less account. O Queen, have no
anxiety and abandon thy grief; with a single bound, those fore*
most of monkeys will reach Lanka and those two brothers,
resembling the sun and moon about to rise, will speed to thy
side, riding on my back. Having slain Ravana and his hordes,
Raghava, the delight of the House of Raghu, will take hold of
thee, O Lady of Lovely Limbs, in order to bring thee back
to thine own city. Therefore let courage and happiness attend
thee, have faith in the dawning of that hour ; ere long, thou
shalt behold Rama shining like a flame.
" That Indra of the Titans, his sons, counsellors and kinsfolk,
being slain, thou shalt be re-united with Rama as Shashanka
with Rohini. Soon thou shalt see the end of thy woes, O
Divine Maithili, and Ravana will fall under Rama's blows
before thine eyes I "
Having thus sought to comfort Videha's daughter, Hanuman,
born of Maruta, preparing to depart, spoke yet again, saying : —
433
SUNDARA KANDA
" Thou shalt soon behold the destroyer of his foes, Raghava
of subdued soul, as also Lakshmana, bearing his bow in his
hand at the gates of Lanka. Ere long thou shalt see those
valiant monkeys, endowed with the courage of lions and tigers,
resembling the lord of elephants, fighting with their nails and
teeth. O Noble One, innumerable companies of monkeys
will be seen by thee, resembling hills or clouds, roaring on
the plateaus of Malaya and Lanka. Like an elephant attacked
by a lion, Rama is deeply wounded by the formidable shafts
of the God of Love ! O Goddess, weep no more, but banish
fear and sorrow from thy heart ; thou shalt be reunited with
thy consort, O Beautiful One, as Sachi was to Indra.
" Who can overcome Rama ? Who is equal to Saumitri ?
Those two brothers, resembling the wind and fire, are thy
support. O Goddess, thou shalt no< have to dwell long in this
place inhabited by formidable titans ; thy beloved will not
delay his coming ; have patience till I return ! "
chapter 40
He takes leave of Sita
Hearing the words of that magnanimous son of Vayu, Sita,
who resembled a daughter of the Gods, replied in significant
words, saying : —
"As the rain, ripening the grain, rejoiceth the earth, so am
I gladdened on seeing thee, O Monkey, who speaketh sweetly
of my beloved. In compassion for me, who am emaciated
with suffering, do that which will enable me to meet with that
tiger among men, soon. O Foremost of Monkeys, call to his
remembrance, that reed the crow destroyed in his anger,
having been deprived of an eye and also how, when my tilaka
mark was effaced, he painted another on my cheek, which he
will surely remember. Say : ' O Thou who resemblest Indra,
how, with thy valour, canst thou suffer Sita to be borne away
and set in the midst of the titans ? That celestial pearl which
433
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
adorned my forehead, I have preserved with care. In my
misfortunes, I have oft looked on it with delight as on thyself,
0 Irreproachable Hero ! Yielding up this jewel, I shall not
live long, being overwhelmed with grief. For thy sake, O
Rama, I endure insufferable misery and the menaces of the
titans which cleave my heart ! O Destroyer of thy Foes, I
shall live for one more month, after which, bereft of thee,
1 shall yield up my life. The King of the Titans is a source
of dread to me ; if I learn that thou dost hesitate in coming
to mine aid, I shall instantly give up my life '."
Witnessing Vaidehi's tears and lamentations, the mighty
Hanuman, born of Maruta, answered : —
" O Goddess, thy misfortunes have rendered Rama's features
wan, I swear to thee this is the truth and seeing Rama overcome
with sorrow, Lakshmana too is deeply distressed. Now that
I have found thee, there is no cause for despair ! Soon, soon,
thou shalt see an end to thy woes, O Lovely Princess ! Those
blameless princes, foremost of men, eager to see thee, will
reduce Lanka to ashes. Having slain Ravana in combat,
those two scions of the House of Raghu will take thee back
to their own city, O Large-eyed Lady ! O Irreproachable
Damsel, it is now for thee to give me such a token, that Rama
will instantly recognise and that will delight his heart."
Sita answered : — " I have already furnished thee with an
excellent token. Seeing that jewel, Rama will instantly believe
thy words.*'
Receiving the marvellous pearl, the Prince of the Monkeys
inclined his head to that exalted one and prepared to depart
Beholding that foremost of monkeys expanding bis form
and, charged with energy, preparing to leap, her face bathed
in tears, in a voice choked with sobs, Sita said to him : —
" O Hanuman, do not fail to offer my good wishes for their
welfare to those two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, who
resemble two lions and to Sugriva also and his court. Do
that which will cause the long-armed Raghava to deliver me
from this ocean of affliction, where I am held prisoner. On
thy return, when thou art near him, tell him of my harsh and
bitter affliction and the threats of the titans ! May prosperity
attend thee, O Chief of the Monkeys."
434
SUNDARA KANDA
Having received these instructions from the princess, the
monkey, his purpose accomplished, exceedingly exultant,
reflecting that little remained for him to do, had already crossed
the northern region in thought.
chapter 4 I
Hanuman destroys the Ashoka Grove
Having been honoured by Sita, the monkey, leaving that
place, began to reflect on what little remained for him to do
since he had discovered that dark-eyed Princess.
Dismissing the three means to success, the fourth now
appeared to him as appropriate and he reflected in himself:
" Because of their nature, one may not enter into negotiation
with the titans nor do gifts avail with the wealthy ; one is
unable to sow dissension among those who are proud of their
strength, there remains therefore prowess as applicable here.
In these circumstances, valour is the only resource. When
these titans see the foremost of their warriors fall in combat,
their martial ardour will be subdued. He who accomplishes
his main purpose and compasses innumerable other engage-
ments without jeopardising the original enterprise, is a skilful
messenger. He who employs all his resources to execute a
minor task, has no sagacity, but the one who uses countless
means with the minimum effort, is wise. Though my mission
has been fulfilled, yet if, returning to the abode of the King
of the Monkeys, I have ascertained the strength of the foe
and ourselves in the field, I shall have truly carried out his
commands. How shall I act so that my presence here proves
fruitful ? How can I provoke an encounter with the titans and
what can I do so that that Ten-necked One will be made to
measure his strength with mine own? Coming face to face with
Dashagriva on the field accompanied by his counsellors, his
army and charioteer, I shall easily read his intentions and
then take my leave.
435 2F
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" I shall now proceed to lay waste this magnificent grove,
resembling the Nandana Gardens, that ravishes the eye
and where every variety of tree and creeper, is found, as the
forest fire consumes the dead trees and this destruction will
incite Ravana's fury. Thereafter the King of the Titans
will call upon his immense army furnished with tridents and
iron pikes, and the horsemen, chariots and elephants, of which it
is composed, and a formidable struggle will ensue. Then I shall
fight with all my strength against those titans and having
defeated the assembled forces of Ravana, I shall return safely
to the King of the Monkeys."
Thinking thus, Maruti, like a raging tempest, with immense
energy began to root up the trees with his powerful and
sinuous thighs, breaking them down, as also the creepers of
that grove, where the trumpeting of maddened elephants could
be heard.
With its trees uprooted, its foundations shattered, the crests
of the hills broken away and all that was fair laid waste, the
copper-tinted buds, the trees and creepers withering away,
that grove appeared as if a fire had consumed it and the
flowering sprays blown hither and thither, resembled women
with their robes in disarray. With its grassy dells and charm-
ing pavilions ruined, tiger, deer and birds emitting cries of
fear and the edifices crumbling, that great demesne was bereft
of beauty. And that grove, belonging to the women of the
inner apartments, where they were wont to sport, with its
avenues of Ashoka trees and its creepers, now laid waste by
that monkey, was transformed by him into a heap of ruins.
Then having given that powerful lord of the earth cause for
severe displeasure, that monkey, eager to fight against those
countless valiant titans single-handed, stationed himself at the
gate, blazing with effulgence.
CHAPTER 42
He destroys the Kinkaras
Meanwhile the cries of birds and the crash of falling trees,
struck terror into the hearts of the inhabitants of Lanka. Wild
436
SUNDARA KANDA
beasts and birds fled hither and thither in terror on every side
and inauspicious omens appeared.
Waking from sleep, those grim-visaged titan women beheld
the grove devastated by that mighty and heroic monkey and,
in order to inspire them with fear, that long-armed one, full
of energy, began to increase in size and they, observing that
immense ape, as high as a hill, of unimagined power, enquired
of Janaka's daughter, saying : —
" Who is this being ? From whence and wherefore has he
come hither ? Why did he converse with thee ? Tell us, O
Large-eyed Lady, have no fear O Dark-eyed Lovely One."
Thereupon, the virtuous Sita, of faultless limbs, answered
them saying : — " Since the titans are able to change their form
at will, by what means should I be able to recognise them?
Ye know what he is and what he is about ! Without doubt,
serpents know the secret of the serpent's tail ! As for me,
I am terrified nor do I know what he is but believe him to be
a titan, who has come hither, able to change his form at
will."
Hearing Vaidehi's words, the titan women fled with all
speed, a few only remaining, whilst some hastened to inform
Ravana of what had taken place.
Thereafter those female titans of hideous aspect, approached
the King of the Titans and informed him of that monstrous
and formidable monkey in the Ashoka grove, saying : —
" O King, there is a monkey of immense size, endowed with
immeasurable strength, who, having held converse with Sita,
remains there. We besought the daughter of Janaka whose
eyes resemble a doe*s, to inform us who this monkey was
but she would not disclose it. It may be that he is an emissary
of Indra or Kuvera or even of Rama himself, who is anxious
to discover where Sita is. This being of strange aspect, has
completely destroyed thy wonderful pleasure garden that was
filled with beasts of every kind. There is not a single quarter
that has not been laid waste by him, save the place where the
divine Janaki abides, whether to preserve her or for reasons of
exhaustion, we know not, but since he is a stranger to fatigue,
we deem it is on account of this woman. And the Ashoka
tree, covered with buds and lovely foliage, under the shade
437
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of which Sita is sheltering, has been spared by him. It
behoveth thee to inflict some severe penalty on this formidable
being, who has held converse with Sita and destroyed the
grove. O Lord of the Hosts of Titans, who would dare to
converse with her for whom thine heart yearns without suffer-
ing death ? "
Hearing the words of the demons, Ravana, the King of the
Titans, his eyes rolling in rage, flamed up like a funeral pyre
and, in his wrath tears fell from his eyes like drops of burning
oil from a lighted lamp.
Then that mighty monarch ordered those titans named
Kinkaras, whose strength equalled his own, to seize Hanuman
whereupon eighty thousand of those retainers speedily issued
from the palace, bearing maces and iron hooks in their hands.
Possessing huge stomachs and large teeth, formidable to look
upon, filled with valour and martial ardour, they were all
burning to lay hold of that monkey. Approaching Hanuman
who was standing at the gate ready to fight, those powerful
titans rushed upon him like moths on a flame. Equipped
with maces of different kinds and gold-encircled bracelets,
with arrows bright as the sun, hammers, axes, spears, darts
and lances, they surrounded Hanuman and began their attack.
Then he, full of strength and courage, resembling a hill, lashing
his tail, began to roar, waving it to and fro, and expanding in
size, that son of the Wind-god filled Lanka with his bellowing.
On account of the noise of the swishing of his tail and his
roaring, the birds began to fall from the air and he proclaimed
in a loud voice : — " Victory to the mighty Rama and the valiant
Lakshmana ! Victory to Sugriva, protected by Raghava ! I
am the servant of the Sovereign of Koshala, Rama, of im-
perishable exploits, I am Hanuman, the destroyer of hostile
armies, the offspring of Maruta. A thousand Ravanas cannot
stand before me in combat, when I crush them beneath a
myriad trees and rocks ! Under the very eyes of the titans,
I shall destroy the City of Lanka and, paying obeisance to
Maithili, depart, my purpose being accomplished 1 "
On hearing his shouts, the titans were seized with terror
and they beheld him standing aloft like a great evening cloud
and, knowing now that that monkey had been despatched by
438
SUNDARA KANDA
his master, under the command of their lord they began to
assail him on all sides with every kind of formidable weapon.
Surrounded by those warriors, that mighty monkey seized
hold of an iron bar that stood near the gate, and lifting it,
struck those Rangers of the Night, and he appeared like Vinata's
offspring carrying away a struggling serpent. Grasping the
weapon, that valiant monkey began to destroy those demons,
moving here and there in the air, as Indra of a thousand eyes
crushed the Daityas with his thunderbolt.
Having slain the titans, that heroic and powerful son of
Maruta, thirsting for combat, stationed himself at the gate.
Thereafter the few titans, who had escaped, informed Ravana
of the destruction of his servants and, hearing that a mighty host
of demons had been slain, the king, bis eyes rolling in wrath,
commanded the son of Prahasta, who was endowed with
matchless courage, invincible in battle, to go forth.
CHAPTER 43
He burns the Temple and Monument
Having slain the Kinkaras, Hanuman, reflecting awhile,
thought to himself : — " I have laid waste the grove but I have
not destroyed the sacred temple, I shall now demolish this
sanctuary."
Thinking thus, the son of Maruta, displaying his prowess,
bounded to the temple that was as high as the peak of Mount
Meru, and scaling that edifice, that resembled a mountain,
that chief of the monkeys, manifested a great effulgence,
equal to the radiance of the sunrise. Thereafter he began to
destroy that lofty sanctuary which shone with a glory equal
to the Pariyatra Mountain. Assuming immense proportions,
the illustrious son of Maruta, in his intrepidity, caused Lanka
to tremble, filling it with his roaring and, at that terrifying and
deafening clamour, the birds and the guardians of the temple,
fell to the ground, their senses overcome.
439
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thereupon Hanuman cried out : " Victory to Rama, skilled
in the use of weapons and to the courageous Lakshmana !
Victory to King Sugriva, Rama's henchman ! I am Hanuman,
the destroyer of hostile armies, son of Maruta, and the servant
of Rama, King of Koshala, of immortal exploits ! When I
hurl down trees and rocks, not even a thousand Ravanas can
withstand me in combat. Having destroyed the City of Lanka
and paid my obeisance to the daughter of the King of Mithila,
my purpose fulfilled, I shall depart."
Having spoken thus, the colossal leader of the monkeys,
standing on that edifice, emitted a roar and the hideous clamour
struck terror into the hearts of the titans.
In consequence of that great tumult, a hundred temple guards
sallied forth, bearing every kind of weapon, dart, scimitar,
arrow and axe ; and surrounding Maruti struck him with
clubs and bars encircled with golden bands. Hurling them-
selves on that excellent monkey with arrows bright as the sun,
that host of titans resembled a mighty whirlpool in the Ganges.
Thereat the son of the Wind, the mighty Hanuman, waxing
wrath, taking on a formidable aspect and tearing up from that
sanctuary a huge pillar plated with gold, which emitted a
hundred rays, spun it round rapidly with great energy, so
that the fire generated therefrom set the temple ablaze. Seeing
that monument in flames, the leader of monkeys having
despatched a hundred titans, resembled Indra slaying the
demons with his thunderbolt and, standing in space, he cried
out exultingly : —
" Thousands of leaders of monkeys, resembling myself,
valiant and brave, are scouring the whole earth under Sugriva's
command. Among these, some are as strong as elephants,
others ten times as strong, some have the energy of a thousand
elephants, some of a whole herd and some have the strength
of the wind, while a few possess a strength that may not be
measured. Such are the monkeys, armed with teeth and
claws, that in hundreds and thousands and millions, will
accompany Sugriva when he comes to exterminate you all.
Then neither the city of Lanka nor any of you nor Ravana
himself will survive, since they have incurred the wrath of that
hero of the House of Ikshwaku."
440
SUNDARA KANDA
CHAPTER 44
The Death of Jambumalin
Under the order of the King of the Titans, the valiant son of
Prahasta, Jambumalin of large teeth, went out bearing his
bow. Wearing garlands and red attire with a crown and
brilliant ear-rings, that invincible warrior of immense stature,
rolling his eyes ferociously drew his great bow, furnished with
shining arrows, equal to Indra's, with a noise like thunder.
Then the entire sky and the four quarters at once re-echoed
to the sound of the stretching of that bow.
Beholding him advance in a chariot yoked to asses, Hanuman,
endowed with great vigour, emitted cries of exultation.
Thereat the highly powerful Jambumalin riddled him with
whetted shafts, piercing the face of that leader of monkeys
with a crescent-shaped arrow, his head with one furnished
with plumes and his arms with ten having iron tips. Struck
by those arrows, his coppery countenance shone like an autumn
cloud lit by the rays of the sun and his ruddy face, stained with
vermilion, resembled a red lotus in the sky, sprinkled with
drops of gold.
Wounded by those shafts, that mighty monkey was enraged
and seeing a great rock of vast size lying near, he raised it up
and hurled it against his adversary with violence, who countered
it with ten of his shafts. Perceiving this feat brought to
nought, Hanuman, in fury, tore up a mighty Sala tree and
began to whirl it in the air, whereupon the highly powerful
Jambumalin, seeing that great monkey spinning the Sala tree,
let loose innumerable shafts, severing it with four arrows and
piercing the arms of that monkey with five others, his belly
with a further dart, thereafter piercing him between the breasts
with ten more.
His body, covered with darts, a prey to violent anger,
Hanuman, seizing a club, spun it with extreme velocity, allow-
ing it to tall on the huge chest of his adversary, whereupon
44*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
neither his head, arms, thighs, bow, his chariot, his steeds nor
arrows could be distinguished, and that mighty car warrior,
Jambumalin, dropped to the earth, like an oak that has been
felled, his limbs and ornaments crushed.
Then Ravana, hearing that Jambumalin had been slain, as
also the powerful Kinkaras, was overcome with wrath. Roll-
ing his eyes inflamed with fury, that Lord of the Titans in-
stantly issued a command that the sons of his ministers, who
were endowed with exceeding valour and strength, should go
forth to the attack.
chapter 45
Hanuman slays the Sons of Ravana's Ministers
Then under the command of that Indra of Titans, the sons
of his ministers, seven in number, resembling the fire in
splendour, set out from the palace. Escorted by a large army,
furnished with bows, full of energy, skilled in the use of wea-
pons, they, the flower of warriors, were each burning for
victory. Mounted in great chariots plated with gold, sur-
mounted by banners, yoked to horses, they created a noise
resembling thunder. Of unequalled courage, stretching their
bows inlaid with refined gold, like unto flashes of lightning
athwart the clouds, those warriors sallied forth.
Their mothers nevertheless, knowing of the death of the
Kinkaras, were overcome with anxiety as also their friends and
kinsfolk.
And, exhorting one another, clad in golden armour, they
rushed on Hanuman, who stood erect at the gate. From
their thundering cars, they loosed innumerable shafts like
clouds in the rainy season, and, covered by that hail of missiles,
Hanuman's body was concealed, as the King of the Mountains
is obscured by rain.
Then that monkey evaded those arrows and their swiftly
moving chariots by executing countless skilful evolutions in
the air and appeared like Indra sporting with his archers,
442
SUNDARA KANDA
the clouds. Sending up a mighty shout which struck terror
into the great host, that valiant monkey leapt on the titans.
The scourge of his foes struck some of them with the palm
of his hands and others with his feet ; some he hit with his
fists and some he tore with his nails, striking them down with
his chest and thighs, while some fell to the ground by the
force of his cry. Felled to the earth, those warriors lay dying
and the entire army fled to the four quarters, filled with terror,
Elephants trumpeted and horses fell slain; the ground was
strewn with the broken fragments of chariots, seats, banners
and canopies ; rivers of blood could be seen Bowing on the
highways and Lanka re-echoed with fearful cries.
Having slaughtered those mighty titans, that heroic monkey,
burning with courage, desiring to measure his strength against
other demons, stationed himself at the gate once more.
CHAPTER 46
He annihilates five Generals and their Forces
Learning that the sons of his ministers had fallen under the
blows of that great monkey, Ravana, with a darkened counten-
ance, concealing his fears, formed a resolution which he
deemed would prove decisive.
Thereupon Dashagriva commanded the leaders of his
forces, Virupaksha, Yupaksha, Durdharsha, Praghasa and
Basakarna, masters of strategy, endowed with the speed of
the wind, brave and skilful warriors, to take Hanuman captive,
saying : —
" Ye Generals, who are full of valour, set out at the head
of your troops with your fleet of horses, chariots and elephants
and take this monkey prisoner. Approaching that dweller of
the woods, exercise great circumspection and act with due
consideration for time and place. Having regard to his con-
duct, I do not judge him to be a monkey, he being endowed
with extraordinary prowess. I deem him to be a higher
being and not a monkey ; perchance he is an emissary created
443
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
by India by virtue of his penances in order to destroy us.
Under my command, ye have all triumphed over Nagas,
Yakshas, Gandharvas, Devas, Asuras and great Rishis ; un-
doubtedly they are plotting some treachery against us, there-
fore seize this being by force. O Generals, let each go forth
at the head of a mighty host, attended by horses, chariots and
elephants and take this monkey prisoner. In former times I
have seen monkeys endowed with immense energy, like Bali,
Sugriva, the exceedingly powerful Jambavan, the General
Nila and others, such as Dvivida, yet there was nothing alarm-
ing in their gait, their energy, their prowess, their intelligence,
their conduct or their capacity to assume different forms,
this, however, is some great being masquerading as a monkey.
Even though the Three Worlds with Indra, the Gods, the
titans and men cannot resist you on the field of battle, great
efforts will be needed to lay hold of him. Nevertheless, even
a seasoned warrior, desiring to triumph in combat, is not able
to defend his life without exertion, for the outcome of a battle
is uncertain."
Obedient to the commands of their lord, all those valiant
titans, resplendent as fire, attended by their troops, threw them-
selves in all haste into their chariots with sharp and pointed
weapons and on to their swift steeds and elephants maddened
with ichor.
Then those warriors beheld that mighty monkey, shining
like the sun that rises with its diadem of sparkling rays, and
seeing him stationed at the gate, possessed of immense strength
and speed, highly intelligent and brave, with his vast stature
and huge arms, they were afraid and assailed him from all
sides with their dreadful weapons.
Then Durdharsha discharged five white iron, and yellow
pointed arrows at Hanuman's forehead, possessing the lustre of
lotus petals, and his head being pierced with those shafts, that
monkey leapt into the air making the ten cardinal points ring
with his cry, whereupon that powerful and heroic warrior
Durdharsha, standing in his chariot with his bow stretched,
advanced, letting fly a hundred arrows at once. Thereupon,
Hanuman, like unto the wind driving away clouds, intercepted
those arrows while coursing in the sky, and sore beset by
SUNDARA KANDA
Durdharsha,the offspring of the Wind expanded in size, emitting
loud roars, and thereafter, with a great bound swooped on the
chariot of Durdharsha with extreme force, like a succession of
lightning flashes striking a mountain. Thrown from his car,
his eight steeds mangled, the pole and the shaft broken, that
warrior fell to the earth, slain.
Then Virupaksha and Yupaksha, seeing him lying on the
ground, waxing wrath sprang up and advanced on Hanuman
dealing blows with their maces, striking the chest of that
long-armed monkey as he stood in space ; whereupon he
meeting the shock of their assault, evaded their arrows and,
that exceedingly powerful monkey, the son of Anila, swooped
down on the earth like an eagle ; thereafter seizing and up-
rooting a Sala tree, assailing those two titans with blows, that
offspring of the Wind-god slew those two mighty and heroic
demons.
Then learning that those three titans had been slain by the
monkey, endowed with great swiftness, the courageous Praghasa
rushed upon him laughing scornfully and the audacious
Basakarna enraged, armed with a spear, also advanced
towards him. Then each from his side attacked that Hon
among monkeys. Praghasa assailing him with a sharp-edged
axe and Basakarna with his spear and, with his body streaming
with blood, his limbs lacerated by their blows, that monkey,
highly enraged looked like the rising sun.
Thereafter that heroic monkey, Hanuman, breaking off the
peak of a mountain, together with its beasts, snakes and trees,
crushed those titans, grinding them to dust; and having slain
those five generals, that monkey proceeded to destroy the
remaining host. As the Thousand-eyed Deity destroyed
the Asuras, so did Hanuman, the horses with horses, the
elephants with elephants, chariots with chariots, and warriors
with warriors and the pathways were choked with elephants,
shattered chariots and the bodies of the titans. Having
destroyed those heroic generals with their forces and vehicles,
that hero, resembling Time, pausing at the destruction of the
worlds, rested at the gate.
445
THE RAMAVANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 47
The Death of Aksha
Hearing that those five generals with their forces and vehicles
had been struck down by Hanuman, the King of the Titans
glanced at the youthful Aksha, who full of martial ardour sat
before him; and that impetuous warrior, armed with a bow
inlaid with gold, responding to his glance, leapt up like a flame
that blazes forth when fed with clarified butter by the foremost
of sages in the sacrificial chamber.
And he ascended a chariot, acquired at the price of accumu-
lated sacrifice, plated with refined gold, dressed with flags
embroidered with pearls, yoked to eight steeds swift as thought,
unconquerable by Gods or titans, surmounting every obstacle,
flashing like lightning, of superb workmanship, able to travel
through space, equipped with quivers, arrows, eight swords,
darts and lances in orderly array, bound with golden ropes,
shining with its myriad weapons, bearing golden garlands,
rivalling the radiance of the sun and moon. Filling the
firmament, the earth and its mountains with the sound of
horses, elephants and great chariots, Aksha, at the head of his
forces, advanced on that monkey, who was stationed on the gate.
Coming before that monkey, Aksha, with the gaze of a lion,
in which admiration and respect were mingled, measured
Hanuman with his glance, who resembled the fire at the dis-
solution of the worlds intent on destroying all creatures.
Thereafter that mighty son of Ravana, reflecting on the exceed-
ing valour of that monkey, his prowess in regards to the enemy
and on his own strength, swelled up with pride and resembled
the sun at the end of the world cycle. Then summoning up
his courage, enraged, he took his stand resolutely in the field,
and with concentrated mind challenged Hanuman, irresistible
in combat and of unimaginable prowess, directing three
whetted shafts upon him.
446
SUNDARA KANDA
Observing that audacious monkey, indifferent to fatigue,
accustomed to overcoming his foes and proud, Aksha took
up his bow, holding his arrows in his hand. Wearing a corselet
and bracelets of gold, with marvellous earrings, endowed
with martial ardour, Aksha rushed on that monkey and a
terrific struggle ensued which was unparalleled on earth and
struck terror even in the Gods and titans. Witnessing that
mighty conflict between the monkey and the youthful titan,
the earth cried out, the sun ceased to pour down its warming
rays, the wind no longer blew and the mountains shook ;
the whole firmament was filled with the sound and the ocean
was convulsed. Then that hero, skilled in directing his aim,
fixed his shafts and loosing them pierced that monkey in the
forehead with three steel pointed winged arrows plated with
gold and resembling venomous snakes.
Wounded by those murderous darts, his eyes blinded by the
blood flowing from his brow, Hanuman resembled the rising
sun, having arrows for its rays. Beholding that offspring of
the foremost of monarchs with his splendid weapons upraised
and his marvellous bow, that valiant counsellor of the Lord
of the Monkeys rejoiced and in his ardour put forth his whole
strength. Resembling the sun crowned with an aureole of
rays as it rises over the peak of the Mandara Mountain, Hanuman,
inflamed with ire, filled with strength and energy, consumed the
youthful Aksha with his forces and vehicles by his fiery glances.
Thereupon that titan, from his bow equal unto Indra's
charged with innumerable darts, let fall a mighty shower of
arrows on the foremost of monkeys in the fight, as a cloud
looses its waters on a lofty mountain.
Seeing the youthful Aksha on the field, seething with wrath
and filled with valour, energy and strength, furnished with
arrows, that monkey shouted aloud in exultation and, as an
elephant draws near to a pit concealed in the grass, so did
Aksha, in the inexperience of his youth, giving rein to his
fury, proud of his valour, approach that incomparable warrior
in conflict. Hanuman struck by those shafts, emitted a loud
roar resembling a thunder cloud and, assuming a formidable
aspect, full of vigour, agitating his legs and arms, churned up
the air.
447
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Leaping upwards, that valiant titan, raining arrows, hurled
himself upon Hanuman and that foremost of titans, exceed-
ingly skilled, greatest of car-warriors, Aksha, burning with
courage, covered him with a hail of shafts, as a cloud covers
the mountains with hailstones. Evading those arrows by
darting between them, that heroic monkey, with the speed of
the wind, swift as thought, began to range the path of the
air. Casting glances full of pride on Aksha, who was armed
with bow and arrows, burning to fight and, filling the sky
with his countless excellent shafts, that offspring of the Wind-
god became thoughtful and his breast, pierced by the shafts
of that youthful and powerful hero, he emitted a great shout.
Recognising the skill of Aksha, he pondered on the warlike
qualities of that warrior, reflecting : —
" This great and powerful warrior, like an infant sun in
splendour, has accomplished deeds incapable of being per-
formed by a boy ; I am loath to slay one who has shown
himself equal to every martial feat ; he is high-souled, filled
with valour, concentrated and able to endure extreme hardship
in war, worthy of being honoured by the great Sages, Nagas
and Yakshas ; his strength and courage lend him a noble
assurance and standing before me, he looks me straight in
the eyes. Forsooth the heroism of this audacious being
would shake the soul of the Gods and titans themselves. Verily
he is an adversary not to be despised, his prowess increases
as he fights ; if I disregard him, he will defeat me, therefore I
must destroy him for a spreading fire may not be neglected."
Reflecting thus on the strength of his foe and his own, that
powerful one, endowed with energy, resolved to slay his
adversary. Thereafter that valiant monkey, born of Pavana,
coursing through the air, struck those eight excellent steeds of
immense size capable of bearing a heavy burden in combat with
the palm of his hand and, that great chariot, overturned by
the blow administered by the counsellor of the King of the
Monkeys, its pole shattered, the shafts riven, the steeds slain,
fell to the earth from the sky.
Thereupon, abandoning his car, bearing his bow and sword,
that warrior leapt into the air, as an ascetic consequent on his
penances ascends to heaven on leaving the body.
448
SUNDARA KANDA
Rising into the sky frequented by the King of the Birds,
the wind and the Celestials, that monkey, with a single bound,
seizing hold of his legs, as Garuda catches hold of a snake,
with a strength equal to his sire's, spun him round and round
and threw him violently on the earth. With his arms, thighs
and chest crushed, vomiting blood, his bones and eyes pulverised,
his joints dislocated, his sinews torn, he fell to earth slain by
the Son of the Wind.
Thereupon that mighty monkey trod his rival underfoot,
striking terror into the heart of the King of the Titans, and
all the Rishis, Cakracaras, Bhutas, Yakshas, Pannagas and
Suras assembled with their leader Indra, who gazed with
wonder on the simian slayer of that youthful titan. And
Hanuman, having destroyed the stripling Aksha, whose eyes
were inflamed with blood on the field of battle, returned to
the gate once more and waited there like Death at the time of
the destruction of all creatures.
CHAPTER 48
Hanuman allows himself to be taken captive by the Titans
The youthful Aksha having been slain by Hanuman, Ravana,
controlling his agitation, filled with anger, commanded Indrajita,
who resembled a god, to take the field, saying : —
" Thou art the foremost of those bearing arms and hast
afflicted even the Gods and Asuras in war ; thou art renowned
among warriors and hast acquired divine weapons by the grace
of Brahma ; thou art invincible in combat, even against the
Maruts led by Indra himself. There is none in the Three
Worlds who does not tire in battle, save thou. Thou art
preserved by thy prowess in arms and thy valour is thy shield ;
being versed in the knowledge of time and place, thou art
exceedingly experienced and no feat is impossible for thee to
accomplish in the field, who art full of forethought ; there is
none in the Three Worlds but is conversant with thine austeri-
ties equal to mine own, as also thy prowess and the strength
449
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of thine arms in combat, nay, depending on thee, I have no
anxiety regarding the outcome of the fray.
" In truth I did not put the same reliance on those who
have succombed that I now place in thee, O Destroyer of Thy
Foes, neither in the Kinkaras nor in Jambumalin, the son of
my counsellor nor in the five generals going forth at the head
of their troops with innumerable forces, accompanied by
horses, elephants and chariots nor in the youthful, dearly
beloved, Aksha, slain by that monkey. O Hero, thou sur-
passest them all, therefore, reflecting on thine own strength,
with all haste act in such a manner that the destruction of the
army may be avoided. O Foremost of those bearing arms,
considering thine own prowess and that of thine adversary,
who now reposes quietly after creating carnage among these
hostile hosts, act so that his might may be subdued. Powerful
forces can serve no purpose here, for great armies flee before
Hanuman nor do maces avail ; the speed of Maruti is irre-
sistible and, like unto Agni, he may not be slain by weapons.
Therefore, revolving all these things in thy mind and reflecting
on the divine quality of thy bow, with the intention of bring-
ing about a successful issue, strive with determination to
overcome thy foe by frustrating his attacks. Assuredly it
was not my will to expose thee to this hazard, O Foremost
among those endowed with intelligence, yet this course of
action is approved by warriors and is in accord with the duty of
kings. In war one must be versed in the traditions as also
in the rules of military science in order to emerge triumphant
from the struggle."
Hearing the words of his sire, Indrajita, whose prowess was
equal to that of the son of Daksha, circumambulated him and
inspired with martial ardour, prepared to fight. Overwhelmed
with homage by his cherished companions, who had assembled
there, he set out for battle. And the resplendent son of the
King of the Titans, whose eyes resembled the petals of a lotus,
bounded impetuously forward, like the ocean at the time of
the full moon. Thereafter, Indrajita of matchless prowess,
equal unto Indra, ascended his chariot, swift as the eagle or
the wind, moving freely, drawn by four lions with pure white
teeth.
45°
SUNDARA KANDA
Standing in his chariot, that most skilled of archers, fully
conversant with the use of weapons, the foremost of warriors
drove rapidly to where Hanuman was to be found.
Hearing the rumbling of wheels and the twanging of the
bowstring, the delight of that monkey was redoubled, where-
upon Indrajita, seizing his bow and steel-pointed arrows,
versed in the art of warfare, proceeded towards Hanuman
and as he advanced light-heartedly, his weapons in his hand,
the four quarters grew dark and jackals set up a hideous
howling. Nagas, Yakshas, Maharishis, Cakracaras and Siddhas
assembled and the sky was filled with birds emitting piercing
cries.
Seeing that chariot bearing down on him, the standard of
Indra unfurled, that monkey raised a great shout and expanded
his body ; whereupon, Indrajita in his celestial car, drew back
his marvellous bow, emitting a sound like thunder and those
two powerful heroes closed in conflict, the monkey and the
son of the King of the Titans, like unto God and demon.
Indifferent to danger they began to fight and that mighty
monkey evaded the impetuous army of that valiant archer and
consummate warrior in his great car, by executing a myriad
evolutions in the air with indescribable agility. Thereupon,
the heroic Indrajita, slayer of his foes, began to discharge his
marvellous superbly-fashioned sharp steel-pointed and winged
arrows, tipped with gold, swift as lightning. Hearing the
rumbling of that chariot, the rolling of the drums together with
the sound of the stretching of the bow, Hanuman leapt hither
and thither and that mighty monkey, evading the rain of arrows,
skilfully eluded that dexterious bowman, whose target he was,
and stretching out his arms, Hanuman, the son of Anila,
turning aside from those missiles, leapt into the sky. Thus
those skilful and spirited warriors, exceedingly swift in motion
and versed in the art of warfare, engaged in combat to the
wonder of all beings. Nor was the titan able to take Hanuman
unawares nor Maruti surprise Indrajita, as they hurled them-
selves on one another with a courage worthy of the Gods.
Observing him unscathed although the target of his infallible
arrows, Indrajita, controlling his senses, engaged in profound
concentration of thought on Hanuman, and finding him
451 2G
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
incapable of being slain, he began to consider how he could be
bound fast and that most experienced of warriors, full of
exceeding energy, discharged that powerful weapon conferred
on him by Brahma on that illustrious monkey. Knowing him
to be incapable of being slain, Indrajita, skilled in strategy,
bound that offspring of the Wind-god with the aid of that
weapon.
Struck by the titan with the Brahma-weapon, that monkey
fell to the earth unconscious, but knowing himself to be bound
by a shaft belonging to the Lord, he did not experience the least
pain and though bereft of strength, that monkey bethought
himself of Brahma's blessing. Then that heroic monkey
began to recollect the boons conferred on him by Brahma
and thinking of that weapon bestowed by the Self-create,
consecrated by mantras, he reflected : " I may not release
myself from these bonds in virtue of the power of that Guru
of the World. Further, this subjugation has been ordained
by Him and must be endured by me."
Thereupon, reflecting on the power of that weapon and the
compassion of the Grandsire of the World towards him, also
of the possibility of deliverance, that monkey submitted himself
to Brahma's decree.
He thought: "Though made fast by this weapon, I experi-
ence no fear ; the Grandsire of the World, Mahendra and
Anila will protect me ; in sooth I deem it to be to mine advantage
to fall into the hands of the titans and thus come face to face
with their great king, therefore let mine enemies take me
captive ! "
Having thus resolved, that destroyer of his foes, full of
circumspection, lay motionless and being ruthlessly pinioned
by the titans, he responded to their threats and abuses by
leonine roars. Beholding that subduer of his foes lying
motionless, the titans bound him with plaited ropes of hemp
and bark and he willingly allowed himself to be tied and in-
sulted by his foes in order that he might converse with the
King of the Titans, should he, out of curiosity, desire to see
him. Bound with ropes, the monkey was no longer under
the sway of the Brahma-weapon, for, he being secured by
other bonds, it was rendered void. Beholding that excellent
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SUNDARA KANDA
monkey bound with bark, the valiant Indrajita recognised him
to be freed from that supernatural weapon and became pensive,
saying aloud : —
"Alas, those titans have rendered my exploit useless, not
being conversant with the power of mantras and that Brahma-
weapon being rendered void, no other is effective, thus we are
all placed in a great predicament for this weapon may not be
loosed twice."
Though delivered from the power of that weapon, Hanuman
betrayed it by no sign, despite the suffering caused by the
fetters that bound him and he allowed himself to be ill-treated
by the titans and assaulted by those cruel demons who struck
him with their fists and dragged him before Ravana. Freed
from the Brahma-weapon, yet bound by hempen ropes, that
powerful and heroic monkey was paraded by Indrajita before
Ravana and his court. And those titans related to the king
everything concerning that foremost of monkeys, who re-
sembled a maddened elephant that has been bound.
On seeing the foremost of monkeys made captive, those war-
like titans enquired saying: — "Who is this? Who has sent
him ? From whence has he come ? What is his mission ?
Who are his supporters ? " and others exclaimed angrily :
" Kill him ! Burn him ! Devour him ! "
Having come some way, Hanuman observed elderly attend-
ants seated at the feet of their sovereign and he gazed with
admiration on the palace decorated with gems.
Then the exceedingly powerful Ravana beheld that foremost
of monkeys dragged hither and thither by those hideous titans,
and Hanuman gazed at the Lord of the Titans, who was like
unto a blazing sun in his might and glory.
Seeing Hanuman, that Ten-headed One issued orders to his
chief ministers, distinguished for their lineage and character,
who stood before him and commanded them to interrogate
that monkey. Thereupon, questioned in turn by them
concerning the purpose of his coming, Hanuman answered : —
" I am a messenger, I come from King Sugriva."
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 49
His Astonishment on beholding Ravana
Pondering on the exploits of that one of exceeding prowess,
Hanuman gazed with wonder on the King of the Titans,
whose eyes were red with anger and who was blazing with
rare and dazzling gold, adorned with a splendid diadem studded
with pearls and excellent ornaments of diamonds and precious
stones created by the power of concentrated thought. Attired
in costly linen, daubed with red sandalpaste painted with
variegated devices, he looked splendid with his reddened eyes,
fierce gaze, brilliant sharp teeth and protruding lips.
To that monkey, that Ten-Headed One, who was resplendent
and of great energy, resembled the Mandara Mountain with its
summits infested with innumerable snakes or a mass of blue
antimony. A string of pearls gleaming on his breast, his
countenance possessing the lustre of the full moon, he resembled
a cloud illumined by the rising sun. With his great arms
laden with bracelets, smeared with sandal paste, his fingers,
like five-headed serpents covered with sparkling rings, he was
seated on a superb and marvellously inlaid crystal throne
studded with gems and covered with rich hangings. Women,
sumptuously attired, surrounded him, chowries in their hands
and he was attended by four experienced counsellors, Durdhara,
Prahasta, Mahaparshwa and the minister Nikumbha who stood
round him like the four seas surrounding the earth ; and
other counsellors too waited upon him as do the Gods on
their King.
Then Hanuman gazed on the Lord of the Titans, clothed in
extreme splendour, resembling the peak of Mount Mem
surrounded by thunder clouds and, though suffering at the
hands of those titans of dreadful prowess, Hanuman experienced
extreme astonishment at the sight of that monarch and be-
holding the effulgence of that Lord of the Titans, dazzled by
his magnificence, he became absorbed in thought.
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SUNDARA KANDA
' What splendour, what power, what glory, what majesty,
he reflected, ' nothing is lacking ! Were he not evil, this
mighty monarch of the titans could be the protector of the
celestial realm and Indra himself, but his cruel and ruthless
deeds, abhorrent to all, render him the scourge of the worlds
as also of the Gods and demons ; in bis anger he could make
an ocean of the earth ! *
Such were the diverse thoughts of that sagacious monkey
on beholding the immeasurable power and might of the King
of the Titans.
CHAPTER 50
Hanuman is questioned by the Titans
Beholding that tawny-eyed one standing before him, the
mighty-armed Ravana, the terror of the worlds, was seized
with violent rage. Gazing on that lion among monkeys
radiating splendour, his mind filled with apprehension, he
reflected : —
" Is this the blessed Nandi, who has come hither, he who
formerly cursed me when, on Mount Kailasha, he became the
object of my mockery ? Or is he perchance Vana Bali's son
in the form of a monkey."
His eyes red with anger, the king then addressed the fore-
most of bis counsellors, Prahasta, in words that were opportune
and fraught with good sense, saying : —
" Demand of this perverse wretch, whence he has come, for
what reason he laid waste the grove and why he slew the
titans ? What is his purpose in entering this impregnable
citadel and why did he attack my retainers ? Interrogate this
scoundrel concerning these matters ! "
At these words of Ravana, Prahasta said to Hanuman : —
" O Monkey, be of good courage, thou hast nought to fear !
If it be Indra who has sent thee to Ravana's abode, tells us
frankly ! Have no anxiety, thou shalt be liberated ! If thou
art from Vaishxavana, Yama or Varuna and have penetrated
into our city disguising thy real form or if thou hast been
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dispatched by Vishnu, hungry for conquest, then tell us.
Thy form alone is that of a monkey, not thy prowess. Unfold
all this unto us faithfully, O Monkey and thou shalt instantly
regain thy freedom but if thou liest, thou shalt pay for it with
thy life ! Therefore tell us why thou hast entered Havana's
abode."
Thus addressed, the foremost of monkeys answered the Lord
of the Titans, saying : —
" I am not from Shakra nor Yama nor Varuna nor am I
allied to Kuvera nor am I sent by Vishnu. I am truly a
monkey as I appear to be, who have come here in order to
behold the King of the Titans and for this purpose I destroyed
the grove. To preserve my life I fought with the titans who,
full of valour, presented themselves before me. Neither
weapons nor chains can subdue me, even those of the Gods
and titans themselves, I having received this boon from the
Grandsire of the World. It was because I desired to see the
king that I suffered myself to be overcome by the Brahma-
weapon. Though I was not under the spell of that weapon,
yet I permitted the titans to capture me in order to further
Rama's design for which purpose I have entered the king's
presence. Knowing me to be the messenger of Raghava,
whose power is limitless, listen to my words, which will prove
to thine advantage, O Lord."
CHAPTER 5 I
His Words
Seeing the mighty ten-headed Ravana, that intrepid monkey
addressed him fearlessly, in words fraught with penetration,
saying : —
" I have come here at the command of Sugriva, O Lord of
the Titans ! As a brother, that Sovereign of the Monkeys
offers salutations to thee. Hear the counsel of a brother, the
magnanimous Sugriva j his words are in accord with justice,
advantageous and salutary both in this world and hereafter.
King Dasaratha, the master of chariots, elephants and
horses, in splendour equal to Indra, was the friend of all and
456
SUNDARA KANDA
like unto a father to his subjects. His eldest son, mighty-armed,
the darling of his sire, at his command, entered the Dandaka
Forest with his brother Lakshmana and his consort Sita. His
name is Rama and he is exceedingly valiant and ever abides
in the path of virtue. His faithful consort, Sita, the illustrious
daughter of the high-souled Janaka, King of Videha, vanished
in the forest of Janasthana. Seeking for that princess, the
king's son with his younger brother came to Rishyamuka
and met with Sugriva. That King of the Monkeys promised
to undertake the search for Sita and Rama agreed to aid him
in recovering the monkey kingdom. Thereupon, slaying Bali
in combat, that king's son established Sugriva on the throne,
as lord of all the bears and monkeys. Bali, that bull among
monkeys, formerly known to thee, was slain by Rama with
a single arrow in the fight, whereupon the Lord of the Monkeys,
Sugriva, true to his vow, eager to rind Sita, dispatched monkeys
in all directions. Hundreds, thousands and millions of monkeys
are exploring every region high and low, even up to the heavens
and some resemble Vainataya and some the wind and those
highly energetic monkeys course hither and thither without
rest, incapable of being stayed. I am named Hanuman, the
beloved son of Maruta and, in order to find Sita, I have crossed
four hundred miles of sea. Having passed over the ocean,
wandering through thy palace, 1 observed Janaka's daughter.
" It does not become thee, who art conversant with what is
meet and proper and hast enriched thyself by thy penances,
to bear away another's wife, O Eminently Sagacious One.
Intelligent beings, such as thou, should not commit acts
prohibited by the law of righteousness which lead to ruin !
Who, even among the Gods and titans, can withstand the shafts
loosed by Lakshmana or those of Raghava in his wrath ? Nay,
in the Three Worlds, there is none who may affront Rama
with impunity. Following the path of duty and profit, do thou
ponder these words fraught with advantage to thee in the
three divisions of time and restore Janaki to Rama, that lion
among men !
" I have seen Sita and achieved that which was difficult to
compass, as for what remaineth to be done, Rama himself shall
accomplish it. I have beheld her in thine abode, suffering
457
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
grievously ; thou art seemingly unaware that thou harbourest
a five-headed serpent in thy mansion. Even as food mixed
with poison may not be digested even by Gods or titans, so
is she. It is not worthy of thee to bring to nought that merit
acquired by extreme mortification, as also a long and prosperous
life. Thou deemest thyself by thy penances, to have won
immunity from death even from Gods, Immortals or titans,
but Sugriva is neither a God nor an Immortal nor a titan.
Raghava, O King, is a mortal and Sugriva, the Lord of Monkeys,
therefore how wilt thou preserve thy life ? The fruits of virtue
do not blend with those of vice nor does equity destroy iniquity,
Till to-day thou hast plucked the fruit of thy merits but soon
thou wilt reap the fruit of thine evil deeds. Having learnt of
the destruction of Janasthana, the death of Bali and the
alliance of Rama and Sugriva ; ponder on these things to
thine own advantage. I am undoubtedly able to destroy
Lanka with its horses, chariots and elephants single-handed
yet I have not received the mandate to do so. In the presence
of the troops of monkeys and bears, Rama vowed to slay his
foes, those who bore Sita away. Assuredly, in doing injury
to Rama, even Indra himself could not dwell in peace, how
much less one like thee. This Sita, who is known to thee
and who stays in thine abode is the night of death that will
bring about thine end and that of Lanka. Beware of placing
thy neck in the noose of death in the form of Sita. Consider
how thou mayest save thyself. Thou shall behold this mar-
vellous city with its palaces and highways consumed by Ska's
power and the flames fed by Rama's wrath. Do not therefore
abandon friends, ministers, kinsfolk, brothers, sons, servants,
wives and Lanka to this fate. O Indra among Titans, follow
this good counsel since it is offered to thee by one who is a
monkey, the servant and messenger of Rama.
" Having wholly annihilated the worlds and their inhabitants
with all that moves or does not move, the illustrious Raghava
could re-create them all. Among the chiefs of the Gods,
Titans, Yakshas, Danavas, Nagas, Vidyadharas, Gandharvas,
wild beasts, Siddhas Kinneras or birds, in no way nor any-
where, at no time, among any beings, has any been found,
who could stand against Rama whose valour is equal to Vishnu's.
458
SUNDARA KANDA
Since thou hast offered that lion among kings, Rama, this
affront, thy life is forfeit !
" Devas, Daityas, Gandharvas, Vidyadharas, Nagas and
Yakshas are all unable to hold their own in combat with Rama,
the Protector of the Three Worlds, O King of the Titans !
Even were it the Four-headed Brahma, Swyambhu Himself
or the Three-eyed Rudra, the destroyer of Tripura, or the
mighty Indra, Chief of the Gods, not one of them could with-
stand Raghava in the field.'*
Hearing this distasteful yet excellent speech of that bold
and fearless monkey, the Ten-Necked One, his eyes rolling in
anger, ordered him to be put to death.
chapter 52
Bibtshana pleads for Hanuman
Hearing the words of that high-souled monkey, Ravana, in a
transport of fury, ordered him to be put to death. This decree
however, issued by the King of the Titans in his perversity
on one who had proclaimed himself to be a messenger, did not
meet with the approval of Bibishana.
Knowing that Lord of the Titans to be exceeding wrath
and the affair about to be concluded, that prince, firm in
justice, began to consider what should now be done and that
subduer of his foes, having resolved how to act, addressed his
elder brother in words which were essentially true and mild,
saying : —
" O King of the Titans, control thine anger and with a
tranquil mind hear me, extend thy favour to me. Righteous
monarchs, being conversant with the laws of cause and effect,
do not take the life of a messenger. O Valiant Prince, it is
contrary to justice, opposed to social usage, and unworthy of thee
to bring about the death of this monkey. Thou art versed in
the moral code, dost recognise an obligation, canst distinguish
between high and low, dost carry out thy kingly duties and art
aware of the ultimate purpose of life. If the wise, such as
459
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thou, suffer themselves to be mastered by anger, then the
study of the scriptures is only a weariness of the flesh. Be
pacified therefore, O Slayer of thine Enemies, O Unconquerable
Sovereign of the Titans and consider what is meet and just
in dealing out punishment to a foe."
Hearing Bibishana's words, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans,
in a violent rage, answered him saying : —
" O Scourge of Thy Foes, to slay an evil-doer is no sin,
therefore I shall make an end of this worker of iniquity."
Hearing this infamous and unscrupulous speech, essentially
perverse, Bibishana, who was the foremost of those endowed
with wisdom, answered in words fraught with integrity,
saying : —
" O Lord of Lanka, King of all the Titans, be gracious unto
me and listen to that which embodies the significance of virtue
and profit. Under no conditions is an envoy put to death,
this is the unanimous verdict of the good. Undoubtedly this
is a formidable adversary and he has inflicted immeasurable
injury on us, yet men of honour do not sanction the slaying of
a messenger though innumerable punishments have been
ordained for them. Mutilation of the body, the whip, stripes,
shaving of the head, branding, one or all of these may be
inflicted on a messenger but of punishment by death, none
has ever heard. How can a hero such as thou art, whose
mind is swayed by a sense of duty and who is discriminating
and conversant with what is noble and ignoble, suffer himself
to be overcome by anger ? The virtuous do not give way to
wrath ! Thou hast no equal among those who rule over a
people and thou art able to comprehend the import of the
scriptures ; thou surpasseth the titans and the Gods. In-
vincible to the Gods and titans who are endowed with prowess,
martial ardour and intelligence, thou hast oft-times in battle
routed the King of the Celestials and other monarchs. Fools
who, even in thought seek to injure thee, who art a great and
intrepid warrior, who hast fought with Daityas and Dcvas,
heroic, intrepid and unconquerable, are already deprived of
their lives. I see no justification for putting this monkey to
death. It is on those who sent him, that the punishment
should fall. Whether he be honest or not, the responsibility
460
SUNDARA KANDA
rests with them. Advocating another's interests and dependent
on them, an envoy does not merit death. Further if this one
be killed, no other sky-ranger may present himself to us,
therefore, O Conqueror of Hostile Citadels, do not seek to
take his life ; direct thine efforts against the Gods and their
leader. O Thou who lovest warfare, if he be slain, I see none
who can incite those two haughty princes to take arms against
thee. It is not fitting for thee, whom the Gods and titans
cannot conquer, to rob the Nairritas, whose delight thou art, of
the opportunity of witnessing that encounter ! They are
devoted to thy welfare, courageous, disciplined warriors
distinguished for their great qualities, intelligent, renowned
for their burning ardour and fine bearing. Therefore let
some of these, setting out under thine orders to-day, seize
those two princes and establish thy supremacy among thy
foes."
On this, Ravana, that sagacious Lord of the Titans, the
formidable foe of the celestial realm, recognised the wisdom
of the inspired words uttered by bis younger brother.
chapter 53
Hanuman is led bound through the City
Hearing the words of his high-souled brother, spoken in
consonance with time and place, Dashagriva answered him
saying : —
" Thou hast spoken truly, the slaying of a messenger is to
be deprecated, it is therefore necessary to inflict some punish-
ment other than death on him. In the case of monkeys, the
tail is unquestionably the most cherished embellishment,
therefore let it be set on fire and, having been burnt let him go,
whereafter his friends, kinsfolk and allies as all those dear to
him shall behold him degraded and mutilated.*'
Then the Lord of the Titans issued this command :
" With his tail in flames, let him be led through the city of
Lanka and its highways."
461
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing his words, the titans in their savage fury began to
wrap the tail of Hanuman in cotton rags and thus swathed,
that colossal monkey increased in size like unto a fire in a
forest fed by dry wood. And having soaked the cloths in oil,
the titans set them on fire and Hanuman, filled with rage and
indignation, his face shining like the rising sun, lashed out at
them with his blazing tail, whereupon that lion among monkeys
was secured more tightly by the assembled demons. Accom-
panied by women, children and the aged, those rangers of the
night gathered to enjoy the spectacle and the valiant Hanuman,
who was bound, began to reflect on the matter and thought
to himself: —
" Assuredly, though fettered, the titans are not able to
prevent me from breaking my bonds and leaping amongst them
creating fresh carnage, still it is in the interest of my master
that I have taken this journey and it is under the orders of their
lord that they have bound me, I shall not therefore resist
them. From the point of view of stature, I am well able to
engage all these titans in battle but for love of Rama I shall
suffer this outrage. I shall survey Lanka anew, since during
the night I was not able to view the fortifications, it proving
too difficult. The night having passed I shall behold Lanka
by day. Let them bind me anew; even though they inflict
pain on me by the burning of my tail, my mind is not troubled."
Meanwhile the titans seizing hold of that great monkey of
formidable aspect who was full of courage, an elephant among
apes, exultant, advanced joyfully, proclaiming his misdeeds
with conches and trumpets and those demons of cruel exploits
dragged Hanuman, the conqueror of his foes, through the city,
he willingly submitting himself to them.
Thereupon, passing through the titan's capital, that greaj
monkey surveyed those marvellous palaces, covered highways,
well laid out squares and streets flanked with mansions and
cross roads, lanes and alleys, as also the interior of the dwellings
and on the terraces and roads and along the royal highways all
those titans cried out : " This is a spy ! "
Then those hideous titan women informed the divine Sita
of these unpleasant tidings, saying : — " O Sita, that red-faced
monkey, who had converse with thee, is being led through the
462
SUNDAVA KANDA
streets, his tail ablaze." And hearing those words, Vaidehi
remembering her own abduction, overcome with grief, having
duly purified herself, called upon that God who nourishes
himself on the sacrifices and urgently implored him to show
his favour to that mighty monkey. And the large-eyed Sita,
standing before the fire said : ** If I am possessed of true
devotion to my lord and have practised penances, if I have
been a chaste wife, then do thou prove cool to this monkey.
If the sagacious Rama still has any compassion for me, if my
merits are not wholly exhausted, then do not burn Hanuman."
Whereupon Anala of ardent rays, as if communicating with
that lady, whose eyes were like a doe's, blazed up and, at the
same time, Hanuman's sire, in order to please that goddess,
blew on that flaming tail with ice-cold breath and the monkey,
whose tail was ablaze, thought : — " How is it that this fire,
blazing up, does not burn me ? I see a great flame, yet feel
no pain, even as if the snow had fallen upon it. In sooth
this is a wonder due to Rama's power which I witnessed when
crossing the main. If the ocean and the virtuous Mainaka acted
in such a manner, in reverence for him, what will the God of
Fire not do ? It is on account of Sita's virtue, Raghava's power
and my sire's affection for me, that Pavaka does not burn me."
Thereafter that elephant among monkeys reflected : —
" Why should a warrior such as I, suffer himself to be bound
by these vile titans ? It is meet that I should manifest my
valour and avenge myself ! "
Then that impetuous and mighty monkey snapped his bonds
and springing into the air uttered a shout and that offspring
of the Wind-god reached the gate of the city which was as
high as the peak of a mountain and where no titans were to be
found. Then, he who resembled a great hill, assumed a
diminutive form and casting off his fetters became free, where-
upon he expanded to the size of a mountain once more. Look-
ing about him he observed an iron bar lying at the gate and the
long-armed Maruti, seizing hold of that weapon, employed it
for slaying the guards. Having destroyed them, in his ardour,
that one of exceeding prowess, with the burning plume of
his tail resembling an aureole, looking like the glorious sun
surrounded by rays, cast his eyes over Lanka.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 54
He sets fire to Lanka
Surveying Lanka, that monkey, having attained his purpose,
began to consider what he should do further and reflected in
himself: — "What more remains for me to do to afflict the
titans ? The grove laid waste, those vile titans slain, a part of
the army destroyed, nothing is left for me but to demolish
their citadel. With their fort destroyed, it were easy to bring
my labours to an end ; with a little effort I can complete my
task and obtain the price of my trouble. The Bearer of
Sacrificial Offerings that flames on my tail must be propitiated
by me, I shall therefore burn up these excellent buildings."
Thereat, with his tail in flames, which lent him the appear-
ance of a cloud charged with lightning, that great monkey
began to range the roofs of the dwellings of Lanka. Glancing
round, passing from mansion to mansion, with a calm mind he
encircled those stately edifices and gardens and leaping im-
petuously towards the palace of Prahasta, that one of exceeding
prowess in strength resembling the wind, set fire to it. There-
after the mighty Hanuman bounded to the mansion of Maha-
parshwa lighting a fire equal to that at the end of the world.
Then that monkey of immense energy leapt on the residence of
Vajradanshtra and on those belonging to Shuka and the in-
telligent Sarana. In the same way that leader of monkeys
burnt down the habitations of Indrajita, Jambumalin and
Sumali and those of the titans Rashmiketu, Suryashatru,
Hrasvakarna, Damshtra, Romasha, Yuddhonmatta, Matta,
Dwajagriva, Vidyujjihva and Hastimukha and the dwellings
of Karala, Vishala, Shonitaksha, Kumbhakarna, Maharaksba,
those of Narantaka, Kumbha, Nikumbha and the magnanimous
Yajnashatru and Brahmasharru.
That mighty bull among monkeys thereafter set fire to the
accumulated treasure of those affluent titans and having passed
4«4
SUNDARA KANDA
over the other dwellings that powerful and auspicious one
approached the residence of the King of Titans. Then the
virtuous Hanuman, emitting loud cries, resembling a cloud at
the dissolution of the world, with the tip of his blazing tail
set fire to that foremost of buildings decorated with every
variety of gems resembling Mount Meru or Mandara, en-
riched with sumptuous decoration.
Fanned by the wind, the flames spread everywhere, casting
livid gleams like the Fires of Time and those palaces, en-
riched with gold, decorated with pearls and gems, richly
bejewelled, toppled to earth, crumbling to dust like the mansions
of the Celestials, who have fallen from heaven their merit
exhausted. Then there arose a mighty uproar among the
titans, who fled in all directions unable to preserve their dwell-
ings, bereft of their treasure, crying out : — " Verily it is the
God of Fire himself in the form of a monkey ! "
Some of the titan women with babies at their breasts
ran shrieking from their homes and some, enveloped in flames,
their hair in disorder, fell from the high balconies like flashes
of lightning in the sky. And Hanuman saw various metals
flowing in a molten mass, mixed with diamonds, coral, emeralds,
pearls and silver, streaming from the palaces and, as fire is not
sated in consuming wood and straw, neither did Hanuman
weary of slaying those leaders of titans nor the earth from
receiving their corpses. As Rudra consumed the Demon
Tripura so did that impetuous and mighty monkey burn up
Lanka and, from the summit of that mountain where Lanka
stood, that dreadful conflagration kindled by the intrepid
Hanuman shot forth in tongues of flame. Resembling the
fires at the destruction of the world, the smokeless conflagration,
lit by Maruta blazed up to the skies aided by the wind, feeding
on the dwellings of the titans and their bodies like
sacrificial offerings and, with the fierce ardour of a million
suns, it consumed Lanka wholly as with increasing volume
the fire cleaves the mundane Egg with a sound resembling
innumerable thunderclaps. That fire of incalculable fury,
rising into the sky, with its flames resembling Kimshuka
flowers, its clouds of smoke like unto the blue lotus, looked
exceedingly beautiful.
465
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Verily this is the God who bears the thunderbolt, Mahendra,
the Chief of the Thirty or Yama or Varuna or Anila. This is
no monkey but the God of Death himself who has come !
Or perchance it is a manifestation of Brahma's wrath, the four-
faced God who, in the form of a monkey has come hither to
destroy the titans or is it the supreme power of Vishnu, un-
imaginable, unutterable, infinite and unsurpassed, which, by
his Maya, has assumed the form of a monkey ? "
Thus did the chief titans speak, being assembled and, seeing
their city suddenly consumed by fire with its inhabitants,
horses, chariots, flocks of birds, beasts and trees they
began to lament, crying : — " O My Father, O My beloved
Son, O My dear One, O My Friend ! Woe, alas ! O My Lord,
our spiritual merit is exhausted ! " Thus amidst, a frightful
clamour, did the titans cry aloud, and Lanka, encircled with
flames, her heroes slain, her warriors succumbing to the swift
wrath of Hanuman, appeared to have fallen under a curse.
In the midst of the tumult Hanuman with pride, surveyed
Lanka bearing the marks of that violent blaze and its terror-
stricken demons as Swyambhu surveys the final destruction of
the world.
Having demolished the grove planted with rare trees and
slain those powerful titans in combat and burned that city
filled with splendid palaces, that monkey born of Favana
rested.
Having dispatched those titans in great numbers, destroyed
the dense woods and spread the fire amongst the titan dwell-
ings, the illustrious Hanuman became absorbed in the thought
of Rama.
Thereupon all the Celestials lauded that prince among monkey
warriors endowed with immense energy, equal to Maruta in
swiftness, that sagacious and excellent son of Vayu. And all
the Gods, the foremost of the Ascetics, the Gandharvas,
Vidyadharas, Pannagas and Bhutas experienced an exceeding
and indescribable joy.
And having devastated the forest, slain the titans in conflict
and burnt the great city of Lanka, that mighty monkey, seated
on the roof of the foremost of buildings, spreading the rays of
his flaming tail like a aureole, resembled the sun encircled with
466
SUNDARA KANDA
a nimbus. Then having consumed the city of Lanka, that great
monkey quenched the fire of his tail in the sea.
Beholding Lanka consumed by fire, the Gods, Gandharvas,
Siddhas and great ascetics were struck with amazement.
chapter 55
Hanuman's Anxiety concerning Sita
Seeing Lanka consumed by fire and that city with its terror-
stricken titans filled with tumult, the monkey Hanuman
became thoughtful and a great anxiety invaded his mind.
He reflected : — " In burning Lanka, I have without doubt
done something reprehensible ! Blessed are those great souls,
who, in their wisdom extinguish the anger born within them
as a fire is quenched by water. What evil is not committed by
those who give way to wrath? In anger one may even slay
one's spiritual preceptor ; nor does he who is enraged, refrain
from affronting virtuous men. He who gives way to wrath
is unable to discriminate as to when it is fitting to speak or
when to be silent ; there is no iniquity that cannot be per-
petrated by him. He is truly said to be a man, who, con-
trolling himself, subdues the anger rising within him as a
snake casts off its slough. Woe is me, wretched and shameless
doer of evil that I am, who, forgetting Sita, have slain my lord
by fire. Should that noble daughter of Janaka have perished
in this conflagration, which has wholly consumed the city of
Lanka, I have frustrated the purpose of my master ; Sita
having been burnt, I have marred my lord's design. To
burn down Lanka is a trifling occurrence, but suffering myself
to be overcome by anger I have cut at the very root of my
mission. Assuredly Janaki has perished for there remains no
corner of Lanka that has not been laid waste, the entire city
lies in ashes. Since I have sacrified everything through my
lack of understanding, I shall yield up my life this instant,
either I shall throw myself into the fire or into the jaws of
Vadava, or give my body to the denizens of the deep. Living,
I am not able to face the King of the Monkeys or those two
4*7 «H
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
tigers among men, having marred their purpose. Through my
culpable anger I have manifested my undisciplined simian
nature to the Three Worlds. Woe to the unbridled passion,
uncurbed and unrestrained, under which I failed to protect
Sita when it was in my power to do so. She, having perished,
those two heroes will die also and on their ceasing to exist,
Sugriva will yield up his life with all his kinsfolk. On hearing
these tidings, how shall the virtuous Bharata, devoted to his
brother or Shatrughna, survive? Then on the extinction of
the illustrious race of Ikshwaku, their subjects will be overcome
with grief.
" Unfortunate am I, whose merits have been annulled
through being false to the ties of duty and advantage, suffering
myself to be dominated by a corrupting passion, thus becoming
the destroyer of creatures ! "
Immersed in these melancholy reflections, Hanuman re-
collected certain auspicious signs that he had previously
observed and said to himself: — ■
" Is it possible that that Lovely One, protected by her own
spiritual merit, has happily escaped death ? Fire cannot burn
fire ! Nay, Pavaka would not dare to approach that virtuous
one, preserved by her own purity, who is the consort of one of
immeasurable glory. That Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings has
not burned me owing to Rama's power and the virtue of
Vaidehi. How should she therefore, the object of worship of
those three brothers, Bharata and the others and the beloved
of Rama's heart, perish ? Since it is the nature of fire to burn,
he who reigns invincible as master everywhere yet who has
not burned my tail, why should he consume that exalted One ? "
Thereafter Hanuman remembered with wonder how the
Mainaka bill had appeared to him in the ocean and he reflected:
" By virtue of her asceticism, sincerity and undeviating devotion
to her lord, she is able to consume fire itself but it cannot
consume her."
Pondering thus on the magnitude of the divine Sita's
spiritual merit, Hanuman heard the high-souled Charanas
conversing thus : —
"Assuredly Hanuman has accomplished a difficult feat in
igniting a fierce and terrible fire in the dwellings of the titans.
468
SUNDARA KANDA
The hosts of women, children and the aged are fleeing away
and the tumult re-echoes as in a cavern ; the city of Lanka
with its towers, walls and gateways is wholly consumed but
Janaki still lives, a great wonder ! "
Such were the words, resembling ambrosia, which fell on
Hanuman's ears and from that instant, happiness flooded his
heart once more. On account of the auspicious portents, his
own conclusions, the merits of Sita and the words of the saints,
Hanuman was delighted beyond measure. Thereupon that
monkey, having attained his end, knowing the princess to be
safe, resolved to leave Lanka after seeing her once more.
chapter 56
He takes leave of Sita
Paying obeisance to Janaki seated at the foot of the Shimshapa
tree, Hanuman said to her : " By the grace of heaven I find
thee unharmed ! "
Looking on him again and again as he stood ready to depart,
Sita, inspired by conjugal affection, said to him : —
" If, O Child, thou judgest it opportune, then, O Irre-
proachable Friend, remain here in some hidden spot to-day;
to-morrow, having rested, do thou set out. Thy proximity,
O Monkey, will make me forget mine overwhelming grief
awhile. Thou wilt go, O Great Monkey and it is doubtful
whether I shall still be living on thy return, O Foremost of
Monkeys ! In thine absence my torments will increase and
falling into one misfortune after another, I shall be consumed
with grief and sorrow. Further, O Hero, this fear is ever
present with me ; how will the most valiant Sugriva or that
host of bears and monkeys cross the impassable ocean or
those two sons of men supported by those powerful monkeys ?
Three beings alone are able to bound over the deep, Vainateya,
thou and Maruta.
" In the face of this insurmountable obstacle, in thy con-
summate experience dost thou see any possibility of success ?
4*9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
0 Destroyer of Hostile Warriors, thou alone art competent to
perform this task, thou shalt attain renown by thy prowess ;
yet, if Kakutstha, the scourge of his foes were able to lay
Lanka waste with his forces and bear me away, it would be
worthy of him. Therefore do that which will enable the
magnanimous Rama to manifest his prowess in conformity
with a warrior's nature."
Hearing these words full of loving solicitude, reason and
significance, the valiant Hanuman answered : —
" O Noble Lady, that lord and foremost of monkeys, Sugriva,
endowed with power, has resolved to deliver thee. Attended
by thousands of billions of powerful monkeys, he will not delay
in coming hither, O Vaidehi, and those foremost of men, the
flower of the human race, Rama and Lakshmana, coming here,
will afflict Lanka with their arrows. Having destroyed the
titans and their adherents, the son of Raghu, O Exceedingly
Fair One, shall bear thee away and bring thee to his capital.
Take heart, therefore, O Gentle One and await that hour !
Soon shalt thou see Rama strike down Ravana on the field of
battle. The Lord of the Titans slain with his sons, ministers
and people, thou shalt be re-united with Rama, as Rohmi
with the moon. Ere long Kakutstha will appear accompanied
by the foremost of monkeys and bears and, triumphing in the
fight, shall remove thy grief."
Having thus consoled Vaidehi, Hanuman, born of Maruta,
prepared to depart, offering salutations to her and, having
comforted her and displayed his surpassing strength by render-
ing that city desolate, having thwarted Ravana and exhibited
his immeasurabke power, Hanuman, paying obeisance to
Vaidehi, intent on returning, resolved to cross the ocean once
more.
Then the repressor of his foes, that powerful monkey, eager
to see his lord, ascended the foremost of mountains, Arishta,
covered with dark groves of Fadmaka trees, resembling a
mantle which, with the clouds clinging to its sides, seemed to
expand with joy under the sun's rays ; the metals scattered here
and there appeared to be its eyes and the solemn sound of its
torrents resembled its voice chanting the Veda; the water-
Ms, the singing of its song and the tall Devadaru trees caused
470
SIUNDARA KANDA
the mountain to resemble a giant with uplifted arms, the
thundering of the torrents were its cries re-echoing round
about and the autumnal woods agitated by the wind made it
appear as if it trembled ; as the breeze whistled through the
reeds, it seemed to be piping while great and venomous ser-
pents created the illusion of its hissing in anger. With its
ravines shrouded in mist, investing it with a solemn air, as if it
were deeply absorbed in contemplation and the clouds moving
here and there on its slopes lending it the appearance of walking;
with its peaks towering heavenwards, so that it appeared to be
yawning, it was bristling with escarpments and filled with
innumerable caves. Planted with Sala, Tala. Kharjura,
Tamala, Kama and Vanisha trees with a myriad creepers laden
with flowers and abounding in herds of deer and containing
innumerable streams, with countless crags, rich in minerals,
intersected by rills, frequented by Maharishis, Yakshas,
Gandharvas, Kinneras and Uragas, impenetrable on account
of the thorns and briars, its caves were filled with lions, and
tigers and other beasts abounded there and that mountain
was furnished with trees having delicious fruit and roots.
Then the foremost of monkeys, the son of Anila, ascended
that mountain burning to behold Rama once more and, wherever
he placed his foot on those enchanting slopes, the rocks crumbled
and broke away with a thundering sound.
Having scaled the Indra of Mountains, that mighty monkey
gathered up his strength, desirous of crossing from the southern
to the northern shore of the salty sea and, reaching the summit,
he beheld that formidable expanse of water inhabited by
dreadful monsters. Then the son of Maruta, with the swift-
ness of the wind as it blows through space, leapt from the
southern region to the northern shore and, pressed under
foot by that monkey, the mountain giant re-echoing to the
cries of countless denizens sank into the bosom of the earth
with its peaks toppling and its trees overturned. Borne down
by Hanuman's prodigious bounds, trees laden with blossom
fell to the ground as if struck by Indra's thunderbolt and the
dreadful roar of great lions lurking in the caverns rent the
skies as they were crushed by the falling mountain. Vidya-
dharas, their raiment torn and their ornaments in disorder,
47i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fled in terror from that place and large and powerful serpents,
filled with poison, shooting out their tongues, lay in coiled
heaps, their heads and necks crushed. Kinneras, Uragas,
Gandharvas, Yakshas and Vidyadharas, deserting that mountain,
returned to the celestial realm and that mighty hill, measuring
forty miles in extent and thirty in height, was levelled to the
earth with its trees and lofty summits
Then that monkey, desirous of crossing over the salty sea,
whose shores were threatened by the tides, rose into the air.
chapter 57
The Return of Hanuman
Like a winged mountain, with one impetuous bound, Hanuman
sailed over the airy sea, whose serpents were the Yakshas and
the full-blown lotuses; the Gandharvas the moon was the
lily on those enchanting waters, the sun its waterfowl, Tishya
and Shravana its swans and the clouds its reeds and moss ;
Pumavasu was the whale and Lohitanga the crocodile ; Airavata
the spacious island ; Swati, its decoration in the form of a
swan; the breezes were its billows and the rays of the moon
its cool and peaceful waves.
Unwearyingly, Hanuman swallowing up that space adorned
with the sun and stars, skimmed past the King of the Planets.
Cleaving the clouds and crossing that ocean without fatigue, he
beheld great masses of cloud, white, roseate, purple, blue,
yellow and black, looking exceedingly beautiful and he,
entering and re-emerging from them, looked like the moon,
when it is lost to sight and becomes visible again. Coursing
through those massed clouds in his white attire, that hero
could at times be seen and again was hidden in the sky, like
unto the moon. Borne through space, that son of the Wind
constantly dispersed the groups of clouds, sailing on and on,
emitting loud roars resembling thunder and, having slain the
titans, rendered his name famous, laid the city of Lanka waste,
47a
SUNDARA KANDA
harassed Ravana, inflicted defeat on those mighty warriors
and paid homage to Vaidehi, he was now returning full of
glory, across the sea.
And that one endowed with prowess, paid homage to the
foremost of mountains, Mainaka, as he sped on like an arrow
loosed from the bowstring. Approaching from afar, he
observed that lofty Mountain Mahendra, like a great cloud
and that mighty monkey, having a lusty voice resembling
thunder, filled the ten cardinal points with his roars.
Reaching the southern shore, eager to see his friends once
again, he began to wave his tail to and fro and emit loud cries
and as he proceeded in the path of Suparna, the clamour rent
the skies and it appeared as if the firmament and the sun's
disc were shattered.
Thereupon those mighty warriors on the northern shore of
the ocean, anxiously awaiting the Wind-god's offspring,
heard the sound created by the thighs of Hanuman proceeding
at great speed, resembling clouds blown by the wind and
those rangers of the woods, who had been dispirited, heard
the roars of that monkey which were like unto thunder. Hearing
that clamour raised by Hanuman, those monkeys who were
eager to see their friend once again, were gready excited and
Jambavan, the foremost of the monkeys, his heart exultant,
addressing them all, spoke thus : —
" Undoubtedly Hanuman has been wholly successful in his
enterprise ; if it were not so he would not have raised this
clamour."
Thereupon the monkeys, hearing the violent movements of
that magnanimous one, as also his shouts, highly delighted,
leapt up and in their joy, bounding from rock to rock and from
crest to crest, eager to behold Hanuman, climbed to the tops
of the trees waving their clean apparel.
And the roaring of the mighty Hanuman, born of Maruta,
resembled the wind whistling through a mountain gorge.
Seeing that great ape, who, alighting, shone like a mass of
clouds, all the monkeys stood before him with joined palms,
whereupon that valiant monkey, high as a hill, leapt down
on to the Mahendra Mountain covered with trees and, over-
flowing with felicity, he alighted on that lofty and enchanting
473
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
peak, like a winged hill, whose pinions have been dipt and who
has fallen from the sky.
Then instantly all the monkeys with glad hearts began to
gather round the magnanimous Hanuman, encircling him, their
faces shining with joy, drawing near to him in the excess
of their felicity. Then offering obeisance to him they brought
roots and fruits to that greatest of monkeys, born of Maruta.
In their delight, some emitted shouts of joy and the foremost
of the monkeys brought branches of trees so that he might
be seated.
Meanwhile that mighty ape, Hanuman, paid obeisance to
his elders and the aged with Jambavan at their head, as well
as Prince Angada. And honoured by them all, as he had
merited to be and overwhelmed by courtesies, he informed
them briefly : — " I have seen the Goddess ! " Then taking
the hand of Bali's son, he sat down in the enchanting grove on
the Mahendra Mountain and, questioned by them, he joyfully
addressed those foremost of monkeys, saying : —
" In the midst of the Ashoka grove, I observed Janata;
that irreproachable one is guarded by dreadful titan women.
That damsel is wearing a single plait of hair and constantly
sighs for Rama's presence. She is faint on account of fasting,
stained with dust, emaciated, and wears matted locks."
Those foremost of monkeys, hearing the words of Maruti :
" I have seen her ", sweet as Amrita, intoxicated with joy
began to shout and emitting cries of pleasure raised ululations.
Some waved their tails to and fro, others raised them up
lashing them or bounded to the summit and with delight
touched the fortunate Hanuman, that chief of monkeys.
And when Hanuman had spoken, Angada, in the midst of
those valiant monkeys, paid tribute to Hanuman in excellent
words, saying : —
" For valour and courage thou hast no equal, O Monkey,
since thou hast crossed the immense ocean and hast now
returned. Thou alone hast given us back our lives, O Great
One. By thy grace, our purpose accomplished, we can rejoin
Raghava. O What devotion thou hast shown to thy master !
What prowess ! What endurance ! By the grace of heaven,
thou hast seen the divine and glorious consort of Rama. By
474
SUNDARA KANDA
the grace of heaven, Kakutstha will abandon the grief that
Sita's absence has caused him ! "
Thereafter, surrounding Angada, Hanuman and Jambavan,
the monkeys full of joy brought large rocks and, seated thereon,
eager to hear how he had crossed the main and seen Lanka,
Sita and Havana, they waited with joined palms, their eyes
fixed on Maruti.
And the youthful Angada, surrounded by innumerable
monkeys, resembled the Chief of the Gods enthroned in
heaven amidst the myriad hosts.
When the glorious and renowned Hanuman with the illus-
trious Angada, who was adorned with bracelets were seated,
that elevated and mighty peak shone with splendour.
CHAPTER 58
Hanuman recounts his Experiences
Thereafter, on the summit of Mount Mahendra, those
monkeys, their eyes fixed on the mighty Hanuman were filled
with delight and when all those high-souled and happy
monkeys were seated, Jambavan, glad at heart, enquired of the
great and fortunate offspring of the Wind concerning the
success of his mission, saying : —
" How didst thou discover that noble lady ; how doth she
fare there ; how doth that cruel Ten-headed One bear himself
towards her ? Do thou truthfully relate all this unto us, O
Mighty Monkey !
" How wast thou able to trace the divine Sita ? What did
she reply to thine enquiries ? Having learnt all, we can take
counsel as to what should be done ! Do thou tell us also what,
on our return, we should say and what we should conceal,
O Thou who art well able to subdue thyself! "
Thereupon, that messenger, his hair standing on end with
joy on hearing these words, inclining his head in token of bis
reverence for Sita, answered : —
475
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" In your presence I leapt from the summit of the Mahendra
Mountain into space with a concentrated mind, desirous of
reaching the southern shore of the sea. In my course, a
formidable obstacle presented itself to my view and I beheld
a great mountain having a golden peak, divine and splendid,
which obstructed my path. Approaching the sun-like summit
of that mighty mountain, reflecting : ' I will shatter this ', I
struck it with my tail and that peak which shone like the sun,
broke into a thousand fragments. Seeing its condition, that
great mountain addressed me in sweet accents, bringing as it
were refreshment to my soul, and said :
" ' Know me, O My Son, to be the brother of thy father
Matarishvat, famed as Mainaka, dwelling in the deep.
Formerly, all the larger mountains were furnished with wings
and ranged over the earth causing devastation everywhere.
Hearing of the conduct of those mountains, Mahendra, that
blessed One, by whom Faka was chastised, with his thunder-
bolt severed the wings of those mountains by thousands but
I was delivered by thine illustrious sire and that high-souled
Wind-god cast me into the sea, the abode of Varuna. O
Subduer of thy Foes, I am willing to render assistance to
Raghava, Rama is the foremost among virtuous men and is as
powerful as Mahendra himself'.
" Hearing the words of the magnanimous Mainaka, I con-
fided my purpose to him and he gave me leave to depart.
Then, counselling me to proceed, he vanished in his human
form and in the shape of a mountain became submerged in
the sea.
" For a long time I travelled onward with speed till I observed
the divine Surasa, Mother of Serpents, in the midst of the
ocean and that Goddess addressed me saying : —
'"Thou art destined by the Celestials to be my food, O
Best of Monkeys, I am about to devour thee since thou hast
been assigned to me'.
" Hearing this, I, with humility, turning pale, made obeisance
to her with joined palms and uttered these words : —
" ' Rama, the fortunate son of Dasaratha, the Scourge of
his Foes, withdrew to the Dandaka Forest with his brother
Lakshmana and Sita ; his consort was borne away by the wicked
47«
SUNDARA KANDA
Ravana ; I am proceeding to her on Rama's behest. In this
matter thou shouldst assist Rama. Having seen Mithila's
daughter as also her lord of imperishable exploits, I shall
return and enter thy mouth, this I promise thee '.
" Thus accosted by me, Surasa, able to change her form at
will, said : ' None is able to pass by me, this is the boon I
have received \
" Thus addressed by Surasa, I attained the magnitude of
ten yojanas and then another ten, but her mouth assumed even
greater proportions. Seeing her jaws thus dilated, I instantly
assumed a tiny form measuring a thumb's size and quickly
entered her mouth, emerging immediately, whereupon the
divine Surasa, taking on her normal shape, said to me : —
" ' O Best of Monkeys, O Dear One, go, accomplish thy
mission and restore Vaidehi to the magnanimous Rama. Be
thou blessed, O Mighty One ! I am pleased with thee ! '
" Then all beings praised me saying: * Excellent! Excellent! '
and I again leapt into the infinite blue like unto Garuda,
when suddenly, without anything being visible, my shadow
was held fast. Stayed in my course, I surveyed the ten car-
dinal points unable to discover who held me prisoner. Then
the thought came to me : * What is this obstacle that has
risen in my path ? X cannot discern its nature ! ' And as I
looked down bewildered, I beheld a dreadful demon lying in
the waves, thereupon that monster, laughing scornfully, addressed
these inauspicious words to me, who though undaunted,
remained motionless : —
" ' Whither art thou bound, O Thou of gigantic form ? Do
thou become my food, who am hungry, and gratify this body
deprived of sustenance for a long period.' Saying : — ' Be it
so' I expanded my body to more than the capacity of her
mouth but she increased the size of her huge and dreadful
jaws in order to swallow me nor could she comprehend that I
was able to assume different shapes at will. In the twinkling
of an eye, abandoning my vast size, I, extracting her heart,
flew into the sky.
" Throwing up her arms, that cruel demon sank under the
salty waves like a mountain, whereupon I heard the har-
monious voices of those magnanimous beings stationed in the
477
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
air, saying : — ' That dreadful demon Sinhika has been swiftly
slain by Hanuman.'
" That monster destroyed, I recalled to mind the urgency of
my mission, and the delay that had occurred in discharging it
and, after traversing a great distance, I beheld the southern
shore of the ocean and the mountain on which Lanka was
situated. The sun having set, I penetrated the abode of the
titans unnoticed by them and, as X did so, a woman resembling
the clouds at the end of the world period rose before me,
breaking into laughter. Striking that exceedingly dreadful form,
having flames for her hair, who had sought to take my life,
with my left fist I thrust her aside and entered there at dusk,
whereupon that one, affrighted, addressed me saying : —
" I am the city of Lanka, O Warrior ! Vanquished have I
been by thy prowess, thou shalt also triumph over all the titans ! *
" Meanwhile I sought for Janaka's daughter all through the
night, penetrating into Ravana's inner apartments, but did not
find her there. Not rinding Sita in Ravana's palace, I was
submerged in a sea of sorrow and in the midst of my distress
I saw an enchanting grove with a mansion surrounded by
a lofty golden wall. Having scaled that enclosure I beheld a
grove of Ashoka trees in the midst of which a great Shimshapa
grew. Ascending it, I observed a thicket of golden aspens and
hard by the Shimshapa tree, I beheld that supremely beautiful
one, dark blue of hue, whose eyes resembled lotus petals, clad
in a single piece of cloth. Emaciated with fasting, her hair
soiled with dust, Sita, fixed in devotion to her lord, was
surrounded by cruel and hideous titan women living on
blood and flesh, as a doe encircled by tigresses. Wearing a
single plait, absorbed in the thought of her lord, lying on the
earth, her limbs wasted, she resembled a lotus at the advent of
winter. Deprived by Ravana of the object of her desire, she
had resolved to die.
" Beholding that lady, whose eyes resembled a doe's, the
illustrious consort of Rama, I remained seated in the Shimshapa
tree.
" Thereafter I heard a great clamour mixed with the jingling
of girdles and anklets, issuing from the palace of Ravana and,
exceedingly agitated, contracting my body, I concealed myself
478
SUNDARA KANDA
like a bird in die thick foliage of the Shimshapa tree. There-
upon the mighty Havana accompanied by his consorts came
to the place where Sita was and, seeing the Lord of the Titans,
Janaki of lovely hips, shrank into herself, concealing her
breasts with her arms and, in great dread and extreme con-
fusion, glancing here and there and finding no refuge, that
unfortunate being was seized with violent trembling,
" Then Dashagriva, inclining bis head, bowed to the feet of
the princess, who was overcome with extreme grief and said
to her : —
" * O Fair One, do thou regard me with favour ! If, O Sita,
through pride, thou dost refuse to honour me, at the end of
two months I shall drink thy blood ! '
" Hearing these words spoken by the wicked Ravana, Janaki
growing exceedingly wrath, answered with dignity : —
" ' O Vilest of Titans, having uttered such a speech to the
consort of Rama of immeasurable prowess, to me, the daughter-
in-law of Dasaratha of the Ikshwaku line, why has thy tongue
not fallen out ? O Vile Wretch, great indeed was thy valour
to bear me hence far from the illustrious Rama, in his absence !
Thou art not even worthy to be the slave of Raghava, that
invincible, loyal, courageous and illustrious warrior ! *
" Thus addressed in harsh terms, Dashagriva blazed up
with wrath like a fire on to which a brand has been cast and,
rolling his eyes in rage, clenching his right fist he prepared
to strike Mithila's daughter.
" Then all the titan women cried out : * Hold ! Hold ! *
and from their midst, the wife of that evil wretch, the lovely
Mandodari, ran towards him and with gentle words, inspired
by the love she bore him, contrived to pacify him.
" She said : — * Thou whose valour is equal to Mahendra's,
what need hast thou for Sita ? Divert thyself with me, who
am in no way inferior to her or do thou disport thyself with the
daughters of the Gods, the Gandharvas or Yakshas. What is
Sita to thee ? '
" Thereafter, that company of women raised up that powerful
Ranger of the Night and conducted him back to his residence.
" Ravana having departed, those titan women of hideous
aspect, railed at Sita in harsh and cruel terms, but Janaki paid
479
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
no more heed to their speech than to a straw, and their taunts
were lost on her; and those titan women, who fed on flesh,
failing in their attempts, informed Ravana of Sita's unconquer-
able resolution, whilst others, tired of tormenting her, giving
up hope, exhausted, lay down to rest.
" And while they slept, Sita, devoted to her lord, gave voice
to bitter lamentation in the extremity of her distress.
" Thereafter, rising in their midst, Trijata spoke, saying : —
" * Devour me this instant, if you will, but do not lay hands
on the dark-eyed Sita, daughter of Janaka, the virtuous
daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha. In truth I have had a
fearful dream, causing the hair to stand on end, presaging the
destruction of the titans and the triumph of this one's lord.
It is for us to seek the grace of Vaidehi, who alone I deem,
can defend us from Raghava. Let us therefore relate this
dream to her, for one who is the object of such a vision, being
freed from her distress, will attain the height of felicity. By
bowing low in submission, we shall earn the favour of Janaki,
who alone can deliver us from this great peril ! *
" Thereat that chaste and youthful woman, on hearing of the
coming victory of her lord, rejoicing, said : —
" * If Trijata speak truly, then indeed will I protect you all.*
" Observing Sita's unfortunate plight, I became absorbed in
thought and my mind was perturbed. Then I cast about as
to how I might find some means of speaking to Janaki and I
began to extol the race of Ikshwaku.
" Hearing the words I uttered embellished with the praises
of those Rajarishis, that exalted lady, her eyes suffused with
tears, enquired of me saying : — * Who art thou ; how and on
whose behest hast thou come hither? From whence comes
thine attachment to Rama? It behoveth thee to relate all
to me.*
"Listening to her speech, I made answer to her in this
wise: —
" ' O Goddess ! Rama, thy consort, hath found an ally
endowed with supreme prowess, named Sugriva, who is the
redoubtable and powerful King of the Monkeys. Know me
to be bis servant, Hanuman, who has come hither to thee,
dispatched by thy lord of imperishable exploits. 0 Illustrious
480
SUNDARA KANDA
Lady, that highly effulgent son of Dasaratha, foremost of men,
hath sent this ring as a token to thee. O Queen, what is thy
behest ? Shall I bring thee back to Rama and Lakshmana on
the northern shore of the ocean ? '
" Hearing this, Sita, the delight of Janaka, reflected within
herself awhile and said : —
" ' Suffer Raghava to destroy Ravana and himself carry me
hence.' Inclining my head to that noble and irreproachable
lady, I requested some token from her which might enhance
the delight of Raghava, whereupon Sita said to me : —
" ' Take this excellent jewel for which thou shalt be highly
regarded by that One of mighty arras.'
*' Thereupon, that princess of lovely limbs gave me a mar-
vellous jewel and in a voice strangled with sobs, bade me fare-
well. I bowed to that daughter of a king with deep respect and,
circumambulating her began to consider returning home, but she,
having searched her heart, addressed me once again, saying : —
" ' O Hanuman, do thou relate my story to Raghava in such
wise that those two heroes, Rama and Lakshmana, will come
here instantly accompanied by Sugriva, or else, having but
two months to live, Kakutstha will see me no more, like one
without a protector.'
" Hearing these dreadful words, a wave of anger surged over
me and I instantly resolved on what I should do. Thereupon,
expanding my body to the size of a mountain, burning to fight,
I laid waste the grove. Then all the beasts and birds began
to flee away in fear and those terrible titan women awoke and
beheld the devastation. Observing me, they all assembled and
instantly ran in haste to inform Ravana, saying : —
" * O Valiant Sovereign, this thine inviolable grove has been
destroyed by a wretched monkey who sets thy prowess at
nought. Slay that perverse creature instantly, who thus
affronts thee, lest he escape ! *
" On this, the King of the Titans, Ravana, sent out in-
numerable warriors called Kinkaras and eighty thousand of
those titans, armed with spears and maces, were slain by me
in the grove with an iron bar. Then a few, who survived,
quickly went to Ravana to inform him of the destruction of
his troops.
481
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"Thereupon I resolved to destroy the marvellous palace
with its monument and slew the guards stationed there. In
my fury I laid this building, the ornament of Lanka, low,
whereupon Ravana sent out the son of Prahasta, Jambumalin
with a company of titans of grim and fearful aspect.
" With my formidable mace I slew that mighty and skilful
warrior with his retinue and Ravana, the Lord of the Titans,
on hearing this, dispatched the highly powerful sons of the
ministers followed by a regiment of infantry but with my iron
bar I sent them all to the abode of death.
" Learning that, despite their ardour, I had struck down
the sons of his ministers on the field, Ravana quickly ordered
five of his heroic commanders to set out at the head of their
troops, but I slew them all, whereupon Dashagriva sent out
his highly powerful son, Aksha, with countless titans, to engage
me in combat. Then that youthful son of Mandodari, a
skilful warrior sprang into the air and I seized him by the
feet, whirling him round and throwing him on the earth.
" Thereat the ten-necked Ravana, full of ire, hearing of the
downfall of Aksha, sent his second son Indrajit, full of courage
and martial ardour, against me and I, rendering the prowess
of all those titans ineffectual, experienced extreme delight.
Nevertheless, that long-armed warrior in whom Ravana
had supreme confidence, inflamed with wine, continued to
fight at the head of his warriors.
" And he, realising that I was invincible and seeing his
forces routed, made me captive by aid of the Brahma-weapon,
whereupon the titans bound me with ropes and taking hold of
me brought me before Ravana. Then that One of vicious soul
entered into conversation with me and enquired of me regarding
my coming to Lanka and why I had slain the titans, whereto
I replied : —
" ' I have done all this for Sita ! To find her I came hither !
I am the son of Maruta, the monkey Hanuman ! Know me
to be Rama's messenger and the minister of Sugriva. It is to
carry out Rama's design that I stand before thee ! Hear me
now O Lord of the Titans ! The King of the Monkeys offers
thee salutations and enquires as to thy welfare, O Mighty
Hero ! He has commissioned me to communicate this message
482
SUNDARA KANDA
in words that are both fitting and in accord with duty, legitimate
pleasure and profit.
" ' While sojourning on Rishyamuka, that mountain covered
with trees, I entered into an alliance with Raghava, that great
warrior, invincible in combat, and he spoke to me saying : —
' O King, my consort has been borne away by a titan ; it
behoves thee to assist me in this matter ! ' Thereafter, in the
presence of fire, the Lord, Raghava, who was accompanied
by Lakshmana, allied himself to me in friendship, who had
been deprived of my royal prerogatives by Bali.
" * And he hath made me lord over all the monkeys, after
slaying Bali in combat with a single arrow. It is therefore
fitting that we should assist him by every means and by virtue
of this contract I have despatched Hanuman unto thee as envoy.
Do thou therefore speedily return Sita to Rama, ere those
valiant monkeys overthrow thy forces. Who is not conversant
with the monkeys' prowess, whose aid has been solicited
even by the Gods themselves ? '
" Speaking thus to Ravana, he bent his furious glances on
me as if he would consume me and that ruthless titan ordered
me to be put to death, being unaware of my power.
" Meanwhile his high-souled brother Bibishana, endowed
with great sagacity, interceded for me in the following wise;
saying : * O Thou Foremost of the Titans, abandon thy resolve,
which is not in accord with the royal code. The death of an
envoy is not sanctioned by royal tradition, O Titan. A
messenger simply communicates the mandate of his master !
O Thou of incomparable prowess, there is no warranty for
his destructon, yet, if his guilt be considerable, he may be
mutilated.'
" At these words of Bibishana, Ravana issued this command
to the demons : ' Set fire to the monkey's tail ! '
" On this behest, those titans wrapped my tail in hemp and
cotton rags and they, in well-wrought armour struck me with
their clenched fists and sticks and set fire to my tail. Bound
and fettered with ropes by the titans, I submitted to it, resolving
to set fire to the city. Thus pinioned and enveloped in flames,
those warriors, shouting, led me along the royal highway to the
gates of the city. There, contracting my body I assumed a
483 21
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
diminutive form and casting off my bonds, I seized an iron
bar and assailed those titans, thereafter with one bound vault-
ing the gate, I rapidly burnt down the whole city and its gates
and towers with my flaming tail, resembling the fire that con-
sumes all beings at the end of the world.
" Seeing Lanka in flames I reflected with anxiety that Janaki
must without doubt have perished since there was no corner
of the city that had not been reduced to ashes. Thinking thus,
overcome with grief, 1 overheard the Charanas saying in
auspicious accents : —
" ' Janaki has not perished in the flames ! ' and hearing these
wonderful words, proclaimed by their enchanting voices, I
regained my courage. I was thereafter reassured by many
auspicious signs, that Janaki had been saved from the flames
and though my tail was on fire, I had not been consumed !
My heart was filled with joy and the wind spread its delicious
perfumes. By virtue of these propitious manifestations, by
my confidence in Rama's prowess and in Sita and the words
pronounced by the great sages, felicity filled my soul. Then,
re-visiting Vaidehi once again, I took leave of her and, scaling
the Mount Arishta, leapt in this direction in order to see you
all once more. Following the path of the wind, sun, moon
and the Siddhas and Gandharvas, I found you here.
" By the grace of Rama and your prowess, I have carried
out Sugriva's charge to the uttermost. I have related all to
you in detail and it now remains for you to accomplish what
is still to be done."
chapter 59
Hanuman appeals to the Monkeys to rescue Sita
Having completed his narrative, Hanuman, born of Maruta,
added these significant words: — "Fruitful have been the
endeavours of Rama and Sugriva ! Having witnessed Sita's
constancy, I am happy at heart ! By the power of her penances,
the most illustrious Sita is able to uphold the earth or consume
it with her ire, 0 Monkeys. The power of Ravana also,
484
SUNDARA KANDA
created by austerities, is great and it is because of this that
he was not destroyed when he laid hands on Sita. Nay, the
flame to which one reaches out is not so greatly to be feared as
is Sita's wrath.
" It now behoveth all the mighty monkeys and others,
with Jambavan at their head to take part in this expedition, the
purpose of which is now known to you, in order to behold
Vaidehi re-united with those two princes.
" Alone I was able to enter Lanka, inhabited by titans and
have afflicted that city by my prowess, as also Ravana and his
people. What more could I not do therefore with the coura-
geous and powerful Plavagas, endowed with heroism and
martial prowess, strong and eager for victory ?
" I shall destroy Ravana with his entire army, his sons,
brothers and followers in combat. I shall destroy all the
titans and circumvent those invisible weapons and other missiles,
bestowed on Indrajita by Brahma, Rudra, Vayu, Varuna,
scattering them and slaying the titans ; with your sanction my
prowess will bring them under restraint. Hills and moun-
tains torn up by me will I discharge continuously, which
even the Gods themselves cannot withstand, how much less
those rangers of the night ? Were the sea to overflow or
Mount Mandara move from its place, Jambavan will never be
daunted by an enemy host in conflict. And that heroic monkey,
the son of Bali, is alone able to destroy the entire host of
Rakshasas. With the movement of his vigorous thighs, the
powerful Nila could overthrow Mount Mandara itself, how
much more the titans on the field of battle. Amongst the
Celestials, the Titans, Yakshas, Gandharvas, serpents or birds,
show me any who could withstand Dvivida ? Nor do I know
any who could resist those two sons of the Ashwins, endowed
with supreme energy, the foremost of monkeys, in the arena.
" Single-handed I have laid Lanka low and, setting it on
fire have reduced it to ashes. On every highway I proclaimed
aloud : * May Victory crown the invincible Rama and Laksh-
mana ! May the King Sugriva, whose support is Raghava,
prosper. I am the servant of the King of Koshala, the off-
spring of Pavana ! I am Hanuman ! ' I have announced this
everywhere.
485
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" In the centre of the Ashoka grove of the vicious-souled
Ravana, the virtuous Sita waits forlornly at the foot of the
Shimshapa tree surrounded by titan women, emaciated with
sorrow and suffering, resembling the orb of the moon bereft
of its splendour in the midst of cloud. Spurning Ravana,
whose powers have rendered him arrogant, Vaidehi, the
daughter of Janaka of fair limbs, remains undeviatingly faithful
to her lord. Wholly devoted to Rama, the lovely Vaidehi,
thinks of him alone, as Poulomi, Purandara. Clad in a single
garment, soiled with dust, I beheld her in the grove surrounded
by titan women who were heaping insults upon her. Her hair,
dressed in a single braid that unfortunate being was absorbed
in the thought of her lord. Lying on the earth, pale as a lotus
at the approach of winter, separated by Ravana from the
object of her love, she had resolved to yield up her life.
" With difficulty I was able to re-kindle Sita's hopes by
addressing that damsel, whose eyes resemble a doe's, and
relating all to her. And she, hearing of the alliance between
Rama and Sugriva became happy and, fixed in her devotion,
her conjugal affection reached its zenith. Fortunate is that
ten-necked demon that she has not destroyed him, due to
the boon he received from Brahma ; but it is for Rama that
the destruction of that monster is reserved.
" Already greatly reduced, Janaki grows frailer every day,
in Rama's absence, as learning wanes that is prosecuted on
the first day of the lunar fortnight.
" Thus liveth Sita worn out by grief ! It is for you to take
counsel as to what it is proper to do in the matter."
CHAPTER 60
Janibavan rejects Angada's Project
Hearing these words, the son of Bali, Angada, said : —
" The sons of the Ashwins are exceedingly powerful and
proud of the boon conferred on them by the Grandsire of the
World, who in order to honour the Ashwi rendered those two
monkeys incapable of being slain by any. This unique
privilege inflamed their pride and those two powerful warriors,
486
SUNDARA KANDA
having overcome the mighty celestial host, drank up the
nectar of immortality. These two, inflamed with ire, are able
to destroy the entire city of Lanka with its horses, chariots and
elephants, what of other monkeys ? I myself am capable of
destroying the city with its titans and the mighty Ravana !
How much more so if I am accompanied by powerful warriors,
masters of themselves, well-armed, skilful and desirous of victory?
" We have heard that the courageous son of Vayu alone set
fire to Lanka. He has seen the divine Sita but has not brought
her back. I deem it unfitting that warriors as renowned as
you are acquaint Rama of this. There are none in leaping
and in prowess, whose skill and bravery equal yours in the
worlds of the Immortals or amongst the Daityas, O Foremost
of Monkeys. Few have escaped the carnage wrought by
Hanuman, therefore it only remains for us to slay Ravana
and the rest of the titans and bring back the daughter of Janaka,
placing her between Rama and Lakshmana ! What need have
we to trouble those other residents of Kishkindha ? It is for
us to proceed to Lanka and, having slain the titans, return to
Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva."
Such was the project of Angada, whereupon Jambavan, the
foremost of monkeys, in his wisdom, cheerfully made answer
in words fraught with good sense, saying : —
" O Great Monkey, O Thou of supreme understanding, we
have received a mandate from the King of the Monkeys and the
virtuous Rama to explore the southern region to its utmost
confines, but we have not been commanded to bring back
Sita nor would it find favour with that lion among monarchs,
Rama, if we did so, for he, proud of his lineage, has vowed
before all the leading monkeys that he will himself deliver her.
How should his words be rendered null and void ? What is
the use of undertaking that which is not conducive to his
pleasure? This display of our prowess will prove fruitless,
O Foremost of Monkeys ! Let us therefore return to where
Rama, with Lakshmana and the illustrious Sugriva can be
found and inform them of the result of our quest.
What thou hast proposed finds favour with us, O Prince,
yet it is by adhering to Rama's design that thou shouldst look
for success."
487
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 6 I
The Devastation of Madhuvana
All the heroic monkeys headed by Angada and the great ape
Hanuman highly approved Jambavan's words and, those
foremost of monkeys led by the son of Vayu leaping down
from the summit of the Mahendra Mountain, bounded forward.
Resembling the mountains Meru and Mandara, they appeared
like elephants maddened with ichor, covering the whole of
space as it were with their shadow, their eyes fixed on the
highly powerful Hanuman gifted with velocity, having control
of his senses and honoured by the Siddhas. Resolved on
bringing about the success of Rama's design, proud of the
results obtained, desirous of communicating their auspicious
tidings, all those virtuous inhabitants of the forest, eager to
assist Rama and avid for combat, jumping and frisking, reached
Madhuvana.
And they came to that celestial grove protected by Sugriva,
planted with coundess trees, enchanting to look upon, where
none might enter. And Sugriva's maternal uncle, the mighty
monkey Dadhimukha guarded that picturesque and spacious
garden belonging to the Lord of Monkeys. Extremely anxious
to partake of the fruits of that beautiful orchard, those tawny-
coloured monkeys, greatly delighted, craved permission of the
prince to taste the honey, yellow as they. Then he graciously
allowed those venerable monkeys, headed by Jambavan, to
drink of the honey.
Thereupon, under Angada's command, authorised by that
youthful son of Bali, those monkeys ascended the trees, swarm-
ing with bees, feasting on the fruit and roots and, in an access
of intoxication, began to frolic here and there.
Singing, laughing, dancing, bowing, declaiming, running,
capering and clapping their hands, some supported others,
some quarrelled and some talked at random. Some leapt
from tree to tree, springing down from the highest branches,
488
SUNDARA KANDA
some bounded into the air or chased each other round the trees
from rock to rock, responding to each other's songs and laughter,
groans and lamentations, exchanging blow for blow.
Then a general confusion arose amongst that host of monkeys
and there were none who were not inebriated or inflamed
with excitement.
Seeing the wood laid waste, the trees stripped of their leaves
and flowers, Dadhimukha was filled with anger and sought to
restrain them. But that heroic and elderly monkey, the
protector of the wood, was in turn upbraided by those insolent
monkeys whereupon he grew even more determined to defend
the forest that was entrusted to his care against them. There-
after he spoke to some in harsh terms without fear or fore-
thought and struck others with the palm of his hands, approach-
ing some threateningly and others with soothing words.
They, however, excited with liquor, restrained by Dadhi-
mukha, began to ill-treat him brazenly without reflecting that
the fault lay with them, scratching him with their nails,
biting him with their teeth, assailing him with blows of their
hands and feet, and knocking him senseless laid waste to the
whole of Madhuvana.
CHAPTER 62
The Fight between Dadhimukha and the Intruders
Then Hanuman said to those monkeys : " O Monkeys, gather
honey undisturbed ! I will drive away anyone who hinders
you ! "
Hearing these words, Angada, that prince of monkeys, gaily
echoed his advice, saying : " Do you all drink honey. We
should be guided by all that Hanuman does, who has accom-
plished his purpose ; even if it be improper, I am in accord
with it ! "
Listening to Angada, those foremost of monkeys all cried
out : — " Excellent ! Excellent ! ", praising the prince again and
again. Thereafter they surged into the Malin wood with the
489
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
violence of a torrent and, having penetrated into those orchards,
they drove away the guards by force. Happy in the thought
that Hanuman had discovered Maithili and having had tidings
of her, with the consent of Angada they drank the honey and
feasted on the fruits.
Hurling themselves on the guardians of that orchard who
approached them in hundreds, they overwhelmed them with
blows and beat them off. Collecting honeycombs, a drona in
size with their hands, those monkeys, yellow as honey them-
selves, drank the nectar and threw away the combs ; some in
frolic pelted each other with wax or piling up the branches
sat down under the trees ; some, heavy with drink, heaped
leaves on the earth and lay down exhausted whilst others,
stimulated by the intoxicating nectar, reeling, struck out at their
companions wildly. Singing at the top of their voices, some
imitated the roar of lions and some whistled like birds, others,
drunk with honey, slept on the ground ; some roared with
laughter or burst into tears, some babbled wildly whilst others
tried to interpret their utterances.
Meanwhile the guards of the forest, the servants of Dadhi-
mukha, set upon by those terrible monkeys, crushed
between their knees, fled in all directions. Wrought up with
fear, they approached Dadhimukha and said : — " Empowered
by Hanuman, those terrible monkeys have, despite us, laid
waste to Madhuvana and, crushed between their knees, we
all but gave up our lives."
Highly incensed, Dadhimukha, beholding the destruction in
the Madhu Wood, which had been entrusted to his guards,
consoled his subordinates, saying : — " Proceed to that place
and fall upon those insolent monkeys; I myself shall soon follow
and drive away by force those who are drinking the honey."
Hearing the words of their master, those valiant monkeys
returned to Madhuvana and Dadhimukha, in their midst,
accompanied them with great speed, bearing huge trees.
Arming themselves with rocks, trees and stones, all those
monkeys, highly incensed, proceeded to where the Plavam-
gamas were to be found, where, biting their lips in anger,
they remonstrated with them again and again, seeking to
suppress them by force.
490
SUNDARA KANDA
Then all those monkeys, headed by Hanuman, beholding
Dadhimukha greatly enraged, drove him back with violence
and, as the mighty Dadhimukha of huge arms advanced bearing
a tree in his hands, the powerful Angada incensed, intercepted
him with his hands and, beside himself with inebriation,
without showing the least mercy, though he merited it being
his great-uncle, threw him to the ground with violence. Then
that monkey, his arms and thighs broken and his face mutilated,
bathed in blood, fell senseless for a space, thereafter, dis-
engaging himself with difficulty, that foremost of monkeys
withdrew to a distance and addressed his attendants, saying : —
" Let us all proceed with haste to where the thick-necked
Sugriva, resides with Rama. I shall relate all Prince
Angada's misdeeds to him and filled with ire that Sovereign
will punish all the monkeys. The enchanting Madhu Wood,
enjoyed by his forefathers, inviolate even to the Gods, is
greatly beloved by Sugriva and he will mete out heavy punish-
ment to those perverse wretches avid for honey and will slay
those who have disobeyed their sovereign, with their friends
and kinsfolk. Then shall my wrath, which I am unable to
restrain, be appeased."
Speaking thus to the guards of the forest, Dadhimukha,
their leader, departed with them with all speed and in the
twinkling of an eye, reached the place where that sagacious
offspring of the Sun, Sugriva, was.
Beholding Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva, that great and
heroic monkey, Dadhimukha, descending from the sky, alighted
on the ground and with a sorrowful mien placing his joined
palms to his forehead, touched Sugriva's feet.
CHAPTER 63
Dadhimukha relates how Madhuvana has been hid waste
Seeing that monkey prostrating himself, his forehead touching
the earth, Sugriva, his heart moved, said to him : —
" Rise, Rise ! Why art thou lying prostrate at my feet ?
Speak without fear ! Why hast thou come hither ? It behoveth
491
THE RAMAYANA OF VALM1KI
thee to make thy purpose plain. Is all well in Madhuvana ?
I wish to know everything, O Monkey ! "
Thus reassured by the magnanimous Sugriva, the highly
sagacious Dadhimukha rose and spoke as follows : —
" O Lord, that wood which neither thou nor Bali suffered
to be enjoyed by the monkeys, has been laid waste by them 1
Seeking to drive them away with my attendants, they, dis-
regarding me, continued to feast there merrily. I resisted their
depredations with the assistance of my guards, but without
showing any consideration for me, O Prince, those savages
continued their orgy. These attendants of mine, assaulted
by them, were driven from the wood and those countless
powerful monkeys, their eyes inflamed with anger, broke their
arms and feet and, crushing them between their thighs, flung
them into the air. Thou art the living lord of these warriors
who have been assaulted by those monkeys, who even now
are pillaging Madhuvana and quaffing the honey."
While Sugriva listened to these tidings, the sagacious Laksh-
mana, Slayer of his Foes, enquired of him saying : — " O King,
who is this monkey, the guard over the forest who has come
to thee and what distress has led him to speak thus ? "
Being thus addressed by the high-souled Lakshmana,
Sugriva, skilled in converse, answered : —
" O Noble Lakshmana, this is Dadhimukha and this heroic
monkey informs me that those war-like forest dwellers led by
Angada have drunk the honey and eaten the fruits of the
orchard. Such an escapade would not have been indulged in
by those who had failed in their mission. Assuredly they have
been successful since they have devastated the wood. It is for
this reason that they have beaten with their knees those who
have obstructed their revelry and have disregarded the valiant
Dadhimukha whom I myself appointed as guardian to my
orchard. In sooth, Hanuman and none other must have
discovered the divine Sita. Hanuman alone could accom-
plish such a feat. The success of that enterprise depended on
the sagacity of that foremost of monkeys endowed with
courage, strength and learning. Where Jambavan and
Angada are the leaders and Hanuman the moving spirit,
success is assured. Assuredly Madhuvana has been laid
492
SUNDARA KANDA
waste by those heroic monkeys led by Angada. Having
explored the southern region, on their return this orch-
ard excited their cupidity, whereupon they plundered it
and drank the honey, assaulting the guards and beating them
with their knees. This monkey, the gentle-voiced Dadhi-
mukha, renowned for his prowess has come to communicate
these tidings to me. O Mighty Saumitri, undoubtedly Sita
must have been found else these monkeys would never have
destroyed the wood bestowed on us by the Gods."
Hearing these words pleasant to the ear falling from
Sugriva's lips, the virtuous Lakshmana and Raghava were
overcome with joy and the illustrious Sugriva, exultant on
receiving these tidings from Dadhimukha, answered that
guardian of the forest, saying : —
" Highly gratified am I that those warriors, being successful,
have eaten the honey and fruit ! One should bear with the
arrogance of those who have been victorious. Return to the
Madhu Wood immediately and send all those monkeys with
Hanuman at their head, here ! With these two descendants
of Raghu, I wish to interrogate those deer of the branches
without delay, who, with the boldness of lions have fulfilled
their task, in order to learn if they have discovered Sita."
Beholding those two princes, their eyes dilated with joy,
in the height of felicity, the King of the Monkeys, realising the
success of his enterprise was near, experienced extreme
satisfaction.
CHAPTER 64
Sugrwa consoles Rama
Thus addressed by Sugriva, the monkey Dadhimukha cheer-
fully offered obeisance to him and gave salutations to Raghava
and Lakshmana. Thereafter, having honoured Sugriva and
those powerful sons of the House of Raghu, escorted by his
attendants, he sprang into the air. Departing with the
same speed by which he had come, he descended from the
493
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sky and, alighting on the earth, entered the Madhu wood.
There he beheld those foremost of monkeys, now sober,
spending the hours happily, having relieved themselves, the
outcome of drinking honey, and approaching them, that
hero with joined palms addressed Angada in the following
words : —
" O Noble Prince, do not harbour any ill-feeling towards the
guards, who, enraged, sought to drive thee away by force.
May peace attend thee ! O Thou of great strength, do thou
partake of the honey freely which is thine by right, since thou
art the heir-apparent and owner of the wood. It behoveth
thee to pardon us for our wrath, arising out of ignorance !
Like unto thy sire formerly and Sugriva, so art thou Lord of
the monkey host ! O Irreproachable Prince, I have related all
unto thine uncle, who, hearing of the presence of the monkeys
here, of thine arrival and also of the devastation of the forest,
was not the least incensed, rather was he gratified. Highly
pleased, thy paternal uncle, Sugriva, King of the Monkeys,
said : ' Send them all here without delay ! ' "
Hearing those words of Dadhimukha, Angada, Prince of the
Monkeys, skilled in speech, addressed all his companions,
saying : —
" O You Leaders of the Monkey Host, undoubtedly all these
events have been related to Rama. This may be inferred by
Dadhimukha's tidings. It does not behove us to linger here
further, our mission having been accomplished, O Slayers of
your Foes ! You have all drunk honey in full measure, O Heroic
Forest Dwellers, nothing remains for us but to rejoin Sugriva.
Whatever all of you counsel me to do, I shall put into effect.
I am your servant and, though the heir-apparent, it is not for
me to issue orders to you. You have all accomplished your
task; it would therefore be unfitting for me to treat you
arbitrarily."
Hearing these admirable words of Angada, those monkeys,
full of delight, spoke thus : —
" Who, of thy status, O Foremost of Monkeys, would speak
thus ? Drunk with power, each says : ' I am the leader ! *
None but thee would utter words of such felicity. Thine
humility augurs well for us. We are all ready to return to
494
SUNDARA KANDA
Sugriva the King of the Monkeys without delay, but without
thy word of command none among us is able to advance a
single step."
On this, Angada answered them, saying :— " It is well,
let us go ! ", whereupon all those warriors sprang into the
air and the space was entirely filled as if by stones shot from
a mortar.
Preceded by Angada, who was followed by Hanuman, those
Plavamgamas bounded tempestuously into the air with a
great clamour, like clouds driven before the wind.
Angada having arrived near to Sugriva, the King of the
Monkeys addressd the lotus-eyed Rama, who was consumed
with grief, and said : —
" Be of good courage ! Rest assured the divine Sita has been
found ! These monkeys would not have returned otherwise,
the time fixed by me being already past ; I infer this from
Angada's joy ! Had the long-armed Angada, the foremost of
monkeys not been successful, he would not have come back
to me. If they had not succeeded in their enterprise, after
such an escapade, that youthful prince, his mind troubled,
would have appeared dejected. Without having seen the
daughter of Janaka, they would not have dared to destroy
Madhuvana which was obtained from my forbears or attacked
that venerable monkey who guards it. O Noble Son of
Kaushalya, O Thou fixed in thy vow and faithful to thine
obligations, in sooth Hanuman and none else has discovered
Sita. No other is qualified to encompass this end. O Thou,
the foremost of the virtuous, the means to success are intelli-
gence, resolution, valour and knowledge and Hanuman is
endowed with all these. Where Jambavan with Angada leads
and Hanuman directs the work, there can be but one outcome.
O Thou of immeasurable prowess, have no anxiety ! Those
dwellers of the wood, having reached the height of insolence,
would not have entered into an escapade of this kind had
they failed in their mission. They have laid waste Madhuvana
and taken the honey, I infer therefore that they have been
successful."
At that instant, cries of " Kilakila " resounded in the sky
from those inhabitants of the woods, who, proud of Hanuman's
495
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
exploit, were proceeding towards Kishkindha, thus proclaim-
ing their trumph.
Hearing that tremendous clamour, the King of the Monkeys,
curling and uncurling his tail, became greatly excited, whilst
those monkeys, eager to see Rama, with Angada at their head
and Hanuman before them, drunk with joy, alighted from the
sky in front of their sovereign and Raghava.
Thereafter the mighty-armed Hanuman, inclining his head
in salutations, informed Rama of Sita's physical and spiritual
well-being. And hearing from Hanuman the auspicious
words sweet as Amrita : " I have seen Sita ", the joy of
Rama and Lakshmana was extreme and Lakshmana gazed on
Sugriva, who had placed the matter in the hands of the son of
Pavana, with profound respect, whilst Raghava, the destroyer
of his foes, in extreme felicity looked on Hanuman with venera-
tion.
chapter 65
Hanuman tells Rama of his Meeting with Sita
Having reached the Mount Prasravana with its many woods,
Hanuman paid obeisance to the mighty Rama and Lakshmana.
Preceded by the heir-apparent, Angada and bowing to Sugriva
and the monkeys, he began to recount the story of Sita and
her confinement in Ravana's harem, of the threats of the
female titans, of her unflinching devotion to Rama and the
time fixed for her execution. All this did the monkey relate
in Rama's presence. *
And hearing of Vaidehi's well-being, Rama said ; — " O
Monkeys, where is the illustrious Sita to be found and what
are her feelings towards me ? Do ye relate everything unto me ! "
Hearing Rama's words, the monkeys requested Hanuman,
conversant with the matter, to describe all in detail. And he,
versed in the art of speech, acquiescing in their desire, in-
clining his head in salutation to the divine Sita, turning to the
south described his meeting with her and bestowed on Rama
496
SUNDARA KANDA
the heavenly jewel, blazing in its own effulgence ; then the
son of Maruta offered obeisance to him and said : —
" Anxious to behold Sita, I crossed the ocean four hundred
miles in extent and after a time reached Lanka, that city be-
longing to the wicked Havana which is situated on the southern
shore of the sea. There I beheld Sita in the inner apartments
of Ravana and there she dwells, O Rama, centring all her
thoughts on thee. I observed her reviled by hideous titan
women who are guarding her in the grove and that noble
lady, accustomed by thee to felicity, is now stricken with
grief in thine absence, O Hero. Imprisoned in Havana's inner
apartments under the strict surveillance of those female demons,
wearing a single plait, forlorn, that unfortunate being is
absorbed in the thought of thee ! Lying on the earth, emaciated,
resembling a lotus on the approach of winter, spurning Ravana,
she is resolved to yield up her life.
"O Kakutstha, O Guileless Prince, with considerable diffi-
culty I discovered that princess of whom thou art in some sort
the very soul and, narrating the glories of the Ikshwaku Race, I
succeeded in gaining her confidence, whereupon I told her all.
" Hearing of the alliance between thee and King Sugriva,
she was greatly delighted and she remains constant to thee in
faith and love. O Foremost of Men, it was in this condition
that I discovered her engaged in severe penances with her
heart fixed on thee. Bestowing this jewel upon me, she
requested me to relate to thee what happened on Chittrakuta
concerning the crow, O Sagacious One and, addressing me
thus, she said : —
" * O Son of Vayu, do thou describe all that thou hast seen
here to Rama and present him with this jewel, which has
been preserved by me with care. Do thou remind him of the
mark traced with red powder on my countenance ! Say : —
' O Sinless One, seeing this unique pearl formed by the
waters that I send to thee, meseems I see thee before me and
I rejoice in the midst of my distress. O Son of Dasaratha,
I shall live but for a month, after which, being in the power
of the titans, I shall die ! '"
" Such were the words addressed to me by Sita of emaciated
limbs, whose eyes resemble a doe's, imprisoned in Ravana's
497
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
apartments. I have related all faithfully to thee, O Raghava,
now take counsel in order to bridge the ocean."
Seeing those two princes filled with renewed hope, the son
of Vayu having presented the jewel as a token of recognition to
Raghava, described everything to him from beginning to end.
CHAPTER 66
Rama's Grief
At these words of Hanuman, Rama, born of Dasaratha, press-
ing the jewel to his heart, wept with Lakshmana. And be-
holding that marvellous gem, Raghava, stricken with grief,
his eyes suffused with tears, said to Sugriva : —
" As milk flows from the udders of a cow on beholding its
calf, so does my heart brim over on beholding this jewel !
This pearl was conferred on Sita by my father-in-law on the
occasion of our nuptuals and she wore it on her brow, thus
enhancing her beauty. Obtained from the waters and rever-
enced by the Gods, it was conferred on Janaka by the sagacious
Shakra, gratified by his adoration at a sacrifice.
" Seeing this magnificent gem, I recall the presence of my
sire and my father-in-law, the King of Videha. This lovely
ornament appeared beautiful on the forehead of my beloved
and seeing it, it seems as if she herself were present here'
As if sprinkling water on one who has lost consciousness,
do thou relate to me what Vaidehi hath said, again and again,
O Friend! What could be more poignant, O Saumitri, than
seeing this pearl obtained from the waters, without Vaidehi ?
If she survive one month more, she will five long, but it is
hard for me to exist an instant without Sita ! Do thou lead
me to where thou hast seen my beloved ; after hearing these
tidings, I cannot brook a moment's delay. How can that lady
of lovely hips, who was ever timorous, endure life amidst
those grim and fearful demons? As the autumnal moon,
enveloped in cloud is unable to shine forth, so Sita's counten-
ance is no longer resplendent. O Hanuman, do thou relate
49*
SUNDARA KANDA
unto me again and again what Sita said to thee. These words
will revive me as the sick are cured by medicine. O Hanuman,
what did my gentle, sweet-spoken and beautiful lady, who is
separated from me, say to thee? How is that daughter of
Janaka able to survive in her dire misfortune ? "
chapter 67
Hanuman describes his Interview with Sita
Being thus addressed by the bigh-souled Raghava, Hanuman
began to relate all that Sita had said to him : —
" O Lion among Men, in order to give credence to my
report, the divine Sita described what took place on Mount
Chittrakuta. Sleeping happily at thy side, Janaki one day
was the first to wake, when suddenly a crow wounded her
breast with its beak. O Rama, thou wert then asleep on
Sita's lap and that crow again attacked her, pecking her cruelly,
and, being bathed in blood and suffering, she did arouse thee.
O Slayer of thy foes, seeing her breast wounded, thou, like an
angry serpent didst enquire, saying : — ' Who, O Timid One,
hath with his claws wounded thee ? Who hath dared to play
with a five-headed snake ? ' Then, looking here and there,
thou didst perceive the crow with its talons sharp and bloody
standing before thee. And that foremost of birds was Indra's
son, who with the speed of the wind disappeared into the
earth. Then thou, O Mighty-armed One, didst roll thine
eyes furiously and resolve to destroy that crow. Taking a
tuft of Kusha grass from where thou hadst lain, pronouncing
the Brahma-mantra, thou didst hurl the blade that blazed up
like the fire at the dissolution of the world at the bird and
that naming grass followed in its wake.
" Forsaken by the Gods, who were terrified, that crow
traversed the Three Worlds without finding a protector and
returned to thee, O Subduer of thy foes, seeking refuge in thee
and falling on the earth before thee. Thereupon, O Kakutstha,
499 8K
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thou in thy compassion didst pardon it, albeit it merited death.
But thinking it improper that the purpose of the weapon should
be rendered void, thou didst destroy the right eye of that crow,
0 Raghava. Then paying homage to thee and to King
Dasaratha, that bird, thus delivered, returned to its abode.
" Sita said : — ' O Raghava, thou art the foremost of those
skilled in weapons, mighty and full of integrity, why dost
thou not discharge thy shafts against the titans ? Neither the
Gods, Gandharvas, Asuras or Maruta can withstand thee in
battle. If thou in thy magnanimity hast any regard for me,
then with thy well-directed shafts destroy Ravana without
delay. Under the behest of his brother, why does not Laksh-
mana, the scourge of his foes and the foremost of men, fly
to my defence ?
" ' How is it that those two mighty lions among men, the
equals of Vayu and Agni in valour, whom the Gods them-
selves are unable to overcome, have forgotten me ? Assuredly
1 have committed a great sin, since those two scourges of
their foes, who are able to do so, do not unite to deliver me ! '
" To those plaintive and gentle words of the noble Vaidehi,
I answered : ' O Illustrious Lady, Rama is sorely stricken on
account of thine absence and seeing his brother a prey to
sorrow, Lakshmana too is suffering, I swear it. Since I have
found thee at last, the time for lamentation is past. In an
instant thou shalt see the end of thy woes, O Lovely Princess.
Those two sons of a king, the foremost of men and subduers
of their foes, eager to see thee once more, will reduce Lanka
to ashes. Having slain the cruel Ravana with his kinsfolk in
battle, Raghava will take thee back to his capital, O Charming
One ! O Irreproachable Lady, do thou bestow some token
on me that is known to Rama and will bring him delight.'
"Thereat Sita, glancing round on every side, drew from
her robe an excellent jewel which had fastened her locks and
bestowed it on me, O Mighty One.
" Then I, inclining my head in salutation, took the gem into
my hands and made ready to depart, O Beloved of the Raghu
Race ! Whereupon, seeing me about to take my leave expand-
ing my body, Sita, the beautiful and unfortunate daughter of
Janata, her face bathed in tears, addressed me in a voice
500
SUNDARA KANDA
strangled with sobs and, in the intensity of distress at my
departure, said to me : —
" ' Happy art thou, O Monkey, since thou shalt behold the
mighty Rama whose eyes resemble lotuses and the long-armed
Lakshmana, my illustrious brother-in-law ! *
" To these words of Maithili, I made answer : — * Climb
on my back without delay, O Noble Lady, and this very day
I will show thee Sugriva, Lakshmana and thy consort Rama,
O Fortunate Dark-eyed Princess ! '
M Then that Goddess answered me, saying : — * It is not
proper for me to climb on thy back of mine own accord, O
Great Monkey ! Although before this I was touched by the
demon, it was on account of my helplessness, subject as I
was to destiny. Do thou thyself repair to where those two
princes are ! ' After this she added : —
" * O Hanuman, do thou greet those two lions among men
with Sugriva and his ministers ! Do thou describe unto Rama
and Lakshmana of immeasurable prowess the intensity of my
despair and the insults heaped on me by the titans. May thy
journey be prosperous, O Foremost of Monkeys ! '
" Thus did that illustrious princess speak to me in the
midst of her grief. Reflecting on my narrative, have faith in
the integrity of the virtuous Sita."
CHAPTER 68
He repeats his Words of Consolation to Sita
" O Foremost of Men, that Goddess then addressed me in
the mjdst of her grief out of love for thee and solicitude on
my account, saying :—
" * Do thou repeat all this to the son of Dasaratha, so that
he may come with all speed and, having slain Ravana in combat,
take me hence. O Hero, O Subduer of thy foes, if it find
approval with thee, rest concealed here in some secret spot
for one more day to relieve thy fatigue and to-morrow thou
canst make ready to depart ! O Hanuman, in thy com-
5«
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
pany I am able to forget my sufferings awhile. 0 Thou
gifted with great prowess, I shall await thy return but
doubt if I shall be living then. Beholding thee no more, I
shall be consumed with fear, unfortunate creature that I am,
overwhelmed with affliction ! Moreover I am filled with doubt
regarding thy companions, the bears and monkeys and how
in effect, they and those two princes will be able to cross the
impassable ocean. O Irreproachable Warrior, there are only
three creatures qualified to traverse the sea — Garuda, Vayu
and thyself. In view of this insurmountable obstacle, what
possibility of success dost thou see, O Thou foremost of those
skilled in the art of converse ? True it is, that thou art able to
accomplish this work single-handed, O Subduer of thy foes,
but such a manifestation of prowess would benefit thee alone.
If Rama however, with his forces, slaying Ravana in fight,
were to bring me back in triumph to his capital, it would
redound to his glory. It would not be worthy of Raghava to
capture me by stealth as did Ravana, who under a disguise
bore me away from the forest. Truly it would prove a feat
of signal excellence, worthy of him, if Kakutstha, the con-
queror of his foes, should destroy Lanka and deliver me.
Do thou so act that that high-souled hero may display his
prowess ! '
" Hearing these words, full of good sense, reasonable and
affectionate, I replied for the last time : —
" ' O Goddess, Sugriva, the Leader of the bears and monkeys,
gifted with valour, has resolved to deliver thee. He hath
under his command innumerable powerful and courageous
monkeys gifted with prowess, who are as swift as thought,
able to go upwards or downwards and to every side, whom
nothing can impede nor may they be daunted by the hardest
tasks. Moreover those great and powerful monkeys, endowed
with vigour, have circled the earth again and again, coursing
through the air. Sugriva has many monkeys equal to me
and greater ; none are inferior. If I am able to cross the sea,
how much more these heroes ? The great ones are never sent
out on a mission but those of inferior merit only.
" O Lady, now abandon grief; in one bound those leaders
of the monkey hosts will reach Lanka and these two lions
502
SUNDARA KANjDA
among men, like unto the sun and moon, will present them-
selves to thee, O Princess. Soon shalt thou see at Lanka's
gate, Raghava, resembling a lion and Lakshmana, bow in
hand. And thou shalt soon behold those monkey warriors,
endowed with the strength of lions and tigers, whose weapons
are their nails and teeth, resembling the lords of the elephants,
hastening here without delay. Ere long thou shalt hear the
roaring of those leaders of monkeys on the summit of the
Mount Malaya, resembling the rumbling of clouds. Soon
thou shalt see Raghava, the Slayer of His foes, returning from
his exile in the forest, installed on the throne with thee in
Ayodhya.'
" Thereafter the daughter of the King of Mitbila, though
profoundly afflicted by thine absence, was comforted by these
auspicious words and experienced great peace."
END OF SUNDARA KANDA
5o3
GLOSSARY
(For Flowers, Trees and Weapons, see separate Glossaries)
Abhijit. The twenty-second Nakshatra q.v.
Abiki. A sheep.
Achamana. A purificatory rite at which water is taken in the
palm of the hands and poured over the head and breast and
the mouth rinsed. It also includes touching various parts of
the body.
Acharya. A spiritual Preceptor.
Adambara. A drum.
Aditi. Mother of the Gods, who represents space and infinity.
Adityas. Sun Gods or sons of Aditi.
Agaru. Agallochum, a species of sandal or Indian Aloe Exorcaria.
Used as incense or for perfuming purposes.
Agastya. A great Rishi, the reputed author of several hymns in
the Rig-Veda. This Sage, whose miraculous powers are
described in the great classics, entertained Rama, Sita and
Lakshmana in his hermitage during their exile.
Agneya. A mountain. Also the south-eastern quarter, of which
Agni is Regent.
Agni. The God of Fire.
Agnihotra. The Fire Sacrifice.
Agrahayana. A Feast similar to the Harvest Festival.
Ahalya. Wife of the Rishi Gautama, who was transformed into
a rock by her husband's curse and ultimately restored by
Rama to her natural state.
Airavata. The sacred elephant that transports the God, Indra.
Aja. A king of the dynasty of Ikshwaku, father of Dasaratha.
Ajas. A class of hermits. See note on Ascetics.
Akampana. The Titan who informed Ravana of the destruction of
Janasthana and persuaded him to abduct Sita.
Alaka. Kuvera's capital.
Amaravati. Indra's capital, also called Vitapavati.
Ambarisha. A king whose story is told in Balakanda.
Amrita. The " Nectar of Immortality " produced by the churn-
ing of the ocean by Gods and Demons.
Ananga. Lit. : " Bodiless " — a name given to Kandarpa, the
God of Love.
Ahanta. The thousand-headed serpent or Shesha on which the
Lord Vishnu rests during the withdrawal of the worlds.
505
GLOSSARY
Anasuya. Wife of the Rishi Atri.
Andhaka. A demon, son of the Sage Kashyapa and Diti—
Andhaka was said to have a thousand arms and heads and was
slain by Shiva.
Anga. The kingdom ruled over by King Lompada, probably-
Bengal. A part or limb. An army may be divided into
angas and in this context has been translated as divisions.
Angada. The son of Bali, a monkey warrior.
Angakaka. A female demon.
Anila. The God of the Wind.
Anjali. A salutation made with joined palms.
Anjana. A nymph with whom the God of the Wind became
enamoured and who subsequently gave birth to Hanuman.
Anshumak. Son of Asamanjas. See Balakanda for his story.
Antaka. A name of Yama, the God of Death.
Antigas. A measure implying the utmost number.
Anuhlada. The son of Hiranya-kashipu, a Daitya and the father
of Prahlada whose story is told in the Vishnu Purana. Hir-
anyakasipu was slain by Vishnu in his incarnation of Nrsi-
ngha, half man, half lion.
Apsara. "Ap " meaning water and " sara " to emerge from ;
the name means a water-sprite or nymph. The Apsaras
were the wives of the Gandharvas.
Aranya. A forest.
Arbudha. A number approximating to a hundred million.
Arghya. A traditional offering of water, milk, kusha grass, rice,
Durva grass, sandalwood, flowers, etc.
Arishtanemi. A name of Garuda's meaning " The Felly of
whose wheel is unhurt ".
Artha. Dbarma, Artha and Kama — duty, prosperity and legiti-
mate pleasure, which are said to be the three ends of life.
Artha- Shastra. The science of moral and political government.
The Artha Shastras are ancient Hindu treatises summarizing
the main duties of man in the field of politics and economics,
where the subjects are treated from the individual and not the
universal point of view.
Aruna. Brother of Garuda.
Arundhati. Wife of the Rishi Vasishtha, a model of conjugal
excellence. Also the morning star.
Aryamana. Chief of the Pittris or Ancestors.
Asava. Wine made of sugar and honey or the blossom of Bossia
Latifiloia or, according to some, grapes.
Ascetics. Sages who practised austerities, of which the following
are specially cited : —
Ardrapatavasa. Those practicing silent prayer.
Asmakuttas. Those who lived in stone huts on uncooked
food.
506
GLOSSARY
Dantolukhalis. Those who took raw food such as grain
crushing it between their teeth.
Gatmasayyas. Those who slept on the ground without
making a bed.
Marichipas. Those who lived by absorbing the rays of
the sun or moon.
Fancagni. Those practising asceticism between five
fires, i.e. : four fires and the sun above.
Patraharas. Those who lived on the leaves of trees.
Sampraksalas. Those said to be born of the water in
which Brahma's feet were cleansed.
Vaikhanasas. Born from the nails of the Creator, Brahma.
Valakhilyas. Born from the body of Brahma.
Ashadha. The month that covers part of June and July.
Ashoka. One of King Dasaratha's counsellors. For the tree of
this name see separate Glossary.
Ashrama. Hermitage or forest retreat
Ashwayuj. The month September — October.
Ashwins or Ashwini-Kumaras. Celestial horsemen, precursors of
the dawn, twin offspring of the sun and patrons of medicine.
Asura. A Demon or Titan, enemy of the Gods.
Aswamedha. Horse sacrifice of Vedic times, performed only by
kings.
Athakva Veda. The fourth Veda.
Atibala. See Bala and Atibala.
Atodyas. A musical instrument.
Atri. One of the Seven Immortal Sages.
Atyartha Sadaka. One of King Dasaratha's counsellors.
Aum or Om. The sacred syllable, said to have been the first sound
in creation. Its import can be studied in the Mandukya
Upanishad.
Aurva. A great Rishi, the grandson of Bhrigu. His name is
derived from " uru " or thigh as he was said to have
been produced from his mother's thigh. His austerities
alarmed the Gods and his anger against the warrior class, who
had slain his forbears, was unparalleled. Eventually it was
mitigated by the intervention of the Pittris and he cast the
fire of his wrath into the sea, where it became a being with
a horse's head named Haya-shira.
Ayodhya. The capital of Koshala, ruled over by King Dasaratha,
possibly Oudh.
Ayomukha. A mountain.
Ayomukhi. A female Titan or Demon.
Ayurveda. The " Veda of life ". A work on medicine attri-
buted to the Sage Dhanwantari who rose from the ocean
when it was churned by Gods and Titans.
Ayuta. A number not to be counted, a myriad or sometimes said
to be a thousand plus a hundred.
507
GLOSSARY
B
BAHADUR. A title of honour, conferred by Mohammedan kings,
similar to a knighthood.
Bala and Atibala. The Science of Sacred Formulas, given to
Rama by the Sage Vishwamitra.
Bali or Vali. King of the Monkeys, slain by Rama. His brother
was Sugriva.
Balhikas or Valhikas. Bactrians or people of the North and
West of India.
Bhaga. A Deity mentioned in the Vedas, who was an
Aditya presiding over love and marriage. The name means
" Wealthy Master ", " Gracious Lord ", " Bestower of
Wealth ".
Bhagiratha. A descendant of King Sagara, who by his penances
brought the sacred river Gunga down to earth. A name of
the river Gunga or Ganges, so called after the Sage Bhagiratha.
Bharadwaja. A Sage who entertained Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
in the forest and subsequently created a great feast for Bharata.
See Balakanda. Many Vedic hymns are attributed to him.
Bharata. The younger brother of Rama and son of Queen Kaikeyi.
Bharatvarsha. Ancient India.
Bhasa. A vulture or bird of prey.
Bhaskara. Father of Sugriva. A name of the Sun.
Bheris. A kettledrum.
Bmogavati. The voluptuous subterranean capital of the Serpent
Race also called Putkari.
Bhrigu. A Vedic Sage, said to be the son of Manu, the progenitor
of mankind.
Bhringaraja. A shrike or a bee.
Bhur, Bhuvah, Swah. The Lower, Middle and Upper Worlds.
Bhutas. Ghosts, imps or goblins, malignant spirits.
Bhuti. The mother of the nymph Manu.
Bibishana or Vibishana. Brother of Ravana but a devotee of
Rama, who conferred the Kingdom of Lanka on him after
Ravana's death.
Bishaka or Vishaka. A devotee who constantly contemplates the
Deity. Also one of the Nakshatras q.v.
Brahma. The creative aspect of Divinity, Shri Vishnu being the
maintaining aspect and Shiva the destructive aspect.
Brahmachari. Religious student living in the house of a spiritual
teacher, having taken certain vows.
Brahmacharini. The female equivalent of Brahmachari.
Brahmacharya. Religious studentship, implying the taking of
certain vows.
Brahma-Jnana. Knowledge of Brahman, Truth or the highest
Reality.
508
GLOSSARY
Brahma-Loka. The abode or region of Brahma.
Brahman. The Absolute or highest Reality. Attributeless Being.
Brahmaputra. Son of Brahma.
Bkahmarshi. A constellation said by some to be Shravana q.v.
Bratasura, Vratasura or Vritra. A Titan slain by Indra.
Brihaspati or Vrihaspati. The spiritual Preceptor of the Gods,
also said to be the Regent of the planet Jupiter which is called
by the same name.
Budha. The planet Mercury.
Caitya. Tombstone, column, or pile of stones.
Cakracara. Lit. : Going in a circle. A class of heavenly beings.
Castes. The four : Priest, Warrior, Merchant and those who
serve these three.
Cexika. Musical instrument.
Chattaratha or Chitaratha. King of the Gandharvas q.v.
Chakratunda. A fish resembling a wheel in appearance.
Chakravaka. Brahmany duck or ruddy goose.
Chamara. Chowrie, a fan made of Yaks' tails, insignia of royalty.
Chamara. A Yak, Bos Grunniens, highly prized for its bushy tail.
Chandala. An outcaste.
Chandra. The moon.
Charanas. The Panegyrists of the Gods.
Chitra. The planet Spica. The month Chitra or Chaitra is
part of February and March.
Chxttrakuta. A sacred mountain where Rama and Sita dwelt
while in exile. It is still a holy retreat.
Dattyas. Titans.
Daksiia. Son of Shri Brahma. His daughter Uma became
Shiva's consort.
Dakshina. Traditional offering made after a sacred ceremony.
Danavas. A race of giants, enemies of the Gods.
Dandaka. A vast forest lying between the rivers Godaveri and
Narmada, the scene of Rama and Sita's exile.
Danu. A name of the Demon Kabandha q.v.
Dashagriva, " The Ten-Necked One." A title of Ravana.
Dashanana. "Ten-Faced One." A name of Ravana.
Dasakatha. King of Koshala, father of Rama, Lakshmana,
Bharata and Shatrughna.
Datyuhaka. A small gallinule resembling a cuckoo.
509
GLOSSARY
Devarishi. See under Rishi.
Devas. The Gods or Shining Ones.
Devi. A title given to Parvati q.v.
Dhanada. A name of Kuvera, the God of Wealth, " Giver of
Wealth."
Dhara. Wife of the Sage Kashyapa.
Dharma. Traditionally ordained course of conduct or duty.
The Law of Righteousness. Dharma is personified in one
of the Prajapatis, God of moral and religious duty. Also
the four ends of life : Legitimate enjoyment, prosperity and
duty, the fourth being the attainment of spiritual bliss.
Dharmabrit. A Sage whom Rama encountered near the Lake of
the Four Nymphs.
Dhatar or Dhatri. Creator, Author or Founder, a name given
to Vishnu or Brahma and others.
Dhrishti. One of the chief counsellors of King Dasaratha.
Dhuma. The God of smoke.
Dhumaketu. A meteor, comet or falling star. The personified
descending node.
Dhundumara. Slayer of the Demon Dhundu, a title of the King
Kuvalayashwa.
Dilipa. Father of the Sage Bharadwaja.
Dindima. A musical instrument.
Diti. Daughter of Daksha, wife of Kashyapa, mother of the
Daityas.
Divisions of Time, the Three. Past, present and future.
Droka. A measure approximating to 92 lbs.
Dukula. Woven silk or very fine cloth made of the inner bark
of the plant of the same name.
Dundhubi. A giant slain by Bali. Also a kettledrum.
Dushana. A General of Khara's army, slain by Rama.
Dyumatsena. Prince of S'abra, father of Satyavanta.
Ekashalya or Ekacalya. An aquatic creature. The word means
" having a tip or point ". Possibly a shark, or swordfish.
Gadhi. Father of the Sage Vishwamitra, the son of King Kushanaba,
hence the patronymic Kaushika.
Gandhamandana. A general of the monkey army, killed by
Indrajita, also the name of a mountain, " The Mount of
Intoxicating Fragrance ".
510
GLOSSARY
Gandharvas. Celestial Musicians.
Ganges. The sacred river Gunga, also known under many other
names such as Bhagirathi, Harasekhara, or the " Crest of Shiva,"
Khapaga, ,e Flowing from Heaven," Tripathaga, " Three-way
Flowing," Mandakini, Gently Flowing, Jahnavi, after the
Sage Jahnu, etc.
Garuda. King of the Birds, the vehicle of Shri Vishnu and the
destroyer of serpents, sometimes portrayed as an eagle or jay.
Gautama. A great sage, the husband of Ahalya q.v.
Gayatri. The most sacred prayer of the Rig-Veda. A Goddess,
wife of Brahma, mother of the Four Vedas.
Godaveri. A river close to the Dandaka Forest.
Godha. A piece of leather or metal worn on the left arm to protect
it from the bow-string.
Goha. A soft leather, possibly cow or doeskin,
Golangula. A black monkey that has a tail like a cow's.
Golobha. A giant.
Goshpada. A measurement equal to a cow's hoof.
Grandsire of the World. A title of Brahma.
Gridhiras. Birds of prey.
Grihi. A person who, having finished his education, marries and
becomes a householder. Also known as Grihasta.
Guha. King of the Nishadas, a mountain tribe. A great devotee
of Rama.
Guhyakas. Hidden Beings, attendants on Kuvera q.v.
Gunas. " Guna " literally means a thread or strand. It is also
used for a quality, attribute or property : for instance, the air
has tangibility and sound for its " guna ". According to the
Sankhya Philosophy, nature consists of the equipoise of the
three gunas Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas, or goodness, passion
and darkness, which are the characteristics of all created things.
Guru. A traditional Teacher of the spiritual science. One who
dispels ignorance.
H
Hala Hala. The poison churned from the ocean by Gods and
Demons.
Hamsa. Swan, flamingo or heron.
Hanuman or Hanumat. A monkey minister of Sugriva, the King
of the Monkeys. Hanuman was the son of Pavana, the God
of the Wind and Anjana. He became a devotee of Rama's
and was an ideal disciple. He is also known as Maruti,
Anjaneya, Yogachara, for his magic and healing powers, and
Rajata-dyuti, " The Brilliant ".
Hari. The name of the Lord Vishnu, meaning " captivating "
or " pleasing ".
511
GLOSSARY
Hakivahana. A name of Gamda meaning " Bearer of Vishnu '*.
Hasta. A star, the thirteenth lunar asterism identified as Corvus.
Hawan. A particular offering to the Gods ; an ancient fire-
ceremony.
Hayagrtva. Lit. : " horse-necked ". According to one legend,
Vishnu himself assumed this form to recover the Veda which
had been carried off by two Daityas, Madhu and Kaitabha.
Hema. A nymph ; also a kind of gold.
Himapandara. One of the Elephants of the Four Quarters,
supporting the earth.
Himavat. Lit. : " The Abode of Snows ". The King of
Himalaya.
Hiranya-Kasihpu. Lit. : " Golden Dress ". A Daitya who ob-
tained the sovereignty of the Three Worlds from Shiva, for
a million years, and persecuted his son Prahlada, a devotee of
Vishnu.
Homa. The Homa sacrifice is the act of making an oblation to
the Gods by pouring butter into the fire, to the accompaniment
of prayers and invocations. It is regarded as one of the five
great sacrifices called " Deva-yajnas ".
Ikshnaku. Son of Manu, founder of the Solar Race of Kings
who reigned in Ayodhya.
Ilvala. A demon subdued by the Sage Agastya.
Indra. The King of the Gods, who is known under many other
names, such as : Mahendra, or Great Indra, Shatakratu, or
" He of a hundred sacrifices ", Purandara, " Destroyer of
Cities", Vajrapani, " Of the Thunderbolt hand ", " Lord of
Sachi ", Maghavan, "Possessor of Wealth".
Indraloka. The Abode of Indra or the Celestial Realm.
Iravati. Mother of the elephant Airavata.
Jabali. A Brahmin of King Dasaratha's court.
Jagari. Coarse brown sugar made of palm sap.
Jahnavi. A name of the sacred River Gunga.
Jahnu. The Sage who drank up the Gunga.
Jambavan or Jambavat. King of the Bears, an ally of Rama.
Jambu. A river.
Jambudwtpa. One of the seven continents of which the world
was said to be composed.
Janaka. King of Mithila, father of Sita.
Janaki. A name of Sita.
512
GLOSSARY
Janasthana. The colony of Titans in the Dandaka Forest.
Japa. Silent repetition of a prayer or sacred formula.
Jatarupa. Gold in its original purity.
Jatayu. The King of the Vultures, who attempted to prevent
Havana from carrying Sita away.
Jaya. A Goddess, producer of weapons.
Jayanta. Bang Dasaratha's minister.
Juta. The matted locks of a devotee.
K
Kabandha. An Asura or Demon, slain by Rama and Lakshmana.
Kadamvari. Natural wines which require no preparation.
Kadru. A daughter of Daksha and wife of the Rishi Kashyapa ;
she was the mother of the many-headed serpents, including
Shesha and Vasuki.
Kaikeya. The Kingdom ruled over by King Kaikeya.
Kaikeyi. Favourite Queen of King Dasaratha and mother of
Bharata.
Kailasha. Sacred mountain, said to be the abode of Shiva.
Kakutstha. A title used for the descendants of Kakutstha in the
House of Ikshwaku, also for Puranjaya, a prince of the Solar
race, whose story is told in the Vishnu Purana, From
" Kakud ", an emblem of royalty and " Stha " — residing—
meaning a prince, a grandson of Ikshwaku.
Kalaguru. Aloes or AgaUochum, a species of sandal.
Kalahamsa. A kind of duck or goose, Gallinula Porphyria.
Kalaka. Wife of the Rishi Kashyapa, mother of the Danavas.
Kalindi. Wife of King Asit.
Kalmashl A titan, demon or goblin.
Kama or Kandarpa. The Indian Cupid, or God of Love.
Kapila. A great Sage who destroyed the sons of King Sagara.
Karanda or Karandava. A species of duck.
Karka. The sign of Cancer.
Karma. The law governing the behaviour of matter in all its
gross and subtle forms, according to the divine purpose.
Karttika. The month October — November. When the sun
enters Libra.
Karttikeya. The God of War, the son of Shiva, also called Skanda
and Mahasena "Great Captain,"
Kashi. The sacred City of Benares.
Kashyapa. The great Vedic Sage, grandson of Brahma and
father of Vivaswat.
Katyayana. An ancient writer of great celebrity, author of the
Dharmashastra.
Kaupih. A loin-cloth.
Kaushalya. Chief Queen of King Dasaratha and mother of Rama.
5*3
GLOSSARY
Kaushika. Title of Vishwamitra after his grandfather. Also a
devotee who went to hell for having pointed out a road to
robbers, by which they pursued and killed some persons who
were fleeing from them.
Kaushiki. A river said to be Vishwamitra's sister.
Kaustubha. Celebrated jewel churned from the ocean and worn
by Shri Vishnu.
Kavyahanas. A class of Celestial Beings.
Keshni. Chief Queen of King Sagara.
Khara. The brother of Ravana. A demon, slain by Rama,
Khiva or Kheeva. Frumenty, hulled wheat boiled in milk and
sweetened.
Kinneras. Celestial Beings attendant on Kuvera q.v.
Kirti. A celestial Nymph, personifying fame and glory.
Kishkindha. The country ruled over by Bali, possibly Mysore.
This Kingdom was given to Sugriva by Rama.
Knower op Self. Knower of Truth or Reality. An illumined
being.
Koshala. The kingdom ruled over by King Dasaratha.
Koti. Ten million.
Koyashtika. The lapwing.
Krauncha. A species of heron, Ardea Jaculator.
Kraunchacharya. A Sage.
Krauncharanya. A forest. Lit.; "The Forest of the Heron".
Kraunchi. The daughter of Kashyapa and Tamra, mother of
owls and birds of prey.
Krikala. A partridge.
Kaitabha and Madhu. Two Daityas who carried off the Vedas
and were slain by Vishnu.
Krittikas. The Pleiades, nurses of the God of War.
Kshiroda. The Ocean of Milk.
Kubija. A hunchback servant of Queen Kaikeyi.
Kumbhakarna. Brother of Ravana, a monster killed by Rama.
Kunjara. Maternal grandfather of Hanuman.
Kurara. An osprey.
Kusiia. One of the sons of Rama and Sita.
Kuvera. The God of Wealth.
Lagna-Karka. The sign of Cancer.
Lagna-Meena. The sign of Pisces.
Lagnas. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are considered as rising
above the horizon in the course of the day. The Lagna has
the name of the sign; its duration is from the first rising of
514
GLOSSARY
the sign till the whole is above the horizon. Lagna literally
means the point where the horizon and the path of the planet
meet.
Lakshmana. Son of King Dasaratha and Queen Sumitra, favourite
brother of Rama who accompanied him in his exile. Lakshmana
was said to be the incarnation of the thousand-headed Shesha,
the serpent who upholds the world.
Lakshmi. The consort of Shri Vishnu, also known as " Shri ",
signifying prosperity. Sita was said to be an incarnation of
Lakshmi.
Lamba. A mountain.
Lanka. The kingdom ruled over by Ravana, the King of the
Titans, probably Ceylon.
Lohitanga. The planet Mars.
Lokapalas. The Guardians of the Four Quarters.
Lomapada. A King whose story is told in Balakanda.
Loshtha. A vessel of coconut or metal used for begging or cere-
monial purposes.
M
Mada. The temporal juices of an elephant in rut.
Madana. God of Love, Kama or Kandarpa.
Madha. A spiritous liquor, made of honey and molasses or the
blossom of Bassia Latifolia.
Madhu. A Demon.
Madhucchanda. Vishwamitra's son, cursed by his father for
disobedience.
Madhuparka. A mixture of curds, butter, honey and the milk of
the coconut, a traditional offering.
Madhusudana. Name of Shri Vishnu, meaning the " Destroyer
of the Demon Madhu ".
Magadha. A kingdom ; now South Bihar.
Magda-Phalguni. The season from the middle of January to
the middle of March.
Mahadeva. 'Great God/ a title of Shiva.
Mahapadma. One of the Elephants of the Four Quarters.
Maharathas. Car Warriors.
Maharathras. Great Warriors.
Mahatma. 'Great-souled One,* a title given to a Sage or Rishi.
Mahavana. ' Great Forest.*
Mahodara. A son of Vishwamitra's. Also a general in Ravana's
army.
Mahodaya. An ascetic who was transformed into one of the
lowest caste by Vishwamitra's curse.
515 9h
GLOSSARY
Maina. Mina or Mynah, a small percher about the size of a
swallow which can be taught to repeat words.
Maimaka or Minaka. A golden mountain, north of Kailasha.
Also a numph who tempted Vishwamitra.
Maireya or Mireya. Liquor extracted from the blossom of the
Lythrum Fracticosum tree, mixed with sugar.
Maithila or Mithila. The kingdom ruled over by King Janaka.
Maithili. A name of Sita, as daughter of the King of Mithila.
Maitra. Period of the early morning.
Makara. A kind of sea monster, sometimes confounded with a
shark, crocodile or dolphin.
Malaya. A mountain.
Manasarova. A lake on Mount Kailasha, lit. : " The Lake of
the Mind ", said to be hollowed out of the mind of Brahma.
Mandakini. A river near Mt. Chittrakuta.
Mandara. A mountain used in the churning of the ocean by
Gods and Titans.
Mandarkani. A Sage who created the Lake of Five Nymphs.
Mandavi. Bharata's wife, daughter of King Kushadwaja.
Mandhata or Mandhatri. A king.
Mandodari. The wife of Ravana.
Mankuka. A musical instrument.
Manmatha. A name of Kama, the God of Love.
Manthara. The hunchbacked maid of Kaikeyi.
Mantra. Mantras or mantrams are sacred formulas.
Manu. The First Man who was given the Holy Truth by his
father Vivaswat — see Bhagawadgita, Chapter IV, opening
verses.
Maricha. A demon who, disguised as a deer, lured Rama from
bis hermitage.
Marichipas. A class of ascetics who derive their nourishment
from particles of light.
Markandeya. A Sage, remarkable for bis austerities.
Maruii. A name of Hanuman as son of Maruta, the God of Wind.
Maruts. The Wind-Gods, or Gods of the Tempest.
Mashas. A class of Sages or Hermits.
Matali. Indra's charioteer.
Matanga. A great Sage.
Matarishwak. An aerial being, mentioned in the Rig-Veda as
bringing down fire to earth.
Maya. The deluding power of the Lord, by which the universe
has come into existence and appears to be real. A Giant
who created a magical cave dwelling.
Mayavi. A giant killed by Bali.
Megha. The Regent of the clouds.
Merit. A great and sacred mountain.
Mbrusavarm. A great ascetic.
Mleccbas. Foreigners, barbarians, eaters of flesh. A people said
5X6
GLOSSARY
to be born of the sacred cow Shabala for her protection. See
Balakanda.
Mbidanga. A kind of drum.
Mbigi. Daughter of Krodhavasha, mother of elephants.
Mkityu. The God of Death, another name for Yama.
Muhurta. An instant, a moment, an hour, according to the
context.
Muni. A holy Sage, a pious and learned person, a title applied to
Risliis and others.
Muraga. A tambourine.
Mushtikas. People cursed by Vishwamitra who assumed the
lowest caste.
N
Nabhaga. The son of Yayati and father of Aja, who was Dasaratha's
father.
Nagas. The Serpent Race.
Nahusha. The father of King Yayati, Nahusha's curious story is
found in the Mahabharata and Puranas.
Nairritas, A race of Demons, offspring of Nairriti or Niritti.
Nakaprishta. The highest heaven (from Naka— vault) in which
there is no unhappiness.
Nakshatras. The Hindus, beside the common division of the
Zodiac into twelve signs, divided it into 27 Nakshatras, two to
each sign. Each Nakshatra has its appropriate name : —
i. Aswini. 2. Bharani. 3. Krittika. 4. Rohini. 5. Mr'ga-
shriras. 6. Ardea. 7. Purnavasu. 8. Pushya. 9. Alesha.
10. Magna, ri. Purva-phalguni. 12. Uttaraphalguni. 13.
Hasta. 14. Chitra. 15. Svati. 16. Vishaka. 17. Anuradha.
18. Jyasatha. 19. Mula. 20. Purvashadha. 21. Uttara-
shraddha. 22. Abijit. 23. Shravana. 24. Shravishtha or
Dhanishta. 25. Shatabhishaj. 26. Purva Bhadrapada.
27. Uttara-Bhadrapada. 28. Revati.
(The last is used if Abijit is omitted.)
Nala. A monkey chief, a general in Sugriva's army.
Nalini. A river.
Namuchi. A demon slain by Indra.
Nandana. Indra's celestial garden.
Nakdi. Sacred bull, the vehicle of Shiva, symbolising the Sattwa-
guna, q.v.
Nandigrama. The city from which Bharara ruled in the absence
of Rama.
Narada. A divine Sage who appeared to Valroiki, see Balakanda.
Naraka. Hell, a place of torture where the wicked are sent. Manu
enumerates twenty hells.
517
GLOSSARY
Narayana. A name of Shri Vishnu, so called because the waters
(nara) were his first place of motion.
Narmada. A river.
Natyuha. A bird. A small galliuile.
Nidhis. The personified Treasures of the God of Wealth, Kuvera.
Nikumbhila. A grove on the outskirts of Lanka.
Nila. A monkey chief, general in Sugriva's army.
Nimi. A royal ancestor of King Janaka.
Nishadas. A mountain tribe dwelling in the Vindhya Mountains,
living on hunting.
Nishka. A gold piece or nugget, sometimes worn as an ornament.
Om. See Aum.
Oshadi or Oshadi-Prastha. " The Place of Medicinal Herbs ,:
a city in the Himalayas mentioned in ' Kumara-Sambhava.'
Padma. A measurement, a thousand billions.
Pahlava. Warriors born from the sacred cow Shabala, possibly
Persians. See Balakanda.
Paka. A demon slain by Indra.
Pampa. A lake by which Rama and Lakshmana rested in their
exile.
Panava. A tabor or cymbal.
Panchapsaras. * The Lake of Five Nymphs ' created by the Sage
Mandarkami.
Pakchavati. A district near the source of the Godaveri River
where Rama passed a period of his exile.
Pannagas. Celestial serpents, offspring of Kadru.
Paramarishis. Great or Supreme Rishis, q.v.
Paramatman. The Absolute, Brahman.
Parantapa. A title meaning " Oppressor of the Foe".
Parasurama. 'Rama with the axe,' the sixth incarnation of Shri
Vishnu, son of Yamadagni and Renuka.
Pariharyas. A bracelet.
Pariplava. A spoon used in sacrifices.
Pariyatra. One of the principal mountain ranges of India.
Parjanya. A Vedic Deity or Rain God. Sometimes this title is
used for Indra.
Parvan. The period of the moon's change.
Parvati. Shiva's consort, also known under many other names,
such as Bahravi, Devi, Girija, Kanya, Sari, Padma-Lanchana,
518
GLOSSARY
Shiva-Duti, Uma and countless others.
Pashupati. Lord of Creatures, a title of Shiva.
Patagas. Winged creatures.
PATAHA. A kind of drum.
Patala. The infernal regions.
Paulastya. See Poulastya.
Pautoma. Wife of Kashyapa, mother of the Danavas.
Pavaka. A name of Agni, the God of Fire.
Pavana. The God of the Wind, father of Hanuman.
Payasa. A preparation of rice and milk.
Phalguni. A Nakshatra, q.v.
PlHAKA. Sacred bow.
Pingas. " Tawny Ones ", a name given to the monkey race.
Pisachas. Ghosts or evil spirits.
Prrnus. Manes or Ancestors.
Plavagas or Plavamgamas. Those who move by leaps and bounds;
a tide given to the Monkey Race.
Poulastya. One of the Seven Immortal Sages, Grandfather of
Ravana.
Pkabha. The consort of the Moon, also the personification of the
light of the Sun.
Prabhakara. The Sun.
Prabhava. A minister of Sugriva's.
Pradakshina. Circumambulation in a reverent manner from left
to right.
Prahasta. Father of Jambavan, a general in Sugriva's army.
Pralamba. A mountain.
Pralaya. Period of the dissolntion of the world.
Pramathin. A monkey renowned for his courage,
Prana. The vital air or breath.
Prasravana. A mountain.
Pratyaksthali. A sacred grove, a site facing the West.
Prausthapada. August— September.
Phayaga. The confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, a
sacred spot.
Prishata. Spotted deer, cow or piebald horse.
Priyaka. A spotted deer.
Puxoman. A Danava, father of Sachi, consort of India.
PUMARVASU. The seventh and most auspicious Nakshatra, q.v.
Puranas. Legends and tales of ancient times in epic form. There
are eighteen chief Puranas.
Purandara. Destroyer of Cities, a title of Indra.
Purohtta. A family priest.
Pururavas. A king who wedded the nymph Urvashi.
Purusha. The supreme Spirit, the highest Reality.
Pushan. The Sun.
PusHPAKA. A celestial aerial chariot which was so vast that it
contained palaces and their precincts.
519
GLOSSARY
Pushpitaka. A mountain.
Pushya. A constellation of three stars considered auspicious.
Also the sixth lunar mansion.
Puttra. A son who is said to deliver his father from hell.
Puttresti. A ceremony performed for the extending of the race by
the birth of sons.
Raghava. A title of those belonging to the House of Raghu to
which King Dasaratha and his forbears belonged.
Rahu. A mythical demon said to cause the eclipse of the sun and
the moon.
Rajahamsa. Royal Swan or Flamingo.
Rajas. See Guna.
Rajasuya Sacrifice. A great sacrifice performed in ancient times
at the installation of a monarch.
Rakshasas. Demons or Titans.
Rakshasi. Female Titan or Demon.
Rama or Ramachandra. The Incarnation of Shri Vishnu and the
eldest son of King Dasaratha. It is round this great figure
that the 'Ramayana' was created.
Rama-Katha. The recitation of 'Ramayana' which has been a
tradition in India for thousands of years.
Rambha. A nymph symbolising the perfection of beauty from
Indra's realm; often sent to distract Sages from their pious
practices.
Ratha. A chariot.
Rati. The Consort of the God of Love.
Ratna. A necklace.
Ravaha. A Titan, the King of Lanka who carried off Sita and
was slain by Rama. The name means the ' Vociferous '
' One who roars.'
Ravi. The Sun.
Renuka. The wife of Yamadagni and mother of Parasurama.
RiKSHABHA. A mountain.
Rikshabila. The magical cave where the monkeys stayed for a
time, when searching for Sita.
Riksharajas. The father of Bali and Sugriva, a King of the
Monkeys.
Rikshas. The Bears.
Rishi. A great Sage or illumined being of which there are four
classes : —
Rajarishi— A royal Rishi,
5*>
GLOSSARY
Maharishi— A great Rishi,
Brahmarishi — A sacred Rishi,
Devarishi — A divine Rishi.
Rishyamuka. A mountain on which Sugriva took refuge.
Rishyashringa. The " Deer-horned " Son of the Sage Vibhandaka
who married the daughter of King Lomapada, Shanty and
later performed the Puttresti ceremony (q. v.) for King Dasaratha
Ritvijs. Priest officiating at the installation ceremony.
Rom. A fish, Cyprinus Rohita Ham.
Rohini. The star Aldebaran.
Rohita. A kind of deer.
Rohitas. Name of the horses of the sun, also a Deity celebrated
in the Atharva Veda, probably a form of Fire or the Sun.
Rudra. A name of Shiva.
Rudras. The sons of Kashyapa and Aditi.
Ruma. Sugriva's Consort.
Rumana. Sugriva's general, a monkey chief.
Ruru. A deer.
Sachi. India's Consort.
Sadhyas. The personified rites and prayers of the Vedas who
dwell between heaven and earth, a class of Deities.
Sagara. A King whose history is told in Balakanda.
Sampati. A vulture, brother of Jatayu.
Samudra. Lord of Rivers, the Ocean.
Sanatkumara. One of the mind-born sons of Brahma.
Santana. One of the five trees in Indra's Paradise.
Sapindi. The Sapindi Ceremony is for the establishing of a
connection with kindred through funeral offerings.
Saptajanas. The * Hermitage of the Seven Sages.1
Sarabha or Sharabha. Legendary animal with eight legs.
Saranga. A bird.
Saraswati. The Goddess of speech and learning, also a river
named after her.
Sarayu. Sacred river, the Sarju.
Sarvabhauma. The elephant that carries Kuvera q.v.
Satarhada. Mother of the Demon Viradha.
Satyavati. The sister of the Sage Vishwamitra ; she became the
Kaushika river.
Satya-Yuga. The Golden Age or Yuga. There are four Yugas
which make up a Kalpa or world cycle :—
The Satya Yuga or Golden Age.
The Treta Yuga or Silver Age.
The Dwapara Yuga or Copper Age.
521
GLOSSARY
The Kali Yuga or Black Age, also called the Iron Age.
Saumanasa. One of the elephants of the four quarters.
Saumitri. Sumatra's son, Lakshmana.
Sausa. A divine potion. Lit. : " Relating to the Sun ".
SaovaRCALA. Sochal salt or alkali.
Shabari. A female ascetic, devotee of Rama.
Shakra. A name of Indra's.
Shalmali. A fabulous thorny rod of the cotton tree used for tortur-
ing the wicked in hell.
Shalyaka. A Porcupine. See also Weapons.
Shambara. The Demon of Drought, represented in the Rig Veda
as the enemy of Indra.
Shankhas. A measurement, a hundred billions or a hundred
thousand crores. (A crore is ten millions).
Shamku. Ten billions.
Shanta. The daughter of King Lomapada who was wedded to
the Sage Rishyashringa.
Sharabanda. The mother of the Demon Viradha.
Sharabhanga. A Sage visited by Rama and Sita in the Dandaka
Forest.
Shasanka. The Consort of Robini or the moon.
Shasi. The moon. Lit. : " Hare-marked ".
Shastras. Teachings of divine and recognised authority.
Shatananda. Son of the Sage Gautama and spiritual director
to the King Janaka.
Shatapatra. " Having a hundred petals ". (See Lotus, under
* Flowers and Trees Glossary.') ' Having a hundred feathers,'
said of a peacock or crane. ' Having a hundred wings ' or
conveyances, said of Brihaspati, q.v.
Shatrughna. King Dasaratha's fourth son, whose mother was
Sumitra.
Shishumara. Lit. : ' Child-killer ', a word used for crocodile,
porpoise or dolphin.
Shiva. The Lord as Destroyer of Ignorance, also Lord of Bliss.
Shivya or Shivi. A King of the Raghu Dynasty who rescued the
God Agni when he had transformed himself into a pigeon and
was pursued by Indra, in the form of a hawk.
Shona. A sacred river.
Shravana. The month of July — August. Also a Nakshatra, q.v.
Shri. A title of courtesy, also the Consort of Vishnu, Lakshmi,
who is the Goddess of Prosperity.
Shruta-Ktrti. The Consort of Shatrughna.
Shruti or sruti. Holy teachings h't. : " What is heard ".
Shudra. The lowest of the four castes.
Shukra. The planet Venus. Said to be the son of Brighu.
Shuhaka. Son of the Sage Ricbika.
Shumashepa. Son of the Sage Ricbika, offered as a sacrifice and
saved by the Sage Vishwamitra.
522
GLOSSARY
Shurpanakha. Sister of Ravana, a female Titan mutilated by
Rama and Lakshmana.
Shvadamshtras. Earrings.
Shvasana. A name of the Wind-god. Also of the Demon of
Drought slain by Indra.
Shyenas. Falcons, hawks, eagles, etc., the offspring of Shyeni.
Shyeni. Daughter of Kashyapa and Tamra, mother of birds of
Shveta. A mountain.
Siddharta. One of King Dasaratha's counsellors.
Siddhas. Semi-divine beings, who dwell between the earth and
the sun.
Sn>HU. A kind of rum distilled from molasses.
Simhika, Sinhika or Singhika. A female demon who caught
hold of Hanuman's shadow.
Sindhu. The river Indus. Also a country east of Koshala.
Sita. Daughter of King Janaka, King of Mithila, and Rama's
consort.
Six Kinds of Taste. Sweet, bitter, acid, salt, pungent, acrid
and harsh.
Smkiti. Tradition. Lit. : " What is remembered ".
Soma. The fermented juice of ' Asclepias-acida ', used as a
beverage or libation in sacred ceremonies.
Somadatta. Daughter of Urmila and mother of Brahmadatta.
Somagiri. A mountain.
Soijka 1
a. f
Countries east of Koshala.
SOURASHTRA.
Srimaras. Marine monsters.
Sthulashira. A Sage harassed by the Demon Kabandha.
Subahu. A demon who disturbed the sacrifices of the Sage
Vishwamitra.
Subhadra. A sacred tree.
Suchena. Son of Varuna, the Lord of the Waters.
Sudamana. One of King Janaka's ministers.
SUGRIVA. King of the Monkeys and Rama's ally.
Sumantra. The Prime Minister of King Dasaratha.
Sumati. Younger wife of King Sagara, who gave birth to sixty-
thousand sons.
Sumeru. A sacred mountain.
Sumitra. Mother of Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Sunabha. Lit. : " Having a beautiful navel , a title of the moun-
tain Mainaka.
Sunda. Father of Maricha.
Suparna. A name of Garuda, meaning " Chief of Birds ".
Suparshwa. Son of the Vulture Sampati.
Suprabha. A Goddess who created celestial weapons, daughter of
Daksha.
Surabha. Daughter of Krodhavasha, consort of Kashyapa.
523
GLOSSARY
Suras. A name of the Gods. In the Vedas it applied to offspring
of the Sun.
Surashtras. One of King Dasaratha's ministers.
Surya. The Sun, one of the three chief deities of the Vedas.
Sushena. The father of Tara, Bali's consort.
Sutikshna. A Sage who dwelt in the Dandaka Forest and enter-
tained Rama, Lakshmana and Sita during their wanderings.
Suta. Khara's charioteer.
Sutras. Poetical rhythms or stanzas.
Suvarhala. The consort of the Sun.
Suyajna. Spiritual Director of King Dasaratha.
Svadangstras. Ornaments worn in the ears.
Svaha. Word of power or invocation.
Svarbhanu. The Demon Rahu, q.v.
Svati. The star Arcturus.
Svavidh. A Porcupine or Hedgehog.
Swvambhu. The Self-Existence, a name of the Creator, Shri
Brahma.
Swyamprabha. The Daughter of the Sage Merusavarni.
Swyamvara. The ceremony of choosing a consort.
Syakdara. A river.
Tala. A leather strap used by archers. A clapper used in music.
Tamasa. A river,
Tamra. One of the wives of the Sage Kashyapa.
Tapas. Penance or austerity.
Tapovana. A forest.
Tara. The consort of Bali.
Taraka. A female demon.
Tarkshya. In ancient times considered as the personification of
the sun in the form of a bird. Later it became a name for
Garuda.
Tarrshyas. Father of the Monkeys.
Tejas. Lustre, energy or radiance, often used for spiritual power.
Thirty The, Tri-Dasa. This title applies to the Gods. In round
numbers, thirty-three — Twelve Adityas, eight Vasus, eleven
Rudras and two Ashwins.
Three Worlds The. Bhur, Bhuvah, Swah, the Lower, Middle
and Upper Worlds, also called Tri-Loka and Tri-Bhuvana.
Heaven, Earth and HelL
Tilaka. A mark of auspiciousness placed on the forehead.
Timingila. Lit. : " Swallowing even a Timis ", a name of a
fabulous fish.
Timis. A whale.
524
GLOSSARY
Tishya. An asterism shaped like an arrow, containing three
stars, also called Pushya and Sidhya.
Twjata. A Brahmin whose story is told in Balakanda. Also a
female titan who spoke in defence of Sita.
Trikuta. " Three-Peaked ", the mountain on which Lanka was
built.
Tripathaga. " Three-way flowing ", the Traverser of the Three
Worlds, a name of the Ganges.
Tripura. A demon slain by Shiva. A city burnt by the Gods.
Trishanku. A King of the Solar Race, whose story is told in
Balakanda.
Trishiras. A demon slain by Rama.
Trivikrama. The name of Shri Vishnu, when taking the three
strides covering the earth.
Trivistafa. The world of Indra.
Tryambaka. " Three-eyed " a name of Shiva.
Twice-Born. Only a brahmin can strictly be termed *' twice-
born ", but the term came to be extended to the warrior and
agricultural classes.
Tumboru. A Gandharva cursed by the God Kuvera and born as
the Demon Viradha.
U
Ucchaihshravas. The white horse of Indra's, produced from
the churning of the ocean. It is said to be fed on ambrosia
and be the King of Horses.
Udaya. A golden mountain.
Uma. A name of Parvati, daughter of Himavat and consort of
Shiva.
Upa-Naya. The ceremony of investiture of the sacred thread, by
which act spiritual birth is conferred on a youth and he is
considered a member of the Brahmin or Twice-born class.
The age at which this ceremony takes place is between eight
and sixteen years.
Upanishad. Esoteric doctrine. The third division of the Vedas,
forming part of the revealed World.
Upendra. Name of Shri Vishnu or Krishna.
Uragas. Great Serpents.
Ukmila. Consort of Lakshmana.
Urvashi. A nymph mentioned in the Rig-Veda. Many legends
are told about her in the classics.
Ushanas. Another name of Shukra or the planet Venus.
Ushiras. A hair like grass growing on the golden trees in hell.
See also Flowers and Trees Glossary.
Uttara-Kurus. Northern Kurus, a people with whom the Sages
took refuge.
525
GLOSSARY
Uttara-Phalguni. A constellation, under which Sita was said
to have been bom.
Vachaspati. Mother of the Gods, Goddess of speech and learning.
Vadaba or Vadava. Lit : ' Mare's Fire ', the subterranean fire
or fire of the lower regions, fabled to emerge from a cavity
called the ' Mare's mouth ' under the sea at the south pole.
Vagarinasaka. A bird, dark throated and white winged. Also
a species of food.
Vaideha or Videha. The kingdom ruled over by Janaka.
Vaidehi. A name of Sita as daughter of the King of Videha.
Vaikhanasas. A class of Rishi or Hermit.
Vairochana. A name of Bali.
Vaishnava. Sacrifice in honour of Shri Vishnu.
Vaishravana. A name of Kuvera, Ravana's brother.
Vaishvanara. A name of the God Agni.
Vaishyas. The merchant or agricultural class.
Vaitarani. The River of Hell.
Vaivaswat. A name of the God Yama.
Vajapeya. A sacrifice at which an acetous mixture of meal and
water is offered to the Gods.
Vajradhara. " Wielder of the Thunderbolt ", a name for Indra,
Valakhilyas. Divine Beings, the size of a thumb, sixty thousand
of whom sprang from the body of Brahma and surround the
chariot of trie sun.
Vali. See Bali.
Vallaki. A small crane, also an Indian lute.
Valmiki. Poet, Sage, author of Ramayana.
Vamana. The Holy Dwarf, fifth divine Incarnation of Shri Vishnu.
Vamadeva. A great Rishi, present at Rama's installation.
Vana. Forest.
Vanaprastha. A festival similar to a Harvest Festival.
Vanaras. 'Dweller in the Forest,' a title given to the Monkey Race,
also called ' Deer of the Trees '.
Vanaris. Female Monkeys.
Vanculaka. A mythical bird.
Varuna. The Indian Neptune, Lord of the Waters.
Varijnl Daughter of Varuna, the personification of Wine.
Vasava. A name for Indra.
Vasishtha. The spiritual preceptor of King Dasaratha.
Vasudeva. A name of the Lord.
Vasuki. The Serpent King.
Vasus. Sons of Kashyapa and Aditi. The eight Vasus were
originally personifications of natural phenomena, Apa, Dhruva,
Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala, Praryusha and Prabhasa.
Vasvokasara. Another name for Amaravati, Indra's capital.
5z6
GLOSSARY
Vata. A name of Vayu, q.v.
Vatapi. A demon consumed by the Sage Agastya.
Vayu. The God of the Wind.
Veda. The Holy Scriptures of the Hindu religion. Fountain of
Divine Knowledge.
Vedangas. A sacred science considered subordinate to and in
some sense a part of the Vedas — six subjects come under the
denomination : —
i. Siksha — pronunciation. 2. Kalpa — religious rites. 3.
Vyakarana— Grammar. 4, Chandas— Prosody. 5. Jyotish
— Astronomy. 5. Nirukti — Explanation of difficult words.
Vedi. An altar of Kusha grass. Place of sacrifice.
Vibhandaka. Son of the Sage Kashyapa and father of
Rishyashringa.
Vibishana. See Bibishana.
Vibhudhas. Celestial Beings.
Vidarbha. A country} probably Birar, whose capital was Kun-
dinapura.
Videha. See Vaideha.
Vidhatar. " Arranger ", " Disposer ", " Creator ". Name of
Brahma.
VmHYADHARAS. Lit. : " Magical knowledge holder ". Particular
good or evil spirits attendant on the Gods.
Vina. An Indian lute.
Vinata. The mother of Garuda.
Vindha. The auspicious hour for finding what has been lost.
Vindhya. A mountain ordered by Agastya not to increase in
height.
Vipanci. An Indian lute.
Vihadha. A demon, son of Java and Shatarade who was slain by
Rama and had formerly been the Gandharva Tumburu.
Virochana. A giants father of Bali.
ViRUPAKSHA. Elephant of one of the Four Quarters.
Vishakas. One of the lunar asterisms, also a month of the flower-
ing season.
Vishnu. The Lord in His aspect of Maintainer of the Universe.
Vishravas. Son of Poulastya and father of Ravana and Kuvera.
Vishwadevas. All the Gods, said to be " Preserver of Men and
Bestowers of Rewards ".
ViSHWAKARMA. Architect of the Gods.
Vishwamitra. A great Sage whose story is told in Balakanda.
Vishwarupa. A title of Vishnu meaning " wearing all forms "
"Omnipresent." Also the son of Vishwakarma slain by Indra.
Vishwatam. The God of the Wind.
Vitapavati. The celestial city of Kuvera.
VrvASWAT. ' The Brilliant One ', a title given to the Sun.
Vrtoda. A large number, a multitude.
Vritrasura or Vrttra. A demon slain by Indra.
3*7
GLOSSARY
Y
Yadu. The son of Yayati and Devayani. Yayati was the founder
of the Yadavas in which lice Krishna was born.
Yajna. A sacrifice or penance.
Yajurveoa. The part of the Veda that treats of ceremonies and
rites.
Yakshas. Supernatural Beings attendant on the God Kuvera.
Yama. The God of Death.
Yamuna. A sacred river.
Yatudhanas. Evil spirits that assume various forms.
Yavanas. A people said to have been born of the sacred cow
Shabala.
Yayati. The son of Nahusha, a forbear of King Dasaratha. His
story appears in the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana.
Yoga. A School of Philosophy of which the most important is
Adwaita, the non-dualist system elaborated by Shri Shankara-
charya.
Yojana. A measurement. Approximately four or five miles.
Yuga. A world age or period. The Yugas are four in number
and their duration several thousands of years. Between each
of the periods there is a time of Sandhya or Twilight when
creation is withdrawn and lies latent or potential in the Supreme
Spirit or Brahman. The Yugas are called Krita, Treta,
Dwapara and Kali.
52»
FLOWERS AND TREES
(Wherever possible an English equivalent has been given or some
description of the plant or tree ; some however could not be traced)
Agnimukha. Semicarpus Anancardium Zcylanica, the Plumbago
or Plumbago Zeylanica. A white flowered shrub., that blooms
in June or July ; its flowers are set in spikes. The plant is
medicinal.
Agnimukhya. The Marking Nut plant.
Amlaka. Phyllanthus Emblica. A many branched shrub re-
sembling Hemlock.
Amra. Mango Mangifera Indica. A short-trunked tree covered
with evergreen foliage, which flowers from January to March,
the blossom being partly white and pardy greenish yellow
with an orange stripe on each petal.
Ankola or Ankota, Angolata, Ankotha. Alangium Hexapetalum.
A poison, Ankola-sara, is prepared from this plant.
Aravinda. Nymphoea Nelumbo, a water-lily.
Arista. Sapindus Saponeria, the Soap plant.
Arjuna or Arjunaka. Terminalia Arjuna, a species of Nimba
tree. A tall evergreen tree usually found on the banks of
streams. The leaves cluster at the end of the branches and
the flowers are tiny. The Arjuna-Jarul, is the Queens flower
or Crepe flower.
Asana. Terminalia Tormentosa or, the plant Marsilla Quadrifolia.
The first is a common forest tree yielding excellent timber
similar to the Arjuna tree and rarely seen outside forest areas.
Asiioka. Saraca Indica. A small evergreen tree which produces
a profusion of orange and scarlet clusters in January and
February with deep green shining foliage. Buddha was said
to have been born under an Ashoka tree and Sita was kept by
Ravana in an Ashoka Grove. Both Buddhists and Hindus
regard it as sacred. It is medicinal.
Ashwa-Karna. Vatica Robusta.
Ashwa-Lagna. The Saul Tree.
Ashwattha. The Fig Tree, of which there are many varieties :—
Ficus Bengalensis — The Banian Tree.
Ficus Religiosa— The Pipal or Peepal or Bo Tree.
Ficus Glomerata— Rumbal or Umbar.
Ficus Elastica— The Indian Rubber Tree.
529
GLOSSARY
Atimukha. Premna Spinoza. The wood by which attrition is
produced.
Atimuktas. Gaertnera Racemosa.
B
Badri or Vadri. Zixyphus Jujuba. The Jujube Plant.
Bakula or Vakula. Mimisops Elengi.
Balalaka. Flacourtia Caiaphracta. A shrub with hairy leaves
and edible fruit ; the fine grained wood is used for turnery
and combs. Flowers in March or April.
Banjula or Vanjula. Hibiscus Mutabilis.
Bandhujiva. Pentapetes Phoenicea. A plant with a red flower
which opens at midday and withers away next morning at
sunrise.
Bhandira. Mimosa Seressa, a lofty fig tree.
Bhanduka. Calosanthcs Indica.
Bhava. Indian Laburnum. Monkeys are particularly partial to
the sweet pulp in which the seeds lie.
Bhavya. Dillenia Indica alias Dillenia elliptica speciosa. A tree that
grows to forty feet; it is an evergreen; the flowers are large,
white with yellow antlers and appear at the end of the branches.
This tree is found in dense forests in the north and is much
cultivated round temples. The bark and leaves are medicinal
and the juice from the acid fruit mixed with sugar forms a
cooling drink. There is another small fruit tree allied to the
•Magnolia Speciosa' of this name.
Bhaya. Trapa Bispinosa.
Bijapura. Citrus Medica. Citron Tree.
Bilwa. Aegle Marmelos, commonly called Bel. Wood apple
which bears a delicious fruit that unripe is used for medicinal
purposes ; its leaves are used in the ceremonies of the worship
of Shiva.
Bimba or Vimba. Momordica Monadelpha. A plant bearing a
bright red gourd.
Chamikara. Thorn apple.
Champaka. A species of Magnolia.
Chandaka. Clove.
Chandana. Sirium Folium. Red or False Sandalwood. It
bears straw-coloured flowers changing to deep purple.
Chandata. Nerium Odorum. Sweet-scented Oleander Rosebay.
Cuta, Mango.
530
GLOSSARY
Dadima. Common Pomegranate. Bears double flowers.
Dadina. Punica Granatum. Pomegranate. A shrub with large
red flowers and hard globose fruit.
Devadaru. A variety of pine.
Deva Parna. The Divine Leaf. A medicinal plant.
Dhanvana. Grewia Asiatica. Also, under different spellings,
various other plants.
Dhanwaria. Echites Antidy Senterio. A Twining Plant.
Dhara. Woodfordia Horebunda. A small spreading shrub from
which red dye is obtained from the bright red flowers. Also
a species of Acacia.
Dhatri. Sterospermum Aciderifolium.
Dhatura. Datura Stramonium L. (Solanaceae) Thorn apple.
A poisonous drug is made from this tree.
Dhuva. One of the Acacia family.
Durva Grass. Panicum Dactylon. Bent Grass.
Gajapushpi. Elephant Flower. A sort of Arum.
Goshirshaka. A Sandal-tree.
Gular. A resinous tree, fragments of which are put into the
water in a loshta for ceremonial purposes.
Harishyama. See Shyama.
Hintala. Phoenix Sylvestus. The Marshy Date Tree.
Jambu. Eugenia Jambolana. The Rose Apple or Java Plum.
Jamnu. Frunus Padus L. Bird Cherry.
531 2M
GLOSSARY
Kadala. Musa Sapientum. A plantain. It has a soft perishable
stem and is poetically as a symbol of the frailty of human life.
Kadamba. Nauclea Cadumba, a plant.
Kahlara. A white water lily.
Kakubha. Terminalia Arjuna. A tall evergreen tree with a
smooth grey bark often tinged with green or red ; usually
found on the banks of streams. The creamy honey-scented
flowers appear from March to June.
Kamanari. A species of Mimosa.
Kamranga. Averrhoa Carambola.
Kanya. The name given to several plants, one of which is a
tuberose plant growing in Kashmir. Also the Aloe Perfbliata.
Kafimuka. The Coffee plant.
Kapitha. The Jack Fruit.
Karavira. Another fragrant Oleander, common in many parts of
India in the rocky stream beds and the lower Himalayas,
fringing roads and rivers. The foliage is evergreen throughout
the year but at its height during the rains, the colours are
deep rose, pink and white, single and double. The sap is
poisonous.
Karnikara. Pterospternum Acerfolium also called Cassia Fistula
commonly called Kaniyar.
Karpura. Ficus Glomerata or Wild Fig. In April the new leaves
of shining dark red, lend it a beautiful appearance.
Kasanari. Gmelina Arborea. The Liquonce plant.
Kashas. Reeds or Rushes.
Kashasthali. Bignonia Suaveolens. The Trumpet Flower.
Kedumbra. A Tree with fragrant orange-coloured flowers.
Ketaka. Pandanus Odoratissimus.
Khadira. Acacia Catechu. The Areca or Betel-nut Palm, which
grows in the hot damp coastal regions of southern India and
Ceylon. Betel nut is the fruit universally chewed by Asian
peoples.
Khakjdka. Phoenix Sylvestris. Wild Date Palm or Toddy Palm.
The leaves are greyish green ; the scented flowers appear in
March. The fruit is used for preserves and palm wine.
Kichakas. Arundo Karka. A reed. The name is also given to
a hollow bamboo or rattling cane and a tree.
Kimshuka or Kumshuka. Butea Frondosa. Having beautiful
orange flowers and a quantity of milky sticky juice. This tree
is called the " Flame of the Forest " or the " Parrot Tree ".
From January to March it is a mass of orange and vermilion ;
the flowers are unscented.
532
GLOSSARY
Kovidara. Banhinia Variegata, also the " Tree of Paradise. **
One of the loveliest of Indian trees with a dark brown smoothish
bark. The leaves fall in the cold season and the large sweetly
scented flowers open on the bare branches. Their colour
varies from magenta, mauve, pink with crimson markings or
white with a splash of yellow.
Kkitamala. Cassia Fistula. Indian Laburnum. Also the com-
mon Bottle Flower.
Kuayral. Mountain Ebony.
Kujaja. Wrightia Awtidy Senterica. A medicinal plant.
Kumuda. A white water lily.
Kunda. Jasmine Multiflorum.
Kuraka. Boswellia Thorifera. OUvanum Tree.
KURANOA. A plant commonly called Sakarunda.
Kurubaka. Dronapushpi. The Drona flower. Drona meaning
a vessel, cup or pot, it probably produces a gourd.
Kusha Grass. Demostachya Bipennata. Sacred Grass used for
religious ceremonies. This grass has long stalks and pointed
leaves like rushes.
Kuvala. A water lily.
jAi " * Artocarpus Lacucha. The same genus as the Jack
Lakuka f *7ru*t> cultivated in the plains of Northern India.
Lohdra. Simplocos Racemosa. The bark of this tree is used
as a dye.
M
Madhava. A Mango.
Madhavi. Bassia Latifolia. A species of leguminous plant. Also
Basil and a kind of Panic grass.
Madhuka. Bassia Latifolia. Illipi Butter Tree. A large deci-
duous tree with thick grey bark found in dry rocky hill regions.
Valuable for its delicious and nutritive flowers which bloom
at night and fall to the ground at dawn. They taste some-
thing like figs and are much sought after by bears, birds and
deer, so that the natives have to guard the trees in order to
collect flowers for themselves.
Madhura. Perennial Jasmine.
Madura. A tree reminiscent of Cassia which has long sprays of
pale pink flowers.
Mallika. Evening Jasmine.
Muchukunda. Pterospernum Suberifolium. A white variety of
Thorn Apple.
Muchulinda. Possibly connected with the Muchi wood or Coral
Tree.
533
GLOSSARY
N
Naga. Mesua Ferrea. A small tree.
Nagavriksha. A mountain shrub.
Naktamala or Naktamallaka. Caleduba Arborea or Dalbergia
Arborea or Pongamia Glabra.
Nalina. Nelumbium Speciosum. A water lily.
Narcal Grass. Phragmites Karka Trin. A species of Reed.
Narikexa. Coconut Palm.
Nichula. fiarringtonia Acutangola commonly called Hijjal.
Nilashoka. An Ashoka with blue flowers.
Nilotpala. The Blue Lotus.
Nimba. Azadirachta Indica. A tree with bitter fruit, the leaves
of which are chewed at funerals.
Nipa, Nipaka. A species of Kadamba Tree.
NivARA or Naivara. Wild Rice.
Nyagrodha. Ficus Indies. Indian Fig Tree.
Padma. A pink lotus.
Padmaka. Costus Speciosus or Arabicus, a kind of Fir.
Pakasa. Arto Carpus Intergrifolia. Jack-fruit Tree, bearing the
largest edible fruit in the world, weighing up to ioo lbs.,
oblong or round and irregular. This fruit is in great demand
but less favoured than the mango or plantain. This tree
grows in the forests in the Western Ghats.
Parabhadraka. Erythrininina Fulgens. Coral Tree, which bears
angular spikes of rich red blooms along its bare branches
from January to March.
Patala. Tropical evergreen climbing plant.
Patau or Patalika. Bynaria Suaroleus, a tree with sweet
scented blossom (possibly the red Lodhra).
Pinjara. Mesua Roxburghii.
Pippala. Sacred Fig Tree.
Piyala or Priyala or Pryala. Commonly called Piyal. Found
in Central India. Broad-leafed Mohwah. Common oil plant
Also a vine-like plant.
Plaksha. Ficus Infectoria. Wavy-leafed Fig Tree.
Priyakanya. Tenninalia Tormentosa.
PRYANKARA. Various plants.
Punnaga. Rottleria Tinctoria. The flowers of this tree produce
a yellow dye.
Purna. A Cypress.
Purnasa. Sacred Basil.
534
GLOSSARY
Q
R
Raktachandan. The red Sandal Tree.
Rajiva. A red Lotus.
Ranjaka. Barbadoes Pride. The Red Wood or Coral Pea Tree.
Sala. Shorea Robusta. The Sal Tree.
Sallaka. Bignonia Indica. The Gum Tree.
Sangandhika. The White and Blue Water-lily.
Sapta. A kind of grass. Sacharum Cylindricum.
Saptacchada. Seven-leafed Milk Plant or Poon Tree or Devil's
Tree.
Saptaparna. Alstonia or Echites Scholaris. Lit. : Seven-leafed
Tree.
Sarala. Pinus Longifolia. A species of Pine.
SAHJA. White Murdah.
Saspat Grass. Saccharium Bengalense Retz. (S. Sara Roxb.).
One of the sugar canes.
Shami. Acacia Suma. This tree possesses very tough and hard
wood supposed to contain fixe— it is employed to kindle the
sacred fires by rubbing two bits together. Also the shrub
Serratula anthelmintica.
Shaivala. Vallisneria Octandra or Bexica. An aquatic plant.
Shalmali. The Silk Cotton Tree.
Shimshapa or Shimgshapa. Dattergia Sisu. An Ashoka.
Shirashaka. Probably a form of fragrant Sirissa.
Shiribilwa, see Bilwa.
Skirisha. Acacia Sirissa.
Shdushkapir. One of the Sirissas. Bears a small white flower
which is fragrant at night. This tree yields a gum similar to
Gum Arabic. Its seeds are used for opthalmic diseases and
are useful in leprosy.
Shyama. An extensive dark-blue climber. Also Datura Mete!.
A Thorn apple.
Sillea. Cephalostashyum Capitatum Munro. A large Bamboo.
Simhakesara. Cassia Sianica.
Sindhuvara. Vitex Negundo, a small tree.
Sura. A Sal tree.
Svadamshtra. Astercantha Longifolia.
Syandara. Dalbergia Ougeninensis.
535
GLOSSARY
Takkola. Pinieta Acris.
TAtA. Borassus Flabelliformis. A kind of Palm.
Tamala. Phyllanthus Emblica. The name Myrabolan is applied
to the fruit which with that of another tree makes a tonic called
Tregala Churan.
TlLAKA. Commonly called Tila. A tree with beautiful flowers
similar to the Sesamum plant.
Timida. The Sesamum plant.
Timira. An aquatic plant.
Timisha or Tinisha. A kind of pumpkin or water-melon. Also
a climber with purple flowers.
Tinduka. Diospyros Glutinosa or Diospyros Embryopteris. A
sort of Ebony.
Tindura. Persimmon.
Tunga. Rotderia Tinctoria. Coconut.
U
Uddala or Uddalaka. The plant Cordia Myxa or Latifolia also
Paspalum Frumentaceum. Uddalaka — pushpa — bhanjika or
the " Breaking of Uddalaka flowers " is a sort of game played
by people in the eastern districts.
Ushiras. Spikenard or a grass a small Saccharum. Also the
fragrant root Andropogan Muricatus.
Utpala. Any water-lily, the blue lotus and also the plant Costus
Spedosum.
Vanira. Calamus Rotang. A Reed.
Vandhira. Memisa Sirissa.
Vanjula. Hibiscus Mutabilis.
Varana. Craetova Tapia. A sacred medicinal Tree.
Vasanta Kusuma. Cordia Myxa or Latifolia. " Having blossoms
in Spring".
Vasanta Duta. Gaetnera Racemosa. A creeper. Also a trumpet
flower.
Vasanta Dru. A Mango.
Vata. A species of Banian.
Vetra. An ornamental Palm.
Vettas. The Rattan Cane.
Vibhita or Vibhitaka. The Tree « Terrninalia Belerica.'
Vijaka. The Citron Tree.
53*
GLOSSARY
W
WEAPONS
Agneya. The Fire Weapon.
Aindra. Indra's Weapon.
Aishika. An Arrow.
Alakshya, A Weapon that cannot be followed in its course.
Ankusha. A Goad.
Ardea. The Web (See Shuska).
Armani. The Thunderbolt.
Avanagmukha. Weapon with a bent or curved head.
Avasana. The Weapon of Protection.
B
Bhindipala. A short Dart or Arrow thrown from the hand or
shot through a tube. Also an iron Spear or Dart or a stone
fastened to a string.
Bibhitaka. A Weapon that breaks through, pierces or penetrates.
Brahma-Pasha. Net or noose of Brahma (Pasha meaning a rope).
Brahmashira. Brahma-headed, probably four-headed.
Bushundi. A kind of Mace.
Danda or Dunda. Lit. : Staff. As a Weapon, the Rod of Punish-
ment. ("Dundadhara" being the title of the God of Death, who
bears the "Rod of Chastisement.")
Darana. A Weapon that tears or splits asunder.
Darpana. The Drying-up Weapon.
Dashaksha. The Ten-eyed Weapon.
Dasha-Shirsha. The Ten-headed Weapon.
Dhana. The Weapon of Wealth.
Dhakya. The Rice Weapon.
Dharma Discus or Dharma Pala. The Noose of the God of
Justice.
Dharma-Nabha. The Weapon of sacred navel.
53»
GLOSSARY
Dharma-Pasha. The Weapon that has the power of entangling
the Foe.
Dhrishta. The active Weapon.
Dhsiti. The Weapon of forbearance.
Disc of Dharma. The Disc of Virtue.
Disc of Kala. The Disc of Time in the form of death.
Ditya. The Titan.
Drirnabha. The Weapon of firm navel.
Dunda-Nabha. The Dunda-navelled.
Gandhakva. The Weapon of the Gandharvas.
Hala. A Weapon shaped like a plough-share.
Haya-Shira. The Horse-headed Weapon.
Ishika. The ardent Weapon.
Jyotishma. The luminous Weapon.
Kamaruchi. A Weapon that is bright and able to go where it will.
Kamarupa. A Weapon able to assume any form at will.
Kakdarpa. A Weapon creating sex desire.
Kankana. A Weapon protecting the side, possibly a kind of
armour.
Kapala. A Helmet.
Karavira. The Weapon of the valiant hand.
Karnis. Arrows with two sides resembling ears.
539
GLOSSARY
Kasha. A Whip.
Koumodaki. A Weapon giving joy to the earth.
Krouncha or Krauncha. A Weapon named after the bird of
that name.
Kshapani. An oar or net. Something that destroys the destroyer.
Kshura. An arrow with a razor-like edge.
Kshurapra. A Crescent-shaped arrow.
Kuntala. A Sickle-shaped Weapon.
Kuta. A Poniard.
Rutamudgara. A concealed Weapon, similar to a Hammer.
Lakshya. A Weapon that can be followed in its course.
Lohtta Mukhi. The Bloody-mouthed Weapon.
M
Maha-Nabha. The Large-navelled Weapon.
Maha Vahu. The Great-armed or handed Weapon.
Mali. The Chain Weapon. That which holds or binds.
Manava. The Weapon of Manu,
Mathana. The Weapon that inflicts injury and suffering.
Mayaohara. The Great Deception or Illusion.
Modana. The Weapon of Inebriation.
Moha. The Weapon that causes loss of Consciousness.
Mohan. The Weapon of attraction.
Mushala or MOUSHALA. A Club.
N
Nalika. An Iron Arrow or Dart ; also a Pike or Javelin.
Nandana. The Joy-producing Weapon.
Naracha. An Iron Arrow.
Narayana. Lit. : " Residing in water ".
Nirashya. The Discourager.
Nishkali. The Peaceful.
Nishtrinsha. A Sword, Scimitar or Falchion more than thirty
fingers in lengt.
Nivata Ravacha. Impenetrable Armour.
O
54°
GLOSSARY
Paisha Astra. The Ghostly Weapon, belonging to the Pisachas,
ghosts or demons.
Paramo Dara Astra. The Supreme Gearing Weapon.
Parasava. An Axe or Hatchet.
Parigha. An Iron Bludgeon or Iron-studded Club.
Pashopati. The Weapon sacred to Shiva.
Path. A kind of Sword.
Pinaka. The Bow sacred to Shiva.
Pitsiya. The Weapon of the Pittris (Ancestors).
Prama Thaka. The Churner.
Prasha. A Bearded Dart.
Prashahana. The Weapon of Destruction.
Prashwaprana. A Weapon dealing with the vital airs.
FratihardARA. That which neutralizes the effects of other
weapons.
Purang Mukha. A Weapon that has its face averted.
R
Rabhasa. The Desolator.
Rati. The Weapon of Enjoyment.
Ruchira. The Approving Weapon.
Rubra. The Weapon sacred to Rudra (Shiva).
S
Sala. An Arrow with short leads.
Samvartta. The Covering Weapon.
Sandkana. The Arm Weapon.
Santapana. The Weapon that scorches or burns up. One of
Kamadeva's Arrows.
Sarichimali. That which has force or power.
Sarpa-Natha. The Weapon sacred to the Lord of Serpents.
Satya-Astra. The Weapon of Existence.
Satyakirti. The Justly-famed.
Saura. The Heroic Weapon.
Shakuna. The Vulture-shaped Weapon.
Skankara. The Cause of Welfare. A Weapon of Shiva's.
Sharnga. The Bow of Vishnu.
541
GLOSSARY
Shatagni. Either & spiked mace or a stone set round with iron
spikes.
Shatavaktra. The Hundred-mouthed Weapon.
Shatodara. The Hundred-bellied Weapon.
Sbitesu. A sharp Arrow.
Shoshana. A Weapon used to dry up water and counteract the
Varshana Weapon.
Shuchivanu. The Pure-handed Weapon.
Shushka. The Dry Weapon.
Siliumkha. An Arrow resembling a heron's feathers.
Sinhadanshtra. A Weapon resembling lion's teeth.
Somastra. The Dew Weapon.
Soumanva. The Weapon of the controlled mind.
Sunabhuka. The Fine-navelled Weapon.
Swapana. To do with the act of sleeping.
Swanabhuka. The Rich-navelled Weapon.
Tomara. An Iron bar, crow-bar, lance or javelin.
Trimbhaka. The Gaper.
Twashtra. A Weapon possessing the power of Twashtra, the
Architect of the Gods.
Usiratna. A Scimitar.
Varshana. The Rain-producing Weapon.
Varuna Pasha. The Net of Varuna.
Vatra. The Weapon caused by the Wind (Vatri— The Blower).
Vatsadanta. A Weapon resembling a calf's teeth.
Vayuvya. A Weapon having the power of the Wind.
Viddana. The Weapon that rends or tears asunder.
Vidhuta. The Strongly-vibrating Weapon.
Vipatra. A Weapon resembling the Karavira.
Vidya Dhara. The Weapon of the Demi-Gods.
Vilapana. The Weapon causing wailing.
Vimala. The Pure.
Vinidra. The Somniferous.
Vishnu Discus. The Discus of Vishnu.
542
GLOSSARY
W
X
Yamiya. The Weapon of Death.
Yogandhaka. Xhe United.
THE
RAMAYANA
OF
VALMIKI
Translated by
HARI PRASAD SHASTRI
Vol. III.
YUDDHA KANDA
UTTARA KANDA
SHANTI SAD AN
29 Chepstow Villas
LONDON, W.n
1959
Printed in Great Britain
at the Burleigh Press, Lewins Mead Bristol
CONTENTS
Book VI— Yuddha Kanda
CHAPTER PAGE
1. Rama felicitates Hanuman. His Perplexities 3
2. Sugriva consoles Rama ------- 4
3. Hanuman describes the Strength of Lanka to Rama - 6
4. The Army reaches the Shores of the Sea - 8
5. Rama is afflicted when thinking of Sita - - - 15
6. Ravana consults his Subjects ------ 16
7. The Titans persuade Ravana to make War and remind
him of his former Exploits - - - - - 18
8. The boasting of Ravana's Generals 19
9. Bibishana advises Ravana to send back Sita 21
10. Bibishana insists that Sita should be given back to Rama 23
11. Ravana summons his Assembly ----- 25
12. The Discourse between Ravana and Kumbhakarna - 27
13. Ravana tells the Story of the Nymph Punjikasthala - 30
14. Bibishana blames the attitude of Ravana's Courtiers - 31
15. Bibishana reproaches Indrajita for his boasting 33
16. Ravana rebukes Bibishana who takes his departure - 34
17. Words of the leading Monkeys regarding Bibishana - 36
18. Rama listens to the Advice of the Monkeys about
receiving Bibishana -------40
19. Bibishana is brought before Rama ----- 43
20. Ravana sends Shuka to Sugriva ----- 46
21. Rama looses his Arrows on Sagara 48
22. The Army crosses the Sea ------ ji
23. Rama sees diverse Portents ------ 56
24. Shuka describes his reception by the Monkeys to Ravana 57
25. Ravana sends out Shuka and Sarana to spy on the
Monkeys --------- 60
26. Sarana tells Ravana of the principal Leaders of the
Monkeys --------- 62
27. Sarana continues his Deposition 65
28. Shuka in his turn enumerates the Enemy 68
29. Ravana sends out fresh Spies ------ 71
30. Shardula gives an Account of his Mission to Ravana - 73
31. Ravana deceives Sita about the Death of Rama- - 75
32. Sita's Despair ---------78
33. Sarama consoles Sita --------81
34. Sarama spies on Ravana's Plans ----- 83
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
35. Malyavan advises Ravana to make peace - - - 85
36. Ravana directs Lanka's Defences 87
37. Rama makes his Plans for the Attack 89
38. The Ascent of Mount Suvela ------ 91
39. Description of Lanka --------92
40. The extraordinary Combat between Sugriva and Ravana 94
41. Rama sends Angada to Ravana ----- 96
42. The Titans make a Sortie ------ 102
43. The Conflict between the Monkeys and the Titans - 104
44. Angada's Exploit - - - - - - - - -107
45. Rama and Lakshmana are struck down by Indrajita - no
46. The despair of Sugriva and his Army. Bibishana re-
assures Him - - - - - - - -112
47. Sita sees Rama and Lakshmana lying on the Battlefield 115
48. Sita's Lamentations - - - - - - - -116
49. Rama returns to consciousness and weeps over Lakshmana 119
50. Garuda liberates Rama and Lakshmana - 121
51. Dhumraksha goes out to fight the Monkeys - - 125
52. Dhumraksha fights and is slain by Hanuman - - 127
53. Vajradamshtra enters the Lists ----- 130
54. Angada slays Vajradamshtra ------ 132
55. Akampana goes out to fight against the Monkeys - 134
56. Akampana is slain by Hanuman ----- 133
57. Prahasta goes out to fight ------- 139
58. The Death of Prahasta 141
59. Ravana's prowess. Rama overcomes him but grants
him his Life --------- 145
60. The Titans rouse Kumbhakarna ----- 156
61. The Story of Kumbhakarna ------ 162
62. The Meeting between Kumbhakarna and Ravana - 164
63. Kumbhakarna consoles Ravana ----- igg
64. Mahodara's Speech - - - - - - - -170
65. Kumbhakarna enters into combat - - - - - 172
66. Angada reproaches the Monkeys for flying from
Kumbhakarna _____--_ 176
67. Kumbhakarna 's Exploits. He is slain by Rama - 178
68. Ravana weeps for Kumbhakarna ----- 189
69. Narantaka is slain by India ------ 191
70. The Death of Devantaka, Trishiras, Mahodara and
Mahaparshwa -------- 197
71. Lakshmana slays the Titan Atikaya - 201
72. Ravana, overcome by anxiety, makes further Plans - 208
73. Indrajita, making himself invisible, puts the Monkey
Army out of action ------- 209
74. On Jambavan's Instructions, Hanuman goes to the
Mountain of Medicinal Herbs - 214
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
75. Lanka is set on fire by the Monkeys - 220
76. The Prowess of Angada and Kumbha : Kumbha is slain 224
77. The Fight between Nikumbha and Hanuman - - 229
78. Maharaksha goes out to meet Rama and Lakshmana - 231
79. Maharaksha falls under Rama's Blows - 232
80. Indrajita sets out to fight once more - 235
81. Indrajita's Stratagem. Sita's Apparition ... 238
82. Hanuman rallies His Forces : Indrajita's Sacrifice - 240
83. Lakshmana's Speech -------- 242
84. Bibishana consoles Rama ------- 245
85. Lakshmana goes to the Nikumbhila Grove to fight
Indrajita --------- 246
86. Indrajita breaks off his Sacrifice to fight with Lakshmana 249
87. Indrajita and Bibishana denounce each other - - 251
88. The Combat between Lakshmana and Indrajita - 253
89. Lakshmana and Indrajita continue to fight - 255
90. Indrajita loses his Charioteer, Chariot and Horses - 258
91. The Death of Indrajita ------- 261
92. Rama commends Lakshmana who is cured of His
Wounds by the Monkey Sushena - - - - 266
93. Ravana's Grief on hearing of his Son's Death - - 268
94. Rama's Exploits --------- 272
95. The Lamentations of the Titan Women - - - 275
96. Ravana goes out to fight and encounters ill Omens - 277
97. The Fight between Virupaksha and Sugriva :
Virupaksha's Death ------- 28*
98. Mahodara is slain by Sugriva ------ 283
99. The Combat between Angada and Mahaparshwa - 285
100. Rama and Ravana fight with magic Weapons - - 287
101. Ravana flees from Rama ------- 290
102. Lakshmana's miraculous Recovery ----- 294
103. Rama and Ravana renew their Combat - - - - 297
104. Rama arraigns Ravana and reproaches him for his
Misdeeds --------- 301
105. Ravana reproaches his Charioteer ----- 303
106. The Sage Agastya instructs Rama in the Hymn to the
Sun ---------- 305
107. Sinister Portents appear ------- 308
108. The Fluctuations of Combat ------ 310
109. The Duel continues --------312
no. The Death of Ravana 314
in. The Lamentations of Bibishana ----- ^
112. The Lamentations of Ravana's Consorts - 318
113. The Lamentations of Mandodari : Ravana's Funeral
Rites ---- -320
114. Bibishana is installed as King of Lanka - 328
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
115. Hanuman carries Rama's Message to Sita - 339
116. Rama sends for Sita -------- 332
117. Rama repudiates Sita -------- 334
118. Sita's Lamentations. She undergoes the Ordeal by Fire 336
119. Brahma's Praise of Rama ------- 338
120. Sita is restored to Rama ______ 341
121. Dasaratha appears to Rama ______ 342
122. On Rama's Request, Indra restores the Army - - 345
123. Bibishana places the Chariot Pushpaka at Rama's
disposal _-.___--- 346
-24. Rama sets out for Ayodhya ------ 348
125. Rama tells Sita of the Places over which they are passing 350
126. Rama's Meeting with the Sage Bharadwaja - - 353
127. Rama sends Hanuman to seek out Bharata - - - 355
128. Hanuman tells Bharata of all that befell Rama and Sita
during their Exile _______ 358
129. Bharata sets out to meet Rama - 361
130. Rama is installed as King. The Benefits that accrue
from the Recitation and Hearing of the "Ramayana" 365
CONTENTS
Book VII— -Uttara Kanda
CHAPTER PAGE
i. The Sages pay homage to Rama ----- 375
2. The Birth of Vishravas ------- 377
3. Vishravas becomes the Protector of Wealth - - 379
4. Origin of the Rakshasas and of the Boons they received 382
5. The Story of the three Sons of Sukesha - 384
6. Vishnu goes to the defence of the Gods - - - 387
7. The Combat between Vishnu and the Rakshasas - 392
8. The Combat between Vishnu and Malyavan - - 395
9. The Birth of Dashagriva and His Brothers - - 397
10. Concerning the Penances practised by Dashagriva and
His Brothers --------- 401
n. Dhanada cedes Lanka to Dashagriva - 404
12. The Marriages of the Rakshasas ----- 407
13. Ravana's Crimes --------- 410
14. The Combat between Ravana and the Yakshas - - 412
15. The Combat between Ravana and Dhanada. Ravana
seizes Pushpaka -------- 414
16. The Origin of Ravana's Name ----- 427
17. The Story of Vedavati ------- 420
18. The Gods assume a thousand Forms in fear of Ravana 423
19. Ravana fights with Anaranya who dies prophesying the
Rakshasa's End -------- 425
20. Ravana's Meeting with the Sage Narada - - - 427
21. Ravana goes to the Nether Regions to challenge Yama 430
22. The Duel between Ravana and Yama : Brahma inter-
venes ---------- 433
23. Ravana's Struggle with the Sons of Varuna - - - 436
First of the Interpolated Chapters. 1st Series. Ravana's
Meeting with Bali ------- 439
Second of the Interpolated Chapters. 1st Series
Ravana challenges the Sun-god - - - _ 445
Third of the Interpolated Chapters. 1st Series.
Ranvana's Encounter with the King Mandhata - 446
Fourth of the Interpolated Chapters, 1st Series
Ravana visits the Moon Region and is given a Boon
by Brahma --------- 449
Fifth of the Interpolated Chapters. 1st Series.
Ravana and the Maha-Purusha - 453
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
24. Havana carries off a number of Women and is cursed
by them -_______- 457
25. Dashagriva allies himself to Madhu - 460
26. Nalakuvara curses Havana ------ 463
27. The Fight between the Gods and the Rakshasas. The
Death of Sumali ------- 467
28. The Duel between Ind'ra and Havana - 470
29. Ravani takes Indra captive ______ 472
30. Telling of the Curse pronounced by the Sage Gautama
on Shakra --------- 475
31. Ravana goes to the Banks of the Narmada River - 479
32. Arjuna captures Ravana ------- 481
33. Arjuna releases Ravana at the request of Poulastya - 486
34. Bali hangs Ravana on his Girdle ----- 487
35. The Story of Hanuman's Childhood - 490
36. The Boons bestowed on the Child Hanuman and how
he was cursed by the Ascetics - 494
37. Homage is paid to Shri Rama ----- 499
First of the Interpolated Chapters. 2nd Series - - 500
Second of the Interpolated Chapters. 2nd Series - 503
Third of the Interpolated Chapters. 2nd Series - - 505
Fourth of the Interpolated Chapters. 2nd Series - 507
Fifth of the Interpolated Chapters. 2nd Series - 507
38. Rama takes leave of His Allies - - - - - 511
39. Rama loads His Allies with Gifts ----- 513
40. Rama takes leave of the Bears, Monkeys and Titans - 515
41. Rama dismisses the Pushpaka Chariot - - - - 517
42. The Felicity enjoyed by Rama and Sita - 518
43. Rama informs Himself concerning current Rumours
from His Friends ------- 521
44. Rama summons His Brothers ------ 522
45. Rama commands Lakshmana to take Sita to the
Hermitage --------- 524
46. Lakshmana takes Sita away ------ 525
47. Lakshmana tells Sita she has been repudiated - - 527
48. Lakshmana leaves Sita on the Banks of the Ganges - 529
49. Valmiki offers Sita His Protection ----- 530
Traditional Verses -------- 532
50. Sumantra seeks to console Lakshmana - - - - 533
51. Vishnu is cursed by Bhrigu ------ 535
52. Lakshmana seeks out Rama ------ 537
53. Rama tells Lakshmana the Story of Nriga - - - 538
54. The End of the Story of Nriga ----- 539
55. The Story of Nimi -------- 541
56. The Cursing of the Nymph Urvashi - 542
57. The End of the Story of Vasishtha and Nimi - - 544
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
58. Shukra curses Yayati ------- 545
59. Puru takes the place of His Father cursed by Shukra 547
First of the Interpolated Chapters. 3rd Series - ~ 549
Second of the Interpolated Chapters. 3rd Series - 550
Third of the Interpolated Chapters. 3rd Series - - 554
60. The Ascetics seek out Rama ------ 558
61. The Story of Madhu - 559
62. Shatrughna asks permission to fight Lavana - - 561
63. The Installation of Shatrughna ----- 562
64. Shatrughna sets out to meet Lavana - 564
65. The Story of Saudasa who is cursed by Vasishtha - 565
66. The Birth of Kusha and Lava 568
67. The Story of Mandhata 569
68. Shatrughna encounters Lavana - 571
69. The Death of Lavana ------- 572
70. Shatrughna establishes Himself in the City of Madhu 574
71. Shatrughna seeks out the Sage Valmiki - 576
72. Shatrughna returns to see Rama ----- 577
73. The Death of a Brahmin's Son ----- 579
74. Narada's Discourse -------- 580
75. Rama makes a Tour of Inspection of His Kingdom - 582
76. Shambuka is slain by Rama ------ 583
77. The Story of Swargin - 586
78. Shveta tells His Story 588
79. The hundred Sons of Ikshvaku ----- 589
80. Danda insults Aruja -------- 591
81. The destruction of Danda's Kingdom - 592
82. Rama takes leave of Agastya ------ 593
83. Bharata persuades Rama not to perform the Rajasuya
Sacrifice --------- 595
84. The Story of Vritra -- 596
85. The Death of Vritra 597
86. Indra is liberated by means of the Ashvamedha Sacrifice 599
87. The Story oflla- - - - - - - - -600
88. Budha encounters Ila -------- 602
89. The Birth of Pururavas ------- 604
90. Ila regains her natural state through the Performance
of the Ashvamedha Sacrifice ----- 605
91. Rama gives the command for the Ashvamedha Sacrifice
to be performed -------- 607
92. Description of the Ashvamedha Sacrifice - - - 609
93. Valmiki commands Kusha and Lava to recite the
Ramayana --------- 610
94. Kusha and Lava chant the Ramayana - - - -611
95. Rama sends for Sita -------- 613
96. Valmiki leads Sita before Rama ----- 615
ri
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
97. Sita descends into the Earth ------ 616
98. Rama's Anger and Grief, Brahma appeases Him - 618
99. The Death of the Queens ______ $1^
100. Rama sends Bharata to conquer the Gandharvas - 621
101. The slaying of the Gandharvas and the conquest of
Their Country -------- 622
102. Rama bestows Kingdoms on Lakshmana's Sons - 623
103. Death is sent to seek out Rama ----- 625
104. Death delivers his Message ------ 626
105. The Sage Durvasa comes to visit Rama - 627
106. Rama banishes Lakshmana ------ 628
107. Rama installs Kusha and Lava on the Throne - - 630
108. Rama issues His last Commands ----- 631
109. Rama's Departure for the Mahaprasthana - 633
no. Rama ascends to Heaven with the other Beings - - 635
in. The Supreme Virtue of the Ramayana - 636
BOOK VI.
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER I
Rama felicitates Hanuman. — His Perplexities
Hearing Hanuman's faithful narrative, Rama, full of joy, said :
" The mission that Hanuman has carried out is of great
significance and the most arduous in the world ; none other
could have achieved it, even in thought ! Other than Garuda
and Vayu, verily I know of no being able to cross the mighty
ocean save Hanuman himself. Neither Gods, Danavas, Yakshas,
Gandharvas, Uragas nor Rakshasas could enter Lanka which is
protected by Ravana and, did any in his presumption enter
it, would he return alive ? Who is able to capture that citadel
by assault, that has been rendered inaccessible by its rampart
of titans, but one whose courage and valour are equal to
Hanuman's ? Hanuman has carried out this important service
for Sugriva by manifesting a strength equal to his audacity.
That servant to whom his master confides a difficult task and
who acquits himself with zeal is said to be a superior man. The
one who is ready and capable but who yet does no more than
his sovereign exacts from him, in order to render himself
agreeable, is called an ordinary man, but he who is well and
able and yet does not carry out the command of his king, is
said to be the least of men. Hanuman has fulfilled the task
confided to him unfalteringly, to the satisfaction of Sugriva; in
consequence, through the discovery of Vaidehi's retreat by
this faithful messenger, the House of Raghu, the valiant
Lakshmana and I have been saved. Yet even so my heart is
heavy, since I am not able to requite the bearer of these good
tidings in a fitting manner. Let me at least embrace the mag-
nanimous Hanuman since, in the present circumstances, this
is all that is permitted to me ! "
Having spoken thus, Rama, trembling with joy, clasped
Hanuman in his arms, who, master of himself, his mission
fulfilled, had returned.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then the great Scion of the House of Raghu, after reflecting
awhile, added in the presence of Sugriva, King of the Monkeys :
" Though the discovery of Sita has been accomplished, yet
when I behold that vast ocean, I am plunged in despondency.
How will the army of the monkeys be able to reach the southern
shore, crossing over that impassable stretch of water ? Having
received these tidings of Vaidehi, what can now be done to take
the monkeys to the further side of the ocean ? "
In the anguish that possessed him, the mighty Rama, scourge
of his foes, having spoken to Hanuman, was filled with appre-
hension and became absorbed in thought.
CHAPTER 2
Sugriva consoles Rama
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, being plunged in despair, the
fortunate Sugriva spoke to him in consoling accents, saying :
" Why dost thou give way to sorrow like a common man, O
Hero ? Snake off this melancholy as do ungrateful men the
recognition of favours accorded to them. After the tidings thou
hast received and now that the haunt of thine enemy is known
to thee, I see no cause for thine anxiety, O Raghava. Prudent
and versed in the scriptures, intelligent and cultured as thou
art, do thou as one master of himself, banish these unworthy
fears that are the obstacles to success. We shall cross the sea
where monstrous crocodiles abound, take Lanka by assault and
slay thine adversary ! The pusillanimous and despondent man,
whose mind is agitated by grief, accomplishes nothing worth
while and rushes towards destruction.
" In order to please thee, these monkey warriors who are brave
and skilled are ready to enter a blazing fire ! Observing their
martial ardour I am filled with confidence ; do thou test my
courage by suffering me to bring back Sita to thee after having
slain thine adversary Ravana of evil exploits. But first construct
a bridge for us that we may approach that city of the Lord of the
Titans. The instant we behold Lanka, built on the summit
YUDDHA KANDA
of Trikuta, Ravana is slain as it were, but unless a bridge is
thrown over that formidable domain of Varuna, the sea, the
Gods and Asuras themselves with their leaders cannot force an
entry into Lanka.
" When that dyke on the waters in the vicinity of Lanka is
constructed and all the troops shall have passed over it, Ravana
is, as it were, already defeated, so valiant are these monkey
warriors who are able to change their form at will.
"Enough of this faint-hearted attitude, fatal to any enterprise,
O King. In this world, man is unbraced by sorrow ; that which
must be done should be accomplished with resolution, it is
assuredly expedient to act swiftly ! For this enterprise, O
Great Sage, unite energy with virtue, for, if it be a question of
loss or death, the great warriors, thy peers, see grief as the con-
sumer of their resources. Thou art the foremost of the wise
and versed in all the scriptures ; with allies such as I am, thy
victory is assured ! In sooth I see none in the Three Worlds
able to withstand thee in combat when thou art armed with thy
bow ! With the success of thine enterprise in the hands of the
monkeys, thou canst not fail. When thou hast crossed the
imperishable ocean thou shalt see Sita ere long. Desist from
this melancholy that thou hast allowed to invade thee and yield
to thy legitimate indignation, O Prince. Unadventurous
warriors never win honour but all fear the wrathful. It is for
the purpose of crossing the formidable ocean, the Lord of
Rivers, that thou hast come hither with us; now with thy
resourceful mind ponder on it. Once the ocean has been
crossed by my forces, know victory to be certain ; verily when
the whole army has passed over the sea, our triumph is assured !
" The monkeys, those courageous soldiers, who are able to
change their form at pleasure, will crush their opponents with
an avalanche of rocks and trees. Whatever the means employed,
once we have crossed Varuna's domain, Ravana is as dead in
mine eyes, O Destroyer of Thy Foes ! But of what use are all
these words ? Thy victory is assured and the portents, which I
perceive, fill my heart with joy."
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 3
Hanuman describes the Strength of Lanka to Rama
These words of Sugriva, judicious and full of good sense,
pleased Kakutstha who said to Hanuman : —
" By the power of mine austerities, I am well able to cross
the ocean by throwing a bridge over it or even drying it up.
What are the fortifications of this inaccessible Lanka ? Describe
them fully to me, I wish to hear all about them as if I had
myself beheld them, O Monkey. How are its gates manned ;
what is the strength of the army ; what kind of moats surround
it and how are the retreats of the titans constructed ? Thou
didst explore Lanka at thy leisure when opportunity arose, now
in the light of thine observations give me exact and complete
information thereon."
Thus interrogated by Rama, Hanuman, the Son of Maruta,
the most eloquent of narrators, said : —
" Hear, O King, I will tell thee the extent of the defences, of
the moats and the number of troops guarding that city. I will
describe to thee the opulence of those titans and the great
prosperity of their capital due to Ravana's austerities ; I will
tell thee also of the formidable ocean and the many regiments
of infantry and the strength of the cavalry ".
After this preamble, the foremost of monkeys began to relate
lucidly everything he knew and said : —
" Filled with happy people, Lanka abounds in elephants
intoxicated with Mada juice and is swarming with chariots and
titans. It has four immense gateways that are extremely high
and furnished with strong doors which are closed with massive
iron bars. Catapults, darts and stones are placed near at hand,
capable of repelling the assaults of the enemy and the valiant
titans have heaped in readiness, formidable spears in their
hundreds.
" The city is encircled by a high golden wall difficult to scale,
lined within with precious gems, coral, emerald and pearl.
6
YUDDHA KANDA
On all sides awe-inspiring moats of great splendour, filled with
icy water, have been dug, which are deep and abounding in
crocodiles and fishes. At the entrance to these dykes there are
four long draw-bridges furnished with innumerable weapons
and five great cannons are placed round about which defend
the entries against the approach of the enemy, whose battalions
would be flung by these engines of war into the moats on every
side. The most important of these bastions, impossible to
force, is of unsuperable strength and dazzling with its pillars
and fulcrums of gold.
" Endowed with great physical strength, O Prince, Ravana is
avid for combat, ever on the alert and constantly reviewing his
forces. Lanka is therefore impregnable, it is a celestial citadel
that inspires terror. Surrounded by water, built on a mountain
with its fourfold defences1, it is situated on the other side of
the impassable ocean, O Rama, where no vessel can approach
it, as it offers no harbourage anywhere. Built on the summit
of an inaccessible rock, Lanka, where horses and elephants
abound, resembling the City of the Gods, is extremely difficult
to conquer. With its moats and Shataghnis, its engines of
war of every kind, that capital of the wicked Ravana is unique.
*' The eastern gate is defended by ten thousand men, all skilled
warriors armed with spears, the foremost of swordsmen ; the
southern gate is guarded by a hundred thousand warriors,
there a whole army of seasoned fighters is assembled ; ten
thousand troops armed with swords and shields, all accustomed
to the wielding of weapons, defend the western gate ; the
northern gate is protected by a million men who are mounted
in chariots or who ride on horses ; they are the sons of distin-
guished families. Titans to the number of hundreds and
thousands occupy the centre of the city with one million tested
troops in addition.
" I have destroyed the ramparts and filled up the moats and,
having torn down the walls, have set fire to the town, therefore,
if we can find some means of crossing Varuna's domain, the
city is ours ; let the monkeys deliberate on the matter.
" Angada, Dvivida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Nala and the
General Nila will fall upon Ravana's capital with its hills,
1 See glossary under fourfold . . .
7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
woods, moats, archways and ramparts and bring Sita back to
thee, O Raghava, what need is there of the rest of the monkeys ?
Come, give the command quickly to the whole army of these
valiant monkeys and, at a propitious hour, let us set out ! "
CHAPTER 4
The Army reaches the Shores of the Sea
Having listened to the judicious and well-reasoned speech of
Hanuman, the illustrious Rama, a true hero, spoke saying : —
" Now that thou hast told me everything concerning Lanka,
that dread citadel of the terrible demons, I shall make prepara-
tions to destroy it without delay, this is the truth !
" O Sugriva, be gracious enough to order our departure ; the
sun is in mid-heaven and has entered the constellation of victory1.
As for Sita's abductor, he shall not escape, wherever he may go !
When Sita learns of my approach, her hopes will revive, as
one who, having drunk poison and on the point of death,
quaffs the nectar of immortality.
" The northern planet Phalguni is in the ascendent and
will be in conjunction with the Hasta Star to-morrow. Let
us depart, O Sugriva, and let all the troops accompany us;
every portent is favourable ! Having slain Ravana, I shall
return with Sita, the daughter of Janaka. My right eye-lid is
twitching which is an indication that victory is near and that
my purpose will be accomplished."
At these words, King Sugriva and Lakshmana, bowing low,
paid obeisance to Rama, who, full of faith and versed in the
moral law, spoke once more, saying : —
" Let General Nila with a guard of a hundred thousand
intrepid warriors go before the army to explore the way. He
should lead his forces speedily by the path where fruit, roots,
shade, fresh water and honey abound. In their wickedness,
the demons are capable of destroying the roots and fruits and
* Abhijit. (See Glossary.)
g
YUDDHA KANDA
vitiating the water on the way. Keep them at a distance and
be on your guard ! Let those dwellers of the woods search the
ravines and dense thickets in the forest in order to discover
the ambushes of the enemy.
" Those who are weak should remain here for your task is
formidable and demands endurance; therefore let the foremost
of the monkeys gifted with prodigious prowess lead the vanguard,
composed of hundreds and thousands of monkeys, resembling
the waters of the sea. Let Gaja who is like unto a hill and the
exceedingly powerful Gavaya and Gavaksha go ahead like
proud bulls leading the kine. The leader of monkeys, Rishabha,
skilled in leaping, should protect the right flank of the army
and the fiery Gandhamadana, resembling an elephant in mustha,
should defend the left flank. I myself, mounted on the shoulders
of Hanuman, like Indra on Airavata, will march in the centre
of my troops in order to encourage them. Lakshmana who
resembles death itself, will ride on the shoulders of Angada, as
Kuvera, the Lord of Creatures and God of Wealth on Sarva-
bhauma. Let the mighty Lord of the Bears, Jambavan with
Sushena and the monkey Vegadarshin, all three, protect the
rear of the army."
Hearing Raghava's words, Sugriva, commander of the forces,
gave his orders to the monkeys. Thereupon a multitude of
monkeys, eager to right, issued from the caves and mountain
peaks, leaping on all sides. Honoured by the King of the
Monkeys, as also by Lakshmana, the virtuous Rama, accom-
panied by hundreds and thousands of monkeys resembling
elephants, set out in a southerly direction and under Sugriva's
command, that great army in high spirits, betraying its delight,
escorted him.
Guarding the flanks of the army and pressing forward, they
ran towards the south, leaping on all sides, emitting leonine
roars, growling and shouting, feeding on honey and delicious
fruits, brandishing great trees and flowering shrubs. In their
pugnacity, some lifted their fellows up and threw them down
or climbed on each others backs vying with one another in
turning somersaults.
" We will slay Ravana with all his nocturnal rangers ! "
Thus did those monkeys roar in the presence of Rama.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Going in advance of the army, Rishabha, the valiant Nila
and also Kumuda cleared the way with the assistance of
innumerable monkeys. In the centre, the King Sugriva, Rama
and Lakshmana, scourges of their foes, were surrounded by
countless redoutable warriors. The courageous monkey,
Shatabali, at the head of ten kotis, was, in himself, sufficient to
protect the entire host of monkeys ! With an escort of a
hundred kotis, Kesarin and Panasa, Gaja and Arka with their
battalions protected the flanks of that army, whilst Sushena
and Jambavan surrounded by a multitude of bears, having
placed Sugriva at the head, formed the rearguard. The valiant
General Nila, a lion among monkeys, who excelled in marching,
constantly inspected the ranks, and Valimukha, Prajangha,
Jambha and the monkey Rabhasa went about everywhere
encouraging the Plavamgamas.
Whilst those lions among monkeys advanced on every side
proud of their strength, they beheld the great Mountain Sahya
crowned with hundreds of trees and lakes and lovely pools
covered with flowers.
Under the command of Rama of searing wrath, skirting the
precincts of cities and public highways, that vast and terrible
army of monkeys, like the ocean tide, surged forward with a
thunderous sound. At the side of the son of Dasaratha, those
heroic monkeys bounded forward with agility, like swift steeds
urged on by the spur. And those foremost of men, borne on the
shoulders of the monkeys, appeared beautiful like the sun and
moon, in conjunction with those two great planets, Rahu and
Ketu, and honoured by the King of the Monkeys and
Lakshmana, Rama accompanied by his army, proceeded towards
the south.
Then Lakshmana, mounted on Angada's shoulders, spoke to
Rama who was accomplishing his design, in sweet accents,
saying : —
" Having regained Vaidehi and slain Ravana her abductor,
thus fulfilling thy purpose, thou wilt return to Ayodhya, who,1
too, will be gratified. I perceive auspicious omens in the
heavens and on the earth, O Descendant of Raghu, indicating
the success of thine enterprise ! A favourable wind blows
> That is the presiding Deity of the City.
YUDDHA KANDA
behind the army, that is soft, health-giving and auspicious ;
birds and beasts emit cheerful and sonorous sounds ; all the
quarters are serene and the sun shines clearly. Ushanas,
Bhrigu's son, too, wears an auspicious aspect for thee, and the
pole star is unaccompanied by adverse planets, the seven
Rishis, pure and brilliant, circumambulating it. Before us
shines the grandsire of the high-souled Ikshvakus, the immacu-
late Trishanku accompanied by his priest; and the twin
Vishakas, our racial star, gleam free from obstruction.
" Nairrita, the ruling star of the titans, is badly aspected and
in opposition to the rising planet Dhumaketu, presaging the
overthrow of the titans. Those about to die, in their last hour,
become a prey to Graha. The water of the lakes is fresh and
tastes sweet, the woods are laden with fruit, fragrant breezes
blow softly and the trees are flowering out of season, O Lord E
The army of the monkeys looks splendid in its formations,
like the Celestial Host at the destruction of Taraka. Surveying
the whole scene, O Noble One, thou shouldst experience
supreme delight ! "
Thus did Saumitri speak in gay tones to his elder brother
in order to console him and meantime the army of the monkeys
advanced, covering the earth. The dust raised by those
mighty bears and monkeys, furnished with nails and claws,
enveloped the whole earth and the splendour of the sun was
obscured. Like a mass of cloud enveloping the sky, that monkey
army advanced in solid formation encompassing the southern
region. As they pressed on mile on mile, crossing the rivers
and streams against the current, they traversed many leagues
in one stretch. Resting by lakes of pure water, passing over
mountains covered with forests, across plains, through woods
laden with fruit, skirting them or passing through the centre,
they went on, covering the entire earth, and their countenances
manifesting joy, they ran with the swiftness of the wind.
All those monkeys were zealous in Rama's service, each
vying with the other in high spirits, vigour and prowess. Some,
proud of their youth and supple limbs, increased their pace,
running with extreme speed and executing handsprings and
some of those rangers of the woods shouted * Kila ! Kila ! '
lashing their tails and stamping on the earth whilst others with
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
upraised arms broke off the trees and rocks here and there or
climbed to the summit of the mountains like true mountaineers.
Emitting loud cries and roaring, they frequently tore down
handfuls of creepers with their thighs. In their energy, with
their jaws set, some juggled with rocks and trees. It was by
hundreds and thousands and millions that these formidable
monkeys covered the earth with their splendour ; and that great
army of monkeys, full of energy, proceeding under Sugriva's
orders, eager for battle and anxious to deliver Sita, did not
linger even for an instant.
Then Rama, seeing the Sahira and Malaya Mountains with
their dense woodlands frequented by various kinds of wild
animals and marvellous forests, streams and rivers, went
towards them, and the monkeys broke down Champaka,
Tilaka, Cuta, Praseka, Sindubaraka, Tinisha, Karavira, Ashoka,
Karanja, Flaksha, Nyagrodha, Jambuka and Amlaka Trees, and,
seated on those enchanting plateaus, the forest trees shaken by
the wind covered them with flowers.
A soft breeze, fresh and perfumed with sandal, blew while
the bees hummed in the nectar scented woods. From this
mountain, rich in ore, the dust raised by those monkeys
enveloped that immense army on all sides.
On the smiling mountain slopes, Ketaka Trees, Sinduvara,
charming Vasanti, scented Madhavi, clumps of Jasmine,
Shiribilva, Madhuka, Vanjula, Vankula, Ranjaka, Tilaka
Nagavriksha, all in flower, with Cuta, Patalika, Kovidara,
Muchulinda, Arjuna, Shimshapa, Kutaja, Hintala, Tinisha,
Shurnakha, Nipaka, the blue Ashoka, Sarala, Ankola and
Padmaka Trees bloomed and teemed with monkeys disporting
themselves there. Enchanting lakes and pools, frequented by
waterfowl, ducks and herons, were to be found on that mountain,
which was the haunt of boars, deer, bears, hyenas, lions and
tigers inspiring terror, and innumerable venomous snakes
infested it. Kumudas, Utpalas and many other flowers
embellished the lakes, and flocks of birds of various kinds sang
on that mountain side.
Having bathed in those waters and quenched their thirst,
the monkeys began to disport themselves and splashing one
another, climbing the mountain, they plucked the delicious
YUDDHA KANDA
fruits as fragrant as ' Amrita ' and the roots and flowers from
the trees. Yellow as honey themselves, they, delighted, feasted
on the combs, a ' drona ' in size, which were suspended from
the trees, and, shaking the lovely branches and letting them
spring back again, they tore down the creepers ; some drunk
with nectar, dancing joyfully as they continued on their way ;
some climbed the trees, others quenched their thirst and the
whole earth, covered with monkeys, resembled a field of ripe com.
Reaching the Mahendra Mountain, the long-armed Rama,
whose eyes resembled lotus petals, climbed to the summit
adorned with various wees and from that peak, the elder son
of King Dasaratha beheld that vast sea with its rising waves
full of fish and turtle.
Having crossed the Sahya and Malaya Mountains, the army
halted in their ranks along the shores of the sea with its thunder-
ing waves. Then that foremost of men, Rama, descended from
the heights and accompanied by Lakshmana and Sugriva,
quickly entered a lovely wood on the shores of the ocean and
reaching that immense strand strewn with boulders, washed
by the billowing waves, he spoke thus : —
" O Sugriva, we have reached the abode of Varuna ; now we
should consider the matter with which we were formerly
preoccupied. This ocean, the Lord of Rivers, with its vast
expanse, is impossible to cross unless some special course be
adopted. Let us camp here therefore and deliberate on the
means by which we can transport the army to the further
shore."
Speaking thus, that long-armed hero, who had been rendered
desolate by Sita's abduction, approached the sea and issued
orders for the troops quartering.
" Let the whole army pitch their camp on the shore, O Lion
among Monkeys ! The time has come to take counsel and
devise some way to cross the main ; let every leader remain with
his forces and, under no pretext whatever, shall he leave them ;
meantime they should find out if any ambush has been laid
by the enemy."
At Rama's command, Sugriva, assisted by Lakshmana, caused
his forces to camp on the shore which was covered with trees
and the monkey host looked resplendent like a second ocean
13
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
whose waves were yellow as honey. Reaching that wooded
shore those lions of monkeys encamped, eager to reach the
further side of the ocean; and the tumult caused by those forces
pitching their tents could be heard above the roaring of the sea.
That vast army of monkeys, commanded by Sugriva, ranged
in three divisions, were deeply concerned with the accomplish-
ment of Rama's mission and, from the shore where they were
stationed, the monkey host gazed with delight on the vast ocean
lashed by the tempest. Then those leaders of monkeys surveyed
that abode of Varuna of limitless expanse, whose distant shore
was inhabited by titans. Rendered formidable by the ferocity
of its sharks and crocodiles, that ocean, with its foaming waves
at the close of day and the approach of night, appeared to laugh
and dance. When the moon rose, whose image was reflected
limitlessly in its bosom, the ocean surged, swarming with
gigantic sharks, whales and great fish, strong like the tempest,
and it was fathomless, abounding in serpents of flaming coils
and many aquatic animals and reefs. In that ocean, difficult
to cross, whose ways were impassable, haunted by titans, the
waves, in which sharks and sea monsters swarmed, rose and
fell joyfully, whipped into motion by the breeze.
Emitting sparks and turbulent with its gleaming reptiles, the
ocean, that dread refuge of the enemies of the Gods, the eternal
region of hell, resembled the sky and there seemed no difference
between them. The waters simulated the firmament and the
firmament the waters, both manifesting the same appearance
with the stars above and the pearls below with which they were
filled and, one with its racing clouds and the other with its
squadrons of waves, caused the sea and sky to look identical.
As wave clashed against wave without pause, the King of
Rivers emitted a terrific clamour like the sound of the beating
of great gongs in the sky. With its murmuring waves, its
innumerable pearls and its monsters as it were pursuing it like
a pack of hounds, the ocean, in the grip of a hurricane, seemed
to leap excitedly.
And the magnanimous monkeys surveyed that ocean lashed
by the winds and the waves which, whipped by its blast, seemed
to groan. Struck with astonishment, those monkeys regarded
the sea with its dashing waves, rolling on and on.
14
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 5
Rama is afflicted when thinking of Sita
On the northern shore, the army under the command of Nila
halted and the two generals, Mainda and Dvivida, foremost
among the monkeys, patrolled up and down and on all sides in
order to protect the monkey host.
The army being thus encamped on the shores of the Lord
of the Waters, Rama, observing Lakshmana standing at his side,
said to him : —
" Sorrow invariably decreases with the passing of time but
in the absence of my beloved, mine increases daily ! Not that
my sufferings are caused by separation from my companion
nor my misfortune by her abduction, what I deplore is that her
youth is slipping away. O Breeze, speed to that place where
my beloved is and, having caressed her, touch me, thus causing
me the same delight that a weary traveller experiences when
gazing on the moon ! That which consumes my limbs as though
I had swallowed poison, is the cry of my dear one, while being
borne away, * Help, O Thou who art my defender ! ' With
my separation from her as the coals and my thoughts of her as
the shimmering flames, the fire of my love consumes my body
day and night !
" O Lakshmana, remain here while I plunge into the sea ere I
sleep, so that the fire of my distress shall cease from tormenting
me. It is enough that she and I sleep on the same earth. As
dry land draws nourishment for its vegetation from marshy
ground, so do I exist in the knowledge that Sita still lives !
O When shall I, having overcome mine enemies, behold her
of graceful limbs, whose eyes resemble lotus petals, the equal
of Shri herself ? When, gently raising her lotus-like face with
its ravishing lips and teeth, shall I drink in her glances, as a sick
man the nectar of immortality ? When will that playful maiden
embrace me, her round and quivering breasts like unto Tala
15
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fruits pressed against my body, like sovereignty united with
prosperity?
" Alas ! Though I am her support, that dark-eyed princess,
who has fallen among the titans, resembles an orphan ! How can
it be that the daughter of Janaka, my beloved, is now in the
midst of titans, she, the daughter-in-law of Dasaratha ?
"When I have put those demons to flight, Sita will live anew
as the autumnal moon shines forth again when the clouds are
scattered. By nature slender, Sita, on account of grief, fasting
and circumstance, is now a shadow of her former self.
" When, with my shafts piercing the breast of that King of
Titans, shall I empty my heart of sorrow ? When shall I
behold the virtuous Sita, resembling a daughter of the Gods,
her arms encircling my neck, shedding tears of joy ? When,
like a soiled garment, shall I discard the pain born of my
separation from Maithili ? "
As the sagacious Rama was thus lamenting, the day declined
and the disc of the sun, diminishing slowly, disappeared below
the horizon. Thereupon Rama, whom Lakshmana sought to
console, his mind still engaged in the thought of Sita, whose
eyes were as large as lotus petals, distracted by grief, performed
his evening devotions.
CHAPTER 6
Ravana consults his Subjects
In the face of the terrible and awe-inspiring feat executed in
Lanka by Hanuman who was the equal of Indra in prowess, the
King of the Titans, discomfited, with bowed head addressed
his subjects, saying : —
" Lanka, hitherto inaccessible, has been laid waste by a mere
monkey who has had converse with the daughter of Janaka,
Sita. Overthrowing the palaces and slaying the foremost of
the titans, he has turned the city upside down, such is Hanuman's
achievement! What should I do now? May prosperity
attend you ! What plan do you consider fitting for me to
16
YUDDHA KANDA
adopt first ? Say what you hold to be proper for us to do and
which will be to our advantage !
" The wise affirm that good counsel is the root of victory, that
is why, O Brave Ones, I desire to consult you concerning Rama.
*' There are three kinds of men in the world, the good, the bad
and the mediocre. I will describe the qualities and defects of
them all to you : —
" He, who in his deliberations consults experienced counsellors,
his friends with whom he shares common interests, his relatives
and his superiors and then pursues his design with energy
and the help of God, is considered to be the foremost of men.
" He, who enters into deliberation and pursues his duty by
himself single-handedly, accomplishing that which should be
accomplished, is considered a mediocre man.
" He, who fails to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a
matter and refuses God's aid, merely saying * I shall do it ',
disregards his duty and is considered the least of men 1
" Just as there are always those who are superior, those who
are mediocre and those who are inferior among men, so there
exists also good, bad and indifferent counsel.
" That judgement which is given after a clear-sighted examina-
tion of the question and to which, re-inforced by scriptural
authority, the counsellors agree, is considered excellent.
"Those deliberations, where unanimity is finally reached after
innumerable discussions, are considered mediocre, and those in
which each person continues to stand by his own opinion and
opposes those of others and where no conclusion can be reached,
are considered pernicious. Therefore an undertaking that
follows on wise deliberation will succeed.
" You, who are all eminently sagacious, must decide what
should be done and I will subscribe to it. Rama, surrounded
by thousands of heroic monkeys, is advancing on Lanka to
exterminate us. Undoubtedly Raghava will cross the ocean with
ease by virtue of his natural powers and be followed by his
younger brother and the monkey host. He is able to dry up
the sea through his valour or he may use some other means (to
bridge the ocean). In view of Rama's attack on you with those
monkeys, do you devise some plan to protect the city and the
army 1 "
»7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 7
The Titans persuade Ravana to make War and remind him of
his former Exploits
Hearing the words of Ravana, their lord and master, all those
powerful titans, in their ignorance, instilled him with contempt
for the enemy and with joined palms, offered him ill-considered
advice, saying : —
" O King, we possess a vast army furnished with maces,
spears, swords, lances, harpoons and barbed darts, why art
thou apprehensive ? Didst thou not enter Bhogavati, having
overcome the Serpent Race in war ? Didst thou not subdue
Dhanada, who inhabited the summit of Mt Kailasha, surrounded
as he was by Yakshas, creating a terrible carnage amongst them ?
Though he regarded himself as the Lord of Men and prided
himself on his friendship with Mahadeva, in thy wrath thou
didst vanquish him on the field of battle.
*' O Foremost among the Titans, Maya, the Lord of the Danavas
in fear gave his daughter to thee in wedlock and thou didst
also subjugate the powerful and arrogant giant, Madhu, the joy
of Kumbhinasi! Descending into the nether regions thou
didst defeat the Serpents Vasuki, Takshaka, Shankha and
Jati despite their irresistible power, courage and the boons
conferred on them, O Lord ! After fighting for a whole year,
confident though they were in their own strength, thou didst
force them to submit to thy yoke and learnt the science of
magic from them, O King of the Titans, Vanquisher of thyFoes!
" O Great Hero, the valiant sons of Varuna were defeated by
thee in the open field as also the fourfold army attending on
them, and thou didst descend into the vast ocean, that dark
region, whose sceptre is the aquatic world, his crown the Shalmali
Tree, bis noose the great billows, his serpents the attendants
of Yama, who is irresistible in his feverish and fearful motion
and thou didst win a glorious victory there, overcoming Death
and rilling all thy subjects with joy.
18
YUDDHA KANDA
The earth was peopled with innumerable and valiant warriors,
equal to Indra in prowess, resembling giant trees, yet thou
didst destroy those invincible heroes ! Raghava is neither
their equal in courage, virtue nor in might ! Yet do thou
remain here, O Great King, why fatigue thyself? Indra jita is
able to exterminate those monkeys single-handed. That prince,
O Great Sovereign, returning from a sacrifice to Maheshwara,
who is surpassed by none, received a boon from him not easily
obtainable in this world and, approaching that divine sea,
whose fish are lances and spears, which abounds in weapons
for its trees, whose turtles are the elephants and whose frogs
are the teeming horses, whose cetaceans are the Adityas and
Maruts, its great serpents the Vasus, its waters the chariots,
steeds and elephants, the sandy banks its infantry, that vast
ocean of the Celestial Hosts, Indrajita approached, in order to
bear away their king and bring him to Lanka. Thereafter that
Monarch was liberated by the command of the Grandsire of the
World and the Vanquisher1 of Shambara and Vritra returned to
his abode where all the Gods paid homage to him.
" Therefore let thy son, Indrajita, go forth and destroy the
army of the monkeys and Rama also, O King ; it is not worthy
of thee to imagine harm can come from common persons, such
thoughts should not even enter thy mind for assuredly thou
shalt bring about Rama's end ! "
CHAPTER 8
The boasting of Havana's Generals
Then the heroic general, the Titan Prahasta, who resembled
a dark cloud, joined his palms together and expressed himself
thus:—
** We are able to overcome the Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas,
Fisachas, Patagas and Uragas in the open field, how much more
those two mortals !
" Under the influence of liquor and trusting in our own strength,
we suffered ourselves to be deceived by Hanuman but as long as
1 Indra, King of the Goda.
19
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
I live, that ranger of the woods will not enter here again
alive, I shall sweep the land surrounded by the sea clean of
monkeys together with its hills, forests and jungles ; thou hast
but to issue the command ! I shall rid thee of that monkey,
O Ranger of the Night and thou shalt not have to suffer on
account of thine offence.1"
Thereafter Durmukha, in his turn, spoke in measured tones,
saying :—
" Assuredly we shall not tolerate this outrage that he has
committed against us all. The devastation of the city and the
palaces and the insult offered to our sovereign by this monkey
shall be avenged by me. Setting out alone, I shall exterminate
those monkeys, whether they have taken refuge in the dreadful
deep, in heaven or in hell ! "
Then the powerful Vajradamshtra, in a transport of rage,
began to speak, brandishing a huge mace stained with flesh and
blood, and said : —
** What is that puny and miserable monkey, Hanuman, to us
as long as the mighty Rama, Sugriva and Lakshmana exist?
This very day, I shall return, having slain Rama, Sugriva and
Lakshmana single-handed with the blows of my mace and
routed that army of monkeys, or, if it pleaseth thee, hear this
further plan of mine ; he, who is resourceful, may easily over-
come his adversaries.
" Thousands of titans, able to change their shape at will,
courageous, invincible, of terrifying aspect, are devoted to thee.
Let them, assuming human form, present themselves before
Kakutstha, foremost of the Raghus, and, full of confidence,
say to him : —
" ' We are here on behalf of Bharata, thy younger brother ',
whereupon Rama, summoning his forces will instantly come
hither ; then armed with lances, picks and maces, carrying bows,
arrows and swords in our hands, we will set out with speed from
here and meet him. Thereafter, stationed in battalions in the
air, we will exterminate that army of monkeys under a hail of
rocks and shafts and send them to the region of Yama. Should
they fall into the trap, it will prove disastrous for them and Rama
and Lakshmana will inevitably lose their lives."
> The abduction of Sita.
YUDDHA KANDA
Then the son of Kumbhakarna, the valiant and powerful
Nikumbha, in the height of anger, said in the presence of
Ravana, the destroyer of the worlds : —
" Let all of you remain here with our great king ; by myself
I shall slay Raghava, Lakshmana, Sugriva and also Hanuman
and all the monkeys."
Thereafter in his turn, a titan named Vajrabanu, as tall as a
mountain, who, in his wrath, was licking his lips, took up the
tale, saying : —
" Free from all anxiety, occupy yourselves with those things
which afford you entertainment, single-handed I shall consume
the entire monkey host. Remain here at ease and drink wine1;
alone I shall slay Sugriva, Lakshmana and also Hanuman,
Angada and all the monkeys."
CHAPTER 9
Bibishana advises Ravana to send back Sita
The Generals Rabhasa, the mighty Suryashatru, Saptaghna,
Yajnakopa and Mahaparshwa, Mahodeva, the irrespressible
Agnikctu and the Titan Rashiketu, the lusty Indrashatu, son of
Ravana, also Prahasta, Vimpaksha and the exceedingly powerful
Vajradamshtra, Dhumraksha, Nikumbha and the Titan
Durmukha, brandishing maces, harpoons, lances, darts, spears,
axes, bows furnished with arrows and swords shining like a
great expanse of water, all of whom were blazing with anger
addressed Ravana saying : —
" To-day we shall slay Rama, Sugriva and Lakshmana as
also that wretch Hanuman who laid Lanka waste ! **
Then Bibishana, restraining those who had seized hold of their
weapons, persuaded them to be seated and spoke thus with
joined palms :—
" My Dear Brother, the wise affirm that when the end which
is sought cannot be attained by the three means1, the conditions
1 Varuni — See Glossary.
1 Conciliation, gift and sowing dissension.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
when force should be employed are determined by the tacticians.
O Friend, deeds of valour which have been tested according to
prescribed injunctions, succeed against those who are careless
when attacked, or who are in opposition to the divine power.
Now, Rama is on his guard, he is eager for victory, he is upheld
by divine power, he has subdued his passions and is invincible,
yet you seek to defeat him.
" When Hanuman crossed the ocean, that formidable Lord of
Streams and Rivers, who could have conceived or even imagined
the path he would take ? Our adversary has immense resources
and troops at his disposal O Rangers of the Night, you should
in no way disregard him ! What wrong has the illustrious
Rama ever done to the King of the Titans that he should go to
Janasthana and bear away the consort of that great One ?
" If Khara, who had trespassed into a region that was not his
own, was slain in combat by Rama, is it not legitimate for every-
one to defend his life ? It is on account of Vaidehi's abduction
that we are in this great peril and we should therefore yield her
up. What advantage is there in continuing the quarrel ? Nay,
it is not proper to enter into hostilities with that powerful and
virtuous prince, who would never initiate warfare without a
definite cause. Therefore do you give back Maithili to him ere
he, by means of his arrows, destroys this city abounding in
wealth of every kind with its horses and elephants ! Before
that formidable and mighty monkey host attack this, our Lanka,
do you give back Sita. Lanka with all her heroic titans will
perish unless the beloved consort of Rama is voluntarily
returned to him.
"I adjure you by the blood that unites us to follow my counsel,
which is salutory. Return Maithili to Rama ere he looses his
shafts for your destruction, which are freshly sharpened, steely,
infallible, plumed and bright as the autumnal sun. Give back
Maithili to the son of Dasaratha without delay ; renounce a
resentment which destroys all felicity and virtue and pursue
righteousness which increases well-being and glory. Be
pacified, that we may live in tranquillity with our sons and
kinsfolk. Give back Maithili to Dasaratha's son ! "
Thus spoke Bibishana, and Ravana, the Lord of the Titans,
dismissing them all, entered his private apartments.
YVDDHA KASDA
CHAPTER 10
Bibishana insists that Sita should be given back to Rama
As the day dawned, Bibishana, renowned for his exploits, fixed
in the knowledge of what was just and profitable, entered the
palace of the King of the Titans which resembled a mass of
crags like unto the peak of a mountain. That vast area was the
resort of the great ; well ordered and divided, it was inhabited
by learned persons and guarded by loyal and vigilant titans on
all sides. Re-echoing to the sound of the wind blended with
the trumpeting of intoxicated elephants, the blare of conches
and the blasts of trumpets, groups of lovely girls filled the alleys
with their chattering. Its gates were of pure gold enriched
by magnificent decorations resembling the abode of the Gan-
dharvas or the mansions of the Maruts, and it contained heaps of
gems like unto the Serpents1 dwellings.
Then that One of exceeding energy and renown entered the
palace of his elder brother, as the sun of sparkling rays enters
a cloud, and he heard the blessings invoked on his brother for
his victory uttered in a loud voice by those versed in the Veda.
And he beheld those priests instructed in the science of
* Mantras * and the Veda, worshipped with vessels of curds,
clarified butter, flowers and hulled rice. Thereafter the mighty-
armed Bibishana, duly honoured by the titans, observed the
younger brother of the Bestower of Riches*, who was seated there.
Approaching the throne that was covered with gold,
embellished by the person of the king, he paid homage, extending
fitting courtesies to him and took the seat indicated by Ravana's
glance. Thereafter he addressed the mighty Dashagriva in the
presence of his ministers alone and, standing before him, with
soothing speech sought to pacify him, manifesting his knowledge
of time and place, and expressed himself thus : —
" O Subduer of thy Foes, ever since Vaidehi was brought
here, inauspicious omens have been observed ! The sacrificial
fire emits sparks and its brightness is dimmed by smoke;
1 Serpents, the Nagas or the Serpent Race.
1 The Bestower of Riches, the God Kuvera, brother of Havana.
23
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
impure vapours arise therefrom even after the oblations have
been poured to the accompaniment of sacred formulas nor does
it burn in a proper manner. In the kitchens, sacred pavilions
and the halls, where the Vedas are recited, reptiles are to be
found and ants are discovered in the sacrificial offerings. The
milk of the kiiie has dried up, ichor no longer flows from the
strongest of the elephants, horses find no satisfaction in their
fodder and neigh incessantly, while the asses, buffalo and
mules, their hair standing on end, shed tears, and, though
ministered to by experts, do not behave normally, O King.
" Fierce crows gather together from all sides, emitting harsh
cries and are seen swarming on the roofs of the temples.
Vultures plane mournfully over the city and at dusk, jackals
appear howling lugubriously. Wild beasts and deer assemble
at the gates of the city, setting up an ominous noise to the
accompaniment of growls. These omens indicate that thy
fault should be expiated as the Lord thinks proper by returning
Vaidehi to Raghava.
" If, through error or expediency, I have given cause for
offence, thou shouldst not condemn me, O Great Monarch!
All thy people, both male and female and thy court affirm that
the fault is thine ! It is through fear that thy ministers dare
not counsel thee but I feel compelled to inform thee of what I
have seen and heard. Judge what thou considerest to be right
and act accordingly."
Thus spoke Bibishana in measured words to his brother,
Ravana, Lord of the Titans, in the presence of the ministers,
and, hearing that judicious, reasonable, moderate and logical
speech, productive of great good for the past, present and future,
Ravana, who had conceived a passion for Sita, answered with
mounting anger, saying : —
" I see no cause for fear anywhere ! Rama shall never regain
Maithili ! Even were Lakshmana's elder brother upheld by the
Gods with Indra at their head, how could he withstand me in
the field ? "
Having spoken thus, that destroyer of Celestial Hosts,
Dashagriva, who was endowed with terrific strength and extreme
prowess in combat, dismissed his brother Bibishana of frank
speech.
YUDDHA KANDA
Chapter i i
Ravana summons his Assembly
That unrighteous monarch, a slave to his passion, disregarding
his real friends, in consequence of his evil act began to suffer
decrease.
His lustful desire exceeding all bounds, bis thoughts con-
stantly occupied with Vaidehi, though the occasion for war was
lacking, with his ministers conceived that the time for entering
into hostilities had come. Thereupon, sallying forth, he
ascended his mighty chariot plated with gold, encrusted with
coral and pearl and harnessed to well-trained horses. Seated
in that excellent car, which reverberated like thunder,
Dashagriva, the foremost of titans drove to the place of
assembly.
Titans with swords, bucklers and every kind of weapon
preceded their king on the highway, some garbed in strange
attire covered with every kind of gem marched at his side or
followed in his wake, and they surrounded him on all sides.
The foremost of the car-warriors speedily precipitated them-
selves in his vanguard with their chariots or on great elephants
intoxicated with Mada juice or horses which they caused to
rear. Brandishing maces and crowbars, they held picks and
darts in their hands.
As Ravana approached the assembly, the sound of innumerable
musical instruments could be heard and the blare of trumpets
broke forth to the accompaniment of the rolling of vehicles
whilst the great chariot of that Indra of Demons passed along
the splendidly decorated highway. The canopy, that was held
over his head, shone with an immaculate purity, resembling the
king of the stars at his full, and two fans of Yaks tails with
crystal handles and golden fringes were waved to and fro from
left to right. All the titans having alighted, stood with joined
palms and bowed heads in homage to their king who was seated
in his car.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Amidst acclamations and cries of triumph from those titans,
that scourger of his foes made his solemn entry into the assembly
hall that had been constructed by Vishvakarma.
The floor was of refined gold and six hundred evil spirits
guarded it. Into that excellent audience hall, a masterpiece of
Vishvakarma, Ravana made his entry sparkling with magnifi-
cence and seated himself on a gorgeous throne wrought of
emeralds, carpeted with skins of deer and furnished with thick
cushions.
Thereupon he issued his orders imperiously to exceedingly
fleet messengers, saying : —
" Summon the titans hither with all speed ! " thereafter
adding, " A great blow is about to be struck by the enemy ! "
Hearing this command, his envoys dispersed to search
throughout Lanka, entering every house and scouring the high-
ways and pleasure resorts, assembling the titans without
ceremony. Some started out in excellent chariots, some on
swift and mettlesome horses or elephants and some on foot.
The city was thronged with cars, elephants and horses and
resembled the sky filled with birds.
Then they abandoned their mounts and chariots of every kind
in order to enter the audience chamber and they resembled lions
penetrating into a rocky cavern.
Having, each in turn, paid homage to the feet of the king,
they took up their positions, some on seats, some on cushions,
some on the ground, and gathering in that hall at his command
they grouped themselves according to rank round their sovereign,
the Lord of the Titans.
They came in hundreds; ministers distinguished for their
skill in dealing with affairs and talented sagacious counsellors
able to view all with the eye of understanding ; warriors also in
great numbers gathered in the hall that sparkled with gold, in
order to prepare for the success of their campaign.
At that moment, arriving in a magnificent chariot, its various
parts encrusted with gold, Bibishana appeared in the assembly
presided over by his elder brother and, announcing himself by
name, he paid obeisance to the feet of the king, whereafter
Shuka and Frahasta, in their turn, did homage to that monarch,
who conferred special places upon them befitting their rank.
36
YUDDHA KANDA
The titans were adorned with fine gold and every kind of
ornament, arrayed in rich vestures, and the fragrance of aloes
and rare sandalwood from their garlands perfumed the hall on
every side.
Neither harsh accents nor ill-advised utterances nor loud
whisperings could be heard in the assembly and, their desires
crowned, all those titans of extreme prowess fixed their eyes
on the face of their sovereign.
In the midst of those skilled warriors full of energy, the
intelligent Ravana appeared resplendent in that assembly like
unto the God with the Thunderbolt amongst the Vasus.
Chapter i 2
The Discourse between Ravana and Kumbhakarna
Then Ravana, the conqueror of hostile armies, let his gaze
wander over the assembly and addressing himself to the General
of his forces, Prahasta, said : —
" O General, it is for thee, who art conversant with the four
branches of strategy, to dispose of thy forces in the way that the
defence of the city demands."1
Thereupon Prahasta, alert to his sovereign's behests and eager
to carry them out, distributed the whole of his troops within and
without the fortress and, having disposed of his entire army in
the city's defence, he returned to his seat in front of the king
and said : —
" O Mighty Lord, I have stationed thy forces within and
without the city, now accomplish that which thou hast resolved
to do speedily and without anxiety ! "
At these words of Prahasta's, that monarch, who aspired to
happiness and who was devoted to the public welfare, expressed
himself thus amidst his followers : —
" Should duty, pleasure or self-interest endanger whatever is
pleasant or unpleasant, whether it be in prosperity or adversity,
1 elephants, horses or on
27
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
gain or loss, whether useful or disadvantageous, you are bound
to point it out. No undertaking of mine, that I have engaged
in with you, re-inforced by the recitation of sacred formulas,
has ever proved fruitless ! As the Maruts, the moon, the stars
and the planets follow in Vasava's wake, so do you all follow
me in a splendid procession assuring me of victory !
"In truth I intended to mobilize you all but, on account of
Kumbhakarna being asleep, I have not pressed this matter !
After sleeping for six months, the foremost of those bearing
arms, has just risen. As regards the beloved consort of Rama,
the daughter of Janaka, I brought her here from the solitudes of
the Dandaka Forest which is frequented by titans. That princess
of languid pace does not wish to share my bed, though in the
Three Worlds, I see none to compare with her. Slender-
waisted, with well developed hips, her countenance resembling
the autumnal moon, she is like an image made of gold created
by Maya.1 Her palms are rosy, her feet are delicate and well
set, her nails coppery and, seeing her, I am overcome with desire.
Shining like the flame of the sacrificial fire she rivals the bright-
ness of the sun ; her face with its arched nose is flawless and
fair, her eyes beautiful. On beholding her I am no longer
master of myself and become the slave of love. Torn between
anger and delight, this passion has proved my undoing, the
cause of ruin and the eternal source of pain and suffering. In
anticipation of the advent of her lord, Rama, that lovely large-
eyed lady has solicited a year's grace of me and I have looked
with favour on the request of that one of tender glances but,
like unto a spent steed on the highway, I am weary of the pricks
of passion.
" How will those inhabitants of the woods cross the impassable
ocean with the innumerable monsters that inhabit it and how
can those two sons of Dasaratha traverse it ? The outcome of
this enterprise is impossible to predict. Say what you think
in this matter! A mere man causes no apprehension; yet
ponder on it carefully I
" Formerly, in the war between Gods and Titans, thanks to
your support I was victorious and you are still ready to stand
by me.
1 Maya— The Artificer of the Gods.
28
YUDDHA KANDA
" Having ascertained where Sita is, those two princes, preceded
by the monkeys with Sugriva at their head, have reached the
shores of the sea. It is not fox us to return Sita but to destroy
the two sons of Dasaratha, therefore deliberate on this and adopt
a judicious line of conduct. In truth, I know of none in the
world who can overcome us, even should he cross the water
with the monkeys ; victory is therefore indubitably mine."
Hearing the ramblings of that bashful lover, Kumbhakarna
flew into a transport of rage and said : —
" On first seeing Sita, the consort of Rama, who is accom-
panied by Lakshmana, she who was brought here by force, thy
mind was wholly possessed by her as the waters of the lake are
rilled by the Yamuna. O Great King, this conduct is not
worthy of thee ! Thou shouldst have consulted us at the outset
of this affair. The king who acquits himself of his obligations
punctiliously, O Ten-faced One, and whose mind is concen-
trated on what he is about, has not to repent later ! Those
undertakings that are carried out carelessly and against the
scriptural law turn out badly, like unto impure offerings poured
into the sacrificial fire by those who are heedless. To seek to
end where one should begin or to begin where one should
conclude is to ignore what is proper and what is not. If an
adversary examines the defects of one who is unrestrained, he
soon discovers his weak points, as birds the fissures in the
Krauncha Mountains. Thou didst make this assault without
forethought and it is fortunate that Rama did not slay thee, as
poisoned food the eater thereof ! Nevertheless I shall do my
part in this campaign that thou dost contemplate launching
against thine enemies, O Irreproachable One ! I shall destroy
thine adversaries, O Ranger of the Night, even as India,
Vivasvat, Pavaka, Maruta, Kuvera or Varuna themselves, I
shall fight against them !
** Entering the combat with my enormous body, the size of a
mountain and my sharp teeth, roaring the while and brandishing
my immense mace, I shall strike terror into Furandara himself !
" Ere the foe can deliver a second blow, I shall drink his blood,
therefore take comfort, for by slaying Dasaratha's son I shall
bring thee an auspicious victory ! Having destroyed Rama as
also Lakshmana, I shall devour all the monkey leaders ! Enjoy
29
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thyself therefore and drink the most excellent of wines to the
extent of thy desire without anxiety ; do what thou judgest to
behest!
"When I have despatched Rama to the region of death,
Sita will be at thy disposal for ever."
Chapter 13
Ravana tells the Story of the Nymph Pumikasthala
Seeing Ravana wrought up with ire, the mighty General
Mahaparshwa reflected a moment and, with joined palms, spoke
thus: —
" He who, having penetrated into a wood frequented by wild
beasts and serpents, does not partake of the honey he finds there,
is a fool !
" Who is thy master ? Thou art the master, O Scourge of Thy
Foes ! Enjoy thyself with Vaidehi, having placed thy foot on
the head of thy foe ! Act in the manner of a cock, O Valiant
Prince ! Approach Sita again and again in order to enjoy her
and pass the time in dalliance with her. Having sated thy
passion, what is there to fear ? Whether taken unawares or no,
thou art well able to meet every exigency ! Without support
Kumbhakarna and Indrajita of immense energy, would be
capable of challenging the God who bears the Thunderbolt
armed with his mace !
"Bestowal of gifts, conciliation and sowing dissension in the
ranks of the enemy are the means of subduing them, according
to the wise, but in the present circumstances, I incline to the use
of the fourth ! O Lord, we shall subdue thy foes by the strength
of our arms, do not doubt it ! "
Thus spoke Mahaparshwa and the king, thanking him,
replied thus : —
" O Mahaparshwa, I will answer thee by recounting a strange
adventure that befell me a long time ago.
" While she was going to worship the Grandsire of the World,
I came upon the nymph, Punjikasthala, hashing through the sky
30
YUDDHA KANDA
like a flame. I stripped her of her attire in order to deflower
her, after which like a faded lotus she reached the abode of
Swyambhu. The magnanimous Ordainer of the World,
learning of the matter, addressed me in anger, saying : —
" ' O Ravana, from to-day, if thou dost violence to any other
woman, thy head will be split into a hundred pieces, this is
certain! '
"This curse alarmed me and it is for this reason that I have not
forced Sita, the Princess of Videha, to ascend the nuptual couch.
My fury is like unto the sea and my speed resembles the wind
but the son of Dasaratha is unaware of it and it is on this account
he has set out to fight me. Who would seek to waken a lion
lying asleep in a hidden mountain den whose anger resembles
the God of Death himself ?
" Ramachandra has not seen my arrows in combat that resemble
snakes with forked tongues, wherefore he is considering
marching against me. From my bow, loosing my shafts that
are like unto lightning on him from a myriad sides, I shall
speedily consume Rama, as a forest is set on fire by flaming
brands. I shall wipe out his army with mine, as the rising sun
blots out the light of the stars. Neither Vasava of a thousand
eyes nor Varuna can withstand me in battle ! It was by the
strength of mine arms that I conquered the city defended by
Kuvera ! "
Chapter 14
Bibishana blames the Attitude of Ravana' 's Courtiers
Prince Bibishana listened to the boasting of Ravana and the
thundering of Kumbhakarna and addressed the king in words
that were profitable and sagacious, saying : —
" O King, why hast thou brought that great serpent in the
form of Sita hither, her breasts its coils, her anxieties its poison,
her laughter its sharp fangs, her five fingers its five hoods ?
While Lanka is yet not assailed by those monkeys, armed with
their teeth and nails, who are as high as hills, give back Maithili
to the son of Dasaratha !
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"Neither Kumbhakarna nor Indrajita, O King, neither
Mahaparshwa nor Mahodara neither Nikumbha nor Kumbha
nor yet Atikaya are able to withstand Rama on the field of battle !
Thou wouldst never escape from Rama alive even wert thou
protected by Savitar or the Maruts or if thou didst take refuge
in the region of Yama or plunge into the lowest hell ! "
Thus spoke Bibishana and Prahasta answered him saying : —
" We do not know what it is to fear the Gods or titans whoever
they may be, nor do we stand in awe of Yakshas, Gandharvas
nor great Serpents, gigantic birds nor great snakes in the field.
Why then should we tremble to enter into combat with Rama,
that son of a mortal king ? "
Hearing this injudicious speech of Prahasta's, Bibishana, who
sought to save the king and whose intellect was rooted in the
values of virtue, profit and expediency, uttered these words full
of good sense, saying : —
" O Prahasta, the intrigues proposed by the King, Mahodara,
thee and Kumbhakarna against me, born with qualities such as
Rama possesses are as unlikely to succeed as the entry into
heaven of one of perverse soul. It is impossible for me or thee
or Prahasta or all the titans to slay Rama, who is supremely
experienced. It is as if we sought to cross the sea without a
boat ! In the presence of such a hero, essentially pious, that
Prince of the Great Car, the issue of the Ikshvaku Race who is
capable of any exploit, even the Gods themselves are con-
founded ! It is because those sharp arrows, irresistible and
furnished with heron's plumes, that are loosed by Raghava,
have not as yet pierced thy limbs, that thou art still able to
boast, O Prahasta ! It is because those pointed shafts that Rama
discharges, which quench the vital breaths and are equal to the
lightning in their velocity, have not penetrated thy body, that
thou dost still bluster in this wise ! Neither Ravana nor the
exceedingly powerful Trishiras nor the son of Kumbhakarna,
Nikumbha nor Indrajita, nor even thou thyself, are able to
overcome the son of Dasaratha in combat, who is equal to Indra
himself. Neither Devantaka nor Narantaka, neither Akampana,
the magnanimous Atiratha nor Atikaya are capable of resisting
Raghava in battle.
" You, the friends of this monarch who is dominated by passion,
32
YUDDHA KANDA
violent by nature and whose acts are thoughtless, flatter him, as
though you were his foes, to the destruction of the titans !
Rescue and deliver that king who is held fast in the illimitable
coils of a serpent possessed of a thousand hoods and who is
formidable and of exceeding energy. It is for the sovereign's
friends, whose desires have been gratified by him, to save him,
even were it by dragging him by the hair of his head, like one
who has fallen a prey to fiends of immeasurable power. It is
for you unitedly to rescue that monarch from the surging waters
of the ocean Rama, he who is sinking into the mouth of the
Kakutstha hell !
" I will here repeat those words that are to the advantage of
the city, the titans, the king and the host of courtiers ! I repeat
them loyally and candidly ' Let Maithili be given back to that
Prince! '
" He who, having estimated the strength of his foes, his own
resources, the situation and the loss and gain of his undertaking
and, after mature reflection, expresses himself frankly and
judiciously to his master, is a true counsellor."
Chapter 15
Bibishana reproaches Indrajita for his boasting
This speech of Bibishana's, who was equal to Brihaspati in
wisdom, displeased the great Indrajita, Leader of the Nairrita
Hosts, who replied to him thus : —
** What do these idle words fraught with fear signify, O
Youngest of my Uncles ? None other, even were he the issue
of another race than our own, would speak thus or even conceive
such thoughts ! Valour, courage, endurance, steadfastness,
audacity and strength are lacking in Bibishana alone, the
youngest brother of my sire.
" Who are, in fact, these two sons of a king of men? One of
us single-handed, were he the least of the titans, would suffice
to exterminate them both ! O Coward, from whence springs
thy fear ? Was I not able to cast the Protector of the Three
33
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Worlds to the ground, the Lord of the Devas himself? Struck
with terror, the Hosts of the Gods scattered in all directions and
the loudly trumpeting Airavata was brought down by me, whose
tusks I rooted out, dispersing the celestial armies by my valour.
I who humbled the pride of the Gods themselves and afflicted
the Daityas, am I in mine immeasurable energy not able to
subdue these two princes, insignificant mortals as they are ? "
At this speech of that invincible and powerful rival of Indra,
Bibishana the foremost of warriors answered him in words
fraught with good sense, saying : —
" My Child, thy reflections are worthless ! Thou art young
and thine intellect is not yet ripe ; further, to our ruin, thou art
incapable of ascertaining what is expedient and inexpedient.
"Under the guise of a son, O Indrajita, thou art in truth a
hidden foe to Ravana and, hearing him prate of slaying Raghava,
thou dost support him. Thou dost merit death, as also he who
had the grievous idea of bringing thee here this day and intro-
ducing a youthful, rash and arrogant warrior into an assembly of
counsellors ! O Indrajita, thou art thoughtless, imprudent,
feeble of intellect, thy mind ruined by folly and extreme frivolity
and thou speakest thus from childishness. Who can withstand
the shock of those shining arrows which Raghava looses in
combat resembling the Rod of Brahma, like unto fate or the
Sceptre of Yama? Do thou give back Sita to Rama with
treasure, pearls, rich ornaments, celestial attire and gems, so
that we may dwell here without anxiety, O King."
Chapter 16
Ravana rebukes Bibishana who takes his Departure
Bibishana, having uttered these words that were reasoned and
full of good sense, Ravana replied in harsh accents, saying : —
" It were better to live as a declared enemy or with a venomous
serpent than to dwell with one who, under the guise of a friend,
is in league with the foe. The disposition of relatives who ever
rejoice in others' misfortunes is well known, O Titan. Kinsfolk
34
YUDDHA KANDA
ever seek to bring down the one who is endowed with authority,
energy, learning and loyalty and, should he be a hero, he is the
more condemned by them. Constantly finding delight in the
discomfiture of one another, their bows ready to strike each
other down, their hearts full of deceit, they are both formidable
and dangerous.
" Those verses formerly recited by the elephants in the Padma
Forest, on seeing men with snares in their hands, are well known ;
I will repeat them to thee : — * Neither fire nor weapons nor
traps strike terror into us but those of our own kind who are
cruel and self-interested, it is they whom we fear ! They alone,
undoubtedly divulge the means of making us captive ! *
" Of all perils, those that spring from relatives are the worst,
this is known to us. From cows we have milk, from relatives
malice, from women capriciousness, from brahmins asceticism.
That I am held in honour by my subjects and have been called
to rule over an empire by descent and have set my foot on the
heads of mine enemies, will certainly not have found favour
with thee ! As drops of water are unable to remain on the lotus
leaves, so does friendship slip from the hold of worthless persons.
As in autumn the thunderclouds, which empty themselves, fail
to saturate the earth, so does friendship fail with the vicious. As
bees fly away after they have sucked out the honey they have
found, so do the unworthy relinquish a friendship after it has
served their purpose. As the honey stealer in its greed, feeding
on the Kusha Flowers, does not exhaust their nectar neither do
the wicked savour friendship to the full.
" If any other had addressed such a speech to me, O Ranger
of the Night, he would have ceased to breathe at that very
instant ! As for thee, a curse upon thee, O Obloquy of thy
Race!"
At this affront, Bibishana, who ever spoke what was true,
rose up mace in hand with four other titans and, filled with
indignation, that fortunate one, standing in space, said to his
brother, the King of the Titans : —
*' Thou hast lost thy reason, O King, but say what thou wilt,
an elder brother is the equal of a father and must be reverenced
even if he leave the path of equity ; nevertheless I am unable to
tolerate these outrageous utterances of thine ! Words of wisdom
35
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
that are dictated by a desire for the welfare of others, O Ten-
necked One, are not acceptable to those who are not masters of
themselves and have fallen under the sway of death ! Those
who make flattering speeches are easy to find but rare are they
who utter salutory though unpleasmg words or those who will
listen to them ! I could not brook seeing thee caught in the
noose of death, who bears away all beings, neither did I desire
to see thee pierced by the sharp and golden arrows of Rama
resembling naming torches. Even stout-hearted persons full of
skill and courage fall in combat and are carried away like walls
of sand if death overcomes them. Thou shouldst accept this
counsel on account of its import for thine own good ! By every
means defend thyself as well as this city and the titans ! In
thine own interest I sought to restrain thee but my words have
not found favour with thee, O Ranger of the Night. Fare-thee-
well, I go ; thou wilt be happier without me ! At the point of
death, those whose life has run its course do not listen to the
advice of their friends 1 "
Chapter 17
Words of the leading Monkeys regarding Bibishana
Having spoken thus severely to Ravana, Bibishana went away
and almost immediately reached the place where Rama and
Lakshmana were.
Resembling the peak of Mount Meru, like a flash of lightning
in the sky, he was seen by the leaders of the monkeys who were
stationed on the ground.
Accompanied by four titans of renowned courage, furnished
with armour and arrows, adorned with marvellous jewels, he
resembled a mass of cloud, the equal of the God who wields the
Thunderbolt and that hero was bearing excellent weapons and
was covered with celestial gems.
Beholding him with his four companions, Sugriva, the
sagacious King of the Monkeys, who was invincible, standing
amidst his forces became thoughtful and, after reflecting a
3«
YUDDHA KANDA
moment, addressed the monkeys with Hanuman and others
anxiously, saying : —
" Without doubt, this titan, armed with weapons and
accompanied by four of his kind, is coming to slay us ! "
Hearing these words of Sugriva, all the leading monkeys
brandishing great trees and rocks, said to him : —
" Do thou speedily order us to slay these evil doers, O King !
Let us strike these weaklings down so that they fall on the earth ! "
As they were speaking thus, Bibishana, who was master of
himself, had reached the northern shore and halting there, that
highly intelligent and powerful titan, who was fully self-
subdued, on perceiving Sugriva and the monkeys, said aloud
to them : —
" Ravana is the name of a wicked titan and their lord, and I am
his younger brother, my name is Bibishana. It is Ravana who,
having killed Jatayu, carried off Sita from Janasthana. That
unfortunate one is held captive against her will amidst the female
titans who guard her jealously. I have tried to persuade them
by diverse arguments, continually repeated, to return Sita to
Rama but Ravana impelled by fate will not listen to my sage
advice. Reviled by him and treated like a slave, I, abandoning
my consort and my son, have come to take refuge with Rama.
Do thou inform the high-souled Raghava, that magnanimous
protector of the worlds, that I, Bibishana, have come hither."
At these words, the swift-footed Sugriva, full of indignation,
ran to find Rama and, in the presence of Lakshmana, said to
him: —
" Having belonged to Ravana's forces, here is an adversary
taking us unawares, who without warning has come hither to slay
us at the first opportunity, like an owl destroying crows ! Thou
knowest all concerning the plans, organization, distribution of
troops and the secret service of the monkeys, as also of thy foes,
O Thou who art their scourge ! May good betide Thee !
These titans, who are able to change their forms at will, conceal
their designs ; they are bold and inventive in strategy, assuredly
one may not trust them !
" This must be an emissary of the Lord of the Titans who,
undoubtedly has come to sow dissension amongst us or to dis-
cover our weak points ; having first gained our confidence by
d 37
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
craft, he himself intends to attack us one day. Assistance that
is provided by a friend or an inhabitant of the woods like our-
selves or by a compatriot or a servant, may be accepted but one
should eschew that offered by a foe, O Lord ! This deserter
who has come to us is a titan by nature and the brother of thine
adversary, how can we trust him on first sight ? He is Bibishana,
the younger brother of Ravana and he has come with four titans
to ask for thy protection. Nay, it is Ravana who has sent this
Bibishana ; it is essential that thou satisfy thyself regarding him,
O Thou, the most circumspect of persons ! This titan of
deceitful soul has come hither for the purpose of treacherously
striking thee down when thou dost least expect it, O Irreproach-
able Hero ! Let him and his confederates die in extreme
torture, this brother of the wicked Ravana ! "
Having given vent to his fury in the presence of the eloquent
Rama, the King of the Monkeys, a skilled orator, became silent !
Hearing Sugriva's words, the mighty Rama said to the
monkeys headed by Hanuman who stood near : —
" You have heard for yourselves what your Sovereign has
expressed in judicious words of deep significance regarding
the younger brother of Ravana ; in times of crisis one should
always receive the counsel of one who desires the welfare of his
friends, and who is intelligent and prudent."
Thus addressed by Rama, all those monkeys, ardently desiring
his success, hastened to express their opinion, saying : —
"Nothing is unknown to thee in the Three Worlds, O
Raghava ; it is in deference to us that thou dost consult us as
friends ! Thou art loyal, brave, pious, established in heroism
and dost act only after thou hast considered the matter in accord
with tradition with full confidence in thy friends. Let all the
intelligent and experienced ministers debate this matter
thoroughly, each in his turn."
Thus spoke those monkeys and first the sagacious Angada
suggested to Raghava that he should enquire into Bibishana's
intentions, saying : —
" One should sound a deserter who presents himself in every
way. It would not befit us to put full trust in Bibishana at once.
It is in concealing their real nature that these perfidious beings
act, and further they attack unexpectedly, which would prove
3*
YUDDHA KANDA
fatal to us. Examine him to discover what is right or wrong
before taking any decision and, if it prove to our advantage, form
an alliance with him ; if to our disadvantage, reject it. If it be
fraught with danger, then renounce it, but if it should bring us
real benefit, let us give him a fitting welcome 1 "
Thereafter Sharabha, having reflected awhile, gave his
opinion, revealing his motives, saying : —
" Without delay, O lion among Men, send out a spy and,
having by means of a wary agent, undertaken a thorough
investigation, deal with him in a suitable manner."
Then Jambavan, inspired by his knowledge of the scriptures
and his own experience, expressed himself in irreproachable
and lucid terms saying : —
" Bibishana has come to us from a declared enemy, the wicked
Lord of the Titans, and he has arrived here without any regard
for time and place ; let us be on our guard against him ! "
In his turn, Mainda, skilled in the matter of truth and error,
a fluent speaker, uttered these prudent words : —
" Bibishana is the younger brother of Ravana, let us interro-
gate him gently and progressively, O King of Kings ! When
thou hast informed thyself of his feelings, then act according to
whether his intentions are honest or no, O Prince of Men ! "
Thereafter, Hanuman, the foremost of beings versed in the
scriptures, spoke in sweet accents in words fraught with integrity,
saying:—
" Even Bibishana himself cannot excel thee who art of an
exalted intellect and the foremost of those skilled in speech. It
is not from a desire to speak nor out of emulation nor a sense of
superiority nor from a love of debate that I open my mouth, O
my Lord Rama, but on account of the importance of the matter
in hand. That which thy counsellors have said seems to me
erroneous and the real question does not lie there. If one does
not interrogate this titan, it is impossible to discover why he
has come hither but to make use of him has its disadvantages
also. Concerning the sending out of a spy to make investigations
as thy minister advises, I regard it as unwise nor will it succeed.
It has been said that Bibishana had no regard for time and place
when he came hither, I reserve my judgment here ; it appears
to me that the time and place are appropriate, his fault or merit
39
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
consists in leaving one for another. Knowing the wickedness
of Ravana and thy true value, Bibishana has, by his arrival,
shown his tact and intelligence. Further it was said, O Prince,
' Let emissaries in disguise question him * and this speech
suggested several thoughts to me. He who is suddenly in-
terrogated, if he be wise, becomes cautious and refuses to speak ;
the most amiable of those, who come as friends, will change
after such an useless enquiry. It is not possible, O King, to
discover the character of a stranger immediately but only after
frequent conversations when words may escape him that will
betray any perfidy. The speech of this titan does not indicate
an evil nature and further he has an open countenance and I have
no doubts concerning him. He is in no way embarrassed and is
master of himself, he does not appear to be a knave. His
language is not that of a perverse being and I do not fed any
suspicion regarding him. Inevitably people's real nature is
only gradually revealed. When an undertaking is suited to the
time and place, O Most experienced of Men, and it is a practical
proposition, it will meet with speedy success. Bibishana is
aware of thy magnanimity and also of Ravana's baseness. He
has heard of the slaying of Bali and the crowning of Sugriva
and what is more he has a desire to rule the kingdom ! If this
is what has determined him to come hither and these are
apparently his motives, then this is what his alliance is worth to
us. I have said what I had to say to prove the upright character
of this titan ; thou hast listened to me and the rest depends on
thee, O Prince of the Wise."
Chapter 18
Rama listens to the Advice of the Monkeys about receiving Bibishana
Hearing the words of the Wind-god's son, the invincible Rama,
versed in the scriptures, answered him and, expressing his own
conclusions, said : —
" I also have reflected on Bibishana and wish to make the result
known to thee, O Thou who art established in virtue 1 I shall
40
YUDDHA KANDA
never refuse to receive one who presents himself as a friend, even
were I mistaken no honest man could reproach me for
it."
At these words, Sugriva, that lion among monkeys, reflecting
carefully, replied in more reasonable words and in eloquent
terms addressed Rama, saying : —
" What matters it if this ranger of the night be well or ill-
intentioned, if in time of peril he abandons his brother, whom will
he not betray subsequently ? "
At these words of the King of the Monkeys, Kakutstha looked
round on that company and, smiling gently, said to Lakshmana,
distinguished for his saintly characteristics : —
" He who has not studied the scriptures nor possessed
reverence for authority could not utter such words as have been
expressed by the Lord of Monkeys ! There is however some-
thing peculiar in these circumstances, it seems to me, which is
particularly to be seen in monarchs. Kings have two avowed
enemies, their kinsmen and their neighbours, who turn against
them in times of adversity ; this is what brings this titan here !
" Relatives who are not of a perverse nature, honour those of
their own family who have treated them well but in the case of
kings even a virtuous relative is suspect ! As to the fault that
you point out which consists in accepting the assistance of a foe,
I will tell you what the scriptures say on this, hear me !
" We are not related to the titans and it is not our kingdom
that he covets. It is certain his compatriots are informed about
Bibishana's departure and for this reason we should receive
him. They will have assembled with joy and without anxiety and
thereafter the cry * This one or that is afraid *, will have created
a division amongst them; this is what has brought about
Bibishana's arrival here.
" All brothers, O Dear One, do not resemble Bharata nor all
sons what I was to my sire nor do all friends resemble each
other."
Thus spoke Rama, and Sugriva rising, as also Lakshmana,
bowed low and thereafter that exceedingly sagacious monkey
said: —
" Know that it is Ravana who has sent out this ranger of the
night ! I regard it as imperative that we should make an end
4i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of him, O Thou, the most circumspect of persons ! This demon
under the order of a perverse creature has come hither to make
an assault on thee, myself and Lafcshmana, when we are un-
prepared for it, O Irreproachable Warrior. He merits death,
this Bibishana, brother of that inhuman Ravana, as well as his
accomplices."
Having spoken thus to the eloquent prince of the House of
Raghu, Sugriva, the leader of the army, a fluent speaker became
silent and Rama, having listened to Sugriva, that lion among
monkeys, reflected awhile and then addressed that foremost of
monkeys in measured terms, saying : —
" Whether this titan be ill-intentioned or no, what does it
matter, he cannot do me the least mischief. On earth, Pisachas,
Danavas and Yakshas, as also the titans can be slain by me with
the tip of my finger, if I so desire it, O King of the Monkeys.
" It is related how a pigeon with whom his adversary had taken
refuge entertained him and invited him to partake of his own
flesh, even though he was the ravisher of his mate. Such was
the hospitality offered by a pigeon ; what should therefore a man
like myself not do ? Hearken to these verses, pre-eminently
sacred, sung aforetimes by the son of Kanva, that great ascetic
of truthful speech, Kandu : —
"'A miscreant who approaches with joined palms, seeking
refuge, should not in the name of humanity be slain even if he be
a foe, O Parantapa ! The unfortunate or the fearful who plead
for shelter or throw themselves on the mercy of their enemy,
should be protected by him who is master of himself. If,
conforming to the tradition, one does not render assistance
according to one's capacity, either for reasons of fear, delusion
or anger, one is reproached by all and the suppliant, who perishes
before the eyes of the one of whom he has sought help in vain,
carries away all his merit ! *
"Therefore it is a heinous crime not to give shelter to those
who petition it on this earth; it is to deprive oneself of heaven
and glory and to lose one's strength and prowess ! Consequently
I shall follow the excellent counsel of Kandu, which is pious,
honourable and leads to heaven as the fruit of merit. Any
being who has sought refuge with me, saying — ' I am thine *
is assured of my protection, I swear it ! Bring this stranger
YUDDHA KANDA
to me, 0 Monkey, I shall offer him security whether he be
Bibishana or Ravana himself! "
Thus did Rama speak and Sugriva, the King of the Monkeys,
answered that son of Kakutstha, whom he held in deep affection,
thus : —
" What wonder is it that thou who art loyal, virtuous and
established in righteousness, thou who shinest like a jewel in
the head of kings, shouldst speak thus ? I, also, in my heart,
am convinced of Bibishana's integrity. Deduction, feeling,
everything has been used to probe this matter thoroughly;
let him be admitted immediately amongst us on equal terms, O
Raghava ! Let Bibishana, who is full of wisdom, join our
alliance ! "
At these words of Sugriva, the King of the Monkeys, Rama
immediately joined Bibishana as Purandara the King of the
Birds.
Chapter 19
Bibishana is brought before Rama
Raghava having accorded him protection, the younger brother
of Ravana, the highly intelligent Bibishana bowed to him,
looking down on the earth.
Thereafter he descended joyously from the sky to the ground
with his faithful companions and that virtuous one ran towards
Rama and, falling at his feet with the four titans, addressed him
in words full of loyalty and discretion, fitting the occasion : —
" I am Ravana's younger brother and I have been greatly
affronted by him. I have therefore come to seek refuge with
thee, the protector of all beings ! Abandoning Lanka, friends
and possessions, I place my kingdom, life and happiness at thy
disposal ! "
At these words, Rama, in soothing tones, while seeming to
consume him with his gaze, said : —
" O Bibishana, tell me truly what is the strength and weakness
of the titans?"
43
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thus questioned by Rama of imperishable exploits, that titan
described the might and extent of Ravana's power, saying : —
" By virtue of a special boon conferred on him by Swyambhu,
Dashagriva is invulnerable to all beings, Gandharvas, Serpents
and Birds, O Prince. I have also another brother older than
myself, the valiant Kumbhakarna, the illustrious rival of India
in war.
" 0 Rama, Ravana has Prahasta commanding his forces, who
is perhaps known to thee. It is he who vanquished Manibhadra
in combat on Mount Kailasha ! When clad in armour that no
arrow can pierce, furnished with his archer's gloves, Indrajita,
taking up his bow, makes himself invisible, and on the battle-
field, having propitiated the God of Fire, that fortunate one sows
carnage amongst the foe, O Raghava. Mahodara, Mahaparshwa
and the Titan Akampana, who are his lieutenants, resemble the
Lokapalas on the field of battle.
" Ten thousand kotis of titans, able to change their form at
will, feeding on flesh and blood, inhabit Lanka. At their head,
their sovereign the wicked Ravana made war on the supporters
of the earth as also the Gods who were all overcome by him."
Having listened to Bibishana and weighed his words carefully,
Rama expressed himself thus : —
" These exploits of Ravana's that thou hast faithfully described
are well known to me ; I shall slay Dashagriva as also Prahasta
and his sons ; thereafter I shall install thee as king ; believe me,
this is the truth ! Were he to plunge into the region of Rasatala
or even Patala or take refuge with the Grandsire of the World,
he would not escape alive ! Before I have annihilated Ravana
with his sons, his kinsfolk and his allies in battle, I shall not
return to Ayodhya, I swear it by my three brothers ! "
Thus did Rama of imperishable exploits speak and the
venerable Bibishana bowing unto him, said : —
" In the slaying of the titans and the capture of Lanka, I will
assist thee with all my strength; I will break through the
enemy's ranks."
As he spoke thus, Rama embraced him and thereafter he
commanded Lakshmana saying : — " Do thou bring water from
the sea and anoint the sagacious Bibishana as King of the Titans
under my direction, O Noble Brother 1 "
44
YUDDHA KANDA
Thereupon Saumitri, in accord with Rama's behest, performed
the royal anointing in the midst of the leading monkeys and
immediately those monkeys, beholding Bibishana raised to that
supreme rank, acclaimed that magnanimous titan, crying :
" Excellent ! Excellent ! ".
Meanwhile Hanuman and Sugriva enquired of Bibishana,
saying : —
" How shall we, with the mighty army of monkeys who
surround us, cross the ocean, that indestructible empire of
Varuna ? What means should we employ to traverse the refuge
of the Lord of Streams and Rivers speedily with our troops ? "
At this question, the virtuous Bibishana answered : — " That
Prince, the offspring of the Race of Raghu, should approach the
ocean that was excavated by Sagara1 and he will assuredly help
one of his own race".
Thus spoke Bibishana, that sagacious titan, and Sugriva
instantly went away with Laksnmana to join Rama.
Thereafter the thick-necked Sugriva conveyed to him this
salutory counsel of Bibishana's to take refuge with Sagara and
it found favour with the virtuously minded Rama. Then that
illustrious prince repUed to Sugriva, the King of the Monkeys,
who was accompanied by Laksnmana. Full of respect for that
monkey, who sought to gratify him in every way, he smiled
upon him as also on his brother Laksnmana and said : —
" This plan of Bibishana's pleases me, O Sugriva and
Laksnmana. Sugriva is sagacious and was ever a prudent
counsellor : do ye both reflect on the matter and say what you
consider to be best.'*
Having spoken thus to them, those two warriors Sugriva and
Lakshmana answered in respectful tones, saying : —
" How should the counsel of Bibishana not find favour with
us in these circumstances ? He brings us the means to success.
Without throwing a bridge over the sea, that redoubtable
dominion of Lanka will remain inaccessible even to the Gods
and titans with their leaders. Let us carry out the suggestion
of the virtuous Bibishana scrupulously ; enough time has been
lost. Let us approach Sagara, so that with our army we may
reach Lanka of which Ravana is the support."
1 Sagara being one of Rama's ancestors. His story is told in Balakanda.
45
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At these words, Rama proceeded to the shore that was covered
with Kusha Grass belonging to the Lord of Streams and Rivers
as the God of Fire ascends the altar.
Chapter 20
Havana sends Shuka to Sugriva
Now the titan, Shardula by name, who had gone out to recon-
noitre, beheld the army encamped under Sugriva's command,
and that spy belonging to the wicked Ravana, King of the Titans,
having inspected those troops, returned and, regaining Lanka
with all speed, said to his sovereign : —
" Behold a multitude of monkeys and bears, immeasurable
and boundless as the sea, approaching Lanka. The sons of
Dasaratha, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, who are illus-
trious and endowed with beauty, have come to search for Sita.
Having reached the shores of the sea, they have encamped there,
O Illustrious Prince. These forces cover ten leagues in extent
in every direction ! O Great King, it behoves thee to inform
thyself of the true state of affairs immediately ! Let thine
emissaries enquire into the matter speedily ; restitution,
conciliation or sowing dissension are involved here." *
Hearing Shardula's words, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans
became perturbed and, reflecting on the matter, instantly gave
orders to Shuka, the most skilled of negotiators, saying : —
" Go and seek out Sugriva on my behalf and say to that
prince in persuasive and ingratiating tones : —
" Assuredly thou, the offspring of a race of great monarchs,
the mighty son of the King of the Bears, art exceedingly
powerful ! Thou hast nothing to fear ; thou art to me as a
brother, O Lord of the Monkeys. If I bore away the consort
of that crafty prince, what is it to thee ? Do thou return to
Kishkindha; Lanka cannot be conquered by these monkeys
by any means nor by the united efforts of the Gods with the
Gandharvas, how much less by men or apes ? * "
1 Tlie Three means of dealing with an enemy.
46
YUDDHA KANDA
At this command of the King of the Titans, that Night-
ranger Shuka, rising into the air, rapidly passed through space
and, having journeyed for some time high over the waters,
halted and, standing in the sky, repeated all he had been told
by the wicked Ravana to say to Sugriva. As he was still speak-
ing, the monkeys bounded into the air and, smiting him with
their fists, prepared to tear him to pieces and fling him to the
ground.
Thus maltreated by the monkeys, Shuka spoke in this wise : —
" One does not assault an ambassador, O Kakutstha, therefore
send away these monkeys. He who withholds the message of
his master and gives voice to that which he has not been author-
ized to utter, merits death."
Hearing Shuka's complaints, Rama issued a command to
those monkeys, who were assaulting that titan, saying : — " Do
not slay him ! " and Shuka having received immunity from the
attacks of the monkeys, steadying himself in the air with his
wings, spoke again, saying : —
" O Sugriva, Thou who an endowed with magnanimity, O
Hero, who art full of energy and valour, what shall I say to thee
on the part of Ravana, the Scourge of the World ? "
Being thus addressed, that mighty King of the Monkeys, the
foremost of all the apes, interrupted that Ranger of the Night,
Shuka, and made the following proud reply, characteristic of
his nature : —
" Thou art not my friend nor art thou worthy of my pity,
thou art neither my benefactor nor dost thou find favour with
me ! Thou and thy kinsfolk are the enemies of Rama, thou
shalt perish like Bali and thou meritest death ! I shall annihilate
thee, thy sons, thy relatives as also Lanka to which I shall lay
siege at the head of my great army and reduce it to ashes !
** Nay, thou insensate Ravana, thou shalt never esca pe Raghava
even if thou wert protected by the Gods themselves with their
leaders. Wert thou to make thyself invisible in the sun's path
or enter into hell or take refuge at the lotus feet of the King of
the Mountains,1 thou with thy followers wilt succumb to
Rama's blows. In the Three Worlds, I see none whether be it
Pisacha, Rakshasa, Gandharva, or Asura, who is able to
1 Mt. Kailneha.
47
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
protea thee ! Thou hast slain the aged King of the Vultures
and carried off the large-eyed Sita in the presence of Rama and
Lakshmana and, having made her captive, dost not recognize
her for what she is ! Thou art unaware how strong, powerful
and irresistible to the Gods themselves is this Prince of the Race
of Raghu, who shall deprive thee of thy life."
Thereafter the foremost of monkeys, the son of Bali, Angada,
took up the discourse and said : —
" O Virtuous King, this is no ambassador, he has the appear-
ance of a spy ; he is only here to count our forces, let him be
arrested, do not allow him to return to Lanka. Such is my
opinion."
Thereupon at a sign from the king, the monkeys flung them-
selves on that titan, whom they seized and bound, whilst he,
without defence, wailed loudly.
Ill-treated by those furious monkeys, Shuka began to cry
upon the magnanimous Rama, born of Dasaratha, saying : —
" They are tearing out my wings ruthlessly and putting out
my eyes, may the consequences of all the evil deeds that I have
done since the day I was born till the night I die, fall on thee if
I lose my life ! "
Hearing his cries, Rama would not sanction his death and
ordered the monkeys to release him.
CHAPTER 2 I
Rama looses his Arrows on Sagara
Thereafter, spreading the Darbha Grass on the shore of the sea,
Rama with joined palms, his face turned towards the east, made
obeisance in honour of the ocean and laid himself down.
That Scourge of bis Foes pillowed his head on his arms that
resembled the coils of a serpent and were adorned with ornaments
of gold, their habitual decoration ; those arms that formerly were
perfumed with sandal and aloes, saffron of the hue of the dawn
lending them lustre ; those arms on which Sita leant on the
nuptual couch causing them to shine as do the waters of the
48
YUDDHA KANDA
Ganges the body of Takshaka ; those arms, resembling the shafts
of a chariot, that increased the distress of his foes and the delight
of his friends, were stretched out on the shore of the sea.
The tightening of the bow-string had rubbed the skin off the
left arm of that skilful archer and the right, that bestower of
thousands of kine in charity, resembled a great mace. Leaning
on his powerful elbow, the mighty-armed Rama said : —
" Sagara will grant me a passage or he shall be slain by me ! "
Having thus resolved, he lay down by the ocean, restraining
his speech and with a concentrated mind in accord with
tradition. There, following the scriptural injunction, Rama
lay on the ground spread with Kusha Grass and slept peacefully
for three nights. For three nights Rama, endowed with learning
and piety, remained beside Sagara, the Lord of the Waters.
Nevertheless that indolent one did not appear to that hero, who
had yet paid him honour as was his due. Thereupon, his eyes
suffused with wrath, Raghava, enraged against him, said to
Lakshmana, the bearer of auspicious marks, who stood near : —
" It is from contempt that the Ocean does not appear to me
in person ! Deference and forbearance, integrity and friendly
speech, these qualities belonging to virtuous men are not valued
by those who are deprived of them, who regard them as weakness,
whereas the braggart, the dissolute and the arrogant who boast
openly and commit every kind of excess, are overwhelmed with
regard ! Meekness will never bring victory on this earth, O
Lakshmana, any more than in the forefront of battle ! To-day,
pierced by my shafts, thou shall behold aquatic monsters by
their leaping churn up the waters where they dwell on every
side ! See, O Lakshmana, how I shall sever the serpents* coils
and the limbs of the great fish like unto the trunks of elephants.
To-day I shall dry up the ocean with its multitudinous waves,
shells, pearls, fish and monsters. Because I have manifested
patience, the Ocean, the abode of whales, regards me as power-
less ! Away with forbearance to such persons ! It is on
account of my mildness that he manifests his true nature !
Bring me my bow, O Saumitri and mine arrows resembling
venomous snakes, I shall dry up the sea and the monkeys may
then cross it on foot ! To-day, indomitable though he be,
I shall yet overthrow Sagara with my shafts ; he who is bounded
49
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
by the shore and who is filled with a myriad waves ! I shall
wipe out that Ocean, the Abode of Varuna, that is inhabited by
great giants."
Speaking thus, bow in hand, his eyes dilated with anger,
Rama appeared exceedingly terrible, like unto the Fire at the
end of the world cycle. Grasping his formidable bow with its
barbed and fearful shafts more firmly, he caused the earth
to tremble as does Shatakraru with his thunderbolts. His
flaming and impetuous arrows, unrivalled in power, penetrated
the waters of the sea and struck terror in the serpents. And
those waves of the sea with their sharks and monsters, were
extremely agitated, so that with the roaring of the wind, a
formidable clamour arose. In a trice, the ocean became a mass
of clashing waves, throwing up spray, shells and fragments of
mother of pearl, and panic spread among the Pannagas of
flaming jaws and brassy eyes and amidst the mighty Danavas
in their abode, the depths of hell. Waves in their millions as
high as the Vindhya and Mandara Mountains rose from that
Lord of Waters with his crocodiles and great fish and the Ocean
emitted a loud roaring, amidst the breaking billows, with the
terrified serpents, demons and great crocodiles in flight.
Then Saumitri rushed towards Rama, who, in his burning
ardour, was stretching bis incomparable bow with loud
mutterings, crying: — "Stay! Stay!" and thus speaking, he
took hold of that weapon, saying : —
" Thou hast no need to act in this wise to accomplish thine
end and bring Sagara to subjection, O Foremost of Heroes !
Thy peers do not permit themselves to be overcome by anger !
Call to mind the forbearance of virtuous men ! "
At that instant, the Brahmarishis and celestial Rishis, who,
invisible, were stationed in the sky, cried out : — " Hold !
Hold ! do not act thus ! "
YUjDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 22
The Army crosses the Sea
Thereafter the Prince of the Raghus addressed the Ocean in
menacing tones, saying : —
" To-day I shall dry up the sea with the nether regions ! O
Sagara, with thy waters consumed by my shafts, thy denizens
slain by my blows, a great cloud of dust will arise from thy
drained bed and the monkeys will cross to the other shore on
foot!
"Thou hast sought to oppose me but art unaware of my
valour or my strength ! O Abode of the Danavas, being full of
pride, thou canst not foresee thy fate ! "
Thereafter, fixing an arrow resembling the Rod of Brahma
and placing it on his excellent bow, Raghava stretched that
weapon, and heaven and earth seemed to be riven, as it were,
and the mountains trembled, darkness covered the earth and
all the regions were obscured. Tremors ran through the lakes
and rivers ; the sun, moon and stars swerved in their course and
though the sky was lit by the sun's rays, it was enveloped in
darkness and blazed with a hundred meteors, whilst thunder
reverberated with an unparalleled sound in the firmament. The
five celestial Maruts blew and like massed legions tore up the
trees, dispersing the clouds in the twinkling of an eye, breaking
off the points of the rocks and shattering the mountain peaks.
In the sky, loud thunder claps resounded with immense power
and tumult. The invisible beings emitted cries of fear and,
lying prostrate on the earth in their agony, shook with terror,
convulsed and unable to move. Thereafter the Ocean with its
mass of water, serpents and demons surged beyond its confines
to the extent of a league, though the time of the final deluge was
not yet at hand ; nevertheless Rama, the descendant of Raghu,
scourge of his foes, did not retreat before the disordered heavings
of that Lord of Rivers and Streams !
Sagara himself rose out of the waves, like the day's orb rising
5*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
over the eastern mountain, Meru, and that Ocean appeared with
the Pannagas of naming jaws and he was of the hue of emerald,
adorned with gold ; wreaths of pearls festooned his attire and on
his head he bore a diadem of every kind of flower ; ornaments of
refined gold and pearls from his domain were his decoration.
Covered with gems and metals of every kind, resembling the
Himavat Mountain, the waters surging round him, he was
encircled by the clouds and winds, while the rivers Gunga and
Sindhu were his escorts.
Rising, the noble Sagara, escorted by the rivers with the Gunga
and Indus at their head, approached Rama with joined palms,
who stood arrows in hand, and, reflecting awhile the Ocean said: —
" Earth, wind, air, water and light, O Beloved Raghava,
remain fixed in their own nature. Neither from desire nor
ambition nor fear, O Prince, nor from affection am I able to
solidify my waters inhabited by sharks ; nevertheless I will make
it possible for thee to cross over them ! This is my resolve —
the sharks will remain inactive while the army makes its way
across and, for the monkeys, I shall become like the earth ! "
On this, Rama said to him : — "Hear me, O Thou who art the
refuge of Varuna ! This arrow of mine must accomplish its
intended end ! Where shall I let this mighty shaft fall ? "
Hearing Rama's words and seeing that formidable missile, the
exceedingly powerful Ocean replied : —
" To the north of this place is a sacred region, Drumakulya,
a name as renowned in the world as thine own ! There
innumerable robbers of fearful aspect and deeds, having Abhiras
as their chief, drink my waters. The vicinity of those perverse
beings is intolerable to me ; it is there, O Rama, that thou
shouldst loose thy shaft that never misses its target."
Thus spoke the magnanimous Sagara and Rama, in accord
with his wish, let fly that marvellous dart in his presence. And
the place, where that arrow resembling a flash of lightning fell, is
known in the world as the desert of Maru1. The earth pierced
by that dart emitted a loud cry and from its gaping wound the
waters of hell gushed forth. As the arrow fell, it created a
thunderous sound and the deep crater which is known as Vrana"
1 Mam — Malwar in Ragasthan.
1 Vrana— The Wound.
52
YUDJDHA KA*NDA
was filled with the water of the deeper springs ; it seemed as if
the earth was riven and wells and ponds appeared there. This
place became known as Marukantara and is famous in the Three
Worlds. Thereafter Rama, the son of Dasaratha, having dried
up the waters of the ocean, conferred a boon, saying : —
" This place shall be rich in pasturage and free from disease ;
it will abound in fruit, roots, honey, ghee and milk and be
fragrant with aromatic herbs ; thus it will remain retaining those
excellent qualities E "
In this way the Desert of Mara came to possess these manifold
features and by the grace of Rama's liberality, assumed a
pleasant aspect. When the waters had been dried up, Samudra,
the Lord of Streams and Rivers, said to Raghava, who was
skilled in the use of weapons : —
" My Friend, there stands Nala, the son of Vishvakarma,
whose father has overwhelmed him with gifts ; he is generous
and devoted ; great are the powers of that monkey ; let him
construct a bridge over my waters, I will uphold it ; Nala is as
skilled as his sire ! "
At these words the Ocean disappeared and Nala, that prince
of monkeys spoke to the valiant Rama thus : —
" Resorting to the skill I have inherited from my sire, I shall
build a bridge over the spacious and vast domain of aquatic
monsters ; what the Ocean has said is true !
" When one has to do with the ungrateful, in my opinion the
rod is the most salutory method for men ! A plague on forbear-
ance as also on generosity and kindness ! Assuredly Sagara, that
formidable mass of water, in fear of punishment, wished to see
a bridge constructed and out of fear was willing to suffer
Raghava to pass over it.
"My mother received a boon on the Mandara Mountain
from Vishvakarma, who said to her : — ' A son will be born to
thee who will resemble me, O Goddess ! '
"No one having questioned me, I have not spoken of my
powers but I can assuredly construct a causeway over Varuna's
domain ; from to-day let all the leading monkeys set to work 1 "
At Rama's command, those lions among the monkeys entered
the mighty forest with alacrity in hundreds and thousands on
every side and those leaders of the simian tribes, tearing up the
E 53
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
rocks, which in size they resembled, and the trees also dragged
them to the sea and they covered the ocean with Sala, Ashvakarna,
Dhava, Vamsha, Kutaja, Arjuna, Tala, Tilaka, Tinisha,
Balalaka, Saptaparna and Karnikarna Trees in full flower, as
also Cutas and Ashokas. Those foremost of monkeys trans-
ported those trees, with or without roots, bearing them like so
many standards of Indra and they heaped Talas and piles of
Dadina, Narikela, Bibhitaka, Kanya, Bakula and Nimba Trees
here and there. With the aid of mechanical devices, those
powerful colossi dug up stones as big as elephants and rocks, and
the water suddenly spouted into the air only to fell instandy.
Thereafter those monkeys churned up the sea by rushing into
it on all sides or pulling on the chains.
That immense causeway constructed by Nala in the bosom
of the sea was built by the arms of those monkeys of formidable
exploits and it extended over a hundred leagues.
Some brought trunks of trees and others set them up ; it was
by hundreds and thousands that those monkeys, like unto giants,
made use of reeds, logs and blossoming trees to construct that
bridge, rushing hither and thither with blocks of stone resembling
mountains or the peaks of crags, which, flung into the sea, fell
with a resounding crash.
The first day those monkeys resembling elephants, of immense
energy, full of high spirits and exceedingly merry, erected
fourteen leagues of masonry. The second day, those highly
active monkeys of formidable stature set up twenty leagues.
Bestirring themselves, those giants threw twenty-one leagues of
structure over the ocean on the third day and on the fourth,
working feverishly, they built up twenty-two leagues in extent.
The fifth day, those monkeys, industrious workers, reached to
twenty-three leagues distance from the further shore.
That fortunate and valiant son of Vishvakarma, leader of
monkeys, constructed a causeway worthy of his sire over the
ocean and that bridge erected by Nala over the sea, the haunt
of whales, dazzling in its perfection and splendour, was like the
constellation of Svati in space.
Then the Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas and supreme Rishis
assembling, stood in the sky, eager to see that masterpiece and
the Gods and Gandharvas gazed on that causeway, so difficult
54
YUDDHA KANDA
of construction that was ten leagues in width and a hundred in
length built by Nala.
Those monkeys thereafter dived, swam and shouted at the
sight of that unimaginable marvel that was almost inconceivable
and caused one to tremble ! And all beings beheld that causeway
thrown over the ocean and by hundreds and thousands of kotis,
those monkeys, full of valour, having built that bridge over the
immense repository of waters, reached the opposite shore.
Vast, well-constructed, magnificent with its wonderful paved
floor, solidly cemented, that great causeway like unto a line
traced on the waves, resembled the parting of a woman's hair.
Meanwhile Bibishana, mace in hand, held himself ready at
his post with his companions in case of an enemy attack.
Thereafter Sugriva addressed Rama, who was valiant by
nature, saying: —
" Mount on the shoulders of Hanuman and Lakshmana on
those of Angada. O Hero, vast is this ocean, the abode of
whales ; those two monkeys who freely range the sky will
transport you both ! "
Then the fortunate Rama and Lakshmana advanced thus and
that magnanimous archer was accompanied by Sugriva. Some
monkeys strode forward in the centre, some threw themselves
into the waves, some sprang into the sky, others marched on the
bridge, some ranged through space like birds, and the terrific
tumult of the tramping of that formidable army of monkeys,
drowned the roar of the ocean.
When those simian troops had passed over the sea by the grace
of Nala's causeway, the king ordered them to camp on the shore
which abounded in roots, fruits and water.
At the sight of that masterpiece that had materialized under the
command of Raghava, despite the difficulties, the Gods, who had
drawn near with the Siddhas and Charanas as also the great
Rishis, anointed Rama in secret there, with water from the sea
and said: —
" Mayest thou be victorious over thy foes, O Thou, who art a
God amongst men ! Do thou rule over the earth and the sea
eternally I "
Thus in various auspicious words did they acclaim Rama in
the midst of the homage offered to him by the brahmins.
55
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 23
Rama sees diverse Portents
The elder brother of Lakshmana beheld certain portents and
as their significance was known to him, he embraced Saumitri
and said : —
" O Lakshmana, occupying this region provided with fresh
water, and woods abounding in fruit, let us speedily divide these
innumerable forces and form ourselves into battalions ! Great
is the danger I foresee, boding destruction to the world and the
slaughter of the valiant bears, monkeys and titans.
"A dust storm is blowing up, die earth trembles and the
peaks of the mountains shake ; trees fall, clouds resembling wild
beasts emit a terrible roaring and let loose dreadful showers
mingled with blood ; there is an awe-inspiring twilight, lurid
like unto red sandalwood ; from the blazing sun, a circle of fire
falls ; filled with terror, wild beasts and birds with harsh voices
are raising mournful cries to the sun on every side. In the
night, the moon, bereft of brilliance, burning with a black and
red halo as it rises, resembles the destruction threatening the
world. A dark stain appears on the solar disc which is
diminished, sombre, without radiance and coppery. Behold, O
Lakshmana, a thick dust blots out the stars and seems to
foreshadow the end of the world ! Crows, eagles and vultures
fall wheeling, whilst jackals inspiring the greatest terror emit
sinister howls. Rocks, maces and spears, hurled by the monkeys
and demons, cover the earth which has become a morass of
flesh and blood.
"Without delay, attended by all the monkeys, let us, this very
day, attack this city difficult of access of which Ravana is the
support ! "
Thus spoke the Archer Rama, the subduer of the foe in conflict,
and, bearing his bow and arrows, he set forth in the direction of
56
YUDDHA KANDA
Thereupon all the valiant monkeys with Bibishana and Sugriva
at their head rose up crying destruction on their powerful foe
and the boisterous demonstration of those heroic monkeys,
made with the object of pleasing Rama, filled that son of the
House of Raghu with delight.
chapter 24
Shuka describes his Reception by tne Monkeys to Ravana
That army of warriors in well-ordered, formations looked
splendid with the radiance Rama conferred on it which resembled
the full moon on a starry night, and the earth, pressed under foot
by the energetic tread of that multitude like unto the sea, trembled
with fear.
Meanwhile those inhabitants of the woods heard a great
tumult arising in Lanka and the formidable rolling of drums and
clashing of gongs caused their hair to stand on end. This
clamour filled the leaders of the monkeys with joy and, in their
ardour, they emitted shouts that surpassed that uproar, and the
cheering of the Plavamgamas, resembling the rumble of thunder
in the skies, reached the ears of the titans.
Seeing Lanka dressed with many coloured banners, the son of
Dasaratha bethought himself of Sita and his heart was filled
with grief. He reflected — ' It is there that that youthful woman,
whose eyes resemble a gazelle's, is held captive by Ravana, like
Rohini when she is overpowered by the red-bodied planet '*.
Heaving long and burning sighs, that hero looked at
Lakshmana and spoke words fitting to the occasion to him : —
" See, O Lakshmana, this marvellous city, built by
Vishvakarma on the summit of the mountain, set aloft so that it
appears to lick the skies, where innumerable palaces cluster
like unto the aerial abode of Vishnu covered with white clouds ;
Lanka with its blossoming groves looks magnificent like
Chaitaratha which is filled with the song of birds of every kind
and glowing with fruit and flowers ! See how a gentle breeze
57
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sways the branches from which the birds dart, where bees swarm
and where cuckoos abound."
Thus did Rama, the son of Dasaratha address Lakshmana and
thereafter ranging his forces according to the traditional methods,
he issued the following commands to that army of monkeys.
" Let the valiant and invincible Angada place his troops in the
centre with the General Nila. Surrounded by the simian
battalions, Rishabha should establish himself on the right wing
of the army, and he who resembles an elephant in mustha, the
indomitable and courageous Gandhamadana, should place
himself at the head of the left flank. I shall go to the forefront
of the army with Lakshmana as mine aide-de-camp and
Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshin to spy out the
land.
" Those three high-souled ones, the leaders of the bears, should
protect the centre of the forces and the rearguard be under the
command of the Lord of Monkeys, as the western region is
dominated by the sun of brilliant rays."
The innumerable divisions being thus skilfully distributed,
that army, led by the foremost of monkeys armed with boulders
and huge trees, resembled the heavens with its mass of clouds ;
and those monkeys advanced on Lanka that they were eager to
destroy.
" It is with the peaks of mountains that we shall demolish
Lanka or if need be with our bare fists ! " such was the resolve
of those powerful monkeys.
At that instant the exceedingly valiant Rama said to Sugriva : —
" Our forces are properly marshalled, now let Shuka be
released ! **
Under the order of that Indra of Monkeys, who was full of
energy, Havana's agent was set at liberty. Released on Rama's
command and harassed by the monkeys, Shuka, in a frenzy of
terror went to seek out the King of the Titans, whereupon
Ravana with a sneer enquired of him : —
" What is the meaning of thy fettered wings ? Why are thy
flanks torn ? Hast thou fallen into the power of those capricious
monkeys ? "
Thereupon Shuka, wrought up with fear, pressed by his
exceedingly powerful sovereign, made this reply :—
58
YUDDHA KANDA
" Repairing to the northern shore of the sea in order to deliver
thy message faithfully by employing gentle and soothing tones,
those barbarous Plavamgamas, barely having caught sight of me,
hurled themselves upon me and began to beat and pound me
with their fists. It was quite impossible to enter into any form
of mediation with them or discuss anything ; those monkeys
are ferocious and violent by nature, O Lord of the Titans !
The slayer of Viradha, Kabandha and Khara, Rama, however,
who is accompanied by Sugriva, is searching for Sita. Having
thrown a bridge over the sea and traversed the salty waves, that
archer, Raghava, has come hither and sets the titans at nought.
" The bears and monkeys, gathering in thousands of divisions
equal to mountains or clouds, cover the earth. There is no more
possibility of an alliance between the monkeys and the titans
than between a God and a demon ! Before they reach the
ramparts decide quickly how thou wilt act ; either restore Sita
to Rama or enter into conflict with him ! "
Thus spoke Shuka and Ravana, his eyes red with anger,
looked at him as if he would consume him with his glance and
said: —
" Even had I to enter into conflict with the Devas, Gandharvas
and Danavas, I would not restore Sita, were the whole earth to
shake ! When will my shafts fall on Raghava as the intoxicated
bees fall on the blossoming trees in Spring ? When, with mine
arrows, shall I consume his body flowing with blood as flaming
torches destroy an elephant.
" His forces will suffer eclipse before my powerful army as the
brilliance of the stars at the rising of the sun. That son of
Dasaratha is not aware that I possess the strength of Sagara
and the swiftness of Manila, that is why he desires to meet me in
combat. Rama has not yet seen the shafts resembling venomous
serpents that repose in my quiver ; that is why he wishes to enter
into combat with me ! That Raghava is not yet conversant
with my great might nor with the Vina in the form of my bow
that I pluck with mine arrows, the bow-string producing a
formidable sound, the cries of the wounded its terrible accom-
paniment, the darts its innumerable notes and which, when I
enter the river of the enemy ranks as into a vast arena, I shall
cause to resound on the field of battle !
59
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"Neither the thousand-eyed Vasava in person nor Yams of
the fiery missiles nor Vaishravana himself is able to overcome me
in battle ! "
chapter 25
Havana sends out Shuka and Sarana to spy on the Monkeys
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, having traversed the ocean with
his army, the boastful Ravana addressed his counsellors Shuka
and Sarana, saying : —
" The entire army of monkeys has crossed the impassable
ocean on a bridge constructed by Rama, an unprecedented
exploit ! I never deemed it possible to throw a causeway over
the sea!
"Introduce yourselves into their ranks without being dis-
covered and inform meexactlyregardingthenumber and prowess
of those monkey leaders, the counsellors who customarily attend
on Sugriva and Rama and the scouts and warriors among them ;
further how the dyke was constructed over the waters of the sea ;
how the army advances, of their plans and of the strength and
weapons used by Rama and the courageous Lakshmana."
At this command, the two Titans, Shuka and Sarana, assuming
the form of monkeys, boldly entered into the simian ranks but
they were unable to count the monkey host which was endowed
with unimaginable energy causing the hair to stand on end and
which amidst the caves and waterfalls spread over the summits
of the mountains. From every side those divisions came, some
having crossed, some crossing and some still to cross, and those
who were arriving or had still to come, emitted loud roars and,
to those rangers of the night, resembled the infinite sea.
Now the illustrious Bibishana recognized Shuka and Sarana
under their disguise and arresting them denounced them to
Rama, saying : —
" Here are two followers of the King of the Titans who have
come to spy out conditions, O Conqueror of Hostile Citadels 1 **
60
YUDDHA KANDA
Terrified at the sight of Rama and despairing of their lives,
the two demons, with joined palms, said to him in great
fear: —
" 0 Most Cherished Issue of the House of Raghu, we have
been sent by Ravana to find out about the whole army ! "
Hearing these words, Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who
delighted in the welfare of all beings, smiling, answered them,
saying: —
" If you have inspected the whole army and examined their
positions carefully and fulfilled the mission entrusted to you,
then return in peace. But if there is anything you have not
investigated and you still wish to see, then Bibishana will show
it to you fully. Your arrest should not cause you any apprehen-
sion with regards your lives, you are envoys and, having laid
aside your arms, have been taken captive ; you do not merit
death!
" O Bibishana, set these two rangers of the night free, who have
come in disguise to spy on us with the intention of creating
division amongst their foes. And you, when you return to the
great Gty of Lanka, repeat my words faithfully to the King of the
Titans, saying : —
" ' That force on which thou didst rely when taking Sita away
from me, employ freely with the aid of thy troops and allies.
To-morrow at break of day, thou shalt see mine arrows demolish
the City of Lanka with its ramparts and arches as well as the army
of titans ! My dreadful ire will fall on thee and thy forces at
dawn, O Ravana, as the God bearing the Thunderbolt, Vasava,
discharges it on the Danavas!'"
Receiving this command, the two Titans, Shuka and Sarana,
admiring his justice, cried out : — " Mayest thou be victorious 1 "
and paid obeisance to Rama.
Returning to Lanka, they said to the Lord of the Titans : —
" Bibishana took us captive with the intention of slaying us,
O King, but Rama, he whose valour is immeasurable, seeing us,
let us go !
"In that place four of the foremost monkey leaders are
assembled who are equal to the Protector of the Worlds. Their
warriors, skilled in the use of weapons, of proved prowess, are
Rama the son of Dasaratha, the fortunate Lakshmana, Bibishana
61
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and the highly energetic Sugriva, whose strength is equal to the
great Indra's.
"Even without the monkeys themselves taking part, they are
able to penetrate into this City of Lanka with its walls and arches
and tear up the foundations and transplant them elsewhere.
Such is Rama's capacity and such his weapons that he could
overthrow the city single-handed, his three companions standing
by ! Under Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva's protection that
army is completely invincible even against the Gods and Asuras
combined ! Now that army of powerful and aggressive
monkeys, dwellers in the woods, is breathing war ; it is useless
to dispute with them. Make peace and restore Maithili to the
son of Dasaratha ! "
chapter 26
Sarana tells Ravana of the principal Leaders of the Monkeys
Hearing the sincere and courageous utterance of Sarana, the
King Ravana, answered :—
" Even did the Gods, Gandharvas and Danavas unitedly seek
to attack me and were all beings to tremble, I would not restore
Sita .; O Friend, having been roughly handled by the monkeys
thou dost fear them and for this deemest it opportune for me to
give up Sita ! What adversary is able to overcome me in war ? "
Having uttered this arrogant speech, Ravana, the Lord of the
Titans, in order to survey the horizon, proudly went up to his
palace that was as white as snow and as high as innumerable
palm trees. Accompanied by his ministers, Ravana, who was
transported with anger, swept the mountains, forests and ocean
with his glance and he beheld the entire region covered with
Plavamgamas.
Seeing that illimitable and invincible army of monkeys,
Ravana enquired of Sarana, saying : —
" Who are the leaders of these monkeys ? Who are their
warriors ? Who their princes ? Who are those marching at
their head in order to demonstrate their valour? Who are
62
YUDDHA KANDA
Sugriva's counsellors and his generals ? Tell me all, O Sarana !
What is the strength of these monkeys ? "
Sarana, thus interrogated by that Sovereign of the Titans
being well-informed, pointed out the leaders of those dwellers
in the woods to him.
He said : " That monkey who stands before Lanka roaring
amidst a hundred thousand leaders who escort him, whose
powerful voice shatters the whole city with its walls, gates and
arches, its rocks, forests and jungles and who is in command of
the army of the magnanimous Sugriva, Lord of all the Deer of
the Trees, is the valiant General NUa.
" He who holds his arms high and who tramples the earth under
his feet as he marches, that hero whose face is turned towards
Lanka and who, in fury, yawns convulsively, who resembles
the peak of a mountain in stature and the filaments of a lotus in
hue, who, in an excess of anger, continuously lashes out with
his tail, the swish of which is heard in the ten regions, that
warrior whom Sugtiva, the King of the Monkeys, installed as
heir-apparent, is named Angada and he is challenging thee to
combat. That warrior, the equal of his sire, Bali, is beloved of
Sugriva and as devoted to Raghava's interests as Varuna is to
Shakra's. That Janaka's daughter has been seen by Hanuman,
who is as swift as the wind and the servant of Raghava, is all due
to the advice of Angada. Having formed innumerable battalions
with the foremost of monkeys, that warrior is marching against
thee at the head of his army in order to destroy thee.
"Close to Bali's son and himself surrounded by a considerable
number of troops, the valiant Nala, the builder of the bridge,
stands ready on the battlefield.
" Those soldiers clad in saffron colour, who are stretching their
limbs, roaring and gnashing their teeth, are following the one
who boasts that he will overthrow Lanka with his forces : it is
Shveta of silver hue, who is exceedingly agile and brave ; that
intelligent monkey, a warrior renowned in the Three Worlds
has come to take his orders from Sugriva and will leave at once
to place the army of monkeys in strategic positions and inspire
enthusiasm amongst his divisions.
*' That one who formerly ranged the Mountain Ramya, that is
also called Samrocana on the borders of the Gaumati River and
63
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
which is covered with trees of varying fragrance, ruled over a
kingdom there, is the General Kumuda and that other, who
joyfully draws in his train hundreds and thousands of warriors
with long hair and immense tails hanging down, who are
coppery-coloured, yellow, black, white and matted, hideous to
look upon, is the intrepid Monkey Kanda. He yearns to fight
and boasts that he will destroy Lanka with his forces.
"The third, who resembles a tawny lion with a great mane
and whose gaze is fixed attentively on the city as if he wished to
consume it with his glances, who dwells mostly on the Mountains
Krishna and Sahya of the Vindhya Range of pleasing aspect, is
the General Rambha, O King. Three hundred koris of the
most valiant of monkeys who are formidable, impetuous, burning
with ardour surround him and follow in his steps for the purpose
of causing the destruction of Lanka by their blows.
"The one who is shaking his ears and yawning continuously,
who, when facing death remains immoveable and who never
retreats in the face of a hostile army but eyeing them askance
foams with rage ; he who lashes out with his tail and gnashes
his teeth, that hero of immense energy, wholly devoid of fear,
O King, has his abode on the ravishing Mountain of the Salveyas
and the name of that leader is Sharabha ; to him belong forty
hundred thousand monkeys named Viharas1.
" The one who is like unto a great cloud enveloping space and
who, surrounded by monkey warriors, resembles Vasava amidst
the Gods, whose voice like the roll of a drum, can be heard from
the midst of the monkeys, who is eager to fight, dwells in
Pariyatra, a mountain that is exceeded by none in height ;
that general ever invincible in combat is named Panasa. That
commander with fifty lakhs of lieutenants, each of whom leads
his own battalion, who shines resplendent amidst the host of
monkeys of terrifying bounds, who are encamped on the seashore
like unto a second ocean, he who resembles Dardura2 is called
General Vinata. In his wanderings he drinks the waters of the
Vena, that most excellent of rivers. His army is composed of
sixty thousand Plavamgamas and that monkey, named Krathana,
1 Viharas — "Those who roam about at will'.
1 Dardura — A mountain in the south, sometimes associated with Mount
Malaya.
YUDDHA KANDA
challenges thee to combat. His lieutenants are full of daring
and vigour and each commands a battalion. That monkey
whose body is well nourished and who is of the colour of red
ochre, who, in the pride of his strength ever holds the other
monkeys in contempt, is the illustrious Gavaya. He is advancing
towards thee full of fury and seventy hundred thousand warriors
accompany him ; he also boasts that he will lay Lanka waste with
his troops.
"Those invincible heroes may not be numbered and the
flower of their captains are each at the head of his own
particular force. "
CHAPTER 27
Sarana continues his Deposition
" I shall describe these valiant leaders that thou art able to
see, who are devoted to Raghava, full of prowess and who count
their lives as nought. That one, the hairs adhering to whose
enormous tail are coppery, yellow, black, white and hideously
matted and that stand on end, a tail that brilliant as the sun's
rays brushes the earth as he advances, is the Monkey Hara.
He is followed by hundreds and thousands of monkeys brandish-
ing trees, awaiting the moment to attack Lanka ; they are the
leaders of the Monkey King and in the service of the Simian
government.
" Those warriors, whom thou perceivest in such incalculable
numbers, that are no more able to be counted than the sands on
the limitless shores of the sea and who cover the mountains,
plains and rivers, ranged like sombre clouds, black as collyrium,
extremely ferocious and valiant fighters, are the bears ;
observe how they are advancing to confront thee, O King. In
their midst, surrounded on every side by them, like Parjanya
by storm clouds, is their sovereign of dreadful glance and
fearful aspect ; he inhabits Rikshavat, a very high mountain
and goes to slake his thirst at the Narmada River ; he is the lord
of all the bears and his name is Dhumra ! He has a brother,
65
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
younger than he, who resembles him in stature but who far
surpasses him in valour ; behold him, Jambavan, like unto a
mountain ! Of controlled senses, he is full of reverence for
his spiritual superiors and implacable in combat. His intelli-
gence greatly assisted Shakra in the war between the Gods and
the titans and he was the recipient of many boons. These
giants hurl down great rocks as large as clouds from the mountain
heights, which they have scaled, nor do they tremble in the face
of death. Shaggy, resembling Rakshasas or Pisachas, those
warriors of surpassing energy roam about in great numbers.
And that commander on whom the eyes of the monkeys are
fixed, who now leaps up in fury and then stands motionless,
that foremost of monkeys, O King, dwells on the Sahasraksha
Mountain, and the name of that exceedingly valiant leader is
Rambha.
" He who, walking on all fours touches the mountain a league
away with his flanks, whose chest is a league in height, who is not
surpassed by any quadruped in beauty is the renowned
Samnadana, the Grandsire of the Monkeys. Extremely skilful,
he formerly entered into combat with Shakra on the battlefield,
who was unable to defeat him, such is that superior leader.
" Another whose valour equals Indra's on the battlefield was
born of a youthful Gandharva maiden and Krishna vartman.
In the struggle between the Devas and Asuras he brought help
to the Celestials. That illustrious one sits beneath the Jambhu
tree on that mountain, the King of Peaks,1 frequented by
Kinneras, which constantly affords delight to thy brother, O
Lord of the Titans. It is near there that that fortunate one, that
powerful Lord of the Monkeys, General Krathana, whose
prowess is not confined to words and who ever eschews defeat,
sports. He is standing surrounded by thousands of monkeys ;
he also undertakes to crush Lanka 1
" The one who usually roams by the Ganges, sowing terror
among the elephants, remembering, as he does, the old quarrel
between elephants and monkeys, that leader with a voice of
thunder, who dwells in the mountain caves, subduing the tuskers
in the woods and uprooting the trees, that Prince of Monkeys,
like unto Indra himself, passes his life happily at the head of a
1 Kailasha.
66
YUDDHA KANDA
host of monkeys by the river that issues from the Himalayas or
Ushirabija, otherwise Mandara, the highest of mountains.
Hundreds and thousands and millions of monkeys, proud of
their strength and agility, full of prowess and fire, roaring loudly,
follow that indomitable warrior, their leader, named Pramathin.
It is he, resembling a great cloud propelled by the wind, whom
thou hast pointed out, surrounded by a furious band of intrepid
monkeys who stir up a cloud of yellow-coloured dust which the
wind carries in all directions. Those formidable and powerful
black-snouted Golangulas, numbering a hundred times a hundred
thousand, who, having assisted in the construction of the
causeway, have gathered growling round the General of the
Golangulas, named Gavaksha, threaten to demolish Lanka
themselves. There where, frequented by bees, the trees yield
fruit in every season, on that mountain encircled by the sun, the
brightness of which it equals, the radiance of which shed on
beast and bird, lends them the same brilliance, whose plateaus
are never forsaken by the magnanimous and great Rishis, whose
trees are laden with fruit possessed of every desirable savour,
where exceedingly rare honey abounds; on that golden and
ravishing mountain, the General Kesharin lives amidst those
delights, O King.
" There are sixty thousand wonderful golden mountains in the
midst of which Savarnimeru stands out, as thou amongst the
titans, O Ring ! It is on that mountain, that brown, white and
copper-coloured monkeys or those yellow as honey dwell, who
possess pointed teeth and nails and who resemble lions ; they
are as indomitable as tigers, the equals of Vaishvanara, with
their long coiled tails like unto serpents vomiting poison or like
elephants intoxicated with ichor as high as great hills, and they
roar like thunder ; their eyes are grey and round and when they
are on the march they create an appalling uproar ; all of them
stand looking on Lanka as if they were about to destroy it. In
their midst is the powerful leader who ever faces the sun ; he is
eager to conquer thee ; his name is renowned in the world, it is
Shatabali, O King, and he swears to destroy Lanka with his
troops. Courageous, powerful, full of daring, he prides himself
on his personal valour. In his devotion to Rama that monkey
will not spare his life.
67
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Nala, Nila, all those monkeys are
surrounded by ten kotis of fighters each, as also other leading
monkeys impossible to count, so great is their number, agile
inhabitants of the Vindhya Range. All, O Great King, are
exceedingly powerful, their stature is equal to high hills and all
are capable of levelling the earth by uprooting and razing its
mountains to the ground."
CHAPTER 28
Shuka in his turn enumerates the Enemy
Sarana having described the forces of the enemy to Havana, the
Lord of the Titans, Shuka, in his turn, took up the tale, saying : —
" Dost thou observe those resembling elephants intoxicated
with ichor, rising up like banian trees on the banks of the Ganges
or Sala Trees on the Himalayas ?
" O King, those warriors, able to change their form at will, are
irresistible, equal to the Daityas and Danavas and, in war, are
endowed with the valour of the Gods. They number twenty-one
million or more ; they are Sugriva's companions and Kishkindha
is their accustomed abode ; those monkeys born of the Gods and
Gandharvas are capable of assuming different shapes at will.
" The two who stand there, who resemble each other and nave
the appearance of Gods, are Mainda and Dvivida, none is their
equal in combat. Sanctioned by Brahma, they have drunk the
water of immortality and they boast that they will demolish
Lanka by their own prowess.
" As for that monkey whom thou seest there, resembling an
intoxicated elephant, who in strength and fury is able to churn
up the ocean itself, it is he who came to Lanka to find Vaidehi and
spy on thee, O Lord. That monkey whom thou perceivest, has
returned, he is the eldest son of Kesarin and his sire is said to
be Vayu ; he is Hanuman, who crossed the ocean. Able to
change his shape at will, that handsome and courageous warrior
is no more able to be stayed in his course than Satataga1 himself.
1 Satataga~The God of the Wind.
YUDDHA KANDA
"While yet a child, seeing the sun rise, he desired to eat it and,
springing up, followed it to a distance of three thousand leagues,
reflecting : — * I shall seize hold of Aditya and my hunger will
be appeased forever ! ' In this thought, intoxicated with his
own strength, he leapt into the air but was unable to reach that
God, who is invincible even to the Celestials, Rishis and Demons,
and he fell on the mountain where that radiant orb rises. In his
fall he fractured his jaw slightly on a rock and on account of the
strength of his jaw he was called Hanuman !
" By associating with those monkeys I was enabled to learn his
history, yet I am quite unable to describe his prowess, beauty
and vigour adequately. He plumes himself on being able to
destroy Lanka single-handed ; it was he who formerly set fire to
the city ; how is it that thou dost not remember him ?
" Nearby is a warrior, dark of hue with eyes like lotuses, the
Atiratha1 among the Ikshvakus ; his heroism is well known in
the world ; his sense of duty never wavers nor does he ever
swerve from righteousness ; he knows how to loose Brahma's
weapon and is conversant with the Veda ; indeed he is the most
learned of Vedic scholars ; he shatters the firmament with his
arrows and rends the earth; his ire is equal to Mrityu's and he
resembles Indra in valour ; his consort is Sita, whom thou didst
bear away from Janasthana ; he is Rama, who has come to wage
war on thee, O Ring.
" He who stands on his right, radiant as gold refined in the
crucible, with a broad chest, reddened eyes and dark curly
locks, is Lakshmana, who is devoted to his brother's interests
and fortune ; a general and a seasoned soldier, he knows better
than any how to handle every weapon. Full of ardour,
invincible, victorious, brave, accustomed to success and
powerful, he has ever been Rama's right hand and his very
life's breath. Where it concerns Raghava he would never be
the one to seek to preserve his life. He has also sworn to
exterminate all the titans in battle.
" He who stands on Rama's left and who is surrounded by a
group of titans, is Bibishana, whom that king of kings has
installed as sovereign of Lanka ; he, filled with ire, is advancing
in order to enter into conflict with thee !
1 Atiratha — Chief warrior.
» 69
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" The other whom thou seest standing in the centre like an
immoveable rock, rules over the foremost of those deer of tht
branches ; his prowess is immeasurable ; for energy, glory,
intelligence, strength and nobility, he stands out among those
monkeys as Himavat amongst the mountains. He dwells with
the principal monkey leaders in Kishkindha with its groves and
trees, an inaccessible citadel of impenetrable approaches,
excavated from the mountains. He wears a golden chain,
wrought with a hundred lotuses in which Lakshmi, who sym-
bolises prosperity, beloved of Gods and men, dwells. That
chain, his consort Tara and the eternal empire of the monkeys,
were conferred on Sugriva by Rama after he had slain
Bah.
" O King, a hundred thousand multiplied by a hundred, is
called a koti and a hundred thousand such kotis make one
shanku. A hundred thousand shankus make one maha-
shanku, a hundred thousand maha-shankus make one vrinda.
A hundred thousand vrindas make a maha-vrinda and a hundred
thousand mana-vrindas make a padma. A hundred thousand
padmas make a maha-padma and a hundred thousand maha-
padmas make a kharva. A hundred thousand kharvas make a
samudra and a hundred thousand samudras make an ogna.
A hundred thousand ognas make a maha-ogna. That Lord of
the Monkeys as also Bibishana with his counsellors are sur-
rounded by a hundred thousand shankus, plus a hundred
thousand maha-vrindas, a hundred padmas, a hundred thousand
maha-padmas, a hundred kharvas, a samudra and a maha-ogna.
a koti of maha-ognas and a thousand samudras, and that Sugriva
has come to make war on thee !
"Powerful is that army following the King of the Monkeys,
who is ever strong and brave. In the presence of those forces
that resemble a blazing meteor, O Great King, prepare thyself
to vanquish the enemy and take measures to avoid defeat ! "
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 20.
Ravana sends out fresh Spies
Beholding those foremost of monkey leaders pointed out by
Shuka — the valiant Lakshmana, Rama's right arm, his own
brother Bibishana standing close to Raghava, the King of all
the Monkeys, Sugriva, of exceeding prowess, the heroic Angada,
grandson of the Bearer of the Thunderbolt, the powerful
Hanuman and the invincible Jambavan, Sushena, Kumuda,
Nila and Nala, those paragons among the monkeys, Gaja,
Gavaksha, Sharabna, Mainda and Dvivtda — Ravana, his heart
agitated, became enraged and began to inveigh against those two
heroes, Shuka and Sarana, who had completed their report.
In a voice strangled with fury, he overwhelmed them with
reproaches as they stood with bowed heads before him, saying : —
" In sooth it is scarcely fitting that such unpleasing words
should be uttered by loyal servants to their king who has the
power to mete out punishment or reward. That you should
both hymn the praises of the foe belonging to an alien race who
has come here to attack me, is unbecoming ! In vain have you
sat at the feet of your elders, spiritual preceptors and the aged,
since the essential traditions of the scriptures do not rule your
lives or, if you have imbibed them, you have not remembered
them ; you are over-burdened with ignorance ! Having such
unintelligent servants as you are, it is a miracle that I am still
able to wield the sceptre. Have you no fear of death that you
dare address me thus insolently, I, whose tongue dispenses
good and evil ?
"Even in contact with fire, the forest trees may remain
standing but an evil-doer cannot escape the condemnation of his
sovereign ! Did the remembrance of your past services not
moderate mine ire, I should certainly punish you miserable
wretches by death, who thus hymn the praises of mine
adversaries.
" Begone ! Go hence, leave my presence ! Having regard for
your past services I shall not put you to death. You are already
71
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dead, ungrateful creatures, since you have no devotion for me ! "
Hearing these accusations, which covered them with confusion,
Shuka and Sarana paid obeisance to Ravana, saying : — " Be
thou victorious ! " and withdrew.
Then Dashagriva said to Mahodara who stood beside him : —
" Bring me other emissaries quickly ! "
At this command, that Ranger of the Night, Mahodara,
without delay summoned spies and these presenting themselves
in all haste before the king, hailed him with joined palms and
expressed their desire to see him victorious.
Thereupon Ravana, the Lord of the Titans, said to those
agents who were full of confidence, courage and zeal and were
fearless : —
" Go and find out Rama's plans, who are his ministers and
who stand nearest to him in counsel and friendship, what are
his hours of sleeping and waking and what he intends to do next.
"A wise monarch who discovers all that concerns his adversary
through his spies, needs to exert himself only to a moderate
degree to overcome his enemy on the field of battle."
"May it be so!" answered the emissaries full of joy and,
placing Shardula at their head, they honoured their sovereign
by circumambulating him. Having paid obeisance to that
powerful Lord of the Titans, those spies set out for where Rama
and Lakshmana were to be found.
Leaving in disguise they observed Rama, Lakshmana,
Sugriva and Bibishana near the Mountain Suvela. Beholding
that army they were seized with terror and as they stood there,
the righteous Prince of the Titans, Bibishana, recognized them
and arrested them but Shardula alone was held captive,
Bibishana saying : — " This one is the traitor ! '*
Rama however released Shardula also, who was being
harassed by the monkeys, having already in his compassion given
the other titans their freedom.
Beaten by those impetuous and agile monkeys, they returned
to Lanka, groaning and beside themselves : and those emissaries,
valiant rangers of the night, who were wont to penetrate inn)
enemy territory, returned to Dashagriva and informed him that
Rama's army was camping in the neighbourhood of the Suvela
Mountain.
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 30
Sfiardula gives an Account of his Mission to Ravana
The King of Lanka's spies informed him that Rama was camping
with his great army near Mount Suvela and, hearing from them
of Rama's approach at the head of a vast host, he was perturbed
and said to Shardula : —
" Thou appearest to be unmanned which is alien to thy
nature, O Ranger of the Night ! Can it be that thou hast fallen
a victim to those savage monkeys ? "
Thus questioned by that tiger among the titans, Shardula,
trembling with fear, answered in a faint voice, saying : —
" O King, it is impossible to spy on those lions among the
monkeys, who are full of energy and prowess and protected by
Raghava nor can one interrogate them in order to find out
anything ! On all sides the approaches are guarded by monkeys
as big as hills.
" Scarcely had I penetrated into their ranks when I was recog-
nized and forcibly seized and myself interrogated in every way
by those monkeys, who attacked me with their knees, fists,
teeth and the palms of their hands ; thereafter I was led through
the entire army by those pitiless monkeys who, having paraded
me everywhere, brought me into Rama's presence, exhausted
and bewildered, my limbs covered with blood and wounds.
They wished to murder me despite my supplications made
with joined palms, when, fortunately I was saved by Rama who
cried * Stay ! * * Stay ! '
"That prince who has filled the sea with boulders and crags is
encamped at the gates of Lanka, well equipped with weapons,
his forces arranged in the form of Garuda1 and he is surrounded
on all sides by monkeys. Having set me free, he is there full of
energy advancing on Lanka I Ere he reaches the ramparts,
do one thing or the other with all speed, either return Sita to
him immediately or give him battle ! "
1 In spread eagle formation.
73
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having reflected on what he had just heard, the King of the
Titans, Ravana, made this significant reply : —
** Even were the Gods, Gandharvas and Danavas to arraign
themselves against me and were the whole world in peril, I
would not restore Sita."
Then that exceedingly powerful one added : —
" Thou hast explored the ranks of their army, who are the
warriors among the Plavamgamas ? What is the measure of
their prowess ? Who are these invincible monkeys ? Whose
sons and grandsons are they ? Tell me the truth, 0 Faithful
Friend ! "
Thus interrogated, Shardula, the most skilled of envoys,
began to speak thus in Ravana's presence : —
" First there is the son of Riksharajas, invincible in war, O
King, and the son of Gadgada. There follows another son of
Gadgada and the son of the spiritual preceptor of Shatakratu,
the father of the monkey who slew so many titans. Thereafter
comes the virtuous Sushena, the valiant son of Dharma, then
Saumya born of Soma, O King, and the monkey Dadimukha
and Sumukha, Durmukha and Vegadarshin, the equals of
Mrityu, whom Swyambhu formerly begot in the form of
monkeys, and further there is the great Nila himself, the son
of the Bearer of the Sacrificial Offerings1 and the son of the
Wind, Hanuman. Then there is the grandson of Shakra, the
youthful, invincible and courageous Angada, and Mainda and
Dvivida who are both valiant and equal to the Ashvins. Five
are the sons of Vivasvata who resembles Time as the Destroyer,
Gaja, Gavaya, Gavaksha, Sharabha and Gandharaadana.
" There are ten kotis of monkeys full of prowess and martial
ardour and I was unable to count the rest of those fortunate
children of the Gods.
" That son of Dasaratha with the body of a lion, that youth,
Rama, to whom none in the world can be compared for valour,
slew Dushana, Khara, Trishiras and Viradha who fell under
his blows, as also Kabandha, the equal of Antaka. No one is
able to describe Rama's qualities by whom the titans who went
to Janasthana were slain.
*' There too is the virtuous Lakshmana like unto the foremost
1 The God of Fire.
74
YUDDHA KANDA
of elephants, Matanga, in the path of whose shafts Vasava
himself could not survive ! There are also Shveta and
Jyotirmukha, both born of Bhashkara and the son of Varuna, the
monkey Hemaketu. The heroic son of Vishvakarma, the
foremost of monkeys Nala, and the impetuous son of Vasu,
Durdhara.
" Finally there is that prince of the titans, thy brother Bibishana,
on whom Rama has conferred the City of Lanka as the reward
for his devotion. Thus I have described the entire army of
monkeys stationed on the Mount Suvela ; it is for thee to decide
what remains to be done ! "
chapter 3 I
Havana deceives Sita about the Death of Rama
Meanwhile the king's spies spread the tidings in Lanka that
Raghava was encamped with his powerful forces on Mount
Suvela.
Ravana, who knew, through bis emissaries, of Rama's arrival
at the head of a vast army, somewhat perturbed, said to his
attendants :—
" Let all the ministers assemble here immediately ! O Titans,
the time has come to take counsel together ! "
On this command, his counsellors instantly came together
and he entered into conference with those loyal titans, then,
having duly deliberated with them concerning the immediate
measures to be taken, Durdharsha1 dismissed them all and
returned to his abode.
Taking with him the Titan Vidyujjihva, a powerful and skilled
magician, he turned his steps towards the place where Maithili
was to be found. Thereafter the King of the Titans said to
Vidyujjihva, who was proficient in magic : —
" With thy spells, create an illusion in order to deceive
Janaka's daughter! Do thou produce a head resembling
1 Durdharsha-— A name given to Havana meaning 'Dreadful,
Unapproachable '.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Raghava's and a mighty bow, its arrows set, and then present
thyself before me ! "
On this command, that Ranger of the Night, Vidyujjihva,
answered " Be it so " and displayed his powers as a magician,
whereupon Ravana, satisfied, bestowed rich attire upon him.
In his impatience to behold Sita once again, that mighty
monarch of the Nairritas entered the Ashoka Grove and the
younger brother of Dhanada beheld that unfortunate One who
did not deserve her fate, her head bowed, plunged in grief,
lying on the ground in the Ashoka Grove where she had been
banished, absorbed in the thought of her lord, hideous titan
women seated not far distant from her.
Then Ravana, approaching, manifested his gratification and
addressed that daughter of Janaka in confident tones, saying : —
" O Beautiful One, he in whom thou didst trust at the time
when thou didst repel me when I sought to console thee, that
murderer of Khara, thy consort Raghava, has been slain in
combat. Thy roots are completely severed and thy pride
humbled by me ; in consequence of the calamity that has over-
taken thee, thou art mine I Give up thy resolution therefore,
what wilt thou do with one dead ? O Beautiful One, become the
chief Queen over all my consorts, thou who till now hast
enjoyed so little happiness, thou who art without resources ! O
Foolish One, who deemest thyself wise, hear how, like unto
the destruction of Vritra, thy lord was slain !
" In order to destroy me, Raghava alighted on the shore of the
sea surrounded by a vast army assembled by the King of the
Monkeys. Having ranged the northern shore with his great
legions, Rama struck camp when the sun set. Sending out
my spies to reconnoitre, they came upon that host stationed
there overcome with fatigue, fast asleep at midnight..
" Under the command of Frahasta, my great forces destroyed
them during the night and Rama and Lakshmana were amongst
them. The titans, wielding harpoons, maces, discus, daggers,
sticks, great arrows, spears, shining Kutamudgaras, picks,
lances, darts, millstones, massed weapons and a hail of missiles,
made use of them again and again in order to stiike down the
monkeys. Thereafter the impetuous Prahasta with a steady
hand severed the head of the sleeping prince with his sword,
76
YUDDHA KANDA
" Bibishana, who was wandering about aimlessly, was taken
captive whilst Lakshmana and the monkey warriors fled in all
directions. Sugriva, the King of the Plavagas had his neck
broken, O Sita ; Hanuman of the fractured jaw was slain by the
titans. Jamba van, while attempting to rise from his knees
perished in the m&ee like an axed tree pierced by innumerable
harpoons. Mainda and Dvivida, those two great scourgers of
their foes, the foremost of monkeys, groaning and breathless,
their limbs bathed in blood were cut to pieces by the sword, and
Panasa, crying for help, was stretched on the earth under a tree
of the same name. Pierced by countless Narachas, Darimukha
is lying in a pit and the exceedingly valiant Kumuda died
shrieking, under a hail of missiles. Angada, assailed on all
sides by titans, pierced by innumerable shafts, vomiting blood,
fell on the earth and the monkeys themselves were crushed by
elephants and mowed down like clouds before the wind.
" The enemy fled in terror under the blows of the titans, who
followed on their heels like lions pursuing great elephants.
Some flung themselves into the sea, others took refuge in the
sky ; the bears with the monkeys climbed the trees whilst the
titans of fierce glance brought about a great carnage amongst
the Pingalas in the midst of the rocks and woods on the shores
of the ocean. It was thus that thy consort perished with his
forces ! Here is his head, which was gathered up, dripping
with blood and besmeared with dust ! "
Thereafter that abominable Ravana, the Lord of the Titans,
said to the titan women in the hearing of Sita : —
"Bring hither Vidyujjihva of cruel deeds, who himself
brought back Raghava's head from the field ! "
Then Vidyujjihva, holding the head and the bow, bowed
before Ravana, whereupon the King said to that Titan
Vidyujjihva of the long tongue, who stood before him :—
" Let Sita speedily behold the head of Dasaratha's son so that
she may see clearly the sad end of her lord. "
On this command, the titan threw the cherished head at
Sita's feet and immediately went away. Ravana, however,
brandishing that great and brilliant bow, cried out : —
" Here is Rama's bow famed in the Three Worlds ! This is
the bow with its cord stretched belonging to Rama that Prahasta
77
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
brought back from the field after he had slain that hero in the
night ! "
Speaking thus, he cast the bow on the ground near the head,
which had been thrown down by Vidyujjihva, and thereafter he
addressed that illustrious daughter of the King of Videha,
saying : —
" Now submit thyself to my desire ! "
chapter 32
Sita*s Despair
Beholding that head and the marvellous bow and remembering
the alliance with Sugriva of which Hanuman had spoken ; seeing
those eyes and the hue of the countenance resembling that of
her lord and the locks at the fringe of which a jewel shone on
the brow, all those signs that convinced her of her misfortune,
that wretched woman began to inveigh against Kaikeyi and
cry out like an osprey, exclaiming : —
" Rest content, O Kaikeyi ! He, who was the delight of his
House is dead and, through thee, the entire race has perished,
O Sower of Discord ! What had the noble Rama ever done to
Kaikeyi that she should have presented him with a robe of bark
and sent him to the forest ? "
Speaking thus, Vaidehi began to tremble and that young
ascetic fell to the ground like a plantain cut to the roots. After
a time the youthful large-eyed woman, regaining her breath
and consciousness, approached the head and gave herself up
to lamentation, crying : —
" Alas ! I am undone ! O Great-armed Warrior, faithful to
thine heroic vow, bereft of thee, I have fallen into the lowest
depth of calamity. It is said that for a woman, the death of her
husband is the greatest of misfortunes ! Virtuous consort of a
faithful companion, thou hast preceded me in death ! I have
fallen into the last extremity and am swallowed up in an ocean
of grief, since thou hast been struck down, thou who else had
risen to deliver me! My mother-in-law, Kaushalya, who
78
YUDDHA KANDA
cherished thee tenderly, thou, her son Raghava, now resembles
a cow that has lost its calf. Those who boast that they can
foretell the future prophesied a long life for thee ; false were
their words, for thou hast barely lived, O Rama, or does prudence
perchance sometimes desert those who are usually prudent as thou
wert, for time, the master of all beings brings all to maturity ?
How has death been able to steal upon thee unawares, O Thou,
versed in the law of polity and the science of expediency, who
wert so skilled in warding off evil ? For having clasped me in
thine arms, that cruel and inhuman night of death has robbed
thee of existence by force, O Lotus-eyed One. Here art thou,
lying on the ground, O Long-armed Warrior, having deserted
me for the earth, thy more cherished love, O Lion among Men !
O Hero, here lies thy golden bow so dear to me, which I
anointed with perfumes and decorated with garlands ! Thou
art now re-united in heaven with thy Sire Dasaratha, my
father-in-law and all thine ancestors, O Irreproachable
Prince!
" Thou dost disdain to rejoin the saintly race of Rajarishis, who
through the merit of their virtuous conduct have taken their
places amongst the constellations. Why dost thou not look on
me, O King ? Why dost thou not speak to me, I, thy spouse,
who joined my youth to thine ? Dost thou not recall the promise
made to me when, taking my hand in thine, thou didst say * I
shall be thy companion ? ' O Kakutstha, take me with thee,
wretched as I am!
" Why, leaving this world for the other hast thou abandoned
me in mine affliction, O Thou, the wisest of Sages ? Wild
beasts are tearing that beautiful body, now a corpse, which was
formerly perfumed by my hands with divine essences. Having
performed the Agnihotra and other sacrifices, accompanied
by the bestowal of splendid gifts in charity, how is it that
thou art not honoured by the performance of that same
ceremony ?
Kaushalya, a prey to grief will see Lakshmana alone return
of the three who went into exile On her enquiry he will inform
her of the destruction of thine allies and how thou wert slain
while asleep, whilst I was taken into the abode of the titans,
whereupon her heart will break ; Kaushalya will not survive,
79
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
O Ragbava ! Miserable creature that I am, it is on my account
that the irreproachable Rama who is full of valour, having
crossed the ocean has perished in the footprint of a cow. It
was in an ill-judged moment that the son of Dasaratha wedded
me, I, the obloquy of my race, for thus did the illustrious Rama
wed death. Without doubt in a previous existence I refused a
rare gift,1 1 who to-day weep for my lord, who here was dear to
all.
" O Ravana, unite the wife with the husband and, without
delay, let me die near Rama. Join my head with his head and
my body with his body ; O Ravana, let me follow in the path
of my magnanimous lord ! "
Thus in her burning grief did that large-eyed princess, born
of Janaka, lament on seeing the head and bow of her lord and,
as Sita was thus bewailing, a titan, who was standing guard at
the gate, ran to his master with joined palms, crying : —
" Mayest thou be victorious, O Noble Lord ! " thereafter,
approaching, he informed him of the arrival of Prahasta, the
leader of the army, saying : —
" Prahasta, accompanied by all the ministers, has come hither
to find thee ! O Mighty Monarch, thou whom the burden of
royalty has rendered forbearing, accord him audience for some
urgent decision must be taken ! "
Hearing these words of the titan, Dashagriva left the Ashoka
Grove and went to join his counsellors. Then, having deliber-
ated with them as to what action to pursue, he entered the council
chamber and issued his commands in accordance with the
knowledge he possessed of Rama's forces.
Meanwhile the instant Ravana had departed, the illusory
head and bow vanished.
Then the King of the Titans, in consultation with his highly
powerful ministers, decided on the measures he would adopt
against Rama. All the generals devoted to his interests stood
near and Ravana the Lord of the Titans resembled Death the
Destroyer while he addressed them, saying :
" With the beating of drums, summon all the forces without
further explanation ! "
1 Refused a rare gift — Some Commentators interpret this as having
obstructed a marriage.
so
YUDDHA KANDA
" So be it ! " they answered obedient to his commands and
instantly gathered the vast army together and, when they were
all assembled, informed the king who was burning to fight.
chapter 3 3
Sarama consoles Sita
Seeing Sita in distress, that dear Vaidehi whom she loved so
tenderly, a female titan named Sarama approached her and, with
gentle words, sought to console her, overwhelmed as she was
with the grief and anguish into which that Indra among the
titans had plunged her.
The affectionate Sarama, beholding Sita distraught, resembling
a mare, who having rolled in the dust has just risen, reassured
her and, in her deep devotion for that virtuous princess, said
to her : —
" That which Ravana uttered and what thou thyself didst
reply was overheard by me as I stood concealed in the solitary
grove, for where thou art the cause, I have no fear of Ravana,
O Lady of Large Eyes ! And I have also learnt, through my
perspicacity, why that Lord of the Titans has gone hence in
fear, O Maithili.
" It is not possible to take the prudent Rama by surprise
during sleep nor can one slay the foremost of those conversant
with the Self nor is it possible to wipe out the monkeys who fight
with trees and who are under Rama's protection like the Gods
under the King of the Celestials. With his long rounded arms,
that broad-chested powerful archer, full of fire, clad in mail,
who is essentially virtuous and renowned in the world, has, with
the support of his brother Lakshmana, ever known how to defend
himself and others ; he, that illustrious warrior versed in the
science of politics and warfare, the exterminator of hostile
battalions, of inconceivable courage, nay that fortunate Raghava,
the scourge of his foes, has not perished, 0 Sita.
" Perverse in thought and action, that tyrant who oppresses
all beings, made use of magic to deceive thee. Banish thy
8i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
grief, great happiness awaits thee ! Assuredly thou art beloved
of Lakshmi ; now hear some pleasant tidings, O Blessed One !
" Having crossed the ocean with his army of monkeys, Rama
has come to the southern shore where he has encamped. I
perceive that Kakutstha, who is accompanied by Lakshmana,
has fully attained his purpose, he is secure in the midst of
innumerable allies who have halted on the shores of the
sea.
" Zealous titans sent out to reconnoitre by Ravana have
brought him news of Raghava's crossing the ocean. Learning
of this, O Large-eyed Princess, he held a council of his ministers."
While Sarama, the titan woman, was conversing thus with
Sita, a terrifying clamour issuing from the full-throated titans
came to her ears and a great din of gongs struck with sticks
could be heard. Thereupon the gentle-speaking Sarama said
to Sita : —
" Listen to that formidable clang of gongs struck with sticks
which resembles thunder. Intoxicated elephants are saddled
and steeds harnessed to chariots ; hosts of combatants are to be
seen with darts in their hands mounted on their horses, fully
equipped, rushing hither and thither in their thousands. The
royal highways are choked with soldiers wonderful to behold,
leaping and roaring like the waves of the sea. Glittering
armour, breast-plates, shields, chariots, horses and elephants
belonging to the titans full of fire and courage, surging forward,
follow in the wake of their king. See how they send forth shafts
of light of every hue. That multitude of titans indicates that a
terrible calamity is about to descend on them causing the hair
to stand on end.
" Rama, thy consort, whose eyes resemble lotus petals, like
unto Vasava the Vanquisher of the Daityas, will win thee back
by slaying Ravana in combat by his unimaginable prowess,
whereupon, his anger appeased, he will take thee away. Thy
lord with Lakshmana will fall on the titans as Vasava with
Vishnu on his enemies the Daityas. I shall soon see thee in the
lap of Rama who has come hither, all thy desires fulfilled and
the tyrant fallen. Tears of joy will fall from thine eyes, O
Janaki, when thy lord, re-united with thee, will hold thee
clasped to his breast. Ere long, O Divine Sita, that mighty
82
YUDDHA KANDA
Rama will loosen the plait that hangs down thy back which thou
hast worn these many months.
" Beholding his radiant countenance resembling the full
moon, O Queen, thou wilt renounce thy tears, born of grief, as
the female snake casts off its slough.
" Having destroyed Ravana in combat, he will assuredly not
delay in rejoicing thee, O Maithili, thou, his beloved, so that he
may enjoy the felicity he merits. Embraced by the magnani-
mous Rama, thou shalt be happy, even as the open field bringing
forth a harvest under plenteous showers. Do thou now seek
refuge with him, O Queen, that sun, thine haven, which spreads
from here to the highest of mountains, like a steed that courses
rapidly in its path, he is the Lord of all beings ! "
chapter 34
Sarama spies on Ravana's Plans
Sita, who had been overwhelmed with misery on hearing
Ravana's words, was comforted and rendered happy by Sarama,
as the parched earth by rain. Desiring to be of further service
to her friend, the affectionate female titan, skilled in the know-
ledge of time and place, smiling, began to speak in apposite
terms, saying : —
" O Dark-eyed Lady, I am able to carry a message of goodwill
from thee to Rama and return secretly, for when I am journeying
in the sky, that is extended without support, not even Pavana or
Garuda can follow in my wake."
Thus spoke Sarama, and Sita, her voice no longer charged
with grief, answered in gentle and caressing tones, saying : —
" Thou art capable of ascending to heaven itself or descending
into the nethermost regions. Learn what is best for thee to do,
if thine intention is to please me and thy resolve is fixed. I
wish to know what Ravana is doing now. That powerful
magician, the ruthless Ravana, a real Ravana1 to his foes, has
bemused me with his wickedness as wine recently imbibed ;
* Ravana — One who causes others to roar or cry out,
83
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
he threatens me continually and insults me unceasingly while
titans of frightful aspect surround me ; I am a prey to terror and
my spirit is uneasy. He causes me to tremble with fear in this
Ashoka Grove where I am confined. If in the assembly there
be any talk of delivering me or keeping me captive, then com-
municate the decision taken to me and thou wilt render me a
great service."
Thus spoke Sita and Sarama answered in gentle tones, wiping
the tears from her face the while : —
" If this be thy wish, I will go at once and when I have
discovered his design, I will return, O Maithili, O Daughter of
Janaka ! "
With these words she returned to where Ravana was to hear
what decision he had taken with his ministers.
Having listened secretly and learnt of the plans that perverse
wretch had made, she returned to the enchanting Ashoka Grove.
On entering there, she beheld the daughter of Janaka waiting
for her, like unto Lakshmi bereft of her lotus.
Thereupon Sita ardently embraced Sarama who had returned
and addressed her in friendly tones, offering her hei own seat,
saying : —
" Rest at ease and tell me exactly all that the ruthless Ravana
of perverse soul has resolved to do."
Then Sarama described the whole interview of Ravana with
his ministers to the trembling Sita, saying : —
" The mother of the King of the Titans, through an aged
counsellor, who is devoted to her, insisted again and again that
they should let Vaidehi go, saying : —
" 'Let them return Maithili honourably to that King of Men 1
His astonishing exploits in Janasthana should be a lesson to
thee ; what mortal could have accomplished the crossing of the
ocean, the discovery of Sita by Hanuman and the carnage of
the titans in combat ? *
" Thus did the elderly minister and his mother exhort him
but be is no more capable of giving up his treasure than a miser
his gold. He will never set thee free unless he is slain in combat,
O Maithili ; such is the resolve of that wicked wretch made with
his counsellors ; impelled by death his determination is fixed.
Fear will never cause Ravana to let thee go ; nor will he do so
84
YUDDHA KANDA
till he is struck down by weapons or all the titans and he himself
have succumbed. When he has destroyed Ravana with bis sharp
arrows in combat, Rama will take thee back to Ayodhya, O
Dark-eyed Lady ! "
At that moment the cheering of the whole army blended
with the roll of drums and the blare of trumpets arose and the
earth shook. That tumult raised by the monkey forces was
heard by the adherents of the King of the Titans, who were
assembled in Lanka, and their spirits fell. Seeing no hope on
account of their sovereign's offence they were plunged in
despondency.
CHAPTER 3 5
Malyavan advises Ravana to make peace
It was to the beating of gongs and the blare of trumpets that
the long-armed Rama, the conqueror of hostile cities, approached
Lanka and, on hearing this tumult, the Lord of the Titans
paused a moment to reflect and then addressed his ministers.
The mighty Ravana, in a voice that resounded through the
hall, began to decry Rama, bis valour, the strength of bis arms
and his crossing of the ocean, saying : —
" I have heard all that is reported of Rama ; I know too of
your courage in the field, yet, on beholding that valiant warrior,
you now look on each other in silence ! "
Thereupon hearing the words of Ravana, whose maternal
grandfather he was, the highly intelligent Titan Malyavan
answered him thus : —
" O King, that monarch who is versed in the fourteen sciences,
who follows polity, rules an empire over a long period and
overcomes his adversaries, who concludes peace or wages
war at a fitting time, advances his own party and attains
great power. A monarch should ally himself to one stronger
than himself or to an equal ; he should never underrate a foe and
if he is more powerful, should make war on him. On this
account X counsel an alliance with Rama and the return of Sita
o 85
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
who is the actual cause of the dispute. Devas, Rishis, Gand-
harvas, all desire him to triumph ; do not wage war but resolve
to make peace with him !
" The blessed Grandsire created two paths that rest either on
righteousness or unrighteousness, the path of the Gods and the
path of the titans. Righteousness is the path of the magnani-
mous Immortals and unrighteousness that of the demons and
titans. When virtue consumed evil, it was the Krita Age and
when wrong-doing swallowed up virtue, the Tishya planet was
in the ascendant and thou, adopting unrighteousness, didst
range the worlds destroying virtue ; it is on account of this that
thy foes have waxed powerful ! The serpent of evil, nourished
by thy folly, is now consuming us, while those allied with the
Gods are fortified by their practice of virtue. A slave of the
senses, all that thou undertakest excites the wrath of the
ascetics, those personifications of the Fire-God whose power
is as irresistible as the glowing flames. They purify their souls
through austerities and find satisfaction in the performance of
their duty. In truth, those Twice-born offer innumerable and
excellent sacrifices, kindling the sacred fire in accordance with
prescribed rituals ; they recite the Vedas in a loud voice and
utter sacred texts while subduing the titans. Scattered in all
directions, like the stormy waves during the hot season, the
smoke, arising from the Agnihotra performed by those Rishis,
the equals of Agni, spreads over the ten cardinal points and
diminishes the titans' energy. In the various regions sanctified
by their religious observances, the burning austerity of those
ascetics torments the titans.
" Thou hast received the boon of invincibility from Devas,
Danavas and Yakshas but these are men, bears and powerful
Golangulas who, full of energy and prowess, are coming hither
roaring like lions. Beholding these sinister and formidable
portents of every kind, I foresee the total extermination of the
titans. With a terrifying clamour, monstrous clouds, inspiring
horror, rain hot blood on Lanka on every side. Those beasts
drawing the chariots are shedding tears. Discoloured with
dust, the four quarters no longer shine ; serpents, jackals and
vultures are invading Lanka, gathering in the public squares
with frightful cries ; standing before us in dream, coal black
86
YUDDHA KANDA
women with white teeth resembling Kali burst into loud
laughter, pillaging the dwellings and chattering incoherently ;
in the houses, dogs devour the sacred offerings and donkeys are
born of cows, rats of mongoose ; cats mate with tigers, pigs
with dogs and Kinneras with demons and men. Red-footed
and white pigeons, messengers of death, by their flight foretell
the extermination of the titans ; domesticated parrots, falling
under the attack of other birds, call * Chichikuchi ' ! Birds and
wild beasts, their eyes fixed on the sun, cry out ! Death in the
shape of a human monster, deformed, bald and tawny-coloured,
visits the dwellings in turn. These and other omens equally
sinister appear. Raghava of fixed prowess is, Z deem, Vishnu
in human form ; he is undoubtedly no mere man ; he who built
a bridge over the deep is an exceedingly wonderful being !
Therefore, O Ravana, for thine own good, conclude peace with
Rama who is the king of men."
Having spoken thus, Malyavan, the bravest of warriors, aware
of what was passing in Ravana's mind, eyeing him, became
silent.
chapter 36
Ravana directs Lanka's Defences
Dashanana1 could not brook Malyavan's salutory utterances
and, scowling, a prey to anger, tolling his eyes in fury, answered
him thus : —
" I have closed mine ears to the speech thou hast made,
albeit with good intentions ; how canst thou hold a mere man
like Rama, who is single-handed, without any support but
that of the deer of the trees, cast off by his sire and exiled to the
forest, to be of my stature, I, the Lord of the Titans, the terror
of the Gods ? Dost thou then consider me to, be destitute of
power?
" I am at a loss to determine if it be envy of my prowess or
predelietion for the foe that has brought thee to address such
1 Ten-faced One.
87
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
hard words to me, unless it be that thou desirest to spur me on !
In truth, what man learned in the science of the Shastras would
speak thus harshly to a seasoned warrior, were it not to incite
him?
" Having borne Sita away from the forest, she who resembles
Shri bereft of her lotus, why, through fear, should I return her
to Raghava ? Thou shalt see him fall under my blows in the
midst of the innumerable monkeys who surround him. How
should Ravana, whom the Deities themselves dare not meet in
single combat, experience fear in this encounter? Rather
would I be cut in twain than bend before any ! Such was I
from birth, it is my nature and unalterable ! Even if Rama by
some happy chance has been able to throw a bridge over the sea,
what great marvel is there in that, that thou shouldst give way
to terror ? It is true he has crossed the ocean with an army of
monkeys but I swear to thee he will not return alive."
Beholding Ravana to be highly provoked and speaking with
such fury, Malyavan, abashed, did not reply and duly invoking
his success as courtesy demanded, he begged permission to
retire.
Meanwhile Ravana, assisted by his ministers, having deliber-
ated on what ought to be done, set about planning the defence
of Lanka.
Thereafter he gave over the eastern gate to the Titan Prahasta
and that of the south to the warriors Mahaparshwa and
Mahodara. At the western gate he placed his son Indrajita,
a powerful magician, with a considerable force of titans and he
established Shuka and Sarana at the northern gate, saying : —
" I myself shall take up that position also ! "
Finally he commanded the Titan Virupaksha, who was full of
energy and courage, to occupy the centre of the city with a large
number of soldiers.
Taking every precaution for the safety of Lanka, that bull
among the titans, under the sway of destiny, deemed his purpose
accomplished. Having made provision for the defence of the
city, he dismissed his ministers and received the acclamations
of the assembly, after which he entered his sumptuous inner
apartments.
88
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 37
Rama makes his Plans for the Attack
Meanwhile that King of Men, the Sovereign of the Monkeys,
the Son of the Wind, Jambavan the King of the Bears, the Titan
Bibishana with Bali's son Angada and Saumitri, the Ape
Sharabha, also Sushena and his kinsfolk Mainda and Dvivida,
Gaja, Gavaksha, Kumuda, Nala and Panasa, all having reached
the enemy's territory, assembled to take counsel together.
They said : — " Yonder under our very eyes is the City of Lanka
defended by Ravana, impregnable even to the Gods and Asuras
together or the Uragas and Gandharvas. Let us take counsel
as to what means to adopt that will ensure the success of our
expedition in order to penetrate into the eternal retreat of
Ravana, the King of the Titans.'*
At this, the younger brother of Ravana, Bibishana, uttered
these words that were both just and irreproachable : —
" Anala, Panasa, Sampati and Pramati have been to Lanka
from whence they have returned. Assuming the form of birds,
all four entered that hostile citadel and studied the measures
taken by Ravana closely. I will give a detailed report as it was
given to me of the defences organized by that perverse wretch ;
O Rama, hear me !
" At the eastern gate, Prahasta is stationed with his division ;
at the southern gate are the warriors Mahaparshwa and
Mahodara; Indrajita is at the western gate where he is in
command of a considerable force armed with harpoons, swords,
bows, spears and hammers. Ravana's son has thousands of
warriors under his command, holding lances in their hands,
furnished with weapons of every kind.
" Apprehensive, a prey to great anxiety, Ravana, versed in the
sacred formulas, is himself stationed with the titans at the
northern gate. As for Virupaksha, he, with a strong detachment
armed with spears, clubs and bows occupies the centre of the
city.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Having seen these hosts thus distributed, my spies have set
out in all haste and returned again. The elephants number
some ten thousand, the cavalry twenty thousand and there are
more than a million foot soldiers. Hardy and vigorous, these
intrepid warriors have ever been their sovereign's favourites;
each of the titan generals, when on campaign, commands a
million soldiers, O Lord of Men."
Having conveyed this information concerning the city, the
mighty Bibishana brought his envoys before Rama and those
titans confirmed all that was known regarding Lanka. Thereafter
the younger brother of Havana, in his desire to please Raghava,
addressed that Lotus-eyed One further, saying : —
" O Rama, when Ravana made war on Kuvera, seven million
soldiers accompanied him. For vigour, daring, energy, extreme
power of endurance and pride, they equalled their wicked king.
There is no question here of my wishing to agitate thee by what
I have said but a desire to rouse thine indignation, not thy fears,
for in knightly valour, thou art equal to the Gods themselves.
Having set out these monkey forces in battle airay, thou shalt
destroy Ravana with thy great army composed of four angas1
which surround thee."
Bibishana having spoken thus, Raghava gave his orders for
the attack, saying : —
" At the eastern gate, Nila, that lion among monkeys, should
oppose Prahasta with his innumerable infantry and let Bali's
son, Angada, at the head of a strong division, drive away
Mahaparshwa and Mahodara from the southern gate ; that son
of the Wind, whose valour is immeasurable, will penetrate into
the city with his great forces.
" I reserve the right to slay the wicked King of the Titans,
who owing to the boon he has received enjoys oppressing the
Daityas and Danavas as also the magnanimous Rishis and who
ranges the worlds persecuting all beings. With the aid of
Saumitri I shall force an entry through the northern gate and
follow in the wake of Ravana and his army. Let the mighty
Indra among Monkeys, the valiant King of the Bears and the
younger brother of the Lord of the Titans occupy the central
position.
1 Angas — lit. limbs, probably divisions.
90
YUDDHA KANDA
" The monkeys should not assume human form in the fray
for, when we are fighting in the ranks, the monkey shape should
serve as a sign of recognition amongst us. Seven will attack
the foe in human form, I, my brother Lakshmana, who is full
of valour, my friend Bibishana and his four companions."
Having said this to Bibishana for the success of the enterprise,
Rama, in the role of a wise leader, decided to stay on Mount
Suvela whose ravishing slopes he had observed.
Thereafter at the head of his great army which spread over
the earth, the magnanimous Rama set out for Lanka with a
joyous and exultant air, resolved to destroy his enemy.
chapter 3 8
The Ascent of Mount Suvela
Having resolved to stay on Mount Suvela, Rama, followed by
Lakshmana, addressed Sugriva and also Bibishana the night-
ranger, who was full of integrity, devotion, sagacity and
experience and, in tones of great sweetness and nobility, said : —
" Let us ascend the Mount Suvela, that king of peaks and
plateaus, filled with hundreds of metallic veins, in order to pass
the night there. Then we shall be able to survey Lanka, the
haunt of that titan, that wretch who has borne away my consort
to his own destruction ! He has neither regard for justice,
virtue nor the honour of his House, he, who, in consequence of
his base nature, has committed this heinous deed."
Thus reflecting and censuring Ravana, Rama approached
Mount Suvela with its ravishing slopes and began the ascent.
Behind him came Lakshmana, proud of his great valour, alert,
bearing his bow and arrows and Sugriva, who with his ministers
and Bibishana scaled the mountain also. Those rangers of the
hills bounded with the speed of the wind scrambling from a
hundred sides at once in the steps of Raghava and did not take
long to reach the summit.
From there they observed that splendid city with its marvellous
gates enclosed in magnificent ramparts, as if suspended in the
9i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
air ; thus did Lanka, filled with warriors, appear to those monkey
leaders and, standing on those wonderful ramparts, the dark-
hued titans resembled a second wall in the eyes of the foremost
monkeys. Beholding them, the monkeys, in Rama's presence,
burning to fight, redoubled their cries.
Meanwhile the sun, dyed with the fires of dusk, moved
towards the west, and the night, illumined by the full moon,
drew on. Then Rama, the leader of the monkey army, having
exchanged salutations with Bibishana, established himself
happily on the breast of Mount Suvela with the leaders of the
monkeys.
chapter 39
Description of Lanka
Having passed the night on Mount Suvela, the valiant monkey
generals surveyed the woods and groves of Lanka and observing
them to be so extensive, agreeable, pleasant, vast and wide,
marvellous to behold, they were seized with admiration.
Champakas, Ashokas, Bakulas, Salas and Talas abounded ;
Tamalas, Hintalas, Arjunas, Nipas, Saptaparnas in full Mower,
Nagas, Tilakas, Karnikaras and Patalas grew on every side. The
trees with their flowering crests, round which magnificent
creepers twined, gave Lanka a brilliant appearance which she
owed also to the borders planted with diverse flowers and red
and tender buds as also innumerable shady avenues. The
blossom and fragrant fruit with which the trees were laden
caused them to resemble men adorned with jewels or the ravish-
ing Chaitaratha, the equal of the Nandana Gardens, a grove
resplendently green in all seasons, filled with swarming bees and
sparkling with beauty. Then the valiant monkeys able to change
their shape at will penetrated into those groves frequented by
waterfowl intoxicated with love and with honey bees where the
branches of the trees were filled with cuckoos and resounded to
the notes of the shrike and the cry of the osprey and, as they
entered there, a breeze redolent with the scent of flowers blew
like a soft breath.
9*
YUDDHA KANDA
Meanwhile some of the leaders broke away from the monkey
ranks and, with the permission of their prince, approached that
paved city. Terrifying the birds, deer and elephants, they
shook Lanka with their roaring, excelling as they did in shouting
and, in their immense ardour, they trampled down the earth so
that the dust rose in clouds under their feet.
Bears, lions, buffalo, wild elephants, antelopes and birds,
alarmed by the noise, spread over the ten points of the horizon.
The Trikuta Mountain had an exceedingly lofty summit
that appeared to touch the skies ; it was covered with blossom,
sparkling like gold, a hundred leagues in extent, stainless,
graceful to behold, smooth, inaccessible in height even to birds
and could not be scaled even in thought, much less in reality ;
it was on this promontory that Lanka was built of which
Ravana was the highway.
Ten leagues wide, twenty in length, with its tall gates which
resembled white clouds and its ramparts of gold and silver,
it was a very marvel ! Palaces and temples were the splendid
decoration of that city, as clouds at the end of summer are to
the region of Vishnu that is found between earth and heaven.
In Lanka, a building of a thousand pillars artistically con-
structed, resembling the peak of Kailasha which seemed to lick
the firmament, was to be seen. This was the retreat of the
Indra of the Titans and the ornament of the city, guarded
constantly by a hundred titans. Ravishing with its gold, the
mountains served as its decoration and it was dazzling with its
rich parks and many squares re-echoing to the song of birds of
every kind, frequented by deer, covered with various flowers,
inhabited by titans of every degree, and that opulent city of
immense resources resembled the celestial regions.
Beholding that auspicious capital, the valiant elder brother of
Lakshmana was seized with astonishment and Rama with his
vast army contemplated that citadel filled with treasure,
abundantly provisioned, garlanded with palaces, exceedingly
strong, with its powerful engines of war and solid gates.
93
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 40
The extraordinary Combat between Sugriva and Ravana
Then Rama, accompanied by Sugriva and his monkey leaders,
ascended the summit of Mount Suvela that had a circumference
of two leagues ; there he halted awhile, surveying the ten
cardinal points and his gaze fell on Lanka which was ravishing
with its enchanting groves that had been built by Vishvakarma
on the summit of the Trikuta Mountain.
There above a gateway stood the invincible Lord of the
Titans, white chanwaras being waved above him and the
triumphal parasol indicating his rank. Anointed with red
sandal-paste, adorned with scarlet ornaments, he was attired
in raiment embroidered with gold and resembled a dark cloud.
The scars of the wounds, inflicted on him by Airavata with his
tusks, pitted his breast, and he was wrapped in a cloak of the
colour of hare's blood so that he appeared like unto a cloud dyed
with the tints of sunset.
The Indra of the Monkeys beheld him asRaghava also and, on
seeing him, Sugriva, gathering up his strength, in an impulse of
fury suddenly bounded from the summit of the mountain and
descended at the gate. For a moment he paused, then with a
fearless soul he eyed that titan whom be regarded as a mere
straw and thereafter addressed him harshly, saying : —
" I am the friend of the Protector of the Worlds, Rama ; by
the grace of that King of Kings thou shalt not escape me to-day."
Speaking thus he suddenly leapt upon him and, snatching
off his brilliant diadem, threw it on the earth.
Seeing him about to rush upon him again, that Ranger of the
Night said to him : —
" Sugriva thou wert unknown to me, now thou shalt be
Hinagriva I1 "
Speaking thus, he threw himself upon him and with his two
arms flung him to the ground. Bouncing up like a ball, that
monkey struck his adversary in his turn and perspiration broke
1 Sugriva meaning ' handsome-necked ' and Hinagriva ' necklet* '.
94
YUDDHA KANDA
out on the limbs of both and their bodies were red with blood ;
each clung to the other, paralysing his opponent's movements
and they resembled the Shalmali and Kimshuka Trees.
Then followed blows and slaps with hands and arms and an
indescribable struggle arose between the two powerful kings,
the Lords of the Titans and Monkeys. Hard and long was the
combat between these two doughty champions in the gateway,
each in turn lifting the other up, crouching and changing their
positions, tripping each other and throwing each other down,
crushing one another, bruising each other's limbs, and, falling
between the Sala Trees and the moat, they would leap up again,
pausing an instant to regain their breath. Then, with arms
interlaced like ropes, they remained locked together, struggling
and furious, full of skill and energy, moving to and fro. Like
a lion and a tiger or two young elephants, that have just grown
their tusks, scrutinising each other, with arms interlaced and
grappling with one another, they fell on the earth together.
Thereafter, rising, they hurled themselves on each other afresh,
circling round the arena again and again, like skilled and mighty
wrestlers nor were they easily fatigued. Like unto great tuskers,
with their enormous arms resembling the trunks, they gripped
each other tightly. Circling round and round in that duel
which was long and fierce, they trampled down the earth and,
approaching each other, like two wild cats fighting over a piece
of meat, each tried to kill his adversary. Taking up diverse
postures, describing innumerable evolutions, running like an
ox's urine, halting, coming and going, they executed a myriad
different movements; stepping sideways, making feints, twisting
to avoid a blow, turning about, darting to the attack, each
hurling himself on his opponent, standing firm and erect,
disengaging themselves, presenting back and flank, preparing to
leap, letting go or stealing away, thus Sugriva and Ravana, to
their utmost satisfaction, multiplied such feats in which they
excelled.
Meanwhile the titan had recourse to magic and when the
King of the Monkeys perceived it, he flew into the sky triumph-
ant, shaking off all fatigue whilst Ravana, overcome with
exhaustion, breathing heavily, baffled by the King of the
Monkeys, stood confounded.
95
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thus the Lord of the Monkeys, acquiring fame as a warrior,
having wearied Ravana in combat, ascended into the infinite
blue with the swiftness of thought, and that offspring of the Sun,
having accomplished this feat, delighted, rejoined the army,
honoured by the monkey leaders, thereby increasing the joy
of the foremost of the Raghus.
CHAPTER 41
Rama sends Angada to Ravana
Seeing him bearing the marks of valour, the elder brother of
Lakshmana, Rama, embracing him, said to Sugriva : —
" Without consulting me thou hast acted thus imprudently ;
such rashness is not seemly in a king. By thy recklessness
thou hast caused me great anxiety as also the army and Bibishana!
O Warrior, thou art enamoured of deeds of daring ! Do not act
thus in the future, 0 Vanquisher of thy Foes ! If thou hadst
come by some misfortune, what would Sita or Bharata or my
younger brothers, Lakshmana or Shatrughna have availed me ?
" O Valiant Scourge of Thy Foes, if thou hadst not returned,
though I am conversant with thy valour, this was my fixed
resolve ; having destroyed Ravana in fight with his sons, forces
and chariots, I should have installed Bibishana as King of
Lanka, suffered Bharata to ascend the throne and renounced
my life, O Great Prince."
At these words of Rama, Sugriva answered, saying : —
" Seeing the one who had borne away thy consort, O Brave
Descendant of Raghu, conscious of mine own strength, how
could I have acted otherwise ? "
Thus spoke that warrior, and Raghava, having commended
him, addressed Lakshmana who was endowed with auspicious
marks, saying : —
" Beside these cool waters and trees laden with fruit, let us
divide and marshal our forces, O Lakshmana ! I foresee a
terrible calamity boding universal destruction and death to the
intrepid bears, monkeys and titans. Harsh winds blow, the
96
YUDDHA KANDA
earth trembles and the mountains quake ; trees crash to the
earth, sinister clouds resembling birds of prey roar in terrifying
wise and let fall rain mixed with blood ; the dusk, red as sandal,
is full of horror and from the sun, a flaming circle falls. Wild
beasts and birds emit frantic cries and are ill at ease ; their voices
and fierce aspect deprive them of their beauty. In the night,
the moon, shorn of its radiance, surrounded by black and fiery
rays, burns red, as at the time of the destruction of the world.
A thin, dark, sinister rim of coppery hue is seen round the sun
and on its surface a black mark appears nor does that orb
approach any other planets as is usual, all of which prefigures
the final dissolution of the world.
" Behold, O Lakshmana, how crows, eagles and vultures are
flying low, circulating rapidly, emitting piercing and lugubrious
cries ! The earth changed to mud and gore will be covered
with rocks, javelins and darts hurled by the monkeys and titans !
This very day, surrounded by the monkeys on all sides, let us
mate an attack on that citadel defended by Ravana."
Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, his younger brother, that
mighty warrior rapidly descended from the summit of the
mountain and coming to the bottom of that hill, the virtuous
Raghava inspected his army which was invincible to the foe.
Then, the time having come, Rama, who was conversant with the
fitting moment to act, gave the signal to advance and, at an
auspicious moment, bow in hand, turned towards Lanka.
Bibishana, Sugriva, Hanuman, Nala, Jambavan the King of
the Bears, as also Nila and Lakshmana followed, and behind
them the mighty host of bears and monkeys, covering a vast
stretch of earth, threw themselves in Raghava's wake. Hundreds
of rocks and enormous trees served as weapons to those monkeys,
verily the vanquishers of their foes, who resembled elephants.
Soon the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, those subduers
of the foe, reached the city of Ravana, garlanded with banners,
enchanting with the pleasure gardens which adorned it,
inaccessible with its many gateways, high walls and arches.
Then those denizens of the forests, encouraged by the sound of
Rama's voice and obedient to his commands, halted before
Lanka, which was impregnable, even to the Gods.
Thereafter Rama, accompanied by his younger brother, bow
97
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in hand, surveyed the northern gate, which was as high as the
peak of a mountain and took up his position there. That
valiant son of Dasaratha, followed by Lakshmana, advanced
under the walls of Lanka, whose highway was Ravana. None
but Rama could have approached and examined the northern
gate where Ravana stood, which was formidable and guarded by
him as the ocean by Varuna and which was defended on all
sides by titans, as the Danavas, who sow terror in the hearts of
the weak, guard Patala. And Rama observed innumerable
weapons and armour of every kind heaped there for the combat-
ants.
Meanwhile Nila took up his position with Mainda and
Dvivida at the eastern gate at the head of a host of monkeys.
Angada with his vast forces, assisted by Rishabha, Gavaksha,
Ga)a and Gavaya, occupied the southern gate. Hanuman,
that virtuous monkey, was stationed at the western gate with
Prajangha, Tarasa and other warriors grouped round him,
whilst Sugriva, personally occupied an observation post in the
centre. At the head of all those leading monkeys, the equals of
Suparna and Pavana, thirty-six kotis of renowned warriors were
grouped round Sugriva.
Meanwhile, under Rama's command, Lakshmana, assisted
by Bibishana, distributed his innumerable divisions at each
gate. Behind Rama, Sushena and Jarabavan, those lions among
the monkeys, possessing the teeth of tigers, furnished with trees
and rocks, waited delightedly for the signal to fight. Lashing
their tails feverishly, they used their jaws and nails as weapons ;
trembling in every limb, their faces were set grimly and they
were extremely strong, some having the strength of ten
elephants, some ten times more powerful, some equalling a
thousand elephants in might and there were some who had the
vigour of a million elephants and even more, for the might of
those monkey leaders was immeasurable ! Marvellous and
astonishing was the gathering of those monkey forces resembling
a cloud of locusts ! The earth and the air were filled with
monkeys rushing towards Lanka or already stationed beneath
its walls. By hundreds and hundreds of thousands, bears and
monkeys poured towards the gates of Lanka that others assailed
on every side. The hills disappeared completely under that
98
YUDDHA KANDA
host of Plavamgamas, numbering millions, who were ranging
round the city and those heroic monkeys, with tree trunks
in their hands, surrounded the whole of Lanka that even the
winds were unable to penetrate.
Then the titans, who in their valour rivalled Shafcra, seeing
themselves besieged by those monkeys like massed clouds, were
struck with a sudden terror, and, as they broke rank, a
tremendous clamour arose from that host of combatants which
resembled the roar of the ocean beating against the shore ! At
this tumult, the whole of Lanka with its ramparts, arches, hills,
woods and forests, began to tremble.
Under the direction of Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva, that
army became even more invincible than the hosts of the Gods
and titans. Raghava, however, having ranged his forces in
order to wipe out the demons, took counsel with his ministers
and pondered deeply again and again. Desiring to act without
delay and with circumspection, he, in his consummate experience
with Bibishana's approbation, calling to mind the duty of kings1,
summoned Bali's son, Angada and said to him : —
" Go My Friend on my behalf and, passing through the Gty
of Lanka without fear, say to Dashagriva : — ' Thou hast
sacrificed thy renown, destroyed thy kingdom and, in thine
haste to die, hast lost thy wits ! Rishis, Devas, Gandharvas,
Apsaras, Nagas, Yakshas and kings, O Ranger of the Night,
have been oppressed by thee in thy reckless pride. O Titan,
from now on, that arrogance, begot of the boon thou didst
receive from Swyambhu, shall be subdued ! I shall inflict a
fitting penalty for thy ruthless abduction of my consort ; it is
with the Rod of Chastisement, that I have stationed myself at
Lanka's gates.* Having displayed thy martial valour, slain by
me thou shalt attain the region of the Gods ! Do thou demon-
strate the same courage that thou didst employ in bearing Ska
away from me, having first deceived me by magic arts. O
Most Vile of Titans, I shall rid the earth of titans with my
pointed shafts, if thou dost not make an appeal to my clemency
by returning Maithili to me.
1 Doty of Kings — If a king is able to accomplish his purpose by conciliation,
he must not use force.
• That is, in the form of Dandadhara, a name of Death as the Bearer of
the Rod of Retribution.
99
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" * That virtuous prince of the titans, the illustrious Bibishana,
who is here, will undoubtedly reign in Lanka without opposition.
Nay, it is not fitting that, even for an instant, the crown should
belong to one as perfidious as thou art, a wicked creature who
surroundest thyself with fools and who is not conversant with the
Self!
" * Enter into combat with me, O Titan, exert thy strength and
valour in the fight, mine arrows will chasten thee and thou wilt
be subdued ! Even shouldst thou range the Three Worlds in
the form of a bird, O Night-ranger, my glance would follow
thee and thou wouldst not return alive. I give thee this salutory
counsel — prepare for thine obsequies, let Lanka regain her
splendour, thy life is in my hands 1 ' "
Furnished with Rama's instructions, the son of Tara ascended
into the air, like unto the God bearing away a sacrificial offering,
and in an instant arrived at Ravana's palace where he beheld him
seated at ease amidst his ministers.
That youthful Prince of the Monkeys, Angada of golden
bracelets, like a flaming torch descended close to the king and
having made himself known, addressed the whole of Rama's
exceedingly significant speech, without adding or subtracting
anything, to him in the presence of his court, saying : —
" I am the messenger of the King of Koshala, Rama of
imperishable exploits. I am the son of Bali, Angada is my
name ; perchance thou hast heard of me ? The descendant of
Raghu, Rama, the increaser of Kaushalya's delight, speaks thus
to thee : —
"'Come forth and enter into combat with me! Manifest
thy valour ! I shall destroy thee, thy counsellors, thy sons,
relatives and allies. Thou being dead, the Three Worlds will
cease to be troubled, O Thou whose enemies are the Devas,
Danavas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Uragas and Rakshasas ; thou
thorn in the side of the ascetics ! Bibishana will become king
when thou art slain by me, if thou dost not return Vaidehi,
having paid her every homage, and cast thyself at my feet 1 ' "
Hearing these harsh words from that lion among the
monkeys, the Lord of the Titans, infuriated, issued the following
command repeatedly to his attendants, saying: — "Seize him
and put him to death ! "
YUDDHA KANDA
On this order being given by Ravana, Angada, who in his
splendour resembled a blazing torch, was seized by four
terrible titans and the son of Tara suffered himself to be made
captive, without offering any resistance, for that valiant warrior
desired to display his prowess to the host of Yatudhanas.
Thereafter, seizing three of the titans, like unto serpents in his
arms, he leapt on to the palace that resembled a mountain.
Shaken by his impetuous bound the three titans fell to the
ground under the eyes of their king. Then the powerful son of
Bali scaled the palace up to its roof, which equalled the summit
of a mountain in height, and the impact of his bounds caused it to
crumble before Dashagriva's gaze as a peak in the Himalayas
is shattered by lightning.
Having destroyed the roof of the palace, Angada proclaimed
his name and with a triumphant roar rose into the air. To the
exceeding terror of the titans and the great delight of the apes,
he alighted in the midst of the monkeys beside Rama.
Thereupon Ravana, transported with anger, giving himself
up for lost began to sigh heavily. Meanwhile Rama, who was
surrounded by Plavamgamas emitting joyful cries, eager to
destroy his adversary, advanced to meet him in combat.
Now Sushena was at the head of innumerable monkeys who
were able to change their form at will and, under the order of
Sugriva, he patrolled the gates and that invincible warrior
resembled the moon moving amidst the stars.
Seeing the hundreds of divisions encamped under the walls
of Lanka and marshalled on the shores of the sea, the titans were
amazed whilst some were terror-struck and others, overjoyed at
the prospect of fighting, leapt in exultation. Beholding
those hosts occupying the whole space between the walls and
the moat, however, and seeing the monkeys like unto a second
rampart, those rangers of the night, cast down, cried out : —
" Woe ! Alas ! " in their terror.
In the midst of that appalling tumult, the soldiers of Ravana
seized hold of their powerful weapons and advanced like the
winds that blow at the dissolution of the worlds.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 42
The Titans make a Sortie
Then those titans approached the abode of Ravana and informed
him that Rama and the monkeys had laid siege to the city.
This news enraged that Ranger of the Night, who, repeating
his former commands went up into the palace. From there
he surveyed Lanka with its hilis, woods and groves, which
was besieged on all sides by countless divisions of monkeys,
eager to fight. Beholding the earth all brown with innumerable
Plavagas, in great perplexity he reflected : " How can they be
exterminated ? "
Having pondered long, Ravana regained his confidence and,
opening his great eyes wide, he gazed on Raghava and the simian
battalions.
Meanwhile Rama, at the head of his army was rapidly
advancing on Lanka which was guarded on all sides and thronged
with titans. Thereafter the son of Dasaratha, seeing that city
furnished with flags and banners, remembered Sita and was
filled with anguish. He reflected " That daughter of Janaka
whose eyes resemble a young doe's, will be a prey to anxiety on
my account ! Consumed with grief and emaciated, she is
pining away, the bare ground her bed ! "
Reflecting on the sufferings of Vaidehi, the virtuous Raghava
speedily issued a command to the monkeys to prepare for the
enemy's destruction.
Hearing the order of Raghava of imperishable exploits, the
Plavagas, urging each other on, filled the air with their roaring.
" Let us demolish Lanka with rocks and stones or with our
fists alone " was the resolve of the monkey leaders and, under
the eyes of the King of the Titans, in order to accomplish Rama's
cherished desire, those troops divided themselves into columns
and began to scale the heights of Lanka. Hurling themselves
on that city with rocks and trees, those golden-hued Plavamgamas
of coppery countenance, willing to lay down their lives in
YUDDHA KANDA
Rama's service, destroyed innumerable battlements, ramparts
and arches with blows from trees, rocks and fists and filled the
moats and trenches of clear water with sand, stones, grass and logs.
The commanders led their divisions by thousands and
hundreds of millions of thousands to attack Lanka and the
Plavamgamas tore up the golden arches, broke down the gates,
that equalled the peak of Kailasha in height and from the
sides and the centre, hurled themselves on the city like great
elephants with cries of " Victory to the mighty Rama and
the valiant Lakshmana ! " " Victory to Sugriva protected fay
Raghava ! " Shouting thus, the monkeys, who were able to
change their form at will, roaring, rushed to attack the city.
Virabahu, Subahu, Nala and Fanasa, having demolished some
of the outposts, reached the foot of the walls and assigned each
column to a post of attack. The eastern gate was besieged by
the valiant Kumuda surrounded by ten kotis of triumphant
monkeys ; his lieutenants were Prasabha and the long-armed
Fanasa, who were at the head of those forces.
At the southern gate was the warrior Shatabali, a monkey of
proved valour, who was stationed with twenty kotis to obstruct
the exit. Sushena, the father of Tara, full of courage and
strength, with a hundred thousand monkeys surrounded the
western gate. The northern gate was blockaded by the mighty
Rama assisted by Saumitri and Sugriva, the King of the
Monkeys.
The colossal Golangula, Gavaksha, of grim aspect and
immense energy, supported one of Rama's flanks with a koti of
warriors and the valiant Dhumra, scourger of his foes, supported
the other flank with a koti of bears of redoubtable fury.
The intrepid Bibishana, attended by his loyal ministers,
followed his ally, the heroic Rama, everywhere, whilst Gaja,
Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha and Gandhamadana patrolled
every side in defence of the simian army.
Meanwhile, his heart filled with rage, the King of the Titans
ordered his troops to make a rapid sortie. At this command
falling from Ravana's lips, a tremendous clamour arose among
the rangers of the night and the sound of kettledrums, their
discs white as the moon, on which the titans beat with sticks of
gold, broke out on every side, while hundreds and thousands of
103
THE R'AMAYANA OF VALMIKI
trumpets blared forth} blown by the titans with their cheeks
extended to the full. With their dark limbs adorned with
ornaments and their conches, those rangers of the night
resembled clouds bordered with lightning or rows of cranes ;
and their battalions advanced gaily under Ravana's imperious
commands as, at the time of Pralaya, the tumultuous sea
overflows.
At that moment from every side, a clamour arose from the
army of the monkeys which filled Malaya with its plains,
valleys and chasms, and the sound of the trumpets and drums
and the leonine roars of those warriors re-echoed over the earth,
sky and sea, as also the trumpeting of elephants, the neighing
of horses, the clatter of chariot wheels and the thunder of the
titans marching.
Thereafter a terrible struggle ensued between the monkeys and
the titans as, in former times between Gods and Asuras. With
their naming maces, their spears, harpoons and axes, the titans,
demonstrating their native prowess, struck the army of the
monkeys and from their side, those gigantic apes attacked their
adversaries ferociously with blows from trees, rocks, teeth and
nails.
" Victory to King Sugriva ! " yelled the monkeys, " May our
Sovereign prevail ! " shouted the titans and each proclaimed
his name, while other demons, standing on the walls, hacked at
the monkeys below with hooks and harpoons and they, in-
furiated, leapt into the air and dragged down those soldiers
stationed on the walls by seizing them with their arms, and
that conflict between demons and monkeys was appalling and
the earth was covered with mud and flesh in that astonishing
fight.
CHAPTER 43
The Conflict between the Monkeys and Titans
Those high-souled monkey troops fought with terrible ferocity
whilst the titans wakened the ten regions as, mounted on steeds
with golden trappings or elephants bright as fire or in cars
104
YUDDHA KANDA
flashing like the sun, they issued forth clad in marvellous suits
of mail, eager to triumph in Havana's name.
On their side, the mighty army of monkeys, burning for
victory, hurled themselves on those demons of formidable
exploits and extraordinary duels arose between titans and
monkeys who rushed upon each other.
As Tryambaka fought against Andhaka, so did the son of Bali,
Angada, fight with Indrajita, who was endowed with immense
energy. Prajangha was attacked by the ever indomitable
Sampati and the Monkey Hanuman measured his strength with
Jambumali. A prey to violent anger, Bibishana, the younger
brother of Ravana, entered into a furious combat with the
exceedingly impetuous Shatrughna. The valiant Gaja fought
with the Titan Tapana and the powerful Nila with Nikumbha.
That India of Monkeys, Sugriva, attacked Praghasa with
violence and the fortunate Lakshmana engaged in combat with
Virupaksha. The unapproachable Agniketu with the Titan
Rashmiketu, Mitraghna and Yajnakopa unitedly entered into
combat with Rama, Vajramushti fought against Mainda and
Ashanipratha against Dvivida, those two foremost of monkeys
with the greatest of titans. The valiant son of Dharma,
Sushena, that great monkey of illustrious name, grappled
with Vidyunmalin and, from every side, other monkeys
heroically engaged in countless duels with other titans. Then
an appalling batde, causing the hair to stand on end, took place
between titans and monkeys who were full of prowess and eager
to triumph.
From the bodies of those monkeys and rangers of the night,
torrents flowed, their hair being the grass, their blood the water
bearing away heaps of corpses.
As Shatakratu with his thunderbolt, so Indrajita, with his
mace, in fury, struck at Angada but that intrepid destroyer of
enemy hosts shattered his chariot, the framework of which being
encrusted with gold, and slew his horses and driver. Sampati,
wounded by Parjangha with three arrows, struck him over the
head with an Ashvakarna Tree ; Jambumali, standing in his
chariot, full of strength and fury tore open Hanuman's breast
in the fight with the force of his driving, but he, who was born
of the Wind-god, approaching that car, soon overthrew it with
105
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the palm of his hand. The redoubtable Pratapana, yelling,
rushed on Nala, who with his limbs pierced by the pointed
shafts of that skilful titan, suddenly scratched out his eyes.
As Praghasa appeared to be consuming the hosts of the King
of the Monkeys, Sugriva hastily struck him with a Saptaparna
Tree, while Lakshmana, overwhelmed by a hail of missiles by
Virupaksha, that titan of ferocious aspect, struck him down with
a single blow. Thereafter the indomitable Agniketu, the Titans
Rashmiketu, Mitraghna and Yajnakopa sought to consume Rama
with their arrows, whereupon he, in fury, with four formidable
shafts, resembling tongues of fire, severed the heads of all four
in the struggle. Vajramushti, struck by a blow from Mainda's
fist in the fight, was overthrown with his chariot, driver and
horses, which resembled an aerial car belonging to the Gods ;
Nikumbha battling against Nila, who was like unto a piece of
collyrium, pierced him with his whetted shafts as the sun with
its rays pierces a cloud ; and, again and again that deft-handed
ranger of the night Nikumbha, with a hundred arrows wounded
Nila in the fray whereupon that monkey began to laugh and
seizing the wheel of his adversary's chariot, he who resembled
Vishnu on the battlefield, severed the head of that titan and that
of his charioteer.
Dvivida, whose impact was like unto a flash of lightning,
struck Samaprabha with a great rock at which the titans stared
in amazement and that foremost of monkeys, Dvivida, who
fought with blows of trees, was pierced in his turn with arrows
resembling lightning and his limbs being lacerated by those
shafts, that monkey grew enraged and with a single blow from
a Sala Tree struck down the titan, his chariot and his horses.
Thereafter Vidyunmalin repeatedly emitting loud cries, stand-
ing in his car, wounded Sushena with gold encrusted arrows
and seeing him, that foremost of monkeys suddenly overthrew
the chariot with a great rock. Vidyunmalin however, that agile
night ranger, sprang down from his car and, mace in hand,
stood ready on the field whereupon that lion among monkeys,
infuriated, seizing a great rock, rushed at the titan but as he
precipitated himself upon him, Vidyunmalin with a deft stroke,
wounded him in the belly with bis mace. Then the excellent
Plavaga, receiving that terrible and unexpected blow dealt by
106
YUDDHA KANDA
his opponent, immediately turned and, in a desperate encounter,
hurled a rock upon him. Struck by that missile, Vidyunmalin,
that prowler of the night, his chest crushed, fell lifeless on the
earth. Thus, under the blows of the simian warriors, the
heroic titans perished in a series of hand to hand encounters as
the Daityas under the blows of the inhabitants of the Celestial
Region. Bhallas and other weapons, maces, lances, darts,
shattered chariots, war-horses that had been slain, as also
elephants from whose temples ichor exuded and the bodies of
monkeys and titans, with wheels, axles, yokes and shafts strewed
the earth ; the carnage was fearful, a veritable jackal's feast.
The headless trunks of monkeys and titans lay in heaps every-
where in the midst of that appalling conflict which resembled
the war between Gods and Asuras.
In that stubborn engagement, decimated by the foremost of
monkeys, the rangers of the night as the day ended, maddened
by the smell of blood, in desperation made preparations for the
morrow, and those titans, their limbs covered with blood,
desired nothing so greatly as that night should fall.
CHAPTER 44
Angada's Exploit
During the combat between monkeys and titans, the sun sank
below the horizon, giving place to a night of carriage. In their
mutual hostility, monkeys and titans, burning for victory,
continued to fight in the gathering gloom.
" Art thou a titan ? " asked the monkeys — " Art thou a
monkey ? " questioned the titans and struck at each other in the
darkness. " Strike ! " " Kill ! " " Come hither ! " " Why
fleest thou ? " could be heard in that appalling struggle.
Clad in mail, the titans, their dark hue intensified by the
impenetrable gloom, resembled bills covered with woods
abounding in phosphorescent herbs and, transported with anger,
they bounded forward in order to fall on the Plavamgamas
and devour them, but these hurled themselves on the horses
with golden plumes and the banners, like unto tongues of fire,
107
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and with indescribable fury tore them down with their sharp
claws. Thus did those mighty monkey warriors sow contusion
amongst the titans and they clawed the elephants and those
mounted upon them and the chariots from which the banners
streamed, breaking them to pieces with their teeth.
Full of fury, Lakshmana and Rama, with their arrows
resembling venomous snakes pierced the foremost of the titans,
both those who were visible and those who were invisible, and
the dust rising from the hooves of the horses and the wheels
of the chariots filled the ears and eyes of the combatants, whilst
rivers of blood flowed in dreadful torrents in that ghastly tumult
which caused the hair to stand on end.
Meanwhile the sound of gongs and drums, marvellous to hear,
joined to the blare of conches and the rattle of wheels, and a
terrible clamour arose of horses neighing mingling with the
cries of the wounded. The corpses of great monkeys, spears,
maces and the bodies of the titans, who were able to change
their form at will, lay in heaps as high as a mountain on the
battlefield. And those weapons appeared to be offered up
as a profusion of flowers by the earth, which was entirely hidden
and rendered impassable by rivers of blood. That fatal night
was as calamitous to the monkeys and titans as the night of
dissolution wherein no being survives.
Meanwhile the titans, aided by that impenetrable darkness,
with great ferocity showered a hail of weapons on Rama and,
yelling, advanced upon him in fury like the ocean at the time of
the destruction of all creatures. And Rama, in the twinkling
of an eye, with six shafts resembling tongues of Same struck
down six titans — the indomitable Yajnashatru, Mahaparshwa,
Mahodara, Vajradamshtra of colossal stature and the two
emissaries, Shuka and Sarana. With his innumerable shafts,
Rama thereafter pierced them all in their vital parts, so that
under that shower of arrows they fled from the field, barely
escaping with their lives. In an instant, that warrior of die
great car tit up the cardinal points with his formidable missiles
resembling tongues of fire so that every quarter became
luminous. All those titans, who dared to challenge Rama,
perished like moths in a flame, and those arrows, whose points
were of fine gold, flying everywhere, illumined the night as do
108
YUDDHA KANDA
the fireflies in autumn. The cries of the titans and the roll of
drums increased the horrors of that night beyond imagining
and, in that terrible uproar which re-echoed on every side, it
seemed as if the Mount Trikuta was emitting confused murmurs
from its innumerable caves.
The gigantic Golangulas, black as night, crushed the rangers
of the night in their arms in order to devour them and Angada
destroyed his foes with savagery in the struggle.
Then Indrajita, after that monkey had slain his steeds and
charioteer, overcome with fatigue, made himself invisible and
vanished.
For this feat, Bali's son, worthy of being honoured, was
lauded by the Gods and Rishis as also by the brothers, Rama
and Lakshmana. All beings aware of the prowess of the mighty
Indrajita in war, witnessing his discomfiture and, beholding
that high-souled one, were elated and, in the height of joy, the
monkeys with Sugriva and Bibishana, seeing the enemy's
defeat, cried out " Excellent ! Excellent ! "
Meanwhile Indrajita, who had been overcome in the duel
with Bali's son of redoubtable deeds, was seized with violent
wrath. Rendering himself invisible by virtue of the boon he
had received from Brahma, that wicked wretch, who was
exhausted by the fight, transported with anger, loosed some
sharp arrows bright as lightning on Rama and Lakshmana.
On die field of battle, in his rage, he pierced the limbs of those
two Raghavas with formidable shafts resembling serpents.
Enveloped by illusion, he sought to confuse them in the struggle
and, invisible to all beings through his magic arts, that ranger
of the night bound those two brothers Rama and Lakshmana
with a network of arrows. Then the monkeys beheld the two
warriors, those lions among men, enmeshed by the serpentine
darts of that furious titan. Not being able to overcome those
two princes in his manifest form, the son of the King of the
Titans, in his perversity, had recourse to magic in order to make
them captive.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 45
Rama and Lakshmana are struck doztm by Indrajita
Anxious to ascertain what had become of Indrajita, Rama,
that illustrious and mighty prince sent out ten monkey leaders
in his pursuit ; the two sons of Sushena, the monkey, General
Nila, Angada the son of Bah, the valiant Sharabha, Dvivida,
Hanuman, the exceedingly courageous Sanuprastha, Rishabha
and Rishabaskandha.
Those monkeys flung themselves joyfully into the air
brandishing huge trunks of trees in order to explore the ten
regions, but Ravani1, by means of his arrows, loosed with force
from the most excellent of bows, arrested their impetuous flight
and those monkeys of terrific bounds, who were cruelly pierced
by those shafts, were unable to discern Indrajita in the darkness,
as the sun is obscured when veiled in cloud. With those darts,
that lacerated the flesh, the titan transfixed Rama and Lakshmana
and remained master of the field and there was no part of Rama
or Lakshmana's body that was not pierced by those serpentine
shafts so that streams of blood flowed from their gaping wounds,
and they appeared like two Kimshuka Trees in flower.
At that instant, his eyes inflamed, Ravana's son, who resembled
a mass of collyrium mixed with oil, though still invisible, said
to those two brothers : — " When I, making myself invisible,
enter into combat, even the Chief of the Gods, Shakra himself,
is not able to discern or approach me, how much less you two!
O Descendants of Raghu, having imprisoned you in this network
of plumed darts, I, yielding myself up to the violence of my
wrath, am about to dispatch you to the region of Yama ! "
Thus addressing those virtuous brothers, Rama and
Lakshmana, he pierced them afresh with his pointed arrows
shouting exultantly.
Resembling a heap of antimony, the swarthy Indrajita,
stretching his immense bow, let fly an even thicker shower of
1 Ravani — Ravana's son, Indrajita.
no
YUDDHA KANDA
formidable arrows in the fight. That warrior, who knew how to
make his darts pierce Rama and Lakshmana's vital parts, set up
a continual shouting and the two princes in the forefront of
battle, imprisoned in the net of arrows and darts, in the twinkling
of an eye, became incapable of distinguishing anything. Para-
lysed, pierced in their vital pans, exhausted, those two mighty
and courageous archers fell to the earth, they who were her
lords ! Lying on that heroes' bed, those two warriors, covered
with blood, their limbs bristling with arrows, swooned away
in their extremity. And there was not a hair's breadth on
their bodies from the tips of their fingers to the end of their
feet that was not lacerated, pricked and pierced by those
irresistible darts and from both those warriors who had been
struck down by that ferocious titan, able to change his shape
at will, the hot blood gushed forth as water from a spring.
And Rama fell first, his vital parts pierced by the shafts of the
wrathful Indrajita, who had formerly vanquished Shakra, and
Havana's son riddled Raghava's body with smooth and polished
darts as thick as dust clouds. Naracas, Demi-naracas, Bhallas,
Anjalis, Vatsadantas, Sinhadantas,1 and those shafts like unto
razors fell on that warrior, who lay on the earth like a hero,
allowing his golden bow, which was severed, to sink from his
grasp.
Beholding Rama, that lion among men, fall under a hail of
arrows, Lakshmana gave up all hope of living and he was
overcome by grief on beholding the lotus-eyed Rama, his refuge,
who ever delighted in battle, lying on the earth.
The monkeys too, witnessing this, suffered extreme distress
and, their eyes full of tears, overcome with despair, emitted
mournful cries ; and while those two warriors lay unconscious
on that heroes' bed, the monkeys surrounded them and,
assembling there, with the son of the Wind at their head,
remained inconsolable and a prey to despair.
1 Sea Glossary of weapons.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 46
The despair of Sugriva and his Army. Bibishana
reassures him
Meanwhile those inhabitants of the woods, surveying the earth
and the sky, beheld the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, covered
with arrows and the titan resting, like unto Indra having loosed
the rains. Accompanied by Sugriva, Bibishana, lamenting,
came to that place in haste, and Nila, Dvivida, Mainda, Sushena,
Kumuda, Angada and Hanuman approached, weeping for the
sons of Raghu.
Breathing but faintly, bathed in blood, riddled with in-
numerable darts, motionless, they lay stretched on a bed of
arrows sighing like serpents, washed in blood, resembling two
golden standards, and those warriors, lying on a hero's couch,
were surrounded by monkey leaders whose eyes were suffused
with tears.
Beholding the two Raghavas pierced with darts, a profound
emotion stirred those monkeys, who were accompanied by
Bibishana, and they surveyed the four quarters without being
able to discover Ravani, who had veiled himself in his magic
during the fight. But while he was hidden by his occult
power, Bibishana, also having recourse to magic arts, looking
round, beheld his nephew of incomparable exploits, who was
invincible in battle, standing nearby. Although that warrior,
who had no peer in the field, had made himself invisible by
virtue of the boon he had received, he was recognized by
Bibishana, who was full of energy, glory and prowess.
Indrajita, however, contemplating his own feat, gazed on
those two warriors stretched on the earth and, in an excess of joy,
wishing to share it with all the titans, said : —
" Those two mighty brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, the
slayers of Khara and Dushana, are now struck down by my
darts ! Even were they aided by the Gods and Asuras with the
YUDDHA KANDA
hosts of Rishis, they would never be able to release themselves
from those arrows that paralyse them ! I have overcome Rama
for the sake of my sire, who is a prey to anxiety and fear, passing
the three watches of the night without allowing his limbs to rest
on his couch, I have subdued that wretch, who destroys all
beings to their very root, on account of whom the whole of
Lanka is agitated like a river in the rainy season. As clouds
are dispersed in the autumn, so have the exploits of Rama and
Lakshmana and all the inhabitants of the woods been rendered
void."
Having spoken thus to all the titans, who had witnessed the
scene, Ravani began to assail all the monkey leaders. First he
struck down Nila with nine exceedingly powerful javelins,
thereafter he wounded Mainda and Dvivida with three more
and that mighty bowman, having pierced Jambavan in the breast
with an arrow, loosed ten shafts on the impetuous Hanuman.
Then Ravani, in the fight, full of ire, with twin arrows pierced
Gavaksha and Sharabha, those two of immeasurable prowess,
and the leader of the Golangulas and the son of Bali, Angada,
were overcome by innumerable darts by the swift-coursing
Ravani. Transfixing the leading monkeys with shafts resembling
tongues of fire, that mighty and colossal son of Ravana began
to shout in triumph and, having overwhelmed and routed the
monkeys with a hail of weapons, that long-armed hero burst into
loud laughter, exclaining : —
" Behold, O Titans, with a formidable net I have bound those
two brothers in the presence of their forces ! "
Thus did he speak and all those titans, versed in magic, were
exceedingly delighted by his exploit and cheered him un-
animously with a roar like unto thunder, crying : — " Rama is
dead ! " and hearing these tidings and beholding the two
brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, lying on the earth without
breath or movement, they all paid homage to Ravana's son,
reflecting " They are slain ! " In a transport of joy, Indrajita,
victorious in conflict, returned to Lanka spreading happiness
among the Nairritas.
A great fear however had taken possession of Sugriva, who
was overcome with terror on beholding Rama and Lakshmana
riddled with arrows and pierced in every limb and bone,
"3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
whereupon Bibishana said to the King of the Monkeys, who was
afflicted, his face bathed in tears, his eyes wild with terror : —
" Have no fear, O Sugriva, stay this rain of tears ; these are
the fortunes of war ; the titan's victory is not assured ; fate may
still smile upon us, O Warrior. These two heroes, full of prowess
will recover from their swoon. Take courage and inspire me
with courage also, who am bereft of a protector, O Monkey 1
Death cannot strike terror in those who find their felicity in
truth and justice."
Thus speaking, Bibishana, dipping his hand in water, washed
Sugriva's beautiful eyes and, after taking water and uttering a
sacred formula, the virtuous Bibishana then dried the face of that
intelligent King of the Monkeys and addressing him in words
full of good sense and comfort, said : —
" This is not the moment, O Greatest of Monkey Kings, to
manifest agitation, excessive emotion in such a situation leads
to death, therefore abandon this faint-heartedness that will
prove thine undoing and consider how thou canst best serve the
troops. Keep watch over Rama so long as he has not regained
consciousness, for when they come to themselves, the two
Kakutsthas will remove all fear from us. This is nothing to
Rama nor is he dying, and Lakshmi1, who is inaccessible to those
who are doomed, has not abandoned him. Therefore pluck
up thy courage and call on thy prowess while I seek to inspire
the ranks with renewed confidence. Those monkeys, their
eyes dilated, trembling and discouraged by the rumours whis-
pered from ear to ear, on seeing me cheerfully going about
amongst the ranks of the army, will abandon their fears like a
discarded garland, O King of the Monkeys ! "
Having reassured Sugriva, that Indra among the Titans,
Bibishana, passed through the monkey lines reviving their
confidence.
Meanwhile Indrajita, that great magician, surrounded by all
his forces re-entered the City of Lanka and sought out his sire.
Approaching Ravana, with joined palms, he imparted the
pleasant tidings to him, saying : —
" Rama and Lakshmana are slain ! " Then Ravana joyfully
springing up in the midst of the titans, on hearing that bis two
1 Goddess of prosperity.
»4
YUDDHA KANDA
enemies had succumbed, smelt the head of his son and in great
delight questioned him concerning the matter.
Being interrogated by his sire regarding what had taken place,
Indrajita related how the two brothers, bound by his shafts, were
lying without strength or movement. On hearing those tidings
from that warrior of the great car, joy flooded Ravana's inmost
being and Dashagriva, banishing his fears regarding the son of
Dasaratha, warmly felicitated his offspring who stood beside him.
CHAPTER 47
Sita sees Rama and Lakshmana lying on the Battlefield
The son of Ravana having returned to Lanka, his purpose
accomplished, the leading monkeys surrounded Raghava in
order to watch over him, and Hanuman, Angada, Nila, Sushena,
Kumuda, Nala, Gaja, Gavaksha, Panasa, Sanuprastha and the
mighty Jambavan with Sunda, Rambha, Shatabali and Prithu,
having re-organized their ranks, alert, armed with trees
surveyed the quarters of the sky up and down and on every side
and, even if a grass stirred, they exclaimed " It is a titan ! "
Ravana, meanwhile, full of joy dismissed bis son Indrajita
and thereafter summoned the female titans who guarded Sita
and they with Trijata, having hastened there at bis command,
were addressed by that monarch in his delight who said to
them: —
" Inform Vaidehi that Indrajita has slain Rama and
Lakshmana ! Compel her to enter the Pushpaka Plane and
show them to her lying on the field of battle ! Her consort,
the One depending on whom rendered her so proud that she
refused to be united with me, lies there struck down with
his brother in the presence of bis army ! From now on, free
from anxiety, grief and expectation of re-union, Maithili,
adorned in all her jewels, will submit herself to me. To-day,
beholding Rama with Lakshmana fallen under the sway of
death on the battlefield, seeing no other haven and hoping
for nought else, the large-eyed Sita will voluntarily seek refuge
with me 1 "
«5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At these words of that wicked monarch, they all replied —
" Be it so ! " and went to where the Pushpaka Chariot was,
thereafter ascending it. Taking that aerial car, the female
titans, in obedience to Ravana's behests, rejoined Maithili in
the Ashoka Grove.
There they found her overcome with the grief that separation
from her lord caused her, nevertheless they placed her in the
Chariot Pushpaka and when they were seated therein with
Trijata, Ravana took her round the city garlanded with flags
and banners and at the same time the delighted Monarch of
the Titans caused a proclamation to be made in Lanka announcing
that Rama as also Lakshmana had been slain by Indrajita in
combat.
Sita, transported with Trijata in that car, beheld the monkey
troops who had been slain and witnessed the joy exhibited by
those eaters of flesh and the monkeys afflicted with grief standing
round Rama and Lakshmana. And she beheld those two
warriors also, lying pierced with arrows, unconscious, riddled
with weapons, their armour shattered, their bows broken,
transfixed by darts. Those two brothers, who were filled with
valour, the foremost of heroes were lying stretched on the earth
resembling two youthful sons of Pavaka.
And when the unfortunate Maithili beheld those two intrepid
lions among men, pierced with spears, she broke into piteous
lamentations, and the dark-eyed Sita, the daughter of janaka,
of faultless limbs, beholding her lord and Lakshmana lying on
the earth, burst into sobs. Exhausted with weeping and grief
on seeing those two brothers resembling the offspring of the
Gods and, believing them to be dead, overwhelmed with
affliction, she spoke thus ;—
CHAPTER 48
Sita's Lamentations
Seeing her lord lying on the earth as also the valiant Lakshmana,
Sita, in the grief that overwhelmed her, gave voice to her
complaint, saying : —
116
YUDDHA KANDA
"The soothsayers, reading the lineaments of my body,
prophesized thus : —
* Thou shalt bear sons and never be widowed ! ' — now that
Rama has been slain, their words have proved to be untrue !
Since Rama is slain, those who predicted that I should be the
companion and consort of the performer of great sacrifices,
have uttered a falsehood ! Now that Rama has been slain,
those soothsayers, who told me I should be highly honoured by
the wives of warriors and kings, are proved not to have spoken
truly ! Now that Rama has been slain, the astrologers among
the brahmins, who openly foretold happiness for me, are proved
to have spoken falsely !
" Yet I bear the marks of the lotus on my feet by which
high-born women receive the supreme consecration with their
lords at their coronation nor do I find in myself any marks of
ill-fortune which betoken widowhood in those who are ill-
starred, yet all the auspicious signs appear to be rendered void
for me ! These marks of the lotus, said to be of good augury by
the Pundits, have no meaning for me, now that Rama is slain !
" My locks are fine, of even length and dark, my eyebrows
meet, my legs are round and smooth, my teeth evenly separated,
the corners of my eyes are shaped like the conch, my breasts,
bands, feet and thighs well proportioned, my nails smooth and
polished, my fingers well-shaped, my breasts touch each other
and have depressed nipples, my navel too is deeply indented, my
bosom well-formed, my complexion has the sheen of a pearl,
the down on my skin is soft. It is said I possess the twelve
auspicious signs : my feet and hands are without hollows and
marked with the barley corn1 and my smile is langorous. Thus
did those, who interpret the marks of youthful maidens, speak
of me.
" Having purified Janasthana8, received the tidings of my
fate and crossed the impassable ocean, those two brothers have
perished in the imprint of a cow's hoof. Did they not recollect
(that they possessed) the arrows of Varuna, Agni, Indra and
Vayu, as also the Brahmashira weapon ?
1 A natural line crossing the thumb at the second joist resembling a barley
corn, which is considered auspicious.
* Purified Janasthana — that is — ' Rid Janasthana of the titans '.
i H7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" By means of magic arts, an invisible foe has slain those two,
Rama and Lakshmana, my protectors, who are equal to Vasava
in combat and I am now bereft of any support. Nay, if he had
come into Rama's presence, he would not have returned alive
even were he possessed of the swiftness of thought but since
Rama and his brother are lying struck down on the battlefield,
there is no burden too heavy for death to shoulder ! Fate is
inexorable. I do not weep so much for Rama and Lakshmana
or for myself or my mother but for my unfortunate mother-in-
law, Kaushalya, who dwells constantly on her son's return after
fulfilling his vows, she who asks herself, * When shall I behold
Lakshmana and Sita with Raghava once more ? * "
Thus did Janaki lament and Trijata said to her : — " Do not
despair, O Goddess, thy lord lives ! I will tell thee what
powerful considerations have convinced me that those two
brothers, Rama and Lakshmana still live, O Queen. They are,
that resolution and martial ardour do not animate the faces of
soldiers who have lost their leader, neither would the celestial
car, Pushpaka, have brought thee hither, O Vaidehi, if those two
heroes had succumbed. An army that sees its valiant commander
fall is bereft of courage and wanders aimlessly about on tile
battlefield like a ship which has lost its rudder. Yet there is
neither confusion nor disorder among the intrepid forces that
mount guard over the two Kakutsthas. I am pointing this out
to thee on account of mine affection for thee. These auspicious
omens should re-assure thee fully, for know well, the two
Kakutsthas are not dead, I hasten to tell thee this out of love
for thee.
" I have never spoken what is not true to thee nor shall I
ever do so, O Maithili, for by thy conduct and natural gaiety
thou hast found a place in my heart ! Nay, those two warriors
are not able to be vanquished even by the Gods and Asuras
with their leaders. This is what I have observed and com-
municate to thee. Yea, there is a great marvel to be seen, O
Maithili ; behold how, fallen under those shafts and deprived
of their senses, their beauty has not deserted them.
" In the natural course, when men have lost their lives, their
features exhibit appalling alteration, it is therefore impossible
that these two do not still live. Banish thy grief on account of
nS
YUDDHA KANDA
Rama and Lakshmana, abandon thy sorrow, O Daughter of
Janaka ! "
At these words, Sita, who resembled a daughter of the Gods,
with joined palms, exclaimed " May it be so ! "
Meanwhile the Chariot Pushpaka, swift as the wind, had
returned and the plaintive Sita re-entered the city with Trijata,
whereupon descending from the car, she entered the Ashoka
Grove with the female titans.
Having returned to the royal enclosure planted with in-
numerable trees, Sita, recalling the two princes whom she had
just seen, became a prey to extreme grief.
chapter 49
Rama returns to consciousness and weeps over Lakshmana
Bound by those formidable weapons, the two sons of Dasaratha,
breathing like serpents, lay bleeding on the earth.
Those foremost of monkeys, the valiant companions of
Sugriva, plunged in grief, were all standing round the two
illustrious warriors.
Then the mighty Raghava, by virtue of his hardihood and
native strength, awoke from his swoon despite the shafts that
held him captive. Beholding his brother bleeding, unconscious,
tightly bound and his features changed, Rama, full of grief,
lamented thus : — " Of what use to me is the recovery of Sita
or even life itself, since my brother, now lying before mine eyes,
has been struck down in the fight ? It were possible for me to
find a consort equal to Sita in this world of mortals but not a
brother, friend and comrade in arms such as Lakshmana !
If he has returned to the five elements, he, the increaser of
Sumitra's joy, I will yield up my life breaths in the presence of
the monkeys !
" What shall I say to my mother, Kaushalya, or to Kaikeyi ?
If I return without Lakshmana, how shall I console Sumitra
trembling and crying out like an osprey, who sighs for her son's
return from whom she has been separated so long? What
119
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
answer shall I give to Shatrughna and the illustrious Bharata
when I return without the one who followed me to the forest ?
Nay, I should not be able to endure Sumitra's reproaches ;
I will leave my body here ; I am unable to continue living. Woe
unto me and to my lack of nobility, since, through my fault,
Lakshmana has fallen and lies on a bed of arrows as one who has
yielded up his life !
" O Lakshmana, thou didst ever console me in my great
misfortune ; now that thou art slain, thou wilt no longer be able
to allay my sufferings by thy words. Thou, who, in this battle,
struck down innumerable titans, art fallen, pierced by darts,
like a hero on the selfsame field. Lying on a bed of arrows,
bathed in blood, thou art nought but a heap of weapons ! It
appears as if the sun has set behind the Astachala Mountains !
Pierced with spears, thy limbs express thine agony without the
aid of words. I shall follow that illustrious warrior to the region
of Yama, as he accompanied me when I retired to the forest ;
he, who ever loved his own and was filled with devotion for me,
lies in the state to which my misdeeds have brought him, wretch
that I am !
" Even when deeply provoked, that valiant hero never uttered
an unpleasant or harsh word ; he who was able to loose five
hundred arrows in one shot and who excelled Kartavirya
himself in the science of archery ; Lakshmana, who was
accustomed to a rich couch and who, with his arrows could
sever those of the mighty Shakra, is lying slain on the earth.
" Those vain words, which I uttered, will undoubtedly
consume me since I have not enthroned Bibishana as King of
the Titans ! Return at once, O Sugriva, since bereft of my
support thou and thy leaders will be overcome by Ravana.
Recross the sea accompanied by thine army led by Angada with
Nila and Nala, O King. I am fully satisfied by the great
military exploit of Hanuman, impossible to any other and by that
accomplished by the King of the Bears and the General of the
Golangulas. That which Angada, Mainda and Dvivida did,
the terrible combat that Kesarin and Sampati sustained, the
formidable struggle in which Gavaya, Gavaksha, Sharabha,
Gaja and other monkeys, who are willing to sacrifice their lives
for me, took part, are sufficient for me. Nay, it is not possible
YUDDHA KANDA
for mortals to avoid their destiny. O Sugriva, tearing to fail
in thy duty, thou hast done all that a friend and comrade could
do ; all that is due to friendship, thou hast accomplished, O
Foremost of Monkeys ! I take leave of you all ; go where
it seems best to you ! "
Hearing Rama lament thus, the monkeys allowed tears to fall
from their reddened eyes, when, at that moment, Bibishana,
having established order in the ranks, mace in hand hurried to
rejoin Raghava. Seeing him, who resembled a mass of collyrium,
hastening towards them thus, the monkeys thinking him to be
Ravani, tied away.
chaptsr 50
Garuda liberates Rama and Lakshmana
Meanwhile the illustrious and powerful King of the Monkeys
enquired saying : — " What does this stampede signify ? The
army resembles a ship amidst the waves struck by a tempest ! "
Hearing Sugriva's speech, Angada, the son of Bali, answered :
" Dost thou not see Rama and Lakshmana of the Great Car,
those two valiant and illustrious sons of Dasaratha, covered with
darts lying all bloody on a bed of arrows ? "
Thereupon that Indra among monkeys, Sugriva, said to his
son : — " To my mind there is some other cause why the monkeys,
bewildered, their eyes distended with terror, are throwing down
their arms in order to flee in all directions without shame and
without looking behind them, jostling each other and leaping
over those who have fallen 1 "
In the midst of this turmoil, the warrior Bibishana came there,
a great mace in his hand and said " Victory to Rama ! Victory
to Rama !" and Sugriva observed that it was this titan who had
caused the panic among the monkeys whereat he addressed the
illustrious King of the Bears, who stood near, and said : —
" It is Bibishana who has come hither ! On seeing him the
monkeys, seized with terror, have fled, deeming him to be
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Havana's son ; do thou rally those fugitives immediately, who,
in fear, have scattered in all directions and inform them that it is
Bibishana who has come ! "
In obedience to Sugriva's command, Jambavan perceiving
it to be Bibishana and recognizing his voice, re-assured the
monkeys and arrested the stampede, whereupon freed from
anxiety they all retraced their steps.
Meanwhile the faithful Bibishana, on beholding Rama's body
as also Lakshmana's covered with arrows, was overcome with
distress in his turn. Dipping his hand in water, he washed their
eyes, but, anguish seizing his heart, he began to weep and
lament, saying : —
" Behold to what a pass these two powerful and valiant
warriors have been brought by that titan with his crafty ways !
The son of my brother, that wicked youth of perverse soul,
in his demoniacal cunning, has deceived those two honourable
fighters. Pierced by arrows, covered with blood, they are
lying on the earth like two porcupines. Those two gallant
beings, those two lions among men, on whom depended the
position to which I aspired, to my destruction are lying here
insensible. I am as one dead and, deprived of the hope of
becoming king am lost, whilst my rival Ravana sees his vow
fulfilled and his desires realised ! "
Thus did Bibishana lament, whereupon Sugriva embraced
him and that magnanimous King of the Monkeys spoke to him
in this wise : —
" O Virtuous Prince, thou shalt certainly reign over Lanka ;
Ravana and his son will not achieve their purpose ; the injury
done to Rama and Lakshmana is not grave, they will both
emerge from their swoon and destroy Ravana and his hordes
in battle. "
When he had thus consoled and comforted the titan, Sugriva
issued his commands to Sushena, his stepfather, who stood
before him, saying : —
" Take these two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana with the
foremost of the monkey divisions to Kishkindha, till these two
scourgers of their foes have recovered consciousness. As for
me, I shall slay Ravana with his son and his relatives and bring
back Maithili as did Shakra the prosperity he had lost."
YUDDHA KANDA
Thus did that King of the Monkeys speak and Sushena
answered him saying : —
" Formerly a great war took place between the Devas and
Asuras and, by making themselves invisible again and again,
the Danavas overcame the Gods despite their skill in bearing
arms. Experienced warriors though they were, wounded,
unconscious and almost deprived of life, yet Brihaspati revived
them by the aid of remedies accompanied by the recitation of
sacred formulas.
" Let the monkeys, Sampari, Fanasa and others go in haste
to gather those simples by the ocean of milk ; undoubtedly
those monkeys are conversant with the two mountain herbs,
the celestial Samjivakarana and Vishalya, which were created
by a God. From the bosom of the milky ocean rise the
Mountains Chandra and Drona, where the divine * Amrita '
emerged after the churning,1 it is there that these miraculous
herbs are to be found. Let the Son of the Wind, Hanuman go
to those two mountains placed in that vast sea by the Gods."
As he was speaking, a great wind arose accompanied by
massed clouds and lightning, whipping up the salty waves and
causing the mountains to tremble as from an earthquake. Under
the mighty stroke of Vata's wing the great trees fell headlong
into the briny waters of the sea, their branches broken, whilst
terror seized the great snakes who inhabited these regions
and those monsters plunged into the depths.
Suddenly Garuda, the valiant son of Vinata like unto a blazing
torch appeared to all those monkeys and, on beholding him,
the serpents who bound those two warriors in the form of
mighty arrows, Med away. Thereafter Suparna, touching the
two Kakutsthas and offering them his good wishes, with his
hands wiped their faces that shone like the moon.
Under Vainateya's touch, the wounds of both were closed and
their bodies immediately assumed a brilliant and glowing hue.
Their valour, vigour, strength, endurance and resolution, those
great qualities, also perspicacity, intelligence and memory were
redoubled.
Having raised up those equals of Vasava, the exceedingly
valiant Garuda embraced them warmly and Rama said to him : —
1 Referring to the churning of the Ocean by Gods and Asuras.
123
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Thanks to thy beneficence and grace we have both been
delivered from the strange evil that Ravana brought upon us and
our strength has returned. As in the presence of my father
Dasaratha, or my grandfather Aja, in thy presence also my
heart is filled with felicity. Who art thou endowed with a
beauty which distinguishes thee, thou bearing crowns, divine
perfumes and celestial ornaments, the raiment which clothes
thee being free from dust ? "
Then the extremely illustrious Vainateya, who was full of
valour and the Lord of Winged Creatures, his heart enraptured,
addressed Rama, whose eyes sparkled with delight, and said : —
" I am thy dear friend, O Kakutstha, thy very breath, Garuda,
who have come hither to assist you both. The mighty Asuras
and exceedingly energetic monkeys as also the Gandharvas
with Shatakratu at their head or the Gods themselves would not
have been able to sever these formidable bonds wrought with
arrows, woven with the aid of great magic by Indrajita of
ruthless deeds. These offspring of Kadru of sharp fangs and
subtle poison, which the potent arts of the titan had changed
to arrows, had fettered thee. Fortunate art thou, O Virtuous
Rama, thou true hero, as also Lakshmana, thy brother, the
destroyer of his foes in combat.
Hearing of thy plight, summoning up mine energy in
affection for you both, giving ear to the call of friendship alone,
I came hither with all speed. Now that you are liberated from
these formidable bonds let both of you be constantly on your
guard ! All titans by nature have recourse to treachery in war,
whilst for you, O Chivalrous Warriors, honour is your only
weapon. Never trust the titans on the battlefield for such
perfidious means are ever employed by them."
Having counselled him in this wise, the mighty Suparna
embraced Rama tenderly and craved his permission to depart,
saying : —
" Dear and Virtuous Raghava, thou art a friend to thy foes,
allow me to take my leave. Do not enquire indiscreetly into the
cause of my friendship, O Raghava, who am as near to thee as
thy breath, though external to thee. Thou sbalt know of it when
thou hast achieved success in battle, O Hero ! When, under the
rain of thy missiles, Lanka has been destroyed save for the aged
124
YUDDHA KANDA
and the children and thou hast slain Ravana, thine adversary,
thou shalt bring back Sita ! "
Having said this, Suparna of swift flight, who had just healed
Rama's wounds in the presence of the monkeys, having paid
obeisance to him and taken him into his arms, mounted into
the sky with the speed of the wind.
Seeing the two Raghavas healed of their wounds, the leaders
of the monkeys, lashing their tails, roared like lions. Thereafter
gongs were beaten and drums resounded, whilst conches were
blown amidst general rejoicing. Some manifested their strength
by breaking down the trees which they used as maces and, in their
warlike frenzy, those Plavamgamas hurled themselves on the
gates of Lanka.
Thereafter a terrible and appalling clamour arose amongst the
foremost of monkeys as, at the end of summer, the roaring of
thunderclouds in the night.
CHAPTER 5 I
Dhumraksha goes out to fight the Monkeys
That formidable clamour, set up by the monkeys who were
full of martial ardour, arrested the attention of Ravana and his
titans, and he, hearing the joyful and spirited acclamations and
the distant tumult, said to his ministers who surrounded him : —
" A great uproar, resembling the muttering of clouds, has
arisen from that horde of delighted monkeys. Undoubtedly
their joy is great, their mighty shouts are agitating the ocean
itself. Nevertheless whetted shafts have rendered the two
brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, insensible, therefore this
tremendous outcry almost alarms me ! "
Having spoken thus to his ministers, the Lord of the Titans
said to his Nairritas, who stood round him : —
" Do ye speedily discover from what cause this general
rejoicing among those forest dwellers proceeds in their present
painful situation ! "
At this command, the titans hastily climbed the ramparts
125
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
from where they beheld the army and its leader the illustrious
Sugriva with the two Raghavas also, freed of their bonds, seated
in noble ease, whereupon the titans were thunderstruck. With
terror in their hearts, those fierce warriors jumped down from
the walls and, deadly pale, returned to their king. With
downcast mien, those titans, skilled in speech, faithfully
informed Ravana of those unpleasant tidings, saying : —
" The two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, whom Indrajita
had bound with his benumbing shafts and whose arms he had
pinioned, are freed from the arrows which paralysed them and
now appear on the field of battle in theirnative vigour, resembling
two elephants who have snapped their fetters."
At these words, the powerful King of the Titans, full of
anxiety and highly incensed, grew pale and said : —
" If mine adversaries, having thus been bound, are now free
despite those formidable arrows, those rare boons resembling
serpents bright as the sun, that were infallible and with which
Indrajita secured them after overcoming them in combat, then
mine entire authority is in jeopardy ! Verily those darts, bright
as fire, which in battle deprived mine enemies of life have been
rendered void."
Having uttered these words in furious tones, hissing like a
snake, he addressed one named Dhumraksha who was seated
amidst the titans and said : —
" Taking with thee a considerable force of titans go without
delay and slay Rama and Lakshmana."
At the command of that crafty monarch, Dhumraksha
circumambulated him and immediately left the palace, thereafter
having crossed the threshold he said to the General of the Forces:
" Mobilize the army, what need is there for delay when the
battle is joined ! "
Thus spoke Dhumraksha and the General gathered together
a large number of troops in accord with Ravana's command.
Thereafter those prowlers of the night, who were valiant
and of a formidable aspect, with girdles of bells round
their waists, shouted exultantly and ranged themselves round
Dhumraksha.
Furnished with every kind of weapon, brandishing spears,
hammers, maces, harpoons, sticks, iron cudgels, bars, hooks,
126
YUDDHA KANDA
picks, nooses and axes, those terrible titans sallied forth with the
noise of thunder. Clad in mail and mounted on chariots that
were magnificently dressed with flags and decorated with bands
of pure gold, harnessed to mules of many heads or steeds of
exceeding fleetness or elephants maddened with Mada juice,
some of those titans bounded forward like veritable tigers.
And Dhumraksha, with a great clatter set out in a celestial
car to which mules with golden harness and the heads of deer
and lions were hitched ; and that valiant general surrounded by
the titans set forth amidst mocking laughter through the
western gate, where Hanuman was stationed. As he advanced
in his excellent car harnessed to mules, whose voices he emulated,
birds of ill-omen planed above him and on the top of his chariot
a terrible vulture alighted while those devourers of corpses
clustered on the point of his standard. Streaming with blood
a huge decapitated and livid trunk fell to earth emitting in-
articulate cries at Dhumraksha's approach and the sky rained
down blood, the earth shook, the wind blew adversely with the
roar of thunder and darkness obscured every quarter.
Beholding those terrible portents that appeared in all their
horror, boding ill-fortune to the titans, Dhumraksha was filled
with alarm, and terror seized all the soldiers who accompanied
him. At the moment when, full of fear, amidst his coundess
titans, eager to enter into combat, that valiant general set out,
he beheld the vast army of the monkeys resembling a great
flood, protected by the arms of the Raghavas.
chapter 52
Dhumraksha Jights and is slain by Hanuman
Seeing Dhumraksha of redoubtable courage set forth, all the
monkeys in their martial ardour emitted loud cries and a terrific
struggle ensued between those forest dwellers and the titans,
who attacked each other with huge trees, spears and maces.
On all sides ferocious monkeys were massacred by titans and
titans felled to the earth by monkeys employing trees. The
"7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
titans struck their opponents with pointed arrows furnished
with heron's plumes, fearful to behold, which never missed
their target and terrible maces, harpoons, axes, formidable bars
and tridents of all kinds, which, brandished by them, mutilated
those powerful monkeys, while they, exasperated, redoubled
their efforts and, without flagging, continued the fight. Their
limbs pierced with arrows, their bodies transfixed with spears,
those foremost of the monkeys armed themselves with trees
and rocks and, with terrific bounds, having proclaimed their
names to the accompaniment of yells, crushed those intrepid
titans.
Thereafter the battle waxed exceedingly furious between
monkeys and demons and the former amidst shouts of triumph
seized hold of stones of every kind and trees with countless
branches and rocks in order to destroy the enemy ; the titans,
who fed on gore, fell in heaps, vomiting blood, their sides
slashed open by the trees, whilst others were crushed by the
stones and yet others torn to pieces by the monkeys' teeth.
Their standards broken, their swords snapped, their chariots
overturned, they wandered about blindly and the earth was
covered with the corpses of great elephants resembling hills and
horses with their riders crushed by the great rocks hurled on
them by those dwellers in the woods ; and the monkeys of
exceeding valour rushed on the titans, flinging themselves upon
them with gTeat bounds and scratching their races with their
sharp nails.
Mutilated, their hair torn out, maddened by the smell of
blood, the titans fell in great numbers ; some of those fierce
warriors however, in a paroxysm of fury hurled themselves
on the monkeys and struck them with the palms of their hands,
which resounded like the clap of thunder, and the monkeys,
receiving that sharp shock, with an even greater ferocity crushed
the titans with blows of their feet, teeth and trees.
Seeing his army routed, Dhumraksha, that Hon among the
titans, in his rage, began to create carnage among those bellicose
apes and some pierced with spears lost rivers of blood whilst
others, struck down by the blows of the axe, fell to earth.
Here some were crushed by iron bars, others torn by harpoons
or pierced by javelins, stumbled and fell, yielding up their vital
138
YUDDHA KANDA
breaths. Mowed down, covered with blood, put to flight,
those inhabitants of the woods fell dying under the furious
onslaught of the titans in the struggle. Their breasts torn open
they lay on their side or, slashed with tridents, their entrails
gushed forth.
Then that mighty conflict took on fearful proportions by
virtue of the number of monkeys and titans who took part and
the innumerable darts, stones and trees that were used. With
the bowstrings as the tuneful lute, the neighing of the horses,
the clapping of the hands and the trumpeting of the elephants
as the melody, the whole battle resembled a symphony.
Meanwhile Dhumraksha, armed with his bow, in the forefront
of battle, under a hail of missiles, dispersed the monkeys as in
sport on every side, and Maruti, beholding the monkey army
being exterminated and put to flight by that titan, hurled himself
upon him in fury, a great rock in his hand. His eyes inflamed
with anger, the equal of his sire in courage, he flung the rock on
the chariot of his foe and seeing the stone fall, Dhumraksha,
brandishing his mace, in his agitation leapt quickly from the
car to the ground. Then that rock rolled on the earth, having
shattered the chariot with its wheels, its pole, its shafts, banner
and Dhumraksha's bow.
Thereafter Hanuman, born of Maruta, leaving the car lying,
slew the titans with die trunks of trees furnished with their
branches, and their heads crushed, covered with blood, mangled
by those trees, they fell to the earth.
Having routed the army of the enemy, Hanuman, born of
Maruta, breaking off the peak of a mountain hurled himself on
Dhumraksha, who, brandishing his mace, rushed on his
adversary and he advanced with haste towards him shouting.
Then Dhumraksha, in his rage, brought down that weapon
studded with countless points on the head of the infuriated
Hanuman and assailed by that violent and fearful stroke, the
monkey, who was endowed with the strength of Maruta, was
in no wise disturbed but struck the titan full on the skull with
his rocky peak which shattered all his limbs, whereupon
Dhumraksha suddenly fell to the earth like a mountain
crumbling.
Beholding him slain, the night-rangers who had survived the
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
slaughter, terrified, re-entered Lanka, harassed by the
Plavamgamas.
The Illustrious son of Pavana, however, having destroyed
his enemies, causing rivers of blood to flow, weary of slaughter,
with delight received the cordial felicitations of the monkey
leaders.
chapter 53
Vajradamshtra enters the Lists
Hearing of the death of Dhumraksha, Ravana the King of the
Titans fell into a transport of fury and began to hiss like a
serpent. Wrought up with ire, with long and burning sighs
he addressed the exceedingly powerful Vajradamshtra, saying : —
" O Warrior, go forth at the head of the titans and triumph
over the son of Dasaratha, Rama, as also over Sugriva and the
monkeys ! "
" Be it so ! " answered the general who was versed in the art
of magic, and he departed speedily with the innumerable
divisions that surrounded him.
With the utmost care he assembled teams of elephants, horses,
donkeys and mules, adorning them with countless flags of
different colours, and that titan, wearing bracelets and a diadem
of great price, set out immediately, bearing his bow and, having
circumambulated his chariot dressed with pennants, which
dazzled the gaze with its facings of pure gold, he ascended it.
Thereafter infantry of every kind issued forth, furnished with
weapons, such as cutlasses, innumerable darts, gleaming maces,
harpoons, bows, lances, spears, swords, discus, hammers and
sharp axes. All those illustrious lions among the titans in their
resplendent and many-coloured uniforms, full of ardour
mounted on elephants intoxicated with ichor, resembled
moving hills. Their mounts equipped for combat, driven by
mahouts bearing lances and goads, were headed by those
distinguished for their trappings and great strength.
And the whole army of titans filed out, looking as brilliant
as the clouds riven by lightning in the rainy season and they
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YUDDHA KANDA
emerged from the northern gate where the General Angada was
stationed.
Thereafter, as they set forth, fearful portents appeared and,
from a cloudless yet burning sky, meteors fell while jackals,
emitting fearful howls, belched forth flames and fire. Hideous
beasts foretold the destruction of the titans who entered into the
combat stumbling miserably.
Yet despite those ill-omens, the mighty Vajradamshtra, full
of energy and prowess, went forward eager to meet the foe and,
seeing their adversaries advancing, the monkeys, burning for
victory, set up tremendous shouts which echoed in every quarter.
Thereafter a furious struggle ensued between the monkeys and
the titans and those redoubtable warriors of ferocious aspect
sought to bring about each other's destruction. Some of those
warriors, their heads and bodies severed, fell to the earth bathed
in blood, whilst others, whose arms resembled steel, approached
one another, attacking with various weapons, neither giving
ground. Trees, stones and javelins clashed with a tremendous
noise, striking terror in the heart of the listeners and the appalling
clatter of chariot wheels, the twanging of bow-strings, the blare
of trumpets, the roll of drums, the booming of gongs, created an
indescribable uproar.
Then, throwing away their weapons, they wrestled with
one another in hand-to-hand combat, striking each other with
the palms of their hands, their feet, their knees and even with
trees. Some of the titans had their bodies torn open, some were
crushed by rocks and some were beaten down by the blows of
the monkeys in the fight.
Now Vajradamshtra, having surveyed the scene, began to sow
terror among the monkeys, as Antaka, noose in hand, at the
destruction of the worlds.
Full of vigour, those skilled warriors, the titans, transported
with rage, decimated the monkey forces with every kind of
weapon and, on his side the audacious son of Vayu struck
down all those titans in the fight, fury re-doubling his strength,
so that he appeared like the Fire of Dissolution. Then the
valiant Angada, the equal of Shakra in valour, brandishing a
tree, his eyes red with anger, like a lion amidst defenceless deer,
caused a terrible carnage. By the force of his blows, the titans
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of redoubtable courage, their skulls crushed, fell like trees
under the blows of the axe and the earth, strewn with chariots
of every kind, standards, horses, bodies of monkeys and titans
and rivers of blood, was fearful to behold. Strings of pearls,
bracelets, raiment, and parasols decorated the battlefield, which
glowed like an autumnal night and the tempestuous Angada
scattered the great army of the titans as the wind dispels the
clouds.
chapter 54
Angada slays Vajradamshtra
The extermination of his army through Angada' s prowess filled
the valiant Vajradamshtra with fury. Stretching his formidable
bow, like unto Shakra's thunderbolt, he assailed the monkey
battalions with a hail of shafts whereupon the foremost of the
titans mounted on chariots, armed with every kind of weapon
and full of courage, entered the lists whilst the monkeys, those
powerful bulls among the Plavagas, assembling on all sides,
fought with rocks.
Thousands of weapons were hurled in that desperate encounter
by the titan and monkey leaders and, from their side, the great
monkeys with the ardour of elephants in rut, showered down
giant trees and huge lumps of rock on the demons so that between
those intrepid warriors, the titans and the monkeys, who never
retreated in battle, a tremendous struggle ensued.
Monkeys and titans, still possessing heads but bereft of arms
and legs, lay on the earth bathed in blood and bristling with
arrows, a prey to herons, vultures and crows or devoured by
troops of jackals.
Monkeys and night-rangers fell on the battlefield ; headless
trunks leapt up to the terror of all, their arms, hands and heads
severed and their limbs hacked to pieces in the fight.
Meanwhile the army of Vajradamshtra, overcome by the
monkeys, broke up under his eyes, whereupon that leader, seeing
the titans terrorised and decimated by the Plavamgamas, his
eyes red with anger, bow in hand, penetrated the enemy ranks,
13a
YUDDHA KANDA
sowing panic amongst them. Thereafter he dispatched those
monkeys with arrows furnished with heron's plumes that flew
straight to their target and pierced seven, eight, nine or five
of his opponents simultaneously, thus destroying them in his
fury. Put to flight, those simian battalions, their limbs crippled
by those darts, sought refuge with Angada as all creatures with
Prajapati ; and when he beheld those monkey divisions fleeing
in disorder, the son of Bali exchanged glances of hatred with
Vajradamshtra and, in a paroxysm of rage, they entered into a
terrible duel one with the other so that it seemed a Hon and an
elephant intoxicated with ichor fought together. And the son
of Bali full of valour, was struck in his vital parts by a hundred
thousand arrows resembling tongues of fire and all his limbs were
besprinkled with blood. Then that exceedingly energetic
monkey of redoubtable courage hurled a tree at Vajradamshtra
but that intrepid titan, seeing it fall, cut it into innumerable
pieces which fell in heaps on the earth.
Witnessing the strength of his rival, that lion among the
Plavagas seized hold of a huge rock which he spun round,
emitting a shout and, as it descended, that hero leaping down
from his chariot, armed with his mace, stood waiting un-
perturbed. Meanwhile that rock discharged by Angada fell
on the forefront of the battle where it shattered the chariot with
its wheels, shafts and horses.
Then the monkey broke off a great crag from the mountain
once more and it was covered with trees and he brought it down
on the head of his adversary so that Vajradamshtra, seized with
a sudden giddiness, faltered and began to vomit blood, clenching
his mace convulsively and breathing heavily. Thereafter,
coming to his senses, in a transport of fury he hit the son of
Bali full on the chest with his mace and, letting it fall, began to
fight with his fists whereupon a hand-to-hand struggle ensued
between monkey and titan. Exhausted by the blows, spitting
blood, those valiant warriors resembled the planets Mars and
Mercury.
Meanwhile the exceedingly powerful Angada, that lion of
Plavagas stood waiting and he seized hold of a shield covered
with the hide of a bull and a great sword decorated with golden
bells enveloped in a leathern sheath.
« 133
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
In the midst of innumerable graceful evolutions, the monkey
and the titan attacked each other, roaring and thirsting for victory.
With their gaping wounds, they shone like two Kimshuka Trees
in flower and the straggle robbed them of their breath so that
they sank to their knees on the earth. Thereafter in the
twinkling of an eye, Angada, that elephant among monkeys,
rose up, his eyes inflamed like a serpent that has been struck
with a stick and, with his stainless sword that was well sharpened,
the son of Bali who was full of vigour, struck off the huge head
of Vajradamshtra, whose limbs were bathed in blood. Under
the stroke of that sword, his beautiful head fell, cleft in twain,
the eyes rolling.
Beholding Vajradamshtra slain, the titans, wild with terror,
tied panic-stricken towards Lanka, harassed by the Plavamgamas,
their faces woe-begone, their heads bowed in shame.
Having struck down the enemy with his powerful arm, the
mighty son of Bali experienced great joy amidst the monkey
army, honoured by them for his high courage and he resembled
the God of a Thousand Eyes surrounded by the Celestials.
chapter 55
Akampana goes out to fight against the Monkeys
HEARING that Vajradamshtra had been slain by the son of Bali,
Ravana addressed the General of his forces who, with joined
palms, stood near him and said : —
" Let the invincible titans of irresistible courage go forth
immediately with Akampana at their head, who is conversant
with the use of every weapon and missile; he excels in vanquishing
the foe and in preserving and leading his own forces ; he has
ever desired my welfare and loved war ; he will prove victorious
over the two Kakutsthas and the exceedingly energetic Sugriva.
The rest of the monkeys too are formidable but without doubt
he will exterminate them all."
At this command from Ravana, the valiant titan, in great haste,
mobilized an entire division of the army. Furnished with every
*34
YUDDHA KANDA
kind of weapon, those foremost of titans of terrifying aspect,
fearful to look upon, rushed into the fray where their general
had despatched them.
Akampana of the stature and colour of a cloud, whose voice
resembled thunder, ascended his car decorated with fine gold
and set out surrounded by dreadful demons. He, who was
incapable of trembling in battle even before the Gods themselves,
seemed to the monkeys to be as splendid as the sun. As he
sped on his way, furious and eager to enter into combat, the
horses drawing his chariot were suddenly deprived of their
energy and the left eye of that one who delighted in warfare began
to twitch. His countenance grew pale, his voice trembled, the
day which had seemed so fair became threatening and a bitter
wind began to blow. Birds and beasts uttered mournful cries
but that titan, who had the shoulders of a lion and the agility
of a tiger, disregarding those portents, rushed towards the
battlefield and, as he went forward with his troops, an immense
tumult arose that seemed to convulse the ocean and the sound
appalled the simian army, who, furnished with trees, prepared to
enter into combat.
Thereafter a fearful struggle ensued between monkeys and
demons and, ready to sacrifice their lives in the cause of Rama
and Ravana, those monkey and titan warriors of exceeding
valour, who resembled hills, contended with each other and,
the yells they emitted in the thick of the fight and the shouts of
defiance that they let forth in their rage created an indescribable
clamour. A thick coppery dust, raised by the monkeys and
the titans enveloped the whole horizon and, in the midst of that
yellow cloud resembling silk which covered them, the combatants
could no longer distinguish each other on the field. Neither
standard, banner, shield, weapon nor chariot could be discerned
in that pall of dust and the terrific clamour of warriors challenging
and rushing upon each other was appalling to hear, yet in the
confusion no form was visible.
In that fight monkeys fell under the blows of enraged monkeys,
titans massacred titans in the darkness ; Plavagas and demons
slew foe and friend, and the earth drenched with gore was thick
with mud.
Under the rain of blood the dust was laid, revealing the
*35
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
earth covered with corpses. Then the monkeys and titans
assailed each other with blows from trees, spears, maces,
javelins, stones, bars and picks, wrestling with their adversaries
who resembled mountains. In that encounter those monkeys
slew the titans of dreadful deeds and they, transported with rage,
bearing darts and javelins in their hands, destroyed the monkeys
with their cruel weapons.
Thereafter Akampana, the leader of the titans, full of ire,
consoled all those fierce and valiant soldiers ; the monkeys
however, leaping upon them, shattered their weapons and
crushed those titans with blows from trees and stones.
At that instant, the courageous monkey Leaders, Kumuda,
Nala and Mainda, in a paroxysm of rage, as in sport, with
mighty bounds and blows of trees created a great carnage
amongst the titans and all those lions among the monkeys
brought about complete disorder in the enemy ranks with
their countless missiles.
CHAPTER 56
Akampana is slain by Hanuman
Witnessing this great exploit executed by the monkey leaders,
Akampana was seized with violent anger and his features
became distorted. Brandishing his powerful bow, he addressed
his charioteer in these words : —
" Drive the chariot with all speed to that place, for those
warriors axe slaying countless titans on the battlefield. Those
arrogant monkeys of exceeding ferocity, armed with trees and
rocks, dare to affront me ! I shall exterminate those audacious
warriors who are seen sowing confusion in the ranks of the
titans! "
Thereupon, in his chariot drawn by fast-moving horses,
Akampana, the most skilful of car-warriors, with a hail of darts,
overwhelmed the monkeys so that they were no longer able to
maintain their formation nor for this reason could they fight
136
YUDDHA KANDA
and, crushed under die shafts of the than, the confusion became
general.
Then the valiant Hanuman, seeing them fell under the sway
of death, pursued by Akampana's darts, went to the rescue of his
companions and, beholding that great Plavaga, those lions
among the monkeys rallied and, in the field, grouped themselves
boldly round him. Observing his courage, those foremost of
the monkeys took heart in the shelter of his valour.
Meanwhile Akampana, like unto a second Mahendra, caused
a hail of arrows to descend on Hanuman who remained as firm
as a rock, heedless of the weapons that fell upon his body, and
that exceedingly courageous monkey resolved to slay his
adversary and, with peals of laughter, the impetuous son of
Maruta leapt on the titan, causing the earth to shake as it were,
while burning with energy he emitted yells, so that it was
impossible to look upon him as it is impossible to gaze on a fire
in a brazier.
Finding himself without weapons, that foremost one among
the monkeys, in the fury that possessed him, tore up a rock and
seizing a huge crag with one hand, Maruti, letting forth a roar,
began to spin it rapidly thereafter hurling it at the Titan Leader
Akampana, as formerly in the encounter, Purandara hurled his
thunderbolt at Namuchi.
Akampana, however, seeing that crag flying towards him,
shattered it from a distance by means of great crescent-shaped
darts. Beholding that rocky peak shattered in the air by the
titan's arrows and falling in pieces, Hanuman became mad with
anger and observing an Ashvakarna Tree as large as a mountain,
in the transport of rage that possessed him, that monkey uprooted
it with violence and taking hold of that tree of immense branches,
in his great strength, brandished it exultantly. Then he began
to run with great strides, breaking down the trees in his haste
and, in the excess of his fury, tearing up the earth with his feet;
and he struck down elephants as also those who rode upon them
and charioteers with their cars and the formidable titan
infantry.
Seeing Hanuman, like unto Antaka, the Destroyer of Vital
Breaths, full of wrath, armed with a tree, the titans took to flight.
Thereupon the valiant Akampana beholding that enraged monkey
137
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sowing terror amongst his soldiers, greatly perturbed, set up a
mighty shout and, with fourteen pointed arrows that tore the
flesh, he pierced the exceedingly powerful Hanuman.
Riddled with sharp-pointed iron shafts, that simian warrior
resembled a mountain covered with forests and, like unto a
flowering Ashoka Tree, he shone like a smokeless flame. Up-
rooting another tree, with a prodigious bound he struck the
head of the Titan General a fearful blow and, by that stroke with
which that Indra among Monkeys smote him in his fury,
Akampana fell dead.
Seeing their leader lying lifeless on the earth, all the titans
trembled as trees when the earth quakes. Put to flight, all those
warriors, throwing away their arms, escaped in the direction of
Lanka, terrified, pursued by the monkeys. Their hair loosened,
panic-stricken, their pride broken by defeat, their limbs dripping
with sweat, in their bewilderment, they fled in confusion.
Thereafter, mad with fear, looking back continually, crushing
each other in their haste, they entered the city.
And when those titans had entered Lanka, those exceedingly
powerful monkeys surrounded Hanuman in order to pay
homage to him and the mighty Hanuman, of noble nature,
honoured them all in accord with their rank.
Then the triumphant monkeys shouted with might and main
and once more pursued the titans with the intention of slaying
them while that great Plavaga, born of Maruta, returning to his
own companions, having slain the titan, enjoyed the same
renown in battle as Vishnu when he overcame the mighty Asura
of immense power in the forefront of the fight.
Thereafter that monkey received the homage of the Gods and
of Rama himself as also that of the exceedingly valiant Lakshmana
and the Plavamgamas led by Sugriva and the great-souled
Bibishana.
i38
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 57
Prahasta goes out to fight
Hearing of Akampana's death, the irascible Lord of the Titans
with a downcast mien, took counsel with his ministers and,
having reflected awhile and deliberated with them, Ravana,
the Lord of the Titans, passed the forenoon in inspecting the
defences ; and the King passed through that city, decorated
with banners and flags, guarded by the titans and filled with
innumerable troops.
Seeing Lanka beseiged, Ravana, the Sovereign of the Titans,
said to the devoted Prahasta, a skilled soldier : —
" This city thus beleaguered and hard pressed, O Skilful
Warrior, may only be delivered by myself, Kumbhakama, thou,
who art in command of the army, Indrajita or Nikumbha ;
none else could undertake such a task !
" Taking a company of warriors, do thou speedily place thyself
in their midst and set forth in order to triumph over those
inhabitants of the woods. In this sortie, as soon as the army of
monkeys hear the uproar created by the titans, they will disperse.
Volatile, undisciplined and fickle, the monkeys will not be able
to endure thy cry, any more than an elephant can endure the
roaring of a lion. His army routed, Rama with Saumitri,
robbed of further authority, wul fall into thy power, O Prahasta.
"A hypothetical misfortune is preferable to one that is certain !
Whether it be unpleasing to hear or no, say what thou considerest
to be to our advantage ! "
Thus addressed by that Indra among Titans, Prahasta, the
leader of the army, answered him as Ushanas the King of the
Asuras, saying : —
" O King, formerly we discussed this matter with the wise
and, after examining the different points of view, a disagreement
arose between us.To return Sita was what I considered the most
advantageous course, not to do so, meant war ; we forsaw this.
" I have ever been heaped with gifts and honours by thee as
also with every mark of friendship. When the opportunity
139
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
arises, is it not foi me to render thee a service ? Nay, I shall
neither spare life, children, wife nor wealth ! Know me to be
ready to sacrifice my life in thine interest in battle I "
Having spoken thus to his brother, the General Prahasta said
to his leading officers who stood before him : —
" Gather a large army together immediately ; to-day the
flesh-eating birds and beasts shall feed on the enemy that I
strike down on the battlefield with my swift arrows ! "
At this command those highly powerful leaders assembled the
forces in the abode of the King of the Titans. In an instant,
Lanka was filled with redoubtable warriors like unto elephants,
furnished with weapons of every kind.
While they propitiated the God who feeds on offerings1 and
paid homage to the brahmins, a fragrant breeze, bearing the
scent of clarified butter, began to blow and the titans, all ready
for battle, taking hold of garlands of every kind, adorned
themselves with delight. Thereafter, armed with bows and
mail, they set out in their chariots at a brisk pace, their eyes
turned towards their King, Ravana. And they ranged them-
selves round Prahasta whilst he paid obeisance to his Sovereign
to the beating of a gong of dreadful sound, whereafter, with his
weapons, that general ascended his chariot that was furnished
with all that was needful, harnessed to exceedingly swift steeds,
skilfully driven and in perfect condition.
Rumbling like a great cloud, shining like the moon itself,
unapproachable as the serpent that served as its standard,
solidly and artistically constructed, decorated with a net of pure
gold, smiling as it were in its magnificence, such was the car in
which Prahasta, having received Ravana's command, stood.
Then the titan set out from Lanka immediately in the midst
of a powerful army and, at his departure, a rolling of drums,
resembling the roar of Parjanya, and a blast of fanfares arose that
seemed to fill the earth and, with the blare of conches, the titans
advanced, creating a terrible uproar.
Narantaka, Kumbhahanu, Mahanada and Samunata, colossal
giants, his adjutants, surrounded Prahasta who emerged from
the eastern gate in the midst of an immense, formidable and
powerful army resembling a herd of elephants and, in the centre
1 The Fire-god, Agnt.
140
YUDDHA KANDA
of that force, vast as the sea, Prahasta in his fury appeared like
Death at the end of the world, whilst the uproar, that arose on his
setting forth with his titans raising their war cries, drew a
sinister answering call from all creatures.
In a cloudless sky, birds of prey advancing to meet the
chariot, circled from left to right ; fearful jackals vomited forth
fire and names, howling lugubriously ; a meteor fell from heaven
and the wind blew chill ; planets, in opposition to each other,
lost their brilliance whilst clouds with a raucous sound showered
blood on Prahasta's car with which his attendants were
bespattered ; a croaking vulture, facing the south, alighted on the
top of his standard depriving that titan of bis lustre. His
charioteer, who never turned back in battle, despite his skill,
again and again allowed the goad to fall from his hand. The
brilliance of that sortie of incomparable pomp vanished in an
instant and the horses stumbled on the even ground.
Beholding Prahasta, renowned for his martial valour,
advancing to give battle, the army of monkeys, furnished with
weapons of every kind, went forward to meet him and a formid-
able clamour arose amongst them as they tore up the trees and
seized hold of great rocks.
Thereafter the titans yelled and the monkeys roared, both
armies being filled with ardour and, in their fury and zeal and
their impatience to slay each other, they challenged one another
with tremendous shouts.
Meanwhile Prahasta advanced on the forces of the monkeys
whom in his folly he imagined he would destroy and, with an
impetuous bound, he hurled himself upon that army as a
grasshopper falls into a flame.
CHAPTER 58
The Death of Prahasta
Beholding Prahasta setting out with martial ardour, the
Conqueror Rama, smiling, enquired of Bibishana, saying : —
"Who is this colossus surrounded by an immense army,
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
who with such speed, valour and courage, advances so swiftly ?
Make known to me this brave ranger of the night."
On this enquiry, Bibishana answered : —
" Prahasta is the name of this titan ; he is the leader of the
army ; a third of the forces belonging to the King of the Titans
accompanies him. He is courageous, a master of the science
of weapons and a warrior renowned for his prowess-"
While the terrible Prahasta of formidable exploits advanced
roaring, that colossus, surrounded by his troops, was observed
by the great and powerful army of the monkeys who began to
emit cries of defiance.
Swords, lances, daggers, spears, darts, maces, bludgeons, bars,
javelins and axes of every kind with many different bows
glittered in the hands of the titans who, desirous of victory,
fell upon the monkeys.
Trees in flower, rocks, huge and heavy stones were the weapons
of the Plavamgamas, who were burning to fight and, as they
approached each other, a formidable struggle arose between
those innumerable combatants, who showered down a hail of
stones and arrows. In the conflict, countless titans caused the
death of thousands of mighty monkeys and countless monkeys
destroyed as many titans. Some of the combatants fell under the
lances, others under great arrows, some were struck down by the
blows of bars, others cloven by axes. Deprived of their life's
breath they lay on the earth their hearts transfixed or cut to pieces
by the avalanche of missiles. And those monkeys fell on the earth
cut in two by the strokes of swords, their sides torn open by
those bold titans and they, on their part, full of fury, overthrew
the enemy ranks, heaping the earth with them, and they struck
at them with trees and crags, administering thundering slaps
and terrific blows with their fists, so that the titans, blinded,
their faces ashen, vomited blood.
Thereafter an appalling clamour arose and, amidst cries of
pain and leonine roars, the monkeys and titans, each maddened,
their features distorted, following the path of heroes, conducted
themselves with great courage. Narantaka, Kumbhahanu,
Mahanada and Samunnata, Prahasta's companions, decimated
those inhabitants of the woods, hurling themselves on the
monkeys in rage, destroying them ; and Dvivida struck down
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YUDDHA KANDA
one of them named Narantaka ; then the ape Durmukha, leaping
up in his turn, with a ready hand, struck Samunnata with a
great tree; Jambavan, in the height of anger, seizing a huge stone
hurled it with force on Mahanada's chest and, on his side, the
valiant Kumbhahanu, having attacked the General Tara, who
was armed with a huge tree, received a blow that cost him his
life.
Infuriated by the quadruple murder, Prahasta, who stood in
his chariot, with the bow held in his hand, caused a dreadful
havoc amongst the monkeys and the two armies became a vortex,
resembling a roaring tempest over a vast ocean. In that great
battle, the titan, intoxicated with combat, in his fury annihilated
the monkeys under an immense avalanche of arrows. The
corpses of monkeys and titans heaped the ground and covered it
tike hideous mountains and the earth, running with the blood
which inundated it, shone as in the month of Spring when
covered by the blossoming Palasha Trees.
With the heaps of warriors for its banks, the broken weapons
its uees, the torrents of blood its huge waves, death appeared
like an ocean receiving its floods ; livers and spleens its mire,
entrails its moss, severed heads and trunks the fish, and morsels
of flesh the grass, innumerable vultures its lovely swans, herons
its geese, covered as it was with fat for the foam, the tumult the
sound of its waters, the battlefield resembled a river, incapable of
being crossed, visited by waterfowl at the end of the rainy
season. And the foremost of the titans and the monkeys crossed
over that impassable river as elephants lead their herds across
a lake that the lotuses have covered with pollen.
Meanwhile Prahasta, standing in his chariot, letting fly
countless shafts scattering the Plavamgamas, was observed by
Nila and, like unto a violent wind, the General of the Titans
beheld Nila advancing on him like a mass of clouds in the sky.
Directing his chariot bright as the sun towards him, that
foremost of archers, stretching his bow in the midst of the fray,
covered Nila with his barbed shafts, which, piercing him in their
rapid flight, passed through his body and, like furious serpents,
buried themselves in the earth with great spurts. When Nila
was wounded by those pointed shafts resembling tongues of fire,
that huge and mighty monkey, brandishing a tree, struck that
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
exceedingly redoubtable Prahasta who had set upon him with
such fury.
Roaring with anger under his blows, that lion among titans
overwhelmed the monkey chief with a rain of arrows and the
shower of missiles loosed by that cruet demon was received by
the monkey with closed eyes. Like a bull standing under a
sudden autumnal downpour, so under that intolerable rain of
darts, Nila immediately closed bis eyes, suffering it, though it
was scarce to be endured. Mad with rage, under the hail of
arrows, that great and mighty monkey, arming himself with a
Sala Tree, struck down Prahasta's horses and thereafter his heart
surging with anger he severed the bow of that barbarian, shouting
again and again.
Deprived of his bow, Prahasta, the leader of the army,
seizing a formidable mace, leapt down from his chariot, and those
two generals, facing each other, adversaries full of courage,
their limbs covered with blood, like unto two elephants with
broken tusks, tore each other with their sharp teeth. Lion and
tiger in gait, lion and tiger in prowess, those two warriors,
vanquishers of other heroes, intrepid combatants, thirsting for
fame, resembled Vritra and Vasava.
Meanwhile Prahasta with a supreme effort struck Nila on the
forehead with his mace, causing the blood to flow, whereupon
that powerful monkey, his limbs covered with gore, seized a
great tree and struck Prahasta full in the chest with fury. He,
however, not heeding the impact, brandishing an enormous
iron bar, hurled himself on the valiant Plavamgama. Seeing
him advancing towards him with terrific bounds, full of rage,
the mighty monkey Nila, snatched up a great rock which he
swiftly threw at the head of his bellicose opponent armed with a
mace. Loosed by that monkey chief, that immense and for-
midable stone broke into several pieces on Prahasta's head
and the titan, deprived of breath, lustre, strength and
consciousness instantly fell on the earth, like a tree severed at
the root.
From his riven head and body the blood flowed, so that it
resembled a torrent falling from a mountain. Prahasta being
slain by Nila, the invincible and mighty army of the titans
bereft of joy, fled to Lanka, their leader having succumbed* nor
144
YUDDHA RANDA
could they be stayed, as the waters of the sea may not be stemmed
by a broken dyke.
Their leader slain, the titans disconsolate regained the abode
of their sovereign. Dumb and dispirited, plunged in an ocean
of burning grief, they appeared to have lost their wits.
The triumphant warrior Nila, however, on his return, was
honoured by Rama with Lakshmana who accompanied him,
and experienced supreme joy.
chapter 59
Ravana's Prowess. Rama overcomes Mm but grants htm
his Life
Their General having succumbed in the tight against the
foremost of the monkeys, the heavily armed forces of the
King of the Titans took to flight with the speed of the tide.
Coming before their lord, they apprised him of the death
of their leader who had fallen under the blows of the Fire-god's
offspring, and at these tidings, the king was transported with
anger. Learning that Prahasta had perished in the fight, his
heart was filled with grief and he addressed the foremost of his
leaders, as Indra those who never grow old1 and said : —
" That foe is not to be despised, under whose blows the
destroyer of Indra's host, the leader of my army with his followers
and elephants, fell. I myself shall enter this strange battlefield
without hesitation in order to obtain victory and destroy the
enemy. As a forest is consumed by fire, so shall I to-day
with a myriad arrows burn up the simian army with Rama and
Lakshmana."
Speaking thus, that enemy of the Lord of the Celestials
ascended his chariot which shone like a flame and was yoked
to a team of horses, its brilliance increased by the splendour of
his person.
The sound of trumpets, gongs, drums and leonine roars
accompanied by the clapping of hands, acclamations and hymns
1 The Gods, who »re Mid to remain young.
145
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of praise, frenziedly greeted the departure of the Sovereign of
the Titans. Those eaters of flesh, resembling mountains or
clouds, whose glances flashed like torches, surrounded the
supreme Leader of the Titans as he marched out, like unto
the Bhutas escorting Rudra, the Lord of the Immortals.
Issuing from the city, that monarch observed the army of
ferocious monkeys with trees and rocks in their hands, ready for
combat, roaring like a vast ocean or a mass of thunder clouds.
Seeing the demon divisions seething with fury, the incom-
parably illustrious Rama, whose arms resembled great serpents,
accompanied by his forces, said to Bibishana : —
" Who is in command of this army furnished with every
kind of standard, banner and canopy, armed with javelins,
swords, stakes and other weapons and missiles, that is indomitable
and composed of intrepid soldiers and elephants as high as the
Mahendra Mountain ? "
Thus interrogated, Bibishana, the equal of Shakra in valour,
pointed out the principal leaders of those courageous lions
among the titans to him and said : —
" That hero of coppery hue mounted on the back of an
elephant, causing its head to sway, the rival of the rising sun,
know, O Prince, to be Akampana.
" He who, standing in his chariot, brandishes his bow which
resembles Shakra's, whose standard bears the image of a lion
and who is like unto an elephant with its long curved tusks, is
Indrajita, who is renowned for the boons he has received from
Brahma.
" That archer yonder, like unto the Vindhya, Asta or
Mahendra Mountains, standing in his car, a mighty warrior,
who wields a bow of unequalled size, is called Atikaya on account
of his immense stature.
" The tawny-eyed warrior resembling the dawn, riding a
wild elephant with its bells jangling, who is shouting aloud, is
Mahodara.
" The rider of the brilliantly caparisoned steed he, who is
armed with a gleaming javelin and resembles a mass of evening
clouds, whose fury rivals the lightning and possesses the velocity
of a well-directed thunder-bolt, who is seated on the foremost
of bulls and shines like the moon, is Trishiras. The other,
146
YUDDHA KANDA
resembling a thunder-cloud, of large and well-developed chest,
who is twanging his bow and has the King of the Snakes as his
standard, is Kumbha.
" The one who carries a mace decorated with gold and
diamonds from which flames and smoke issue, who advances
as a standard bearer to the titan army, is Nikumbha of prodigious
exploits.
" That warrior in a chariot adorned with flags, gleaming like
a glowing brazier, who is furnished with bows, swords and
arrows, is Narantaka, who, in combat, lights with mountain
peaks.
" Finally the one who appears surrounded by spectres of
dreadful form with heads of tigers, buffalo, mighty elephants,
deer and horses, riding under a white canopy with a slender
handle, his diadem resembling the moon, he who is the humbler
of the Gods themselves, like unto Rudra amidst the Bhutas
is the mighty Lord of the Titans himself. His countenance
is graced by swinging earrings, his formidable stature equals the
Vindhya, that Lord of Mountains, he who brought Mahendra and
Vaivasvat low, is the King of the Titans, equal to the sun in
splendour."
Then Rama, the subduer of his foes answered Bibishana
and said : —
" Ah ! What glory, what exceeding majesty is Ravana's, the
Lord of the Titans ! As one cannot gaze on the sun, neither
can the eye rest on him, such is the blinding strength of his
magnificence ! Neither Devas, Danavas nor heroes possess a
body equal to his ! Who can rival the brilliance of the King of
the Titans ? All are as high as hills, all have crags as their
weapons, all are furnished with fiery darts. The Lord of the
Titans stands out among those ardent warriors as Antaka amidst
the impetuous Bhutas of strange form. It is to his destruction
that that wretch comes to-day within my sight ! To-day I
shall slake my wrath born of Sita's abduction ! "
At these words, the valiant Rama who was accompanied by
Lakshmana, took up his bow and, standing erect, placed an
arrow, the most powerful of all, upon it.
Meanwhile the haughty Monarch of the Titans said to bis
brave troops ; —
*47
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"Take up your positions unfalteringly at the gates and
principal exits, the outposts and fortifications, Learning of
my presence amongst you, these savages will try and profit
by this opportunity to take this heretofore impregnable city by
surprise, it being now denuded of its defenders, and they will
then immediately put it to the sword with their united forces."
Thereafter Havana dismissed his escort and the titans left
on his orders, whereupon he plunged into the sea of monkeys,
agitating it as a great fish the waters of the ocean.
As soon as that India of the Titans with his bow and burnished
arrows had thrown himself into the fray, the leader of the
monkeys rushed out to meet him, tearing up a great mountain
peak. Seizing that rock covered with innumerable trees, he
hurled it at that prowler of the night, who, seeing it flying towards
him, broke it in pieces with his golden-stemmed arrows. That
huge and high peak covered with trees being shattered, fell
on the earth, and the Lord of the Titans, like unto another
Antaka, selected a dart resembling a great serpent. Taking up
that arrow, which rivalled Anila in velocity and possessed the
brilliance of fire and the force of lightning, he loosed it with
fury on Sugriva in order to slay him, and that weapon, equal
to Shakra's thunderbolt, loosed by Havana's arm, penetrated
Sugriva's breast in its flight as formerly Guha's spear when
he discharged it at the Krauncha Mountain.
Wounded by that missile which bereft him of consciousness,
that warrior fell moaning to the earth. Beholding him stretched
on the ground deprived of bis senses, the Yatudhanas raised a
shout of triumph.
Thereupon Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sushena as well as Rishabha,
Jyotirmukha and Nala, of exceeding corpulence, tearing up
rocks, hurled themselves on the King of the Titans. Then
that Lord of the Titans, with hundreds of arrows possessed
of sharp points, rendered their projectiles fruitless and pierced
those leaders of the monkeys with a hail of marvellous golden-
shafted arrows.
Under the blows with which the Enemy of the Gods assailed
them, those generals of terrifying stature were overcome,
whereupon he covered that formidable army of monkeys with a
shower of arrows.
*4«
YUDDHA RANDA
Assailed and wounded, those warriors emitted cries of terror
and pain, and those deer of the branches, whom Ravana was
destroying with bis darts, fled for refuge to the intrepid Rama,
whereupon that mighty and skilful archer, Raghava, seizing a
weapon, set out at once. Lakshmana however, approaching
him with joined palms, addressed him in moving tones, and
said : —
" Truly, O Noble Brother, I am able to slay this wretch !
It is I who will destroy him, do thou give me leave, O
Lord ! "
Then the exceedingly powerful Rama, a true hero, answered
him saying : —
" Go, O Lakshmana, and in this duel may thy valour prevail !
Without doubt Ravana is endowed with great strength, he is a
warrior of outstanding prowess ; the Three Worlds themselves
could not withstand his fury ; seek out his weak points and
guard against thine own ; be ever vigilant and defend thyself
with eye and bow ! "
Thus spoke Raghava and Saumitri embraced him, thereafter
offering obeisance to him and bidding him farewell, he entered
the lists. There he beheld Ravana with arms as large as the
trunks of elephants, who was brandishing his dread and fiery
bow, covering the monkeys, whose limbs he had severed with a
close rain of darts.
Beholding this, the exceedingly energetic Hanuman, born of
Maruta, in order to bring that rain of arrows to an end, rushed
on Ravana and, approaching his chariot, lifted his right arm
and threatened him; thereafter the sagacious Hanuman
addressed him, saying : —
" Thou hast obtained the boon of invulnerability to Devas,
Danavas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and also Rakshasas but the
monkeys are a danger to thee ! This five-branched hand of
mine,1 which I now raise, will rob thee of the life that has long
been resident in thy body ! "
At these words of Hanuman, the exceedingly valiant Ravana,
his eyes inflamed with anger, answered : —
" Strike swiftly without fear ! Win eternal renown, having
measured thy strength with mine, I shall destroy thee ! "
1 Four fingers and the thumb.
x. 149
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then the son of the Wind answered Havana who spoke thus,
saying : —
" Recollect that I have slain thy son Aksha already ! "
At this, the powerful Lord of the Titans struck the son of
Anila a violent blow with the palm of his hand and the monkey
reeled ; thereafter the mighty and illustrious Hanuman recovered
his balance and, steadying himself, struck that enemy of the
Immortals in fury. Under the violent impact of the monkey's
blow, Dashagriva shook like a mountain when the earth trembles.
Seeing Havana struck in the fight, Rishis, Siddhas and monkeys
raised a great shout, as also the Devas, Suras and Asuras.
Then the extremely spirited Ravana, having regained his
breath, said : —
** Well done ! Well done ! O Monkey, thou art an adversary
worthy of praise ! "
Thus did he speak, and Maruti answered him, saying : —
" Cursed be that strength since thou dost still survive, O
Ravana ! Now come, enter into a decisive struggle with me,
O Perverse Wretch ! Why this boasting ? My fist is about to
despatch thee to the abode of Yama ! "
Hearing Hanuman's words, the powerful Ravana, enraged,
his eyes red with fury, whirling his fist with force brought it
down violently on the monkey's chest and, under the shock,
Hanuman reeled once more, whilst the King of the Titans,
Dashagriva, that exceedingly fiery warrior, seeing his valiant
opponent bereft of strength, turned his chariot towards Nila.
With his arrows, like unto great serpents, he pierced the vital
parts of his enemy overwhelming the Monkey General, but Nila,
the leader of the monkey army, assailed by that hail of weapons,
with one hand flung a great rock at the King of the Titans.
Meanwhile Hanuman, burning with courage, having re-
covered bis senses, in his martial ire cried out furiously : —
" O Ravana, King of the Titans, who art engaged in combat with
Nila, to attack one already fighting with another is unjust ! "
The titan, however, shattered the crag, hurled by Nila, with
seven pointed darts so that it fell in pieces and, seeing the rock
riven asunder, the leader of the monkey army, Nila, destroyer
of hostile forces, who resembled the Fire of Time, glowed with
fury and began to hurl Asvakarna, Sala, Cuta and other flowering
150
YUDDHA KANDA
trees of varying fragrance in the fight, whereupon Ravana
caught them in his arms and snapped them, showering a
formidable rain of shafts, as from a cloud, on Pavaki1 but that
colossus, assuming a diminutive form, leapt on to the point of
Ravana's standard.
Beholding the offspring of Pavaki thus installed on the point
of his standard, the King blazed with fury, whilst Nila let forth
a shout, and sometimes the monkey leapt on to the apex of the
banner and sometimes on to the end of the bow and sometimes
on to the peak of the diadem, so that Lakshmana, Hanuman and
Rama also, were astonished.
The intrepid titan too was amazed at the monkey's agility
and took up a marvellous and flaming arrow but the Plavam-
gamas shouted joyously at Nila's tactics, being amused to see
Ravana disconcerted by his leaping about in combat and the
shouts of the monkeys infuriated Dashagriva, who, in his con-
fusion, did not know how to act.
Taking up an arrow charged with sacred formulas, that
prowler of the night aimed at Nila, who had climbed to the
tip of his standard and, at that instant, the King of the Titans,
said : —
" O Monkey, thine agility proceeds from a rare power of
magic ; do thou save thyself if thou canst by these innumerable
tricks with which thou art familiar and constantly employest !
This mantra-propelled weapon of mine, that I am about to
loose, will sever the existence thou seekest to retain ! "
Speaking thus, the long-armed Ravana, Lord of the Titans,
having placed Agni's shaft on his bow, struck Nila, the General
of the monkey army, with that weapon and he, pierced through
the breast by that shaft charged with sacred mantras, was
suddenly overcome and fell to the earth, yet by virtue of his
sire's powerful aid and bis own native vigour, though brought
to his knees he was not deprived of life.
Beholding the monkey unconscious, Dashagriva, insatiable in
combat, in his chariot, whose rattling resounded like thunder-
clouds, rushed on Lakshmana and coming to the centre of the
field, halted, standing there in his glory.
Thereafter the majestic Lord of the Titans lifted up his bow,
* Pavaki — The name of Nila as son of the God of Fire.
151
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
whereupon Saumkri, of indomitable courage, said to him as he
prepared to loose his powerful shaft : —
" O King of the Night-rangers, now enter into combat with
me ; cease from fighting with the monkeys ! "
Hearing that marvellously modulated voice that resounded
like the twanging of a bow-string, the King, drawing near to his
adversary, who stood close to his chariot, answered in anger : —
" O Son of Raghu, it is my good fortune that brings thee
within my range to-day, thou who, in thy folly, advancest to
meet thy death ! This very instant thou shalt descend to the
region of Mrityu under a rain of missiles loosed by me."
Then Saumitri, unmoved, spoke to that boastful titan of
sharp and protruding teeth, saying : —
"O King, stout hearts eschew bragging! O Greatest of
Evil Doers, thou art sounding thine own praises ! I am well
acquainted with thy strength, prowess, vigour and audacity,
O King of the Titans ! Approach ! Here I stand with bow and
arrows in my hand ; of what use are vain boasts ? "
Thus accosted, the Lord of the Titans, infuriated, let fly
seven marvellously plumed arrows which Lakshmana shattered
with his golden-shafted darts. Observing bis shafts resembling
great serpents, whose coils had been crushed in an instant, the
Lord of Lanka was transported with anger and let fly further
sharp arrows. The younger brother of Rama, however, caused
a well-aimed rain of missiles from his bow to fall on Ravana,
but he, with the aid of weapons in the forms of knives, crescents
and long-eared arrowheads, severed them, without allowing
them to disturb him.
Seeing that the succession of his shafts proved useless, the
King of those hostile to the Gods, astonished at Lakshmana's
skill, let fly more whetted shafts upon him anew and, from his
side, Lakshmana, the equal of Mahendra, placing some sharpened
darts on his bow that were forrnidable,swift as lightning and of
blazing effulgence, loosed them on the Titan King in order to
strike him down, whereupon Ravana shattered those pointed
darts and struck his rival in the forehead with a shaft as bright as
the Fire of Time, which had been bestowed on him by
Swyambhu. Then Lakshmana, struck by that missile, reded a
little, scarcely able to retain his bow but coming to himself with
15a
YUDDHA KANDA
difficulty, he shattered that weapon belonging to Indra's foe.
Having broken bis bow, the son of Dasaratha struck him with
three pointed darts and the king, pierced by those arrows,
swooned, regaining his senses with difficulty. Wounded by those
shafts, his bow wholly demolished, his limbs spattered with
flesh and streaming with blood, the Enemy of the Gods, himself
of formidable energy, seized a spear which had been given him in
war by Swyambhu. That smoking lance, as bright as fire, the
terror of the monkeys in the fray, the powerful guardian of the
titan empire, was hurled on Saumitri the younger brother of
Bharata, who received that spear falling upon him with arrows
and darts, as if it were a sacrificial fire ; nevertheless that weapon
entered his broad chest.
The powerful Raghu, struck by that spear, lay on the earth,
breathing fire and the King of the Titans rushing on him suddenly,
while he was yet insensible, seized him brutally in his two hands,
yet though he was able to lift up Himavat, Mandara, Meru and
the Three Worlds with the Gods, he could not raise the younger
brother of Bharata, for Lakshmana, though wounded in the
breast by Brahma's weapon, recollected that he was of the
substance of Vishnu Himself, and that thorn in the side of the
Gods, though overcoming Saumitri, was unable to bear him
away.
At that instant, the son of Vayu, enraged, threw himself in
anger on Ravana like a flash of lightning and struck him with
his fist on the chest Under that blow, the Lord of the Titans
was brought to his knees and stumbling, fell. From his ten
mouths, eyes and ears, blood streamed in torrents and, rolling
unconscious, he slid under the body of the chariot; there he
remained deprived of his senses, stupified, not knowing where
he was. Beholding Ravana, despite his redoubtable strength
swoon on the battlefield, Rishis and monkeys began to shout in
triumph as did also the Gods and Asuras, whilst the courageous
Hanuman lifting up Lakshmana in his arms, who had been
wounded by his adversary, returned to Raghava. In bis
friendship and extreme devotion to him, the son of Vayu found
Lakshmana, whom foes were unable to move, as light as a
feather. Thereafter the spear, that had overcome Saumitri,
returned to the titan's chariot.
*53
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Meanwhile Ravana who was full of energy in combat, having
recovered consciousness, selected some steel-pointed arrows
and armed himself with an enormous bow.
On his side, healed and freed from that lance, Lakshmana
recollected that he was part of Vishnu, and Rama, seeing the
innumerable army of powerful monkeys overthrown on the
battlefield, rushed on Ravana, but Hanuman, following him,
said : —
" Climb on my shoulders in order to overcome the titan ! "
Hearing those words from the son of Vayu, Raghava climbed
on the shoulders of that great monkey, as Vishnu on Garuda,
in order to fight with the Enemy of the Gods.
Standing in his chariot, Ravana appeared before that Lord
of Men and, seeing him, that mighty hero rushed upon him,
like unto Vishnu with his mace upraised rushing furiously on
Virochana. Thereupon Rama drew the cord of bis bow and,
like unto the roll of thunder, said in a deep voice to the Lord of
the Titans :—
" Stay 1 Stay ! Thou hast evoked my displeasure ! Where,
O Tiger among the Titans, wilt thou flee to escape me ? Even if
thou seekest refuge in the region of Indra or Vaivaswata or
Bhaskara or Swyambhu, Vaishnavara, Shankara or in the ten
regions, even in those abodes thou shalt not elude me from now
on. The one who, struck by the spear, fell swooning this day
only to recover consciousness immediately, shall now, assuming
the form of death, claim thee, thy sons, and grandsons in battle.
O King of the Titan People, here is he under whose blows,
fourteen thousand titans of terrible form perished, who had
established themselves in Janasthana and were furnished with
excellent weapons."
Hearing Raghava speak thus, the exceedingly powerful Lord
of the Titans full of rage, hurled himself on the son of Vayu,
who was bearing Rama with extreme velocity through the fray
and, recollecting his former hostility, he smote him with
flaming arrows resembling the tongues of the Fire of Dissolution,
Struck by that titan as also pierced by his darts, the native
strength of which Hanuman was possessed increased still further.
Nevertheless the extremely illustrious Rama, seeing the wound
that Ravana had just inflicted on that lion among the Plavagas,
154
YUDDHA KANDA
was transported with anger and, approaching his chariot with
his slender and pointed shafts, shattered it with its wheels,
horses, banner, canopy, great standard, charioteer, darts, spears
and swords ; thereafter, with great force, he hurled a weapon
like unto a thunderbolt falling on Mount Mem so that that
valiant monarch, whom neither thunder nor lightning could
cause to tremble, stumbled, letting fall his bow at the violent
impact of Rama's missile, which created a deep wound.
Seeing him swooning, the magnanimous Rama took up a
flaming arrow shaped like a crescent moon and used it to shatter
the crown of the supreme Lord of the Titans, which was as
bright as the sun.
Then Rama said to that Indra of the Titans, whose splendour
was dimmed, the setting of his diadem riven, and who resembled
a venomous snake robbed of its poison, or the sun, its rays
extinguished, bereft of lustre : —
*' Thou hast accomplished a great feat and my brave soldiers
have succumbed beneath thy blows ; now thou art weary ; in
this condition I shall not put thee under Mrityu's power with
my shafts. Leave the fray and return to Lanka ; I grant thee
this reprieve, O King of the Rangers of the Night ! Having
regained thy breath, return in thy chariot with thy bow and,
standing on thy car, thou shalt once more bear testimony to my
prowess ! "
At these words, his joy and boasting subdued, his bow
shattered, his horses and charioteer slain, pierced with arrows,
his great diadem broken, the king instantly returned to Lanka.
After the departure of that powerful Indra of Night Rangers,
Lakshmana drew out the arrows from the monkeys, which they
had received while fighting in the forefront of that vast battle-
field, and the adversary of the King of the Gods being van-
quished, all the Celestials, Asuras and creatures of the ocean
and other regions with the great serpents, as also all beings
on earth and in the waters, rejoiced.
155
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 60
The Titan$ rouse Kumbhakarna
Returning to the City of Lanka, afflicted with the fear of
Rama's arrows, his pride humbled, the king's mind was troubled.
Like an elephant by a lion or a snake by Garuda, that monarch
had been overcome by the great-souled Rama, and the Lord of
the Titans was maddened by the mere recollection of Rama's
shafts possessed of the splendour of lightning, resembling the
Rod of Brahma.
Seated on his magnificent and elevated throne made of gold,
he let his gaze wander over the titans and said : —
" Since I, the equal of the mighty Indra, have been defeated
by a mere man, all the rigorous asceticism I have practised has
been in vain. I asked to be rendered invulnerable to Devas,
Danavas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas and Pannagas, but
of man I made no mention. Rama, the son of Dasaratha is the
one, I deem, of whom Anaranya,1 born of the race of Ikshvaku
spoke, saying: —
" *6 Lord of the Titans, in my House will be born a man who
will slay thee in battle with thy sons, ministers, army and
charioteer, O Vilest of Thy Race, O Perverse Wretch ! *
" I was further cursed by Vcdavati for a former outrage and
perchance she has been born as the bigh-souled daughter of
Janaka and what was predicted by Uma, Nandishwara, Rambha
and Punjikasthala, the daughter of Varuna, has come to pass !
The words of the sages never prove false, it is on account
of all this therefore that you should exert yourselves to the
uttermost.
" Let the titans go to the summit of the Charyapura Mountain
and awaken Kumbhakarna on whom the curse of Brahma rests,
he who is without equal in prowess and who humbles the pride
of the Gods and Danavas themselves."
156
YUDDHA KANDA
Prahasta being slain and the king himself defeated in the
fight, that monarch issued his commands to the dreadful host,
saying : —
" Guard the gates and man the ramparts, rouse Kumbhakarna
who is slumbering soundly. He is sleeping peacefully oblivious
of all that is passing, his senses overcome by lust, and he remains
unconscious for periods of two or three or nine days and some-
times for six, seven or eight months. Having met in consultation
with me nine days ago, he has since fallen asleep. In combat,
that warrior is the rampart of all the titans ; he will soon strike
down all the monkeys and those two sons of a king. He is the
very banner of the titans in battle but that insensate one,
intent on vulgar pleasures, still slumbers. Though overcome
by Rama in this terrible struggle, my fears will be dissipated
when Kumbhakarna wakes ; of what use is this rival of Indra
to me, if, in so pressing a danger, he is not ready to assist
me? "
Hearing their sovereign's words, the titans ran in great haste
to Kumbhakaraa's abode. At Ravana's command, those eaters
of flesh and drinkers of blood took perfumes, garlands and a
great store of food and left immediately. They entered that
cave with its gates measuring a league in extent, the wonderful
refuge of Kumbhakarna, from which issued the fragrance of
flowers. And with his breathing, Kumbhakarna pressed those
titans back despite their strength who, with difficulty, had
penetrated into the cave.
When they had entered into that ravishing underground
dwelling paved with precious stones and gold, those lions
among the Nairritas beheld that redoubtable giant lying there,
and that monster, wrapt in profound slumber, resembled a
crumbling mountain and together they sought to waken him.
His limbs covered with down which stood on end,
Kumbhakarna, he of irresistible valour, was breathing like a
serpent, and, as he slept, he emitted dreadful snores, his nostrils
being horrible and his mouth a gaping hell. Stretched to his
full length on the earth, he gave forth an odour of marrow and
blood ; his limbs were adorned with golden armlets and he
wore a diadem as bright as the sun ; thus did that lion among
the Nairritas, Kumbhakarna, the slayer of his foes, appear !
157
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then those powerful titans, in order to satisfy him, placed a
heap of venison as high as Mount Meru before him and piled
up a great mass of viands, antelope, buffalo and bear and a
prodigious mound of victuals, leathern bottles of blood and
meats of every kind before Kumbhakarna, the Enemy of the
Gods. Thereafter they rubbed that scourge of his foes with
the most rare sandalwood and covered him with celestial
garlands, and sweet smelling perfumes, and they burnt incense
and hymned the praises of that warrior who proved fatal to his
foes.
The voices of the Yatudhanas burst forth on every side like
thunder and with full cheeks they blew impatiently on their
conches as bright as the moon, causing a terrible uproar, and
those rangers of the night clapped their hands and shook
Kumbhakarna, creating a great clamour, in order to awaken
him, so that the birds passing through the air fell down at the
sound of the conches, drums, gongs, clapping of hands and
leonine roars.
As the illustrious Kumbhakarna did not waken from his
slumber despite the great uproar, all those troops of titans
seized hold of bars, pestles, maces, rocks, clubs, hammers, and
with these and blows from their fists, those titans beat the chest
of Kumbhakarna violently as he was sleeping peacefully on the
ground. And Kumbhakaraa's breathing prevented those titans
from standing upright so that they had to seat themselves round
him and, with all their strength, which was considerable, they
began to beat drums, cymbals and gongs and to blow their
myriad conches and trumpets. Ten thousand demons sur-
rounded that colossus who resembled a heap of antimony, and
tried in every way to rouse him by their blows and cries;
nevertheless be did not wake.
As they were unable to rouse him by these means, they had
resort to more energetic and ruthless methods, causing horses,
camels and elephants, whom they beat with sticks, whips and
thongs, to trample upon him, while gongs, conches and trumpets
blared forth as they crushed his limbs under piles of heavy logs.
The noise of the hammers and pestles they wielded with all
their strength and the shouts they raised filled the whole of
Lanka with its hills and woods but still he did not wake.
158
YUDDHA KANDA
Then they beat a thousand drums simultaneously with sticks
of refined gold but yet he did not stir from his profound
slumber, being under the spell of the divine curse.
Finally those powerful rangers of the night, growing enraged,
redoubled their efforts in order to rouse the titan and some
beat drums, some shouted, some tore out his hair and others bit
his ears, pouring hundreds of pitchers of water into them, but
Kumbhakarna, plunged in deep sleep, did not stir. Some
armed with daggers struck that mighty titan on the head, chest
and limbs but that monster did not wake, though smitten by
Shataghnis fastened with ropes, and at last a thousand titans
ran up and down his body, till Kumbhakarna, becoming aware
of that pressure, he who had remained insensible to the violent
blows of crags and trees, under the prompting of extreme hunger
suddenly emerged from sleep, yawning, and with one bound,
stood up. Waving his two arms resembling serpent's coils or
the peaks of mountains, hard as cut diamonds, that ranger of the
night opened his monstrous mouth, like unto Vadavamukha and
yawned horribly, and when he yawned, his mouth resembled
hell and glittered like the sun rising over the high peak of Mt.
Meru.
That extremely powerful ranger of the night, being awake,
yawned, heaving a sigh like unto a tempest that shatters a
mountain ; and Kumbhakarna, rising up, resembling Time at
the dissolution of the world, prepared to devour all beings and
his two great eyes, like glowing braziers, glittering like lightning,
resembled two huge flaming planets.
Then they pointed to those victuals of every kind, boar and
buffalo and the giant devoured them. Thereafter that enemy
of Shakra's satisfied his hunger with flesh and his thirst with
blood, and he swallowed pitchers full of fat and wine, whereupon
he, having feasted, those rangers of the night approached him
and, surrounding him, paid obeisance to him.
Raising his eyelids that were heavy with sleep, his gaze still
veiled, he let bis glance fall on the night rangers on every side
and, in a voice of authority, that lion among the Nairritas,
surprised at being roused, enquired of them, saying : —
" For what reason have you thus wakened me so suddenly ?
Is all well with the king or is he in some peril ? In truth there
159
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
must be some pressing and serious danger from an external
source since you have come in haste to awaken me. I shall
drive every misfortune away from the King of the Titans this
very day even if I have to cut Mahendra himself to pieces or
freeze Anala ! Nay, it is certain that one does not interrupt
the slumbers of one, such as I, for any trivial motive. Tell
me frankly for what reason you have roused me, Kumbhakarna,
the vanquisher of my foes ? "
At these words, that were tinged with wrath, Yupaksha, the
king's confidential minister, with joined palms, answered him
saying : —
" It is not the Gods who threaten us in any way but a man
who has placed us in this evil case, O Prince ! It is not the
Devas or Danavas who have put us in this peril ; it comes to
us from a mortal. Monkeys as large as hills are besieging
Lanka ! Furious on account of Sita's abduction, Rama is
pressing us heavily. Recently a single monkey set fire to our
great city and slew the youthful Prince Aksha with his escort
of elephants. ' Get thee hence ! ' were the words addressed
by Rama to the King of the Titans in person, the offspring of
Poulastya, that thorn in the side of the Gods, he who is equal
to Aditya in splendour. That which this monarch never
suffered at the hands of the Gods or Daityas or Danavas, he has
had to endure from Rama, who spared his life."
Hearing from Yupaksha that his brother had been defeated
in combat, Kumbhakarna, rolling his great eyes, said : —
" This very day, O Yupaksha, the whole army of monkeys
with Lakshmana and Raghava will be destroyed by me on the
field of battle after I have presented myself before Ravana.
I shall gorge the titans on the blood of monkeys and, as for
Rama and Lakshmana, I shall drink their blood myself 1 "
Hearing these bold words from that titan, whose anger
increased his ferocity, Mahodara, the Leader of the Nairrita
warriors, having offered him obeisance with joined palms,
said to him : —
" When thou hast listened to Ravana and weighed the
advantages and disadvantages of the matter, then, O Long-armed
Warrior, set out immediately and destroy the foe on the battle-
field.'*
1 60
YUDDHA KANDA
Thus spoke Mahodara and Kumbhakarna, surrounded by
titans, full of energy and prowess, prepared to depart. Thereupon
the titans, having succeeded in rousing that prince of dreadful
aspect and formidable valour, returned to the king's palace in
all haste. Approaching Dashagriva who was seated on the
throne, all those night-rangers with joined palms said to him : —
" Thy brother, Kumbhakama, has wakened, O King of the
Titans, and now is it thy will that he should enter the battlefield
or dost thou desire him to come hither ? "
Thereupon Ravana answered those titans who stood before
him and, with a glad heart, said : —
" I desire to see him here ; let him receive the honours due
to his rank ! "
" Be it so ! " answered all the titans and they returned to
Kumbhakarna in order to apprise him of Havana's command
and said : —
" Do thou go to the king, that lion of all the titans desires to
see thee ; go and gratify thy brother ! "
Then Kumbhakarna, that indomitable and mighty warrior,
hearing what was his brother's wish, cried : — " So be it ! " and
leapt up from his couch. Washing his face and bathing,
refreshed and delighted, he desired them to bring him to drink
with speed, whereupon they brought him a soothing draught
and those titans hastened to carry out Havana's commands and
presented him with wines and meats of every kind.
Having swallowed two thousand full pitchers, Kumbhakarna
prepared to set out and, slightly inebriated and flushed, he was
exhilarated and filled with energy. Impatiently, he marched
away like Yama at the end of the World period, and approaching
his brother's palace, he caused the earth to tremble with his
tread. His body illumined the royal highway, like unto that
orb of a thousand rays which gives light to the earth and, as he
advanced, surrounded by a circle of titans paying him obeisance,
he resembled Shatakratu approaching Swyambhu's abode.
Seeing that slayer of his foes on the royal highway, that
monster as high as the peak of a mountain, the inhabitants
of the woods, stationed outside (the city) as also their leaders,
were seized with a sudden panic.
Some rushed to Rama for refuge, others fled away in fear,
161
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
some, terrified, stampeded in all directions, others, paralysed
with fright, lay on the ground.
Beholding that giant like a great peak, adorned with a diadem,
who seemed to quench the sun with his brilliance, the inhabitants
of the woods were seized with terror and, at the sight of that
prodigy, fled in all directions.
CHAPTER 6 I
The Story of Kumbkakarna
Meanwhile the illustrious and valiant Rama, bow in hand,
beheld that giant Kumbhakarna adorned with a diadem and,
seeing that Indra among Titans with golden armlets, who
resembled a mountain and was like unto a cloud charged with
rain, or Narayana1 when formerly taking the three strides,
the monkeys scattered once more.
In view of the stampede of his forces and that titan, who
appeared to be increasing in size, Rama, astonished, enquired of
Bibishana : —
" Who is this hero with a diadem and yellow eyes, resembling
a mountain, who is to be seen in Lanka like unto a cloud riven
by lightning or a great and strange meteor which has fallen to
earth ; he, at whose sight, the monkeys flee away on all sides ?
Tell me, who is this colossus ? Is it a Rakshasa or an Asura ?
Never have I seen such a being ! "
Thus questioned by Prince Rama of imperishable exploits,
Bibishana, in his great wisdom, answered : —
" It is he by whom Vaivasvata and Vasava were defeated in
battle ; it is the illustrious Kumbhakarna, the son of Vaishravas I
There is no titan equal to him in stature, he routed the Devas,
Danavas, Yakshas, Bhujamgas, Pishitashanas, Gandharvas,
Vidyadharas and Pannagas in their thousands, O Raghava !
The Gods themselves are not able to slay Kumbhakarna, who,
spear in hand, is of monstrous aspect. ' It is the God of Death
himself ' they cry.
1 See glossary.
162
YUDDHA KANDA
" The mighty Kumbhakarna is innately powerful, whilst the
foremost of the titans owe their strength to the boons they have
received. As soon as that monster was born and while yet an
infant, urged on by hunger, he devoured thousands of beings.
Seeing their kind consumed, those creatures, mad with fear,
took refuge with Shakra and told him all that had taken place.
Enraged, Mahendra struck Kumbhakarna with his mighty
thunderbolt and, at the impact of Indra's weapon, that giant
reeled howling with terror.
" When the cries of the titan were heard, the fear of those
beings increased, and in his anger, the mighty Kumbhakarna
tore out one of Airavata's tusks in order to pierce Vasava's
breast and, under the blows of that monster, Indra appeared
like a name. Seeing this, the Devas, Brahmarishis and Danavas
were thunderstruck and Shakra with those Celestials went to
Swyambhu's abode and informed Prajapati of Kumbhakama's
wickedness ; he also described to the inhabitants of the heavenly
region, how he had devoured all those creatures, laid waste the
hermitages and carried off others wives and said ' If he continues
to devour those beings, in a short time the whole world will
become a desert*.
" Hearing Vasava's words, the Grandsire of the Worlds
summoned that titan, who appeared before him. On beholding
Kumbhakarna, Prajapati was troubled but, recovering himself,
said to him : —
" 'Assuredly Poulastya begot thee to the destruction of the
worlds ! From to-day thou shall sleep like the dead ! * Struck
by the Lord's curse that titan fell down before him.
" Meanwhile Ravana, exceedingly perturbed, said to Brahma: —
" 'Thou hast hewn down the golden tree which was about
to bear fruit! It does not behove thee to curse thine own
grandson, O Prajapati ; nevertheless thy words may never prove
vain ; assuredly he must slumber but at least appoint a time for
sleeping and a time for waking 1 '
" On Havana's request, Swyambhu answered : — ' He shall
sleep for six months and wake for a single day ; for one day that
warrior shall range the earth in order to appease his hunger,
otherwise with his huge mouth he will consume the worlds
like a great fire.'
163
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" It is in fear of thy prowess that the Ring Ravana, beset with
peril, has now awakened Kumbhakarna, and that warrior of
exceeding valour has emerged from his retreat transported with
anger and is rushing upon the monkeys in order to devour them
and appease his hunger. Seeing Kumbhakarna they have
taken to flight; how can those monkeys withstand him in
combat? Let them be told that he is merely a mechanical
device created to frighten them ; at these tidings they will take
heart and remain here."
Hearing Bibishana's eloquent and persuasive speech, Raghava
said to the General Nila : —
" Go, rally thy forces and, having occupied the outposts of
Lanka, the highways and bridges, let them strike camp, O
Pavaki! See that the monkeys, furnished with rocks, trees
and stones, arm themselves with these weapons."
At Rama's command, Nila, the leader in chief, a prince of
monkeys, issued his orders to the army and thereafter armed
with boulders, Gavaksha, Sharabha, Hanuman and Angada,
like unto hills, advanced to the gates.
Having listened to Rama, the monkeys, those valiant apes,
fell upon the enemy's army with shouts of triumph, battering it
with trees and that ferocious company of monkeys, brandishing
crags and trees, appeared as resplendent as a lowering mass of
clouds spreading over a mountain.
chapter 62
The Meeting between Kumbhakarna and Ravana
Meanwhile that Lion among the Titans, resplendent in glory,
still heavy with sleep, advanced with great strides along the
royal highway ; titans in their thousands surrounded that most
invincible of warriors and, from the houses, a rain of flowers
fell upon him as he passed.
Thereafter he beheld the vast and enchanting residence
covered with gold of that Indra of the Titans which shone like
the sun, resembling that orb when it enters a mass of clouds,
164
YUDDHA KANDA
and he penetrated into the palace belonging to the King of the
Titans, observing him from afar on his throne, like unto Shakra
approaching Swyambhu seated in state.
Coming to Ravana's abode with his escort of titans,
Kumbhakarna, pacing the earth, caused it to tremble. Having
crossed the threshold of the palace, he passed through the
courtyard and perceived his elder brother, who appeared
troubled, seated in the Chariot Pushpaka. Full of anxiety,
Dashagriva, beholding Kumbhakarna, immediately rose up
joyfully and motioned him to approach.
Then that mighty warrior, bowing to the feet of his brother,
who was reclining on a couch, enquired of him :— " What dost
thou desire of me ? **
With renewed delight, Ravana rose and embraced him
whereupon with brotherly salutations and traditional courtesies,
Kumbhakarna ascended the celestial and shining throne, and
that giant being seated, his eyes red with anger, enquired of
Ravana : —
" Why hast thou forcibly torn me from my slumber, O King ?
Say from whence springs thy fear and whom dost thou wish
me to slay this day ? "
Then Ravana answered the enraged Kumbhakarna seated
beside him, who was rolling his inflamed eyes, and said : —
" Thou hast slumbered for some time, O Warrior, and, in
thy profound oblivion, wert indifferent to the peril in which
Rama has plunged me. This glorious and mighty son of
Dasaratha accompanied by Sugriva, having crossed the sea
without hindrance, is destroying our race. Alas ! See how
by means of a bridge, these monkeys have made an ocean of the
woods and groves of Lanka !
" The foremost of the titans have been slain by them in
combat, nor do I see how these monkeys can be destroyed in
battle by any means. Save us from this great peril, O Mighty
Hero, and exterminate them to-day ! It is on this account
that thou hast been awakened ; all my resources are exhausted !
Help me to save the City of Lanka, in which the children and the
aged alone remain. O Long-armed Warrior, for thy brother's
sake, accomplish this feat, impossible to another. I have never
before spoken thus to any of my brothers, O Scourge of Thy
h 165
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Foes ! I have placed my supreme hopes and affections on thee !
O Bull among the Titans, how often, in the wars between Devas
and Asuras, hast thou overcome the Gods and Celestial Beings
ranged against thee ! Call upon thy valour, assuredly among
all creatures none is equal to thee in strength, O Redoubtable
Hero ! Render me this great service, O Thou, the lover of
combat ; do this for me, O Thou who art devoted to thy friends !
By thy personal prowess scatter these hostile forces as the wind
scatters the autumnal clouds."
CHAPTER 63
Kumbhakarna consoles Ravana
Hearing the lament of the King of the Titans, Kumbhakarna
said with a mocking laugh : —
" As an evil doer falls into hell as a result of his misdeeds, a
swift retribution has followed on the error of judgment we saw
thee commit formerly in council through lack of trust in thy
ministers ! Firstly, O Great King, thou didst not reflect on
what might happen and, in the pride of thine own strength,
overlooked the consequences. He, who trusting in his own
power, leaves until last that which should be done first or who
does first, that which should follow, is unable to distinguish
between what is wise and what is foolish. As offerings poured
into an unsanctified fire so are those actions disastrous which
are performed without regard to time and place or in opposition
to them. He goes straight to the goal, who, in consultation
with his ministers, has examined the three kinds of action and
their five aspects1. A king who makes his decisions according
to the traditional laws, and allows himself to be advised by his
counsellors and consults his friends, pursuing duty, profit and
1 Three kinds of action — Trivial, common or ordinary, important and
urgent.
Five aspects — The consideration of (a) Time, (b) Place, (e) Oi persona
or things concerned, {&) Provision against mischance, (e) Consideration of the
possibility of success.
166
YUDDHA KANDA
pleasure1 at the proper season or following two of them or all of
them combined, is a wise monarch and has a sound under-
standing, O Lord of the Titans.
" But the sovereign or heir-apparent, who, having heard what
is best for the cultivation of these three means and yet does not
comprehend them, has spent his time listening to instruction
in vain. The king who consults his ministers regarding the
bestowal of gifts, conciliation, sowing dissension, taking action
or uniting himself with the foe as also the consideration of what
should or should not be done and the questions of duty, profit
and pursuit of pleasure, dealing with them in conformity with
circumstances, and is master of himself, is not visited by mis-
fortune!
" He verily is a king, who, with experienced and sagacious
counsellors, having studied the advantages he desires to reap
from an undertaking and the wisdom of entering into it, takes
action.
" One should never follow the advice of those admitted to
council who are not conversant with the meaning of the
scriptures, whose intelligence is equal to the beasts and who,
in their conceit, prate continuously ! Neither should one follow
the advice of those who, in their ignorance of the tradition and
the works of political science, merely seek to amass wealth.
And those counsellors who, in their complacency, hold specious
but sinister debates, should be excluded from any deliberation,
for they mar every transaction. Those in the pay of well-
informed enemies, who, in order to betray their master, advise
him to act contrary to his interests, will be recognized by the
king when they are in the assembly, and a monarch will soon
discover those who, under the mask of devotion hide their
treachery, by studying their conduct in their deliberations when
they are met together. Those foolish ones, who rush precipitately
into action like birds entering a hole in the Krauncha Mountain,
are overwhelmed by the enemy and he who, disregarding the
foe, fails to protect himself, experiences nothing but reverses
and loses his status.
1 Duty, profit and pleasure — The Three Ends of Life should be pursued in
the following order : — Duty or devotion in the morning, profit or affairs in
the afternoon and the pursuit of pleasure in the evening.
167
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"The advice that the beloved Mandodari and my younger
brother, Bibishana, formerly gave thee, I now repeat for thine
own good ; do what thou considerest best ! "
Hearing Kumbhakarna's words, Dashagriva frowned and
replied angrily : —
" One should pay the same respect to one's elder brother
as to one's spiritual preceptor ! Of what interest to me are
thy counsels ? Why fatigue thyself? Consider what is fitting
at the moment ; whatever has impeded success, whether it has
been folly or too great a confidence in the strength of mine army,
it is useless to discuss it now ! Advise me as to what should be
done in the present circumstances. Let thy valour remedy the
evil that mine imprudence has brought about if thou art truly
devoted to me and hast confidence in thine own prowess and
if thine heart is in this great struggle and thou considerest it
to be of supreme moment. He is a friend who rescues one in
distress ; a kinsman he, who helps one who has failed."
Thus spoke Ravana in imperious and harsh accents and
Kumbhakarna reflecting within himself ' he is enraged ',
answered him mildly in soothing tones, Looking fixedly at
his brother, whose mind was agitated, he spoke comforting
words to him in a quiet voice, saying : —
" Listen carefully, O King, O Scourge of Thy Foes, O
Leader of the Titan Princes, banish thy grief, renounce thine
anger and be thyself again ! There is no reason for thine
heart to be troubled as long as I live, O Lord ! I will slay him
who is the cause of thy distress but, in any circumstances, I
had, of necessity, to speak for thine own good because of
kinship and brotherly affection for thee, O Monarch.
" It is on account of this that I will show myself to be a friend
and a brother and, in combat, annihilate the enemy under thine
eyes. To-day, O Long-armed Warrior, thou shalt see me in the
forefront of battle, having slain Rama and his brother and put
the monkey army to flight. Seeing me bring back Rama's head
from the battlefield this day, thou wilt be happy, O Warrior, and
Sita overwhelmed with despair.
" T o-day all the titans of Lanka, whose kinsfolk have perished,
will witness the death of Rama who is the object of men's
desires ! By striking down the foe in battle, I shall dry the
1 68
YUDDHA KANDA
tears of those who are overcome with sorrow and have been
rendered desolate by the loss of their relatives. To-day thou
shalt see Sugriva, the leader of the Plavagas, who resembles a
mountain illumined by the sun, lying on the earth. The titans,
and I also, are eager to slay Dasaratha's son ; this should fill thee
with confidence, how is it that thou art still trembling, O
Irreproachable Hero? Should he slay me, Raghava will
assuredly slay thee also but I have nothing to fear, O Lord of the
Titans 1 Now command me, O Scourge of Thy Foes, do not
seek another for this encounter, O Incomparable Hero ! I shall
destroy thy foes despite their strength ! Even were it Shakra
or Yama or Pavaka or Maruta, I should enter into combat with
them or with Kuvera or Varuna themselves ; I, who in stature
am like unto a mountain, with a sharpened spear as my weapon,
my war-cry, my pointed teeth, at the sight of which Purandara
himself trembles, throwing away my arms, shall strike down the
foe with blows of my fists. None will be able to withstand me,
no matter how much they may cling to life, nor have I need of
lance, mace, sword or whetted dart ; with my bare hands alone,
I will kill Raghava, were he accompanied by the God who bears
the Thunderbolt himself ! If he is able to withstand the force
of my fists then mine arrows will drink his life's blood ! O
King, I stand here, why art thou overwhelmed with despair ?
Here I wait ready to exterminate the slayers of titans, by whom
Lanka has been set on fire, and also the monkeys, in the struggle
that is about to take place. I shall confer a rare and great glory
upon thee ! Did the danger come from Indra or Swyambhu
or the Gods themselves, I should make them measure their
length on the field of battle, O King ! I shall overcome Yama,
consume Pavaka, hurl down Varuna, pulverize the mountains
and shatter the earth ! After my long sleep, let those beings
I am about to consume, witness the prowess of Kumbhakarna
this day ! Nay, the Three Worlds shall not be able to glut mine
appetite ! In order to please thee I will slay the son of Dasaratha!
Having struck down Rama and Laksjhmana, I shall devour all
the foremost of the monkey leaders. Rejoice therefore, O King
and drink wine, do what thou hast to do and banish grief;
to-day I shall send Rama to the abode of death and Sita will
become thine for ever ! "
x«9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 64
Mahodara's Speech
Hearing this speech of the colossal and valiant Kumbhakama,
Mahodara replied : —
" Kumbhakama, thou art an offshoot of an illustrious race,
thou an courageous but thou hast two vulgar characteristics
and, in thy conceit, art unable to anticipate the course of events
in all its aspects.
" It is not true that the king does not understand what is
politic and impolitic, O Kumbhakama, but thou, in thy youthful
impetuosity, knowest only how to prate ! The Lord of the
Titans, who is conversant with the laws of time and place, is
also aware of increase and loss as well as our situation and the
state of the enemy.
" What man of sense would attempt that which an old thick-
headed soldier with no respect even for his elders plumes himself
on accomplishing ? When thou dost assert that duty, profit
and pleasure are essentially opposed to each other, it is a proof
that thou art unaware of their real nature. Action is un-
doubtedly the source of all experiences and here below,
happiness is the fruit we seek even in our most evil acts. Apart
from pleasure, duty and profit yield felicity, but the fruit reaped
from injustice and unrighteousness is calamitous. Men of
strong character undertake those acts, the consequences of which
they reap in another world, whilst those who give themselves
up to the pursuit of pleasure reap the consequences here.
" Why should that which the king has so much at heart and
which we approve, namely the chastising of his enemies, be set
aside in any way? As for the motives thou hast given for
marching against Rama single-handed, I will point out to thee
what is ill-considered and reprehensible about them! How
canst thou defeat Rama alone, he who formerly destroyed
innumerable exceedingly powerful titans in Janasthana ? Those
rangers of the night whom he overcame in Janasthana were
valiant warriors also and dost thou not behold them in the city,
170
YUDDHA KANDA
stricken with fear ? By rousing Rama, the son of Dasaratha,
who resembles a wounded lion, alas thou art waking a sleeping
serpent ! Burning with valour and unapproachable in his fury,
inaccessible as Mrityu, who would dare to challenge him ? This
entire army cannot face that foe without being imperilled,
therefore it in no wise recommends itself to me that thou
shouldst go out to meet him alone, O Child. Who, bereft of
resources would be eager to meet with an adversary, ready to
sacrifice his life and furnished with every pre-requisite ! Rama
has no equal among men, O Best of the Titans, how canst thou
plume thyself on entering into combat with him who is the
rival of Indra and Vaivasvata ? "
Having spoken thus to the enraged Kumbhakarna, Mahodara
said to Ravana, the Destroyer of the Worlds, who was surrounded
by the titans : —
" Having formerly borne Vaidehi away, why dost thou delay ?
If thou desirest Sita to submit to thy will, I see a means of
bringing her to thy feet. If it pleases thee, O Indra among the
Titans, then hear me !
" Let it be proclaimed that I, Dvijihva, Samhradin,
Kumbhakarna and Vitadarna, all five, are going forth to slay
Rama ! We shall engage him in a fierce struggle and, if we
triumph over thine enemy, we need resort to no other means,
but, if thy rival survive and we escape from the fight, then we
will adopt the measures I have planned.
" We shall return from the battlefield and come hither
covered with blood, our limbs pierced by darts on which are
engraved Rama's name, and relate how we have destroyed
Raghava and Lakshmana ! Thereafter we shall press thy feet
and thou wilt cover us with honour, after which, mounted on
an elephant thou wilt publish the tidings throughout the city,
relating how Rama, his brother and his army were entirely
destroyed. Simulating an extreme satisfaction, O Subduer
of Thy Foes, thou wilt promote feasting and rejoicing and
bestow gold and slaves on thy servants and distribute garlands,
raiment and perfumes on thy warriors, thou thyself manifesting
thy delight by drinking. Thereupon a rumour will spread
everywhere that Rama and his friends have been devoured by
the titans ; such will be the report !
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Then shalt thou repair secretly to where Sita is, in order
to offer her consolation and tempt her with grain, diamonds and
entertainment in order to seduce her. By this deceit, O King,
Site's grief will be increased and she, bereft of felicity, without
a protector, will accede to thy desire. Learning that her
charming lord is slain, Sita, in despair and on account of womanly
frailty, will submit to thy will !
" Brought up in the lap of prosperity, this woman who is
worthy of felicity and who is afflicted with misfortune, realising
her happiness depends on thee, will surrender herself wholly
to thee.
" This is the best course for thee to follow. Even to behold
Rama may prove disastrous ; have no anxiety ! Great happiness
awaits thee here without entering into combat ! Neither
losing thy forces nor courting danger, triumph over thine
enemy, O Monarch ! Glory, felicity, prosperity and renown
will long be the lot of thy sovereign majesty ! "
chapter 65
Kumbhakarna enters into Combat
Replying to Mahodara's reproaches, Kumbhakarna said to his
brother, Ravana, the King of the Titans : —
" Forsooth I shall dispel the immediate peril this day by
slaying that wretch, Rama ! Freed from thine adversary, be
happy ! Heroes do not thunder in vain like clouds bereft of
rain ! Do thou mark how my threats find fulfilment in mine
exploits ! Warriors do not need to boast, and accomplish the
most difficult of feats without bluster ! Cowardly monarchs,
devoid of intelligence, who plume themselves on being wise,
will ever find thy speech acceptable, O Mahodara !
" All you effeminate creatures, agreeable talkers, who flatter
the king, have always ruined any martial enterprise. Nothing
is left in Lanka save its sovereign ; its wealth is exhausted, its
army destroyed and that monarch is beset by foes in the guise
of friends ! I shall go out and fight, determined to triumph
172
YUDDHA KANDA
over the foe and, in this wise, redeem thy calamitous policy
in this great struggle."
Hearing these words of the intelligent Kumbharkarna, the
King of the Titans answered laughing : —
" In sooth, Rama has terrorized Mahodara ! Assuredly he
does not relish battle, O Dear Friend ! O Sagacious Warrior, I
have none equal to thee in devotion and prowess ; go, slay mine
adversary, O Kumbhakarna and speed towards victory !
" Thou wast sleeping and it was for mine enemy's destruction
that I had thee wakened ; this hour is of extreme significance
to the titans, O Vanquisher of thy Foes ! Go, arm thyself;
let those two princes, the equals of Aditya in splendour, be
thy pasture ! Beholding thee, the monkeys will take to flight
and the hearts of Rama and Lakshmana will cease to beat."
Having spoken thus to the exceedingly powerful Kumbhakarna,
that illustrious lion of the titans felt he had received new life.
Aware of Kumbhakarna's prowess and knowing his valour,
the king expanded with joy like unto the immaculate moon.
Hearing bis words, which filled him with delight, that warrior
went away and, having listened to the king's speech, prepared
for battle. Then that scourge of his foes vigorously brandished
his iron spear decorated with fine gold that shone brightly and
was as renowned as Indra's thunderbolt and equally heavy.
The scourge of the Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and
Pannagas, wreathed in garlands, festooned with crimson
Sowers, emitting flames, that great spear, stained with the blood
of bis enemies, was taken up by the illustrious Kumbhakarna,
who addressed Ravana, saying : —
" I shall set out alone ; let thy powerful army remain here !
To-day in mine hunger and fury, I shall devour the monkeys ! "
At these words of Kumbhakarna, Ravana answered : —
" Do thou go out accompanied by troops furnished with
picks and hammers ; those monkeys are brave and exceedingly
energetic ! He who is rash enough to meet them alone will be
torn to pieces by their teeth, yet, though they are extremely
difficult to overcome, surround thyself with warriors and setting
out, utterly destroy that enemy host so fatal to the titans ! "
Thereafter, descending from the throne, the mighty Ravana
placed a diadem, the interior of which was encrusted with
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
pearls, on Kumbhakarna's brow and decked out that hero with
bracelets, rings, precious gems and a necklace as bright as the
moon, covering his limbs with celestial and fragrant garlands
and setting earrings in his ears. With the bracelets, anklets
and golden coins1, with which he was adorned, the large-eyed
Kumbhakarna shone like the sacrificial fire.
Resplendent with his great dark-blue girdle, he resembled
the Mandara Mountain encircled by the snake at the time of
the churning of the water of immortality. Clad in golden
armour that no arrow could penetrate, which in its natural
brilliance seemed to project flames, he was rendered as radiant
as the King of the Mountains encircled by evening clouds.
His entire body was covered with ornaments of every kind and,
spear in hand, that titan called to mind Narayana, when, in
his might, he took the three strides.
Thereafter that warrior embraced his brother and paid
obeisance to him by circumambulating him in the traditional
manner and, inclining his head to him, set out to the sound of
conches and gongs.
Then Ravana, dismissing him with good wishes, caused an
escort of well-equipped soldiers to accompany him with
elephants, horses and chariots, emitting a sound like thunder-
clouds. Valiant fighters accompanied that prince of warriors
mounted on serpents, buffalo, donkeys, lions, elephants
antelopes and birds.
It was under a prodigious shower of blossom, a parasol over
him, bearing a pointed spear in bis hand, full of daring, that the
enemy of Devas and Danavas, intoxicated with the smell of
blood, set forth. And innumerable titans followed him on foot,
full of energy and prowess, fierce of aspect, bearing weapons in
their hands, their eyes red ; and their ranks measured many
leagues in extent and they resembled heaps of antimony and
brandished maces, swords, sharp axes, javelins, bars, ramrods,
hammers, great Sala Trees and were furnished with nets.
Meanwhile Kumbhakarna, assuming another terrible and
ferocious form, advanced impetuously, measuring a hundred
bows in breadth and six hundred in height, formidable, full of
power and energy with eyes like unto chariot wheels. And,
1 Lit. Mishkas — See glossary.
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YUDDHA KANDA
having assembled the titans, that colossus with his large mouth,
who looked like a flaming crag said with a mocking laugh : —
" To-day the foremost of the monkey divisions will be
consumed by me in my wrath one after the other like moths in
a flame. Yet those inhabitants of the woods have never given
offence and their race adorns the gardens of our dwellings.
" The cause of the city being beseiged is Raghava, and
Lakshmana who accompanies him ; he being slain, all will be
slain ; I shall therefore destroy him in fight."
At these words of Kumbhakarna, the titans emitted a great
shout that seemed to agitate the ocean.
Then the crafty Kumbhakarna went forth and sinister
portents appeared on every side ; dark and fearful clouds
accompanied by meteors were seen, and the earth, the sea and the
forests trembled. Jackals of ferocious aspect, with flames
darting from their mouths, began to howl and birds wheeled
from left to right. A vulture alighted on the titan's spear as he
advanced, and his left eye and arm twitched ; a flaming meteor
fell with a terrible crash ; the sun lost its brilliance and no
favourable wind blew.
Without heeding these threatening portents, causing the
hair to stand on end, Kumbhakarna set out, urged on by the
force of destiny. Having crossed the ramparts, that giant,
equal to a mountain, beheld the vast army of the monkeys
resembling a cloud and, seeing that most powerful of the titans,
as high as a mountain, those monkeys fled in all directions, like
clouds driven before the wind. At the sight of that tremendous
host of monkeys scattering to the four quarters like a mass of
cloud melting away, Kumbhakarna joyfully redoubled his
shouts resembling thunder.
Hearing those terrible shouts, like unto the roar of clouds in
the sky, countless Plavagas fell to the earth like great Sala Trees
whose roots have been severed and, as Kumbhakarna hurled
himself on the enemy with his huge mace in order to destroy
him, he filled the ranks of the monkeys with extreme fear as
does the Lord of Death accompanied by his minions at the end
of the World Period.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 66
Angada reproaches the Monkeys for flying from Kumbhakarna
Having leapt over the wall, Kumbhakarna, that giant, like unto
the peak of a mountain, full of valour, set out from the city in
haste and emitted a great shout which agitated the waters,
drowned the thunder claps and appeared to shatter the
mountains.
Seeing that warrior of fierce glance, as invincible as Maghavat,
Yama or Varuna, the monkeys stampeded, and Prince Angada,
beholding them fleeing, addressed the mighty Nala, Nila,
Gavaksha and Kumuda, saying : —
" Forgetting your native valour and noble lineage, where are
you fleeing in terror like common monkeys ? Come back, O
Companions, return ! Is it thus that you defend your lives ?
Nay, this titan is not able to tight against you all ; he is here to
create panic amongst you. This great fear, that the titan
inspires in you, will be dispelled by our prowess ; return, O
Flavamgamas ! "
Rallied with difficulty from here and there and re-assured,
those monkeys, armed with trees, halted in the field, and those
dwellers in the woods stayed there ready to advance in fury on
Kumbhakarna, like elephants intoxicated with Mada juice.
Thereafter they attacked him valiantly with blows from mountain
peaks, rocks and trees with their flowering crests but were
unable to overthrow him. Innumerable stones, and trees with
blossoming tops fell shattered on the earth, having come in
contact with his limbs and that hero, enraged, on his side,
struck down the ranks of those energetic monkeys by exercising
bis great strength, like unto a fire which suddenly blazes forth
in the forest. Their limbs be-spattered with blood, those lions
among the monkeys, overcome and cut down, lay there in great
numbers resembling trees with coppery flowers. Thereafter,
those monkeys bounded away without looking in which direction
and some threw themselves into the sea and some leapt into the
176
YUDDHA KANDA
air. Overcome by that titan, who was disporting himself,
some, despite their valour, fled over the sea by the way by which
they had come and some, pale and distraught, escaped to the
valleys. The bears climbed into the trees and some took
refuge in the mountains ; others being no longer able to stand,
fell down and remained lying on the earth insensible as if asleep
or dead.
Seeing the monkeys routed, Angada called out to them : —
" Stay ! Let us fight ! Return, O Plavamgamas ! Were you to
range the whole earth in your flight I see no refuge for you
anywhere I Why do you seek to preserve your lives ? If you
fly, leaving your weapons, lest they impede your course, your
wives will deride you for this cowardice, which is death to men
of honour, O Warriors ! Whither are you fleeing filled with
fear like common monkeys, you who are born in rich and
illustrious families? Where are those deeds of valour and
prowess of which you boasted in the assembly ? The reproach
of cowardice will be heard by you ; he, who seeks to save his
life by fleeing, is despised ! Follow the path chosen by men
of courage and overcome your fears. If, after a brief existence,
you lie stretched on the earth dead, you will attain Brahmaloka,
inaccessible to cowards. We shall acquire glory by striking
down the foe in fight and, if we succumb, we shall enjoy the
treasures of heaven in the region of heroes, O Monkeys ! Nay,
Kumbhakarna will never return alive, having come before
Kakutstha, as a moth that draws near to a glowing brazier.
If one, despite our numbers, is able to disperse us and we
preserve our lives by fleeing, then there is an end to our
renown ! "
Such was Angada's speech, he of the golden bracelets, and the
fugitives replied to that hero's reproaches, saying : —
" That Titan Kumbhakarna, has caused a terrible carnage
amongst us ; it is not the moment to stay ; life is dear to us ! "
With these words the leaders of the monkeys, beholding that
giant of fearful glance advancing, scattered in all directions.
Nevertheless Angada, by his exhortations and arguments,
succeeded in rallying them and, re-assured by that sagacious
son of Bali, they submitted to his commands and those foremost
of monkeys returned to the field.
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 67
Kumbhakarna' s Exploits. He is slain by Rama
Retracing their steps on hearing the voice of Angada, all those
huge-bodied monkeys, resolutely taking their stand, desired
nothing more than to join issue in the fight.
Their confidence restored by the words of the valiant Angada,
those monkeys, feeling their energy revived and their courage
mounting, advanced, resolving to die and sacrifice their lives.
Then those giants, arming themselves with trees and enormous
crags, which they spun with great rapidity, hurled themselves
on Kumbhakarna, whereupon, full of ire and vigour, that
warrior of immense stature, brandishing his mace, dispersed
the enemy on every side. Seven hundred and eight thousand
monkeys lay scattered on the earth struck down by
Kumbhakarna and, like unto Garuda consuming serpents, he
seized hold of seven, eight, ten, twenty and thirty in his arms,
crushing and devouring them in his extreme fury as he ran.
Re-assured with exceeding difficulty, those monkeys rallied
here and there and, armed with trees and rocks, took up their
stand in the forefront of the battle. At that instant, Dvivida,
that lion among monkeys, resembling a threatening cloud,
tearing up a rock, hurled himself on the enemy who was like
unto a mountain peak ; and that monkey, breaking off the crag,
flung it at Kumbhakarna, missing him, so that the missile fell
on the titan force, crushing horses, elephants and chariots
harnessed to excellent steeds. Another rock created further
victims and, under that avalanche of stones, the titans wounded,
their horses slain, their charioteers struck down, streaming with
blood and mounted in then cars, suddenly let forth terrible
cries and with the aid of death-dealing arrows, severed the heads
of those foremost of monkeys who were roaring.
On their side, the monkeys, full of valour, uprooted great
trees in order to crush the chariots, horses, elephants, buffalo
and titans and, from the air where he was stationed, Hanuman
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YUDDHA KANDA
showered rocks, stones and trees of every kind on the head of
Kumbhakarna but that mighty one split and evaded that rain
of trees. And he hurled himself upon that great army of
monkeys brandishing his sharp pick and, as he rushed forward
Hanuman placed himself in the way armed with the peak of a
mountain, and, in fury struck Kumbhakarna a violent blow,
who, in his appalling corpulence, appeared like a hill ! Then
he whose limbs were dripping with fat and streaming with
blood, stumbled under the shock and the titan hurled his spear,
which was as bright as lightning and like a mountain spouting
forth flames, striking Maruti between the arms, as Guha
formerly struck the Krauncha Mountain with his formidable
lance. His breast pierced by that spear, beside himself,
vomiting blood, Hanuman, in fury, let forth a terrible cry in
the midst of the battle, like the roar of a thundercloud at the
end of the World Period, and a great cheer arose from the ranks
of the titans as they beheld his plight, whilst the monkeys,
distraught and terrified, fled from the field.
At that instant, summoning up his courage, the valiant Nila
discharged a crag against that crafty titan, who, seeing it
approaching, struck it with his fist and, on the impact, that rock
broke and fell on the earth emitting sparks of fire. Then
Rishabha, Sharabha, Nila, Gavaksha and Gandamadhana,
those five tigers among the monkeys, hurled themselves on
Kumbhakarna and, in the struggle, showered him with blows
from stones, trees, the palms of their hands, feet and fists,
attacking that giant on every side. Kumbhakarna, however,
scarcely felt those blows and, unheeding, seized the impetuous
Rishabha in his two arms. Crashed in this embrace, that bull
among the monkeys fell to the ground, his mouth filled with
blood.
Thereafter, in the fight, that enemy of Indra struck Sharabha
with his fist, Nila with his knee and Gavaksha with the palm
of his hand. Dazed by the blows they had received, terrified,
covered with blood, they fell on the earth like Kimshuka Trees
that have been uprooted. Those powerful leaders of the
monkeys being overcome, the rest hurled themselves in thousands
on Kumbhakarna and, flinging themselves upon him and
climbing about aim as if he were a rock, those bulls among the
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Plavagas, who themselves resembled hills, attacked and bit him.
With their nails, teeth, fists and arms, those foremost of monkeys
assailed the valiant Kumbhakama, a veritable tiger in stature,
and that titan, covered by thousands of apes, resembled a
mountain overgrown by trees. Crushing all those monkeys in
his arms, that giant devoured them, as Garuda the serpents.
Cast into Kumbhakarna's mouth, that resembled the pit of hell,
the monkeys issued from his ears and nostrils. As high as a
mountain in his rage he devoured those monkeys, and that
prince of titans crushed them covering the earth with their
flesh and blood and ranging through their ranks which he
overran, so that he appeared like the Fire of Time itself.
Resembling Shakra bearing the thunderbolt in his hand or Death
with the noose, so did that powerful titan appear, armed with
his spear, in the fight. As in the summer season, fire destroys
the dry forests, so did Kumbhakama consume the simian
ranks.
Thus decimated, their leaders struck down, the Plavamgamas,
wild with terror, emitted dreadful cries and, overpowered again
and again by Kumbhakama, those monkeys fled for refuge to
Ragbava. Witnessing the massacre of those monkeys, Angada,
bom of the son of the Bearer of the Thunderbolt, hurled
himself in rage upon Kumbhakama in the struggle. Seizing
hold of a great crag, he roared again and again, putting all the
titans, who accompanied Kumbhakama, to flight ; thereafter he
struck the head of his adversary with the rock, and that enemy
of Indra inflamed with anger on receiving the blow, leapt with
one bound upon the irascible son of Bali. Emitting loud cries,
that titan struck terror among the monkeys and, in his anger,
threw his spear with extreme force at Angada, but with a light
bound, that valiant lion among the monkeys, an experienced
warrior, avoided the impact and leapt on his opponent, striking
his chest with the palm of his hand. That violent blow dazed
the giant, who resembled a mountain, but regaining his senses
that most powerful of titans, doubling his fist, with a mocking
laugh, struck, Angada who fell insensible to the earth.
As that lion among the Plavagas lay stretched unconscious
on the ground, Kumbhakama, brandishing his spear, rushed on
Sugriva and, seeing that colossus running towards him, the
1 80
YUDDHA KANDA
courageous King of the Monkeys went out to meet him where-
upon, beholding that Indra among the Monkeys advancing,
Kumbhakarna halted and stood facing him with braced limbs.
Beholding Kumbhakarna standing still, bis body streaming
with the blood of the great monkeys whom he had devoured,
Sugriva said to him : —
" In slaying these warriors thou hast accomplished a most
difficult feat and, by devouring my soldiers, hast acquired
immense renown ; now let the army of monkeys be, what hast
thou to do with common folk ? Do thou seek to bear the weight
of this rock I am about to hurl on thee, O Titan ! Find thy
satisfaction in slaying me, O Titan, thou who resemblest a
mountain ! '*
At these words of the King of the Monkeys, who was possessed
of courage and fortitude, that lion among the titans, answered : —
** Thou art the grandson of Prajapati and the son of
Riksharajas, thou art energetic and brave, hence thine arrogance,
O Monkey ! "
At these words of Kumbhakarna, Sugriva, taking up a stone,
hurled it at him suddenly and struck his breast with that missile
resembling a thunderbolt. The rock broke on the huge chest
of that giant and the titans were appalled, whilst from the ranks
of the monkeys rose shouts of joy. Struck by that rocky peak,
Kumbhakarna, enraged, roared ; opening bis huge mouth wide
and brandishing his spear, that resembled lightning, he hurled
it at the King of the Monkeys and the Bears in order to slay
him. As it fell, the son of Anila, Hanuman, with his two hands
seized hold of that sharp spear and its gold-encircled shaft
loosed by the titan's arm and, in play as it were, broke that
powerful weapon across his knee.
Seeing his lance shattered to pieces by Hanuman, the army
of monkeys, in a transport of delight, began to cheer. Meanwhile
hearing those rangers of the woods emitting leonine roars and
lauding Maruti in their joy, on beholding his spear shattered,
that titan became enraged and, pale with fear, tore oft a peak
of the Malaya Mountain nearby, in the vicinity of Lanka,
hurling it on Sugriva in order to strike him down. Struck by
that crag, the Indra of the Monkeys fell on the earth insensible
and the Yatudhanas let forth a roar of triumph.
N 181
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thereafter Kumbhakarna, approaching that powerful King
of the Monkeys, lifted him up and bore him away like unto a
violent wind driving away a cloud and, as he ranged the battle-
field dragging Sugriva with him, who resembled a great cloud,
Kumbhakarna, with his lofty stature, appeared like Mount
Meru of exceedingly high peaks. Having laid hold of Sugriva,
the mighty Lord of the Titans turned towards Lanka amidst the
acclamations of his own people and the wailing of the Inhabitants
of the Celestial Region, who were inconsolable on account of the
capture of the King of the Plavamgamas and, having overcome
the King of the Monkeys, that enemy of Indra and his rival in
power, reflected : — ' He being dead, the entire simian host is
destroyed together with Raghava ! *
Then Hanuman, the sagacious son of Maruta, seeing Sugriva
borne away by Kumbhakarna and the monkeys fleeing, thought
to himself: *Now that Sugriva has been made captive what
ought I to do? Assuredly I shall accomplish that which is
fitting ; in order to slay this titan, I shall assume the shape of a
mountain ! When I have destroyed the extremely powerful
Kumbhakarna in combat by pounding his body with blows and
have delivered the king, die delight of the monkeys will be
general ! Yet that great monkey is well able to free himself
though meseems, that, struck by Kumbhakarna with a rock in
the struggle, the Chief of the Monkeys is not yet conscious of his
plight. Presently, when Sugriva recovers consciousness, he
will know how to save himself and the monkeys in this great
conflict. That warrior will not be pleased if I deliver him,
for his fair name would be tarnished and irretrievably lost.
That is why I shall delay a while so that he may extricate himself
from this predicament by bis own prowess and I shall confine
myself to rallying the scattered forces/
Reflecting thus, Hanuman, born of Maruta, sought to instil
courage into the simian army.
Meanwhile, bearing the great and quivering form of the
monkey in his arms, Kumbhakarna returned to Lanka, and from
the temples, highways, dwellings and city gates, the people
honoured him with a rain of flowers. Under the shower of
roasted grain and the fragrance of the blossoms with which he
was drenched and also on account of the coolness of the royal
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YUDDHA KANDA
highway, little by little the valiant Sugriva recovered con-
sciousness. Borne in the arms of his powerful rival and, beholding
the great highway of the city, that warrior was assailed by
innumerable thoughts — ' Taken captive in this way, what can
I do now ? I shall act in such a way that it is to the advantage
of the monkeys.'
Then with his sharp nails, the King of the Monkeys, instantly
attacked the enemy of the Gods and tore off his two ears with
his teeth, biting off his nose and splitting his thighs with his feet.
With his nose and ears torn off by Sugriva's teeth and nails,
Kumbhakarna, transported with anger, his limbs covered with
blood, threw the monkey down in order to crush him. Flung
to the ground with fearful violence and struck by the Enemy
of the Gods, Sugriva bounced into the air like a ball and with
all speed flew to rejoin Rama.
Kumbhakarna, his ears and nose severed, drenched in gore,
shone like a mountain with its torrents and, covered with blood,
vomiting blood, that gigantic titan of fearful aspect, the younger
brother of Ravana, blazed with anger. Like unto a mass of
dark collyrium or an evening cloud, that formidable Ranger of
the Night resolved to enter into combat once more and, Sugriva
having escaped, that enemy of Indra, furious, immediately
threw himself into the struggle but reflecting ' I have no
weapon * that ferocious warrior seized hold of a huge hammer.
Issuing from the city, the valiant titan began to consume the
redoubtable army of the monkeys with the violence of Fire at
the destruction of the worlds. Famished and avid for flesh,
Kumbhakarna entered the ranks of the monkeys and, in his
rage, like unto Mrityu at the end of the world period, in-
discriminately ate up titan, monkey, Pisacha and bear.
Thereafter in his fury, he consumed the monkeys, seizing one,
two, three or more in one hand and titans also, thrusting them
greedily into his mouth so that he streamed with flesh and blood
and, though struck by the peaks of mountains, continued to
feast on those monkeys, whilst they, seeing their companions
being devoured, took refuge with Rama, whereupon
Kumbhakarna, in a transport of rage, pursued them in order
to consume them. Seizing them in his arms, in die chase, he
took hold of them in groups of seven, eight, twenty, thirty and
183
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
a hundred ; his limbs were covered with fat, flesh and blood,
while wreaths of tangled entrails hung over his ears, and that
colossus, of sharp teeth, began to discharge his weapons so that
he appeared like Time at the end of the world.
At that instant, the son of Sumitra, the scourge of enemy
hosts and the destroyer of hostile citadels, enraged, entered the
fight and the courageous Lakshmana loosed seven darts into
Kumbhakama's body, aiming a hail of other missiles on him
but Kumbhakarna shook off those falling shafts. Then the
valiant son of Sumitra was provoked beyond measure and
covered the shining armour of that titan, that was made of gold,
with his shafts, as a mountain is overlaid with clouds by the
wind at evening. Like unto a mass of dark collyrium, that titan,
riddled with golden darts, blazed like the sun shining amidst
the clouds. And that terrible monster, whose voice equalled
the crash of countless thunder-clouds, spoke scornfully,
increasing Saumitri's delight, saying : —
" Thou hast manifested thy courage by entering into combat,
fearlessly with me, I who have overcome Antaka himself
without difficulty in the field ! He who is able to face the rival
of Mrityu himself, armed for combat, is worthy of honour,
how much more so if he should enter into conflict with him !
Mounted on Airavata surrounded by the Gods, Shakra, their
king, has never dared to challenge me to battle. This courage
from a youth is gratifying to me ; now go hence, O Saumitri, I
wish to meet Raghava !
M In sooth thy valour, energy and martial prowess are pleasing
to me but my only desire is to slay Rama, when he is slain, all
are slain ! When Rama has fallen under my blows, I shall fight
with all my might against all those who remain on the battlefield ! "
Thus boastfully did the titan speak and Saumitri, with a
mocking smile, answered in dread accents saying : —
** That thy prowess renders thee invincible to Shakra and the
other Gods is true, O Warrior, and to-day thou dost manifest
the same valour ! Yonder is the son of Dasaratha immoveable
as a rock ! "
Hearing these words, that ranger of the night, the mighty and
powerful Kumbhakarna, disregarding Lakshmana, passed him
by and, causing the earth to tremble, rushed on Rama.
184
YUDDHA KANDA
The son of Dasaratha, Rama, however, loosed some pointed
arrows with Indra's weapon on Kumbhakarna's breast and,
wounded by Rama in his furious course, flames mixed with
embers shot from his mouth ! Pierced by Rama's arrow, that
lion among the titans, emitting a terrible cry, hurled himself
full of rage upon Raghava, throwing off the monkeys. With
bis breast pierced with darts, adorned with peacock's plumes,
his mace fell shattered from his hand and all his weapons were
scattered on the earth. Finding himself disarmed, that colossus
created a great carnage with his fists and hands.1 Covered with
blood, that streamed from his wounds, like a torrent falling from
a mountain, his limbs riddled with arrows, maddened by the
smell of blood, he rushed about in bis violent rage devouring
the monkeys, titans and bears. Brandishing a huge crag, that
mighty and formidable giant, the equal of Antaka, hurled it at
Rama but before it reached him, that hero struck it in the centre
with the aid of seven infallible darts.
The virtuous Rama, elder brother of Bharata, shattered it with
arrows encrusted with gold and, like unto the peak of Meru,
that crag, shining with splendour, fell, crushing two hundred
monkeys.
At that instant, the virtuous Lakshmana, after reflecting deeply
on the various means of destroying Kumbhakama, said to Rama:
" O Prince, that monster is no longer able to distinguish
between monkeys and titans ; drunk with the smell of blood, he
devours friends and foes alike ! Let the foremost of the
monkeys climb upon him courageously and let their officers
and leaders hang upon him on every side ; under the heavy
load that will crush him as he is rushing over the ground,
that insensate one will annihilate the titans and not the
monkeys."
At these words of that intelligent prince, the valiant monkeys
all flung themselves on Kumbhakama with alacrity and he, full
of ire against the monkeys, who had climbed on his back, shook
them violently as a fierce elephant his keepers. Seeing the titan
shaking himself thus, Rama said to himself : ' He is incensed '
and rushed upon him with his excellent bow. His eyes red with
anger, the intrepid Raghava, consuming him with bis glance as
1 He having many arms.
185
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIK1
it were, bounded quickly forward, re-tssuring the leaders, who
were tormenting the mighty Kumbhakama and, in order to
encourage the monkeys, taking hold of his great bow encrusted
with gold, that with its cord resembled a serpent, Rama advanced
with his huge quiver full of arrows.
Surrounded by the monkey host, that warrior went forward
full of valour, followed by Lakshmana and he beheld the
illustrious and mighty Kumbhakama, the vanquisher of his foes,
surrounded by titans, his eyes inflamed, adorned with golden
bracelets, pursuing all those monkeys with fury like unto one of
the elephants of the four quarters; and he resembled the
Vindhya or Mandara Mountains and was vomiting blood like
a great cloud pouring down rain. With his tongue he licked
the corners of bis mouth that were wet with blood while he
continued to destroy the simian army like Death at the end of
the world.
Beholding that Prince of the Titans shining like a glowing
Yjrnki , that lion among men stretched his bow, and the sound of
that weapon infuriated that foremost of the titans, who, highly
provoked, hurled himself on Raghava.
Meanwhile Rama, whose arms were like unto the great coils
of the King of the Serpents, said ro Kumbhakama who, possessing
the splendour of a mountain, was rushing to attack him like a
cloud driven by the tempest : —
" Come, O Prince of the Titans, tremble not, I await thee bow
in hand and in an instant will deprive thee of life ! "
' It is Rama ! ' reflected Kumbhakama and, bursting forth
into hideous laughter, rushed forward in fury, scattering the
monkeys on the battlefield. By his monstrous and terrible
laughter, like unto the muttering of a thundercloud, he seemed
to cleave the hearts of the inhabitants of the woods, and
Kumbhakama, in his great splendour, said to Raghava : —
" Take me not for Viradha, Kabanda or Khara, Bali or
Maricha ; it is 1, Kumbhakama, who stand here ! Behold my
dreadful and mighty mace wrought of iron ; with this, Devas
and Danavas were formerly struck down by me ! Do not hold
me in contempt in that I possess neither nose nor ears, 1 do not
feel the least discomfort or pain on account of their loss !
Manifest the strength of thy limbs, OTiger among the Ikshvakus;
186
YUDDHA KM9DA
having displayed thy prowess and might, I shall devour thee, O
IrrepnwchabJe Prince 3 "
Healing YflHi 3fK& th&tty ^ao» towcA one o£ \&& pWmtd
arrows at Kumbhakarna that struck him with the force of
lightning but that enemy of the Gods was neither shaken nor
moved and those shafts, which had pierced seven Sala Trees
and slain that bull among the monkeys, Bali, cut into the body
of the titan that was as hard as a diamond.
Then, as though they were drops of water, that enemy of the
mighty Indra, drank up those arrows through his body, thus
quenching their fury, whilst he whirled his mace in a fine frenzy.
And that weapon covered with blood, the terror of the celestial
hosts, brandished by that titan with formidable energy, created
panic in the simian ranks.
Then Rama, taking up another arrow named the Vayavya,1
loosed it against that ranger of the night and cut off the arm with
which he held the mace. With his arm severed, he let out a
terrible cry and his arm, cut off by Raghava's shaft, fell with its
mace, like unto the peak of a mountain on the army of the King
of the Monkeys, crushing it. Thereafter, beside themselves,
the monkeys who had escaped the massacre caused by that fall,
their limbs lacerated, took refuge in the vicinity and became the
witnesses of the terrific struggle between that Indra among men
and the Prince of the Titans.
His arm severed by that arrow, Kumbhakarna resembling
the King of the Mountains its peak cloven by a great sword,
struck down a tree with his remaining hand and rushed upon
that lord of men, but Rama, with a shaft decorated with gold
joined to Indra's weapon, cut off his upraised arm like the
coiled body of a snake and the Tala Tree also.
Beholding the titan with two arms severed who, roaring, was
rushing upon him, Rama took out two whetted and crescent-
shaped arrows and severed his two feet, whereupon the interme-
diary regions, the four quarters, the caves of the mountain,
the vast ocean, the City of Lanka and the ranks of the monkeys
resounded with the thunder of bis fall.
His arms and legs severed, that titan opened his mouth like
Vadavamukha and suddenly rushed howling on Rama like
1 Vayu's weapon. See glossary of weapons.
187
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Rahu on the moon in the sky. Thereupon Rama filled his
mouth with steel-pointed and plumed shafts decorated with
gold and, with his mouth thus filled, he was unable to speak and,
emitting inarticulated sounds with extreme difficulty, fell
senseless.
Thereupon Rama selected an arrow bright as the rays of the
sun, which resembled the Rod of Brahma at the time of the
final dissolution and was fatal to his foes, the weapon of Indra,
well-plumed and sharpened, the rival of Maruta in speed, and
Rama discharged that arrow, the shaft of which was admirably
inlaid with diamonds and gold, brilliant as the flames of a blazing
sun, swift as Mahendra's thunderbolt, against that ranger of the
night.
Loosed from Raghava's arm, that missile, which lit up the
ten regions with its brilliance and which, in its formidable
aspect, resembled a smokeless flame, struck that Prince of the
Titans, the equal of Shakra and severed his head with its
prominent teeth and swinging earrings, like unto the peak of a
high mountain, as formerly Purandara severed the head of
Vritra. The enormous head of Kumbhakarna with the curls
that adorned it, looked like the moon floating in the sky at the
time of the sun's rising, when the night has passed. Severed
by Rama's shafts, the head of the titan resembling a mountain,
fell on the earth crushing the highways, residences, gates and
edifices of the city, bearing down the high walls also ; and that
gigantic body of great resplendence belonging to the titan, fell
into the sea where it crushed the great sharks, huge fishes and
serpents, and plunged into the depths below.
When Kumbhakarna, that great enemy of the brahmins and
the Gods, was slain in combat, the earth shook as all the
mountains also and the Celestials shouted for joy. Thereafter
Gods, Rishis, Maharishis, Pannagas, Suras, Bhutas, Suparnas,
Guhyakas and the hosts of Yakshas and Gandharvas, who
ranged the skies, loudly extolled Rama's exploit.
But on beholding that valiant Prince of the House of Raghu,
the adherents and kinsfolk of the Lord of the Nairritas emitted
loud cries at Kumbhakarna's fall, as do elephants in the presence
of a lion. Having overcome Kumbhakarna in the field, Rama,
amidst the simian host, resembled the sun emerging from the
x88
YUDDHA KANDA
jaws of Rahu when it drives away the darkness from the
celestial region.
In their delight, the countless monkeys, whose faces resembled
opening lotuses, lauded Prince Raghava, who saw the fulfilment
of his desires in the death of his formidable adversary, and the
elder brother of Bharata rejoiced that he had slain Kumbhakarna,
the Scourge of the Gods, who had never been overcome in any
great encounter, as the King of the Celestials rejoiced at the
death of the great Asura, Vritra.
chapter 68
Havana weeps for Kumbhakarna
Seeing Kumbhakarna fall under the blows of the exceedingly
courageous Raghava, the titans brought the tidings to their
King, Ravana, and said : —
" O King, the rival of Kala is dead ! Having overthrown
the monkey ranks and devoured the Plavagas, he, for a space,
displayed his prowess which has now been extinguished by
Rama's unconquerable strength and half his body lies submerged
in the vast ocean. Streaming with blood, bis nose and ears
severed, his head obstructing Lanka's gateway, he who resembled
a mountain, Kumbhakarna, thy brother, struck down by
Kakutstha's arrow, is now but a naked and mutilated corpse,
like unto a tree consumed by fire ! "
Hearing this report of the mighty Kumbhakarna's death on
the battlefield, Ravana, overwhelmed with distress, swooned away.
Learning that their paternal uncle had been slain, Devantaka,
Karantaka, Trishiras and Atikaya, a prey to grief, groaned aloud,
and Mahodara and Mahaparshwa, on hearing that their brother
had perished under the blows of Rama of imperishable exploits,
were seized with anguish.
Thereafter, regaining his senses with extreme difficulty, that
lion among the titans, tormented by the death of Kumbhakarna,
his senses troubled, began to lament, saying : —
" O Hero, O Humbler of the pride of thy foes, O Mighty
Kumbhakarna, urged on by destiny, thou hast left me for the
189
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
abode of death ! To go whither hast thou deserted me without
having extracted that thorn from my side or from the side of my
kinsfolk ? O Thou powerful warrior, destroyer of hostile
ranks, from henceforth I no longer exist since I have lost my
right arm, the support that delivered me from the fear of the Gods
and Asuras. How has such a warrior, who quelled the pride
of the Gods and Danavas, who resembled the Fire of Time,
fallen to-day in the fight with Raghava? How has Rama
been able, with a single arrow, to stretch thee on the ground,
thou, whom the descent of the thunderbolt could not overwhelm?
Seeing thee succumb in combat, the Hosts of the Gods, standing
in the heavens with the Rishis, emit shouts of joy. Assuredly
this very day the Plavamgamas, making use of a favourable
occasion, will scale the gates and fortifications of Lanka on every
side, which heretofore were impregnable ! I have no further
need for a kingdom and what shall I do with Sita ? Bereft of
Kumbhakarna, I no longer wish to live. Since I am unable to
kill Raghava, the slayer of my brother in combat, would it not
be better to die, for life is empty to me ? To-day I shall go
where my brother has gone, nay, far from my brother I cannot
live for an instant ! Witnessing my plight, the Gods, who were
formerly wronged by me, will certainly mock me ! O
Kumbhakarna, now that thou art dead, how shall I vanquish
Indra ? Bibishana's prudent speech, that great soul whom I
disregarded in my blindness, has proved true; the cruel end
of Kumbhakarna and Frahasta has justified his words ! This
is the disastrous consequence of that deed of mine, the banish-
ment of the virtuous and fortunate Bibishana."
Such were the many burning lamentations to which the
Ten-necked Ravana gave voice in the anguish of his soul on
account of Kumbhakarna, his younger brother, the enemy of
Indra, and, knowing him to have perished in combat, he swooned
away.
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 69
Narantaka is slain by Angada
Hearing the lamentation of the wicked Ravana who was
overcome with grief, Trishiras addressed him thus :—
" O King, brave men do not give way to sorrow even at the
death of so valiant a warrior as thy younger brother, our uncle.
Since thou art able to conquer the Three Worlds, O Lord,
why, like a common man, dost thou suffer thy courage to falter?
Brahma bestowed on thee a spear, mail, a dart, a bow and a
chariot harnessed to a thousand mules, sending forth a rumble
like unto a thundercloud ; furnished with all these weapons,
thou wilt vanquish Raghava ! Yet if it please thee, O Great
Ring, I myself will descend into the arena and bear away thy
foes, as Garuda the serpents. As Shambara fell under the blows
of the King of the Gods and Naraka under those of Vishnu, so
shall Rama fall this day, struck down by me on the battlefield."
At these words of Trishiras, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans,
under the sway of destiny, felt himself to be born anew and,
hearing Trishiras speak thus, Devantaka, Narantaka and Atikaya,
burning with martial ardour, desired nothing more than to enter
into combat. "Away! Away!" roared those valiant sons of
Ravana, the foremost of the Nairritas, the equals of Shakra in
prowess.
All were able to fly in the air, all were skilled in magic, all had
humbled the pride of the Gods, all were invincible warriors,
all were endowed with great strength, all enjoyed great renown,
of none was it recounted that they had been defeated in battle
even by the Gods, Gandharvas, Kinneras or great Serpents.
All were expert in the use of weapons, all were courageous and
able fighters, all were highly learned and all had been the
recipients of great boons.
Surrounded by his sons, the king, radiant as the solar orb,
the destroyer of the power and glory of his foes, shone like
Maghavat amidst the Gods, the humbler of the pride of the
great Danavas.
191
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Embracing bis sons, he covered them with ornaments and sent
them out to fight, heaping blessings upon them. Nevertheless
Ravana sent his brothers Yuddhonmatta and Matta to accompany
those youthful warriors and watch over them in the struggle.
Then those heroes of immense stature paid obeisance to the
mighty Ravana, the destroyer of creatures, and, circumambula-
ting him, departed. Thereafter the foremost of the Nairritas,
furnished with every kind of medicinal herb and perfume, went
away, eager to fight, and Trishiras, Atikaya, Devantaka,
Narantaka, Mahodara and Mahaparshwa, under the sway of
destiny, set out.
A magnificent elephant, like unto a dark cloud, offspring of
Airavata's race, named Sudarshana, served as Mahodara's
mount and that hero, furnished with every weapon, armed with
a quiver, seated on his elephant, shone like the sun on the peak
of the Astachala Mountain.
Trishiras, born of Ravana, was seated in an excellent car
drawn by the foremost of steeds and it was filled with weapons
of every kind. Standing in his chariot, armed with his bow, he
looked as resplendent as a storm cloud on the peak of a mountain,
attended by lightning, thunder, meteors and Indra's bow.1
With his iriple crown, Trishiras shone in his chariot like Himavat,
the Lord of Mountains with its golden crests.
Then the exceedingly war-like Atikaya, son unto that Lord
of the Titans, most skilful of archers, ascended a superb chariot
with excellent wheels, stout axles, magnificent steeds, carriage
and yoke, rich in quivers and bows, filled with missiles, swords
and maces, and that warrior wore a diadem encrusted with gold
and covered with gems so that he looked like Mem shining in
its own splendour. That mighty Prince of the Titans, surrounded
by the foremost of the Nairritas, glowed in bis chariot like the
God who bears the thunderbolt amidst the Immortals.
And Narantaka, mounted on a white steed, as swift as thought,
harnessed with gold, resembling Ucchairavas, was armed with a
javelin like unto a thunderbolt and appeared exceedingly
resplendent, resembling the illustrious Guha, the offspring of
Shikhin riding on his peacock.
Devantaka, bearing a gilded iron bar, looked like an incarnation
1 Indra's bow — The Rainbow.
192
YUDDHA KANDA
of Vishnu holding the Mandara Mountain in his arms and
Mahaparshwa, full of strength and energy, brandished a mace
like unto Kuvera armed for combat.
Thereafter those intrepid warriors set out from Lanka like
the Gods leaving Amaravati and powerful titans on elephants,
horses and in chariots thundering like clouds, followed, armed
with excellent weapons ; and those youthful beings shone like
the blazing sun with their brows encircled with diadems,
sparkling in splendour like planets flaming in the heavens and,
in the brightness of the raiment in which they were attired, that
brilliant cavalcade resembled an autumn cloud or a flock of
cranes in the sky.
Determined to die or vanquish their foe, they went forward
in this courageous resolve, eager to fight, boasting, shouting
and uttering threats, and those invincible heroes set out furnished
with arrows amidst the clamour and clapping of hands, causing
the earth to tremble as it were.
As the roars of their troops seemed to rend the heavens, those
mighty titan princes, full of joy, increased their pace and beheld
the simian host brandishing rocks and trees, whilst from their
side, the courageous leaders of the monkeys observed the titan
army with its mass of elephants, horses and chariots advancing
like unto a thunder cloud to the sound of hundreds of gongs
and, furnished with huge weapons, encompassed on all sides
by the resplendent Nairritas, resembling blazing torches or
suns.
Beholding that company approaching, the desire of the
Plavamgamas was realised and, armed with huge rocks, they
redoubled their cries in their eagerness to fight the titans, who
responded with their shouts. Hearing the roars that the mon-
keys and their leaders let forth, the titan ranks, provoked by the
joyous cheering of the enemy, roared with an even greater fury
in their extreme valour.
Thereafter, as they joined issue with that formidable host of
titans, the monkeys with their leaders hurled themselves upon
them, brandishing sharp rocks like unto mountains and those
Plavamgamas, armed with crags and trees, threw themselves
upon the titan forces, some fighting in the air and some on the
ground. Some amongst those foremost of monkeys fought
193
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with heavily-branched trees and the struggle between the titans
and the monkeys became desperate.
Those monkeys of redoubtable courage let an unequalled
shower of trees, stones and rocks fall on the enemy who over-
whelmed them with a hail of missiles. Titans and monkeys
roared like lions on the battlefield ; the Plavamgamas crushed
the Yatudhanas with blows from stones and, in fury struck those
warriors covered in mail and jewels, mounted in chariots, and
on elephants and horses in the fray. Then the Plavamgamas
redoubled their attacks against the Yatudhanas with crags that
they tore up with their hands. Their bodies tense, their eyes
starting from their heads, shouting, they stumbled and fell,
whilst those lions among the titans, on their side, pierced those
elephants among the monkeys with sharp arrows, striking them
with spears, mallets, swords, javelins and lances and they mowed
each other down in their desire to triumph. The limbs of
monkeys and titans were streaming with the blood of their
enemies, and rocks and swords, thrown by the monkeys and
titans, covered the blood-stained earth in an instant, so that the
ground was smothered with titans like unto mountains, who, mad
with martial ardour, had been crushed and mangled by their foes.
Thereafter the monkeys, giving and receiving blows, their
rocks shattered, engaged in a fresh and dreadful fight, using the
severed limbs as weapons. And the Nairritas struck the monkeys
with their own corpses and the apes struck the titans with the
titan dead. Tearing the rocks from the hands of their foes, the
titans broke them on the heads of the monkeys who shattered
the arrows of the titans, using the pieces to destroy them. And
they overwhelmed each other with crags in the battle and
monkeys and titans set up a roaring like unto lions.
Then, their armour and shields pierced, those titans, attacked
by the monkeys, dripped blood as trees their sap, and some
monkeys in the conflict, destroyed chariots with chariots,
elephants with elephants, horses with horses, whilst the titans
employed weapons like razors or half moons and Bhallas and
pointed shafts in order to shatter the rocks and trees of those
intrepid monkeys. In that encounter, the earth became im-
passable, covered as it was with monkeys and titans mangled and
crushed under the rocks and trees in the fight.
194
YUDDHA KANDA
Full of audacity and ardour, the monkeys, engaged in the
struggle, casting aside all fear, fought the titans with a light
heart and various kinds of weapons.
Witnessing that appalling mfclee, the joy of the monkeys and
the massacre of the titans, the great Rishis and hosts of Celestial
Beings emitted shouts of triumph.
Narantaka however, mounted on his steed, that was as swift
as the wind, with a pointed lance plunged into the thick of the
simian ranks like a fish into the sea and that warrior pierced
seven hundred monkeys with his effulgent spear and that enemy
of Indra, of exceeding courage, in an instant, single-handed,
overthrew the army of the foremost of monkeys under the eyes
of the Vidhyadharas and Maharishis, hacking a pathway for
himself through the simian ranks, the bleeding flesh its mire,
and which was covered with heaps of monkey corpses as high as
hills.
Whenever those lions among the monkeys sought to bar his
way, so often did Narantaka cleave their ranks by mowing them
down. As a fire burns up a forest, so did he consume those
simian battalions and each time those inhabitants of the woods
tore up the trees and rocks, they fell under his lance like moun-
tains riven by lightning.
Brandishing his glittering spear in the forefront of battle, the
valiant Narantaka ranged the entire welkin, overthrowing
everything in his course as the wind in the rainy season and,
whether they stayed at their post or went out to meet him, those
courageous monkeys could neither stand against him nor escape
from him so that all fell, pierced by that warrior.
That unique javelin resembling Death itself,1 bright as the
sun, was able, by itself, to destroy the ranks of the monkeys
and leave them stretched on the earth, and the impact of that
pike resembled the stroke of lightning so that the monkeys
were unable to endure it and emitted loud cries. Those
high-souled and intrepid monkeys, falling, resembled the
peaks of mountains crumbling away, struck by lightning.
Meanwhile the powerful leaders of the monkeys, who had
previously been put to flight by Kumbhakarna, having regained
their vigour, were ranged round Sugriva and he, looking about
1 The Reaper Death.
195
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
him, observed the army of the monkeys fleeing before Narantaka,
terror-stricken and scattering in all directions.
Witnessing this stampede, he beheld Narantaka, spear in
hand, who was advancing, mounted on his steed. At this, the
illustrious Sugriva, King of the Monkeys, addressed the youthful
Prince Angada, a warrior whose valour equalled Shakra's, and
said: —
" Go out against that bold titan, who, riding on a horse, is
consuming the army I have sent against him and speedily
deprive him of his life's breaths."
At this command from his sovereign, the intrepid Angada,
the foremost of monkeys resembling a rocky mass, broke away
from that company like the sun emerging from a cloud and, with
the bracelets he wore, he glittered like a mountain with its
metallic veins. Without any weapons save his nails and teeth,
that son of Bali, in his great strength, rushed out to meet
Narantaka and said to him : —
" Why dost thou strive with common monkeys ? Do thou
with thy spear, the impact of which is equal to lightning, strike
my breast which I now present to thee ! "
The words of Angada, son of Bali, angered Narantaka, who
bit his lip with his teeth hissing like a serpent, and hurled
himself upon him in fury. Brandishing his spear, which
glittered like fire, he struck at Angada but the weapon broke
against the breast of that son of Bali, that was as hard as diamond,
and fell to the earth.
Seeing his lance shattered, like a snake whose powerful coils
are sundered by Suparna, the son of Bali raised his hand and
struck the head of the steed of his adversary. Sinking to its
knees, its eyeballs starting from their sockets, its tongue hanging
out, that horse, as high as a hill, fell to the earth, its head crushed
by the blow from the palm of his hand.
Then Narantaka, beholding his steed lying dead, grew enraged
and, clenching his fist, struck the son of Bali on the forehead
with energy so that the hot blood gushed forth from -his injured
brow. Now he flared up with wrath and then swooned away
and, having lost consciousness awhile, on coming to himself
was confused.
Thereafter Angada, Bali's mighty son, clenching his fist,
196
YUDDHA KANDA
which equalled Mrityu's in strength and resembled a great rock,
brought it down on Narantaka's breast.
His chest crushed, broken by the shock, vomiting flames, his
limbs streaming with blood, Narantaka fell on the earth like a
mountain struck by lightning : and when the mighty Narantaka
fell in the struggle with Bali's son, from the sky, the foremost
of the Celestials and the monkeys emitted a great shout of
triumph ! And Angada filled Rama's heart with joy and he was
astonished at his exceedingly difficult achievement. Thereafter
that warrior of illustrious exploits eagerly prepared for fresh
encounters.
chapter 70
The Death of Devantaka, Trishiras, Mahodara and Mahaparshwa
Seeing that Narantaka was slain, those lions among the
Nairritas, Devantaka, Trishiras and Mahodara, the son of
Poulastya, wept bitterly.
Thereafter Mahodara, mounted on that Indra of elephants
like unto a cloud, rushed impetuously on the exceedingly
energetic son of Bali
Then the valiant Devantaka, distressed on account of the
calamity that had visited his brother, arming himself with a
formidable mace, also ran on Angada and, in his turn, the
energetic Trishiras, standing in his chariot, that was as bright as
the sun and harnessed to excellent steeds, advanced on the son
of Bali.
Attacked by three of the foremost of titans, who had humbled
the pride of the Gods, Angada tore up a many-branched tree,
and as Shakra his flaming thunderbolt, hurled that huge trunk
with its immense branches at Devantaka. Thereupon Trishiras
severed it with his arrows which resembled venomous snakes
and Angada, beholding the tree shattered, darted forward and
that elephant among monkeys caused a shower of trees and rocks
to fall upon the titans.
Enraged, Trishiras broke them with his whetted shafts and,
with the head of his mace, Mahodara crushed them, while
o 197
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Trishiras pursued the valiant Angada with his darts. Thereafter
Mahodara urged his elephant to advance on the son of Bali
and, in his anger, pierced his breast with Tomaras that were
equal to lightning} and Devantaka, provoked, approaching
Angada, struck him with his mace and swiftly turned away. The
combined assault of those three Nairritas left that illustrious
warrior unmoved; that agile and invincible hero however hurled
himself in great fury on the colossal elephant belonging to
Mahodara and, with the palm of his hand, struck it down.
Its eyes starting from their sockets, the elephant fell dead and
that powerful son of Bali tore out one of its tusks, thereafter,
rushing on Devantaka, he dealt him a blow in that struggle
which caused him to stumble like a tree buffeted by the wind,
and he vomited blood profusely which was the colour of lac.
Breathing with difficulty, the energetic and mighty Devantaka,
brandishing his mace, struck Angada a violent blow. At
the impact, the son of that Indra among Monkeys fell to his
knees but soon rose up again and, as he did so, Trishiras, with
three infallible and formidable darts, pierced that son of the
simian king.
Meanwhile Hanuman and Nila, beholding Angada assaulted
by three of the foremost of the titans, came to his aid, and Nila
struck Trishiras with a rock which the skilful son of Ravana
broke with his sharp darts. Shattered by a hundred arrows,
its surface broken to pieces, that rocky peak, from which sparks
and flames spurted, fell.
Witnessing their astonishment, the courageous Devantaka,
full of joy, in the fight flung himself with his mace on the son of
Maruta and, as he rushed upon him, that lion among the monkeys
leapt to meet him and with his fist struck hir" a thunderous blow
on the head. Thereafter the heroic son of Vayu, that great
and powerful monkey, battered in his skull and his roaring
caused the titans to tremble. Devantaka, the son of the King of
the Titans, gasping from the blow, his skull shattered, his teeth
protruding, his eyes starting from their sockets, his tongue
hanging out, fell to the earth instantly bereft of life.
Enraged by the death of the foremost of the titan warriors, that
mighty enemy of the Gods, Trishiras, let fall a fearful shower of
whetted shafts on Nila's breast and Mahodara, in fury, quickly
198
YUDDHA KANDA
mounted a second elephant as high as a bill. As the sun scales
the Mandara Mountain, so did he let fall a rain of arrows on
Nila as, under a rainbow, a cloud lets loose a shower on a moun-
tain amidst the muttering of thunder. Covered with those darts,
with which the valiant titan overwhelmed him, the leader of the
monkey army, his limbs pierced, faltering, swooned away; then
coming to himself, Nila tore up a rock covered with many-
branched trees and, with a terrific bound leapt on Mahodaia and
struck him on the head. Crushed by the impact with which that
elephant among monkeys had just overwhelmed him, Mahodara
fell to earth deprived of life, like a rock riven by lightning.
Beholding his uncle shun, Trishiras seized hold of his bow and,
full of ire, pierced Hanuman with his sharp arrows. Thereupon
the son of the Wind, provoked, flung a crag at the valiant
Trishiras who broke it to pieces with his whetted shafts. Seeing
that his missile was useless, the monkey let fall a rain of trees
on the son of Ravana in the snuggle and he, observing that
shower of trees falling through the air upon him, severed them
in fury with his sharp arrows, emitting shouts of triumph. Then
Hanuman, leaping upon his steed, tore at it violently with his
nails, as the King of the Beasts claws a great elephant.
Thereafter, from his side, the son of Ravana, as Death with
his noose, arming himself with a spear hurled himself on the
son of Anila. As a meteor falls from the skies, so did that lance
descend unobstructed and that lion among the monkeys caught
it and snapped it, emitting a great shout.
Beholding that weapon of formidable aspect destroyed by
Hanuman, the monkey forces raised joyful roars like unto the
rumble of thunder, and Trishiras, the foremost of the titans,
drawing his sword, pierced the breast of that Indra of the
Monkeys.
Wounded by the thrust of his sword, the mighty Hanuman,
born of Maruta, struck that Three-headed One on the breast
with the palm of his hand. Smitten by the blow from
Hanuman 's palm, the illustrious Trishiras let his gauntlet fall
and dropped swooning to the ground, and as he fell, the great
monkey, who resembled a mountain, broke bis sword letting
out a roar which struck terror in all the titans. Unable to endure
the terrible cry of triumph, that ranger of the night rose up
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and struck Hanuman with his fist. The blow infuriated the
great monkey who, in anger, seized hold of the titan by his
crown and, as formerly Shakra severed the head of Tashtri's
son,1 so Hanuman, with a terrific stroke of his sharp sword, cut
off his three heads each encircled with a diadem and decorated
with earrings. The heads of that enemy of Indra with their
large eyes resembling stones, their glances like unto a glowing
brazier, fell to the earth like stars falling from the sky. When
the enemy of the Gods, Trishiras was slain by Hanuman, who
was equal to Shakra in valour, the monkeys shouted in triumph
and the earth shook, whilst the titans scattered on all sides.
Beholding Trishiras, Yuddhonmatta and the irresponsible
Devantaka and Narantaka slain, the fury of Matta knew no
bounds. Seizing a mace, plated with gold, stained with flesh,
blood and foam, immense, glittering, saturated with the enemy's
gore, its point effulgent, festooned with scarlet garlands, the
terror of Airavata, Mahapadma and Sarvabhauma,e he armed
himself with that weapon. In his fury, Matta, that lion among
the titans, scattered the monkeys tike the Fire at the end of the
World Period.
Meanwhile the monkey, Rishabha, rushed towards Mattanika,3
the younger brother of Ravana, and stood courageously facing
him. Beholding that monkey, as high as a hill, standing before
him, Matta, enraged, struck him violently on the chest with his
mace that resembled lightning. Under the impact of that
weapon, the lion among monkeys, his chest riven, stumbled,
blood flowing in streams from the wound. Regaining conscious-
ness after a long time, that prince of the monkeys, his lips
trembling, threw a savage glance at Mahaparshwa and, with a
bound, hurled himself on that titan ; thereafter the impetuous
leader of the intrepid monkeys, of the size of a mountain in
stature, clenched his fist and struck him full on the chest and,
tike a tree whose roots have been severed, the titan suddenly
fell to the earth, his limbs streaming with blood. Thereupon,
Rishabha, tore that terrible mace which resembled the Rod of
Death, from his grasp, shouting in triumph. For an instant
1 Tashtri's son. The son of Vishvanipa.
* The Elephants supporting the Quarters.
* Another name of Matta.
YUDDHA KANDA
that enemy of the Gods appeared to be dead but, regaining his
senses, his colour that of an evening cloud, he threw himself
on the son of the Lord of Waters and struck him.
Dazed by the shock, the monkey sank to the ground, but,
having regained consciousness, quickly rose again, and, brandish-
ing the mace resembling a huge rock, he struck the titan a violent
blow. When that terrible mace fell on the powerful breast of
the enemy of the Gods, hostile to sacrifice and the priests, from
bis riven breast, blood fell in torrents, as mineral-charged waters
flow from a mountain. Thereafter Rishabha, still armed with
that formidable weapon, advanced upon him rapidly, striking
bis mighty adversary again and again and that hero felled
Mattanika in the forefront of the battle and, crushed by his own
mace, his teeth and eyes pressed in, Matta sank to the earth
bereft of life and strength like a rock shattered by lightning.
At his fall, all those titan warriors fled and, Ravana's brother
being slain, the whole army of the Nairritas, which was as vast
as the sea, throwing away their weapons, seeking only to preserve
their lives, scattered in all directions like the sea bursting its
banks.
CHAPTER 71
Lakshmana slays the Titan Atikaya
Witnessing the rout of his great army, causing the hair to stand
on end, and the death of his brothers the equals of Shakra in
prowess and, beholding his two uncles Yuddhonmatta and
Matta, the foremost of the titans, struck down in the fight,
the illustrious Atikaya, who resembled a rock, the humbler
of the pride of Devas and Danavas, he who had been favoured
by Brahma, fell into a transport of rage.
Ascending his chariot, glittering like a hundred suns, that
enemy of Indra hurled himself on the monkeys and, stretching
his bow, that titan, wearing a diadem and adorned with sparkling
earrings, proclaimed his name, emitting a tremendous shout.
The proclaiming of his name, the leonine roar and the fearful
twanging of his bow-string struck terror in those monkeys and
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
they, beholding that gigantic warrior, reflected : — ' Kumbha karn a
has come again ' and, in their panic, took shelter one with the
other. At the sight of that apparition, like unto Vishnu taking
the three strides, the simian warriors, seized with fear, fled in
all directions and in the presence of Atikaya, those monkeys,
bewildered, sought refuge with the one who is the refuge of all,
die elder brother of Lakshmana.
At that instant, Kakutstha beheld the titan, like unto a
mountain, standing in his chariot, afar off, armed with a bow
and roaring like a cloud at the time of the dissolution of the
worlds. Seeing that monster, Raghava, struck with astonish-
ment, re-assuring the monkeys, enquired of Bibishana, saying: —
" Who is that archer, as high as a hill, with yellow eyes,
standing in his vast chariot, harnessed to a thousand horses
amidst sharp picks, javelins, gleaming and pointed darts, who
shines like Maheshwara among the Bhutas and who is surrounded
by guttering spears that fill his car like tongues of the Fire of
Death, blazing like a cloud riven by lightning, his best and
golden-backed bow illumining his marvellous car on all sides, as
Shakra in the heavens? This tiger among titans diffuses a
brilliant light over the battlefield as he, the prince of warriors,
advances in a chariot reflecting the sun's rays. On the point
of his standard, Rahu has lent him his splendour1 and his
arrows like unto the rays of the sun light up the ten regions ;
his triply-curved bow, inlaid and backed with gold, resounding
like thunder, is as resplendent as Shatakratu's ! With its
standard, banner, carriage and the four outriders who escort it,
that vast chariot thunders like a storm cloud. Eight and
thirty quivers lie in the car with dreadful bows furnished with
yellow cords ! Two shining swords illumine its sides, their
hafts measuring four palms and they are assuredly ten palms
in length. With his red garlands, this hero of the size of a
mountain, dark of hue, his great mouth like unto death, resembles
the sun veiled by cloud ! Who is this titan leader with his arms
loaded with golden bracelets ? "
Thus questioned by Rama, the descendant of Raghu of
immense energy, the extremely illustrious Bibishana answered: —
" It is the valiant son of that king who is without equal in
1 Rahu being his emblem.
YUDDHA KANDA
might, Dasbagriva of great splendour, the younger brother of
Vaishravana of terrible exploits, the mighty Ravana, Lord of the
Titans. Full of reverence for his elders, renowned for his
strength, the most skilful of those versed in the science of arms,
he is able to fight on horseback or on the back of an elephant,
either with a spear or bow and, whether it be a question of
destruction or of sowing dissension or of making peace, of
bestowing gifts, of using diplomacy or of strategy, he is highly
esteemed. His mother was Dhanyamalini and he is named
Atikaya.
" Having found favour with Brahma through his chastity and
austerity, he has obtained possession of marvellous weapons
with which he has overcome his enemies and Swyambhu granted
him invulnerability to Gods and Danavas and bestowed this
celestial armour on him and a chariot reflecting the sun's rays.
A hundred times has he triumphed over Gods and Danavas,
rescued the titans and exterminated the Yakshas. In battle,
that intrepid warrior stayed Indra's thunderbolt with his darts
and repelled the noose belonging to the Lord of the Waters,
Varuna. He, Atikaya, the most powerful of the titans is the
intelligent son of Ravana and the subduer of the pride of Devas
and Danavas. Speedily direct thine efforts against him, O
Lion among Men, lest, with his arrows, he annihilate the
monkey race ! "
At that instant, the mighty Atikaya, shouting again and again,
stretching his bow, hurled himself on the monkey host.
Beholding that fearful monster, standing in his chariot, the
greatest of car warriors, the foremost of the illustrious monkey
leaders advanced to meet him, and Kumuda, Mainda, Nila and
Sharabha, corning together, also went out with trees and rocks.
Then that mighty titan, prince of warriors, broke those rocks
and trees and all the monkeys resisted him, but that virtuous
hero of appalling stature, pierced them with iron darts. Over-
whelmed by that hail of missiles, their limbs dislocated,
demoralized, they were unable to endure the furious assaults of
Atikaya and that hero sowed terror amidst the hosts of the
valiant monkeys, as a lion, proud of its youth and strength,
stands amongst a herd of deer ; nevertheless that Indra among
the titans desisted from striking any who were defenceless.
203
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thereafter with his bow and quiver, be rushed on Rama and
addressed him proudly, saying : —
*' Here I stand in my chariot with my bow and arrows in my
hand ! I do not contend with common soldiers but he, who
desires it and is willing, I challenge, here and now, to combat ! "
This speech incensed Saumitri, the slayer of his foes, and,
in his rage, he sprang forward with a smile of disdain, bow in
hand. Provoked, he advanced, taking an arrow from his quiver
and placing himself before Atikaya, stretching his great bow so
that the earth, the sky, the sea and the four quarters resounded
with the formidable thrumming of the bowstring and terror
seized those rangers of the night.
Hearing that dreadful twanging of Saumitri's bow, the
powerful and valiant son of that Indra of Titans was astounded
and, enraged on beholding Lakshmana advancing towards him,
he took out a sharp dart and spoke thus : —
" Go hence, O Saumitri, thou art but a child without any
experience of warfare ; why dost thou seek to measure thy
strength with mine, who am the equal of Death ! Nay,
assuredly the force of these arrows loosed by mine arm may not
be withstood by Himavat himself nor the earth nor the heavens.
Thou art seeking to rouse the Fire of Dissolution which, to thy
good fortune, is now sleeping. Throw away thy bow and go
hence ! Do not sacrifice thy life by advancing to meet me !
Nevertheless if thou art determined not to turn back then stay
and, yielding up thy life, enter Yama's abode ! Behold my
whetted shafts, which wroughtof refined gold, subdue the boasting
of mine adversaries and resemble Shiva's trident. This arrow
also, resembling a serpent, shall this instant quaff thy blood as
the king of the beasts drinks the blood of the lord of the
elephants. "
Speaking thus, in rage, the titan placed an arrow on his bow
and that speech of Atikaya's,fuH of wrath and threats, infuriated
Lakshmana who was brave and virtuous by nature so that
he answered him proudly and with dignity, saying : —
" Superiority is not measured by speech nor is bragging
indulged in by men of worth ! Here I am armed with my bow,
an arrow in mine hand, manifest thy prowess, O Wretch I
Reveal thyself in deeds and cease to blow thine own trumpet !
304
YUDDHA KANDA
He who conducts himself with courage is said to be a warrior !
Thou art furnished with every kind of weapon* art mounted on
thy chariot and hast a bow ; now manifest thy valour either
with arrows or with magic darts ! I shall cut off thine head
with my whetted shafts as the wind detaches the ripe fruit of the
palm from its stem ! Soon mine arrows, decorated with refined
gold, shall drink thy blood, that their points will cause to flow by
piercing thy limbs. Thou hast said ' He is but a child ' but
let not this thought cause thee to underestimate me. Old or
young, know that it is death who is about to enter into combat
with thee. Vishnu, while yet a child, covered the Three
Worlds in his three strides ! "
These words of Lakshmana, fraught with sense and reason,
exasperated Atikaya, who laid hold of an excellent dart. At
this, Vidyadharas, Bhutas, Devas, Daityas, Maharishis and
Guhyakas of great soul, gathered to witness the duel.
Thereafter Atikaya, provoked, placed an arrow on his bow
and loosed it on Lakshmana and it ate up space, as it were,
but that sharpened arrow like unto a venomous snake, in the
form of a crescent, as it flew was severed by that slayer of his
foes and, seeing his dart broken, Atikaya, in a paroxysm of
rage took out five arrows at once, and that ranger of the night
loosed them on Lakshmana, but before they reached him, the
younger brother of Bharata shattered them with his whetted
shafts.
Having severed those missiles with his sharpened darts,
Lakshmana, the slayer of his foes, selected a pointed arrow, the
brilliance of which sent forth flames and placed it on his excellent
bow, then bending it with force, he struck the forehead of that
prince of the titans.
That shaft, sinking into the brow of the terrible titan with the
blood that covered it, resembled the King of the Serpents
entering a mountain and, as the formidable gateway of Tripura
shook, when struck by Rudra's shaft, so did that titan falter
at the impact of Lakshmana's weapon. Breathing heavily, that
colossus reflected * Assuredly the arrow thus loosed proves to
me that thou art a worthy adversary ! * Thinking thus, he
opened his mouth and, stretching his great arms, leaning on his
seat, urged his chariot forward.
»5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
One, three, five and seven were the arrows selected by that
lion among the titans and, placing them on his bow and drawing
it, he let them fly and those shafts, bright as the sun, seemed as
it were to set the firmament ablaze. Meantime, unmoved, the
younger brother of Raghava severed them with the aid of
innumerable whetted darts. Seeing those arrows broken, the
son of Ravana, enemy of the Lord of the Gods, incensed, took
hold of a sharp weapon and, placing it on his bow, he loosed it
with great force against Saumitri, who was advancing towards
him, striking him on the breast. Wounded in the breast by
Atikaya, Saumitri began to bleed profusely, like an elephant
discharging its temporal juices, and that prince plucked out the
shaft and threw it away ; thereafter he selected a sharp dart to
which he joined a mantra-charged arrow and set Agni's weapon
on his bow whereupon both bow and arrow spat forth flames.
Thereupon Atikaya, endowed with great strength, took up
Rudra's weapon and fixed an arrow with a golden haft, re-
sembling a serpent, on his bow.
Then Lakshmana loosed that powerful weapon, his flaming
and redoubtable missile on Atikaya like Antaka wielding the
Rod of Death. Seeing that shaft joined to the Agneya dart
the Ranger of the Night loosed Rudra's shaft joined to Surya's
weapon, and those two missiles rushed towards each other in
space and their flaming points made them appear like infuriated
serpents. Devouring each other, they fell on the earth, their
fire extinguished, reduced to ashes and bereft of their splendour,
and having set the sky ablaze, they lay without lustre on the
earth.
Thereafter Atikaya, enraged, discharged the Aishika Reed
joined to Twashtar's Weapon, but the mighty Saumitri severed
it with Indra's shaft. Seeing the reed broken, that prince born
of Ravana, enraged, joined a spear to Yama's Weapon and that
ranger of the night hurled it at Lakshmana who destroyed it
with the Vayavya Weapon.
Then, like a mass of cloud letting loose its rain, Lakshmana,
in anger, covered the son of Ravana with a rain of missiles and
those shafts coming in contact with Atikaya's coat of mail which
was encrusted with diamonds, had their points shattered and
fell on the earth. Seeing them rendered fruitless Lakshmana,
206
YUDDHA KANDA
the slayer of hostile warriors, covered his adversary with a
thousand arrows. Inundated by that hail of shafts, Atikaya,
that mighty warrior, whose cuirass could not be pierced,
remained unmoved and that hero was unable to inflict a wound
on the titan.
Thereafter the Wind-god approached him and said : —
" Because of the boon received from Brahma, that warrior is
clothed in impenetrable armour, do thou therefore strike him
with the Brahma Weapon, else he may not be slain, his mail
being proof against aught else ! "
On hearing Vayu's words, Saumitri, the equal of Indra in
prowess, instantly took up a dart of incredible velocity and
joined it to Brahma's Weapon. Having placed that excellent
weapon with the foremost of arrows furnished with sharp points
on his bow, every region, the sun, moon and the great planets were
struck with terror and the heavens and earth also shook. Then,
having fixed the Brahma Weapon on his bow, that missile, the
stem of which being like death's messenger and equal to lightning,
Saumitri let it fly on the son of Indra's foe. And Atikaya
beheld that shaft loosed by the mighty-armed Lakshmana,
swift as the tempest, with its haft encrusted with gold and
diamonds, falling upon him and beholding it, immediately
struck at it with his innumerable shafts but that arrow, swift
as Suparna himself, flew towards him with extreme velocity and
seeing it draw near, like Death at the time of dissolution,
Atikaya struck at it with lances, spears, maces, axes, picks and
arrows with unrelenting energy, but those weapons of marvellous
aspect were rendered fruitless by that flaming dart, which,
striking him, severed his head with its diadem.
Cut off by Lakshmana's arrow, the head instantly fell on the
earth with its crown like unto the peak of Himavat. Then
those rangers of the night, who had escaped the slaughter,
beholding the body lying on the ground, its raiment and adorn-
ments in disarray, were thunderstruck and, their features
distored, those unfortunate beings, exhausted with fighting,
suddenly began to emit piercing and inarticulate cries. There-
after those titans, who surrounded their dead leader, terrified,
without paying him honour, fled towards the city.
The monkeys, however, their faces shining like full-blown
207
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
lotuses, in their delight, all paid homage to Lakshmana on
account of the success he had won in striking down that
formidable adversary who was renowned for his prowess and
theretofore invincible.
CHAPTER 72
Ravana, overcome by anxiety, makes further Plans
Hearing that Atikaya had been slain by the mighty Lakshmana,
Ravana became extremely anxious and spoke as follows : —
" Dhumraksha, who is full of ardour and the most skilled in
the use of arms, Akampana, Prahasta, and Kumbhakarna, those
valiant titan warriors eager for combat, the destroyers of hostile
forces, ever invincible, brave titans of immense stature who were
versed in the use of every weapon, have fallen with their troops
under the blows of Rama of imperishable exploits. Yet many
powerful warriors were struck down by my son Indrajita, who
is renowned for his strength and prowess ; those two brothers
were fettered by his formidable shafts bestowed on us as a boon.
All the Gods and Asuras combined, despite their power, could
not have broken those fearful bonds, nor the Yakshas, Gand-
harvas or Pannagas ! I do not know by what force, magic or
supernatural means, those bonds were severed by those two
brothers, Rama and Lakshmana.
" Those courageous titans, who went out to fight at my
command, have all perished in combat with the exceedingly
valiant monkeys. Henceforth I do not see who, on the battle-
field, will be able to slay Rama and Lakshmana or the powerful
Sugriva and his forces.
" Ah ! How mighty is Rama ! How great is the range of his
shafts! Those titans, who challenged this warrior, have all
been destroyed ! Now, on bis account, let defences be set up
everywhere, both in the city and round the Ashoka Grove where
Sita is being guarded. Let the entries and exits be patrolled
continuously by our sentinels, wherever they are posted !
Establish yourselves with the foremost battalions everywhere
208
YUDDHA KANDA
in order to observe the movements of the monkeys, O Night-
rangers ! In the evening, at midnight or at dawn, no matter
when, do not relax your vigilance in regard to the simian army.
Observe what troops are placed in the line by the enemy, how
they advance and where they halt ; let the gateways and turrets
be barricaded at once ! "
All the titans listened to the commands of the mighty Lord
of the Titans and went away to carry them out. Ravana, the
King of the Titans, however, having issued these orders,
exceedingly despondent, entered his abode, the fire of his anger
smouldering within him, and that powerful monarch of those
rangers of the night, reflecting on the misfortune that had
befallen his son, sighed without ceasing.
chapter 73
Indrajita making Himself invisible puts the Monkey Army out of
action
The titans, who had escaped the slaughter, hastened to apprise
Ravana of the death of their leaders, Devantaka and others, as
also Trishiras and Atikaya.
Hearing these mournful tidings, great tears immediately filled
the king's eyes and for a long time he remained absorbed in
the melancholy thought of the death of his sons and brothers.
Beholding the wretched monarch plunged in an ocean of
grief, Indrajita the son of that Lord of the Titans, the foremost
of warriors, addressed him thus : —
" O My Dear Father, since Indrajita still lives, do not give
thyself up to despair ! O Prince of the Nairritas, he whom the
enemy of Indra strikes with his shafts in the fight is not able
to preserve his life. To-day thou shalt see Rama and Laksh-
mana lying stretched on the earth, their bodies pierced, torn
to pieces by mine arrows, their limbs riddled with my whetted
shafts. Bear witness to the well-considered vow of Shakra's
enemy re-inforced by my prowess and the divine power !
This very day I shall overwhelm Rama and Lakshmana with
ao9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
arrows that never miss their target. Let Indra, Vaivasvata,
Vishnu, Rudra, the Sadhyas, Vaishvanara, Chandra and Surya
this day witness mine immeasurable piowess as redoubtable
as that of Vishnu at Bali's place of sacrifice ! "
Having spoken thus, that rival of the Lord of the Celestials,
craved permission of the king to depart and with fearless soul
ascended his chariot, that was as swift as the wind, harnessed
to excellent steeds and furnished with weapons, resembling
the car of Hari himself. Then he set out for the battlefield
immediately and that magnanimous hero was escorted by
innumerable warriors, full of ardour, bearing great bows in
their hands.
As they advanced, some on the backs of elephants, others
on prodigious mounts such as tigers, scorpions, cats, mules,
buffalo, serpents, boars, cheetahs, lions and jackals, as large as
hills, crows, herons and peacocks, those titans of redoubtable
courage were armed with javelins, hammers, sabres, axes and
maces. To the sound of conches and the rolling of drums,
that valiant enemy of the King of the Gods rushed out to fight.
With his parasol, pearly like the moon, that slayer of his foes
shone like the firmament when that orb is full. Fanned by
marvellous chowries with elegant handles, that warrior, adorned
with golden ornaments, the foremost of archers, Indrajita, blazed
like the solar disc and he, whose strength was irresistible,
illumined Lanka like the burning sun in the sky. Then that
intrepid subduer of bis foes, on reaching the battlefield, ranged
the titans round his chariot and, according to the traditional
rites, that Prince of the Titans prayed to the God who feeds
on sacrificial offerings,1 whose brilliance he possessed, reciting
the most auspicious mantras, and, offering libations of Soma
and roasted grain, with garlands and perfumes, that resplendent
leader of the titans invoked Pavaka.
Thereafter he brought there weapons such as Sharapatras,
Samidhs and Bibhitakas with red robes and an iron spoon and,
heaping the fire with Sharapatras and Tomaras, he seized hold
of a live goat by the neck.
Blazing up suddenly the fire gave off no smoke but manifested
the signs betokening victory and, having been lit, the flames
1 The God of Fire, Pavaka or Agni.
2X0
YUDDHA KANDA
bright as gold, whirling in a southerly direction, passed through
the crucible and instantly consumed the offerings.
Thereafter Indrajita, who was skilled in handling arms, took
out the Brahma-weapon and pronounced a mantram on his bow,
his chariot and on all. Then he, having uttered the sacred
formula and invoked Pavaka, the firmament, the sun, the planets,
the moon and the stars, trembled. Having called on the God of
Fire, whose brilliance he possessed, he, the equal of Indra in
power, whose strength was unimaginable, disappeared in the sky
with his bow, arrows, sword, chariot, horses and spear.
Then the army of titans, abundantly furnished with horses
and chariots, flags and pennants, burning to fight, set out
emitting war cries and, in the struggle, those titans, full of rage,
attacked the monkeys with darts of different kinds which were
sharp, swift and beautifully wrought, and with spears and hooks.
Beholding them, the son of Ravana, addressing those rangers of
the night, cried out : — " Attack the foe speedily whom you are
burning to destroy ! Be of good cheer ! "
At these words, the titans, in their anxiety to triumph, roared
aloud and caused a hail of missiles to descend on those re-
doubtable monkeys. Arming himself with arrows,1 maces and
clubs, Indrajita, on his side, in the midst of the titans, assaulted
the monkeys from where he stood invisible in the sky.
Then those monkeys, struck down in the fight, instantly began
to assail Ravani with blows from stones and trees and, full of
anger, Indrajita, born of Ravana, that hero full of power, smote
the monkeys with a single lance and, in fierce fury, pierced five,
seven and nine monkeys at one time to the great delight of the
titans. Thereafter that invincible warrior crushed those
monkeys under his shafts that glittered like the sun and were
decorated with gold.
Their limbs pierced, the monkeys, overwhelmed by those
arrows, fell like great Asuras destroyed by the Gods. Before
this second Aditya who consumed them with those formidable
weapons as his rays, those lions among the monkeys fled away,
filled with terror. Their bodies mutilated, their senses confused,
they stampeded, bathed in blood and terrified but, in their
1 Different kinds of arrows such as Nalikas and Navachas. See Weapons
Glossary.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
devotion to Rama, those monkeys, willing to sacrifice their lives.
suddenly halted and returned shouting, armed with rocks,
and, closing their ranks, showered down a hail of trees, crags and
stones on Ravani.
That murderous and fearful avalanche of trees and rocks was
however dispersed by the mighty Indrajita, who was ever
victorious in combat and, with his arrows as bright as fire,
resembling serpents, that prince pierced the ranks of his foes.
With eighteen penetrating darts he wounded Gandhamadana ;
with nine others he struck Nala, who stood some way off, and,
in his great strength, he assailed Mainda with seven arrows,
tearing out his entrails, and Gaja with seven blunted shafts.
Thereafter he pierced Jambavan with ten arrows, Nila with
thirty and Sugriva, Rishabha, Angada and Dvivida with dreadful
flaming arrows that had been received as boons, thus rendering
those foremost of the monkeys insensible, who, struck by
innumerable shafts fell under his furious onslaught so that he
appeared like the Fire of Death itself.
With the aid of arrows as bright as the sun, loosed with skill,
that were exceedingly swift, he scattered those monkey divisions
in that great fight and, with transports of the keenest joy, that
renowned warrior, born of the Indra of the Titans, witnessed
the entire simian army, bathed in blood, overwhelmed with that
rain of missiles.
Under that shower of arrows and cruel hail of weapons with
which he assailed them, the valiant Indrajita ranged the monkey
ranks spreading destruction. Then, leaving his army behind,
he speedily flung himself on the monkey forces in that great
fight, covering them with a huge wave of formidable shafts like
the downpour from a dark cloud.
Victims of his magic arts, their bodies crushed by those missiles
loosed by that vanquisher of Shakra, the monkeys, who were as
large as rocks, emitted piteous cries, falling in the fray like great
hills struck by Indra's thunderbolt, and they could see nothing
but those sharp arrows decimating their ranks, whilst the enemy
of the King of the Gods, that titan, veiled in his magic power,
remained invisible. Then that illustrious Prince of the Titans
let fly his whetted shafts that shone like the sun in all directions
covering the foremost of the monkeys and destroying them j
213
YUDDHA KANDA
and he caused spears, swords and axes resembling fire, shooting
forth flames like a glowing brazier from which sparks fly, to fall
on the ranks of the foremost of the Plavagas. Under the arrows
and flaming darts, with which the vanquisher of Indra over-
whelmed them, the monkey leaders resembled Kimshuka Trees
in full flower.
As they looked upwards, some, struck in the eyes were
blinded, and jostling one another, fell to the earth. With the aid
of javelins, spears and whetted shafts charged with mantras,
Indrajita, the Prince of the Titans, crushed all those warriors,
Hanuman, Sugriva, Angada, Gandhamadana, Jambavan,
Sushena, Vegadarshin, Mainda, Dvivida, Nila, Gavaksha,
Gavaya, Kesarin, Hariloman, Vidyuddamshtra, Suryanana,
Jyotimukha, Dadbimukha, Pavakaksha, Nala and Kumuda and,
having disarmed those monkey leaders, he caused a shower of
glittering darts, like unto the rays of the sun, to fall on Rama, and
Lakshmana who accompanied him.
Under the wave of arrows, which he heeded as little as though
they were drops of rain, Rama, of prodigious splendour began
to ponder within himself and said to his brother : —
" O Lakshmana, having overwhelmed the simian army, that
Indra among the Titans, the enemy of the Gods, trusting in his
powerful weapon, now attacks us afresh with his sharp darts !
In virtue of the boon he has received from Swyambhu, that
hero, full of energy and prowess, has made himself invisible
despite his formidable size. How may Indrajita, who has taken
up arms against us, be struck down in combat when his body is
invisible ?
" I recognize this to be the weapon and power of Swyambhu,
the Beneficent and Incomprehensible One ! With a tranquil
heart, O Sagacious Lakshmana, bear the fall of this shaft with
me to-day ! Let this Indra of Titans, the leader of them all,
cover us with a rain of darts ! The entire army of the Monkey
King, his greatest warriors having been struck down, appears
to have lost its splendour, yet when Ravani beholds us lying
stretched insensible and impotent, manifesting neither joy nor
anger, he will certainly rejoin Ravana, the enemy of the Gods,
in his abode, having gained a great victory."
Thereafter Indrajita, overwhelmed them both with a hail of
p 213
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
missiles and, having reduced them to a state of impotence, that
Indra among the Titans set up a shout of triumph.
In this way, having overcome the simian army in battle, as
also Rama and Lakshmana, he returned at once to the city ruled
by Ravana's hand where, extolled by the Yatudhanas and filled
with delight, he related all to his sire.
chapter 74
On Jambavan's Instructions, Hanuman goes to the Mountain of
Medicinal Herbs
Seeing the two Raghavas lying unconscious on the field, the
army of monkeys and their leaders lost courage, nor did Sugriva,
Nila, Angada or Jambavan dare to take any action.
Thereupon Bibishana, foremost among the wise, seeing the
general despondency, with his sagacious words re-assured those
warriors belonging to the simian king, saying : —
" Although those two princes are lying here without con-
sciousness, have no fear, you have no cause to despair ; it is in
order to honour Swyambhu's pledge that they have allowed
themselves to be struck down by Indrajha with his rain of
missiles ! Indrajita received that excellent weapon that is not
to be withstood from Brahma. It is in order to render homage
to that God that the two princes have fallen in the fight ; it is
therefore not the moment to lose heart ! "
Having paid honour to Brahma's weapon, Marutj answered
Bibishana, saying : —
" Let us console those who still live among the army of the
monkeys, which has been decimated by that celestial shaft."
Thereupon, with torches in their hands, those two heroes,
Hanuman and the foremost of the titans, began to range the
battlefield together during the night, and they beheld the earth
covered with tails, hands, breasts, feet, fingers, necks and severed
limbs, scattered here and there, from which the blood Sowed,
and monkeys as large as hills fallen on the field, their weapons
still glowing.
214
YUDDHA KANDA
Thereafter Bibishana and Hanuman beheld Sugriva, Angada,
Nila, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Jambavan, Sushena,
Vegadarshin as also Mainda, Nala, Jyotimukha, Dvivida and
all those monkeys lying on the battlefield. Seventy-six kotis
of brave monkeys had been overthrown in the fifth and last
period of the day by Brahma's cherished weapon.
While looking on that formidable army, that had fallen under
the blows of the enemy and that resembled the waters of the sea,
Hanuman, accompanied by Bibishana, began to search for
Jambavan and, beholding that aged one, bowed with the weight
of years, riddled with a hundred arrows, the valiant son of
Prajapati, like unto an extinguished brazier, the grandson of
Poulastya1 rushed towards him and said : —
" O Hero, is it possible that those penetrating shafts did not
cut off thine existence ? "
Hearing the voice of Bibishana, Jambavan, the foremost
of the bears, who was scarcely able to speak, answered
saying: —
" O Indra among the Nairritas, thou who art full of valour,
I recognize thy voice, O Pious One, say whether he, on account
of whom Anjana and Matarishwan are happy parents, that hero,
Hanuman, still lives ? "
On this enquiry from Jambavan, Bibishana replied : —
" Why dost thou remain silent concerning the two princes and
question me on the subject of Maruti ? How is it that King
Sugriva, Angada or even Raghava do not inspire thee with an
affection as great as that which thou bearest for the son of Vayu,
O Venerable One ? "
Hearing Bibishana's words, Jambavan answered : — " Hear,
O Tiger among the Nairritas, as to why I enquire concerning
Maruti ; it is, that should the valiant Hanuman still live, even
if the army has been destroyed, it is not destroyed ! If Maruti
yet lives, O Dear Friend, he, the rival of Maruta, the equal of
Vaishvanara in power, then there is still the possibility of
survival ! "
At that moment the son of Maruta approached that venerable
one with reverence, paying obeisance to him and touching his
1 Poulastya — Havana and his younger brother Bibishana were descended
from the Sage Poulastya.
215
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
feet and the voice of Hanuman moved his heart, so that the
Prince of the Plavagas felt new life had been bestowed on him.
Thereafter the illustrious Jambavan said to Hanuman : —
" Come hither, O Mighty One, it is for thee to deliver the
monkeys, none other has the power and thou art their best
friend. This is the moment to demonstrate thy prowess, I
see no other ; do thou bring joy to those brave troops of bears
and monkeys ! Heal those two unfortunate beings, Rama and
Lakshmana of their wounds. Prepare to cross far above the
great path of the ocean in order to reach Himavat, the highest of
mountains, O Hanuman, and there direct thy course to that
golden Peak Rishabha, difficult to scale and of an extreme
altitude. There the summit of Mount Kailasha will be seen
by thee, O Slayer of Thy Foes ! Between the peaks of these
two mountains, thou wilt behold the mountain of medicinal
herbs rising in unparalleled splendour, where every kind of
healing plant abounds. O Foremost of the Monkeys, thou wilt
discover four plants growing on the summit, the radiance of
which illumines the ten regions. They are — Mritasamjivani,
Vishalyakarani, Suvarnakarani and Sandhani,1 herbs of rare
value. Gather all four, O Hanuman, thou the son of the Bearer
of Fragrance, and return to aid the monkeys by reviving them."
At these words of Jambavan, Hanuman, born of Maruta, felt
himself infused with tremendous power, as the ocean heaves
with the force of the wind. Standing on the summit of the
high mountain which he crushed with his weight, the valiant
Hanuman looked like a second mountain. Trodden down by
the monkey's feet, the mountain sank, unable to endure the load
that pressed so heavily upon it, and the trees fell to the ground
and caught fire on account of the rapid course of the monkey,
whilst the peaks, trampled down by him, were shattered. Thus
crushed, its trees, rocks and soil torn up, it became impossible
for the monkeys to stand erect on that high mountain which was
shaking, and Lanka, with its great gateways destroyed, its
dwellings and bastions crumbling, full of terror-stricken titans,
appeared to be reeling. Then the son of Maruta, like unto a
* Mritasamjivani Reviver of the Dead.
Vishalyakarani. Healer of wounds inflicted by darts.
Suvarnakarani. That which heals the skin.
Sandhani. That which produces a salve for wounds.
ai6
YUDDHA KANDA
mountain, trod that support of the earth under foot, causing
the earth and sea to quake ; pressing the mountain under his
feet, he opened his mouth tike the fearful jaws of Vadava and
began to roar with all his might in order to strike terror into the
titans and, when they heard that formidable clamour, those
lions among the titans in Lanka were paralysed with fear.
Thereafter, paying obeisance to Samudra, Maruti, the scourge
of his foes, possessed of redoubtable courage, for Raghava's sake
prepared himself for the undertaking.
Raising his tail which resembled a serpent, flattening his ears
and opening his mouth wide, like unto the entry to Vadava,
he sprang into the air with an impetuous bound, drawing trees
with their branches, stones and a rabble of monkeys in his wake
and, borne away by the force of the wind produced by the
movement of his arms and thighs, deprived of resistance, they
all fell into the ocean.
Then the son of Vayu, stretching his two arms that resembled
the coils of serpents, with a strength equal to the enemy of
reptiles,1 set out in the direction of that celestial peak of the
Lord of the Mountains, displacing all the cardinal points as it
were. And he observed the ocean that rolled on and on with
its garlands of waves and all the creatures moving in its depths
while he coursed on like the discus loosed by the fingers of
Vishnu. Mountains, flocks of birds, lakes, rivers, ponds, vast
cities, crowded provinces, passed under his gaze as he journeyed
on with the swiftness of his sire, the Wind-god. And the agile
and courageous Hanuman, the rival of bis father in valour,
strove to follow the orbit of the sun and, in extreme haste, the
foremost of monkeys went on with the speed of the wind and all
the quarters re-echoed to the sound.
Then Maruti, that great monkey, full of energy, remembered
Jambavan's words and suddenly Himavat appeared with its
many streams, its great number of caves and waterfalls, the
many kinds of trees that adorned it and its peaks like a mass of
white clouds lovely to look upon. Thereafter he approached
that King of Mountains and, as he drew near that Indra of high
mountains with its golden peaks of great altitude, Hanuman
beheld those illustrious and holy retreats of the ascetics,
iGaruda.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
frequented by the foremost of the Gods, Rishis and Siddhas, and
he saw Brahmakosha,1 Rajataiaya, Shakralaya, Rudrashara-
pramoksha, Hayanana and the blazing Brahmashiras and he
recognized the servants of Vivasvat.
Thereafter he beheld the Vahnyalaya and the Vaishravanalaya,
Suryaprabha and the Suryanibandhana, Brahmalaya and Shanka-
rakarmukha3 thus did he perceive the centre of the earth ; and
Hanuman also discovered the steep Mountain Kailasha and the
Rock of Himavat and Vrisha, that sublime and golden mountain,
illumined by the radiations of all the curative herbs, the King
of Mountains, where all the simples grow. Astonished on
beholding that mountain wreathed in phosphorescent fires, the
son of Vasava's messenger descended on that Lord of Hills
covered with medicinal herbs, in order to gather them.
Then the great monkey, born of Maruta, covered a thousand
leagues, ranging that mountain where those specifics grew on
that most elevated of peaks ; nevertheless, those sovereign
remedies, knowing that Hanuman had come to gather them,
made themselves invisible. Thereupon that hero, not being
able to see them, grew angry and, in his ire, began to emit loud
cries. Impatient, his glances inflamed, he questioned that
mountain, the support of the earth, saying : —
" What impels thee, thou who art of such strength, to show
thyself (to be) without pity for Raghava ? O King of the
Mountains, the hour having struck, overcome by the power of
mine arms, thou shalt see thyself shattered to pieces ! "
Thereupon, seizing hold of the crest with its trees, elephants,
gold and many kinds of ore that adorned it, with its summit of
1 Brahmakosha. The Place of Hiranyagarbha.
Raj at ala ya. The Place of the Silver-navelled One. A mountain near
Kailasha.
Shakralaya. The Abode of Shakra.
Rudrashakapramoksha. The place where Rudra discharged the arrow at
Tripura.
Hayanana. The Place of the Horse-necked One. (See Hayagriva).
Brahmashiras. The Abode of the Deity presiding over the Brahma Weapon.
Vivasvat. The God of Death.
Vahnyalaya. The Abode of the Fire God.
Vaishravanalaya. The Abode of Kuvera.
Suryaprabha — Suryanibandhana. The Place where the suns meet.
Brahmalaya. The Abode of the Four-faced Brahma.
Shankarakarmtjkha. The Place of Shankara's bow.
Rock of Himavat. The rock on which Rudra sat to practice asceticism.
Vrisha. The name literally means — The Bull of Shiva.
31 8
YUDDHA KANDA
jagged peaks and sublime and radiant plateaus, he broke it off
roughly.
Having thus uprooted it, he flew into the air to the great
terror of the worlds, the Gods and their leaders and to the
acclamations of innumerable inhabitants of the sky. Thereafter
he flew away with the speed of Garuda, carrying that rocky peak
which shone like the luminous orb and he too was filled with
radiance as he followed the path of the sun. Coursing thus in
the vicinity of that orb, he appeared to be its very image, and
that peak spread a great light over the son of the God, who is the
bearer of fragrance, so that it appeared as if Vishnu Himself,
armed with his discus of a thousand fiery rays, were in the sky.
Then the monkeys, observing him, shouted with delight and
he also on beholding them, emitted tremendous roars.
Hearing those cries of triumph, the inhabitants of Lanka set
up a dreadful clamour and Hanuman alighted on a high rock in
the midst of that host of monkeys.
Thereafter he bowed to the chief monkeys and embraced
Bibishana.
Then the two sons of that King of Men, having inhaled those
wonderful herbs, were instantly healed of their wounds and the
others, those valiant monkeys, rose up in their turn and all the
brave Flavagas were instantly cured of their wounds and
sufferings, having inhaled those wonderful herbs and those who
had been slain returned to life like sleepers waking when the
night is over.
From that moment the monkeys and titans fought in Lanka
itself, and thereafter on Ravana's command and out of perversity,
all the titans struck down in the fight by the valiant monkeys,
both wounded and dead were thrown into the sea.
Meantime the son of the Bearer of Fragrance, Hanuman, of
formidable bounds, carried the peak of medicinal herbs back to
Himavat and returned with speed to rejoin Rama.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 75
Lanka is set on fire by the Monkeys
At that moment, Sugriva, the illustrious King of the Monkeys,
addressed Hanuman in words fraught with wisdom, saying : —
" Now that Kumbhakarna has been slain and the youthful
princes have perished, Ravana can no longer harm us ! There-
fore let those valiant and agile Plavamgamas, who are able to do
so, hurl themselves on Lanka with torches in their hands ! "
Meanwhile the sun had withdrawn behind the Astachala
Mountains and at the dread hour of night, the foremost of the
monkeys approached Lanka with flaming torches and those
simian ranks, furnished with fiery brands, rushed in on all sides
so that the grim-visaged titan sentinels instantly fled away.
Then the monkeys joyfully set fire to gates, pavilions, highways
and byways and buildings of every kind, and the dwellings were
consumed by thousands, and the public monuments, as high as
mountains, toppled down and fell to earth ; all was consigned
to the flames ! Sandal of great price, pearls, brilliant jewels,
diamonds and coral, woollen cloths, rich silks, carpets of many
kinds made of lambs wool, vases and weapons of gold, countless
rare objects, harness and horse cloths, collars and girths for
elephants, chariots with their furnishings and decorations,
warrior's armour, trappings for their mounts, swords, bows and
bow-strings, arrows, spears, goads and lances, cloths of wool
and horsehair, tiger skins, innumerable perfumes, palaces
enriched with pearls and precious gems, with stores of arms of
every kind, all were burnt to ashes. And the fire consumed all
the buildings with their ornamentation and devoured the
dwellings of the titans who inhabited them.
Clad in armour encrusted with gold, decorated with garlands
and other ornaments, their eyes wild with inebriation, wine
caused those inhabitants of Lanka to reel as they walked, whilst
courtesans clung to their apparel, and they were incensed with
fury against their foes. Armed with maces, picks and swords,
220
YUDDHA KANDA
they were gorging themselves with meat and drink or sleeping
on sumptuous beds with the objects of their desire. Full of
terror they fled distracted, carrying their sons with them in all
haste, whilst their luxurious and splendid mansions, which
combined every comfort, were consumed by fire in hundreds
and thousands on every side. Those golden buildings that
seemed to touch the skies constructed like moons and crescents
with their magnificent upper galleries, their trellised windows
and terraces decorated with pearls and crystal, re-echoed to the
cries of herons, peacocks and the tinkling of ornaments.
Asleep in the many-storied residences, the lovely courtesans,
awakened by the flames that scorched them, threw off the jewels
that impeded their flight, crying : — 'Ah ! Alas ! ' in piercing tones.
Meanwhile the palaces crumbled in the fire that consumed
them, and those flaming mansions spread their light afar, like
unto the summits of high mountains when struck by Indra's
thunderbolts, so that it appeared as if the Peak of Himavat
itself were ablaze.
The houses on all sides, wreathed in fire, resembled blossoming
Kimshuka Trees ; thus did Lanka appear that night ! Elephants
and horses that had broken loose from their keepers gave the
city an appearance of the ocean with its maddened sharks and
crocodiles at the time of the end of the world ! Here a horse
was seen running unchecked or an elephant standing motionless
in terror. Lanka in flames illumined the sea, the waters of
which, streaked with shadows, seemed to flow with blood.
In an instant, the monkeys had set fire to the city and it looked
as if the whole earth were aflame, as at the dread destruction of
the world.
Seeing the smoke, the women began to shriek and, when the
flames reached them, their cries could be heard at a hundred
leagues distance. The titans rushed out of the city, their limbs
covered with burns, whereupon the monkeys, eager to come to
blows, fell upon them. Monkeys and titans set up such a
clamour that it caused the ten regions, the ocean and the whole
earth to re-echo.
Meantime, healed of their wounds, the two brothers, Rama
and Lakshmana, intrepid warriors, took up their marvellous
bows and, when Rama drew that excellent weapon, the dreadful
321
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thrumming thereof struck terror in the titans and, whilst he
bent his great bow, Raghava shone in glory, as Bhava in his fury
when he stretches the bow of the Vedas.1
Under the shafts loosed by that warrior, one of the gates of
the city, resembling the peak of Mount Kailasha, fell shattered
on the earth, and beholding Rama's arrows falling on temples
and mansions, those Xndras among the titans made a supreme
effort and, while they closed their ranks, they emitted leonine
roars so that it appeared as if the Night of Final Dissolution was
at hand.
Then the leaders of the monkeys received orders from the
magnanimous Sugriva, who said : —
" Enter the nearest gate and begin to fight, O Plavagas !
If any amongst you acts contrary to my orders, let him be
slain!"
Thereupon the monkey leaders bearing torches in their
hands, took up their positions at the entrance of the city and,
beholding them, Ravana, transported with fury yawned and
the ten regions were thrown into confusion so that it seemed as
if Rudra were manifesting his wrath. In his rage he sent out
Kumbha and Nikumbha, both born of Kumbhakarna, with
innumerable titans and, at his command, Yupaksha, Shonitaksha,
Prajangha and Kampana set out with the two sons of
Kumbhakarna.
Then with the roar of a lion, Ravana said to those valiant
warriors : —
" Go forth immediately, O Titans ! "
At his command, those brave titans, with their shining
weapons, left Lanka emitting a continuous clamour and, with
the splendour of their ornaments and persons they illumined
the whole firmament as did the monkeys also with their torches.
Then the light of the moon and stars and the brilliance of the
two armies irradiated the heaven whilst the rays of the moon,
their ornaments and the planets lit up the ranks of monkeys
and titans on all sides and the light from the half-demolished
mansions projected lurid flames over the flowing and tumultuous
waves.
1 A bow having the characteristics proper to bows as laid down in the Veda
of Archery (Dhanur Veda,)
YUDDHA KANDA
With their flags and pennants, their swords and excellent
axes, their formidable cavalry, chariots and elephants, their
innumerable hosts of infantry, their spears, maces, sabres,
javelins, darts and shining bows, that terrible army of titans of
redoubtable valour and ardour seemed to be furnished with
flaming missiles and, amidst the clash of hundreds of gongs,
their arms, encased in golden sheaths, were brandishing axes,
and the javelins of the titans rang as they struck with their
arrows and their great bows, whilst the air was permeated with
the fragrance of their garlands and the aroma of wine.
Beholding that formidable army of titans that was not to be
withstood, emitting the muttering of a great cloud, the
Plavamgamas were agitated and, whilst their terrible opponents
advanced towards them they let forth loud cries.
Thereafter the enemy forces hurled themselves upon them
like moths into a flame and, their maces whirling in their fevered
hands, emitted lightning flashes which increased the exceeding
splendour of that host of excellent titans.
Meanwhile, as if a prey to intoxication, the monkeys rushed
forward eager to right, striking those rangers of the night with
blows from trees, rocks and fists, whilst they advanced on them
loosing their sharp arrows. Then those titans of immense
energy, cut off the heads of the monkeys who tore off their ears
with their teeth and battered in their skulls with their fists,
crushing their limbs with stones as they moved about. Other
rangers of the night, of grim aspect, struck the foremost of the
monkeys here and there with their sharp swords and the slayer
was slain in his turn, cursing and biting as they massacred each
other. Then one cried * Strike ! ' and was struck in his turn,
whilst another called € It is for me to deal the blow ' and yet
others called in chorus * Why trouble thyself? Stay ! '
Amidst the stained missiles, armour and shattered weapons,
long spears were thrust forward and blows from fists, maces,
sabres, javelins and ploughshares were given. Then the en-
counter between monkeys and titans assumed terrifying propor-
tions and, in the conflict, the rangers of the night slew their
enemies in tens of sevens and, in their turn, the army of titans,
their raiment in disorder, their armour and standards shattered,
were assaulted and hemmed in on all sides by the monkeys.
223
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 76
The Prowess of Angada and Kumbha : Kumbha is slain
At the height of that appalling struggle in which so many
valiant soldiers perished, Angada advanced on the heroic
Kumbha ; and the impetuous Kampana, in anger, challenged
Angada and, forestalling him, struck him a violent blow causing
him to red. Thereafter that warrior, coming to himself,
hurled a rock on his adversary, who, crushed under the blow,
fell to the ground.
Seeing Kampana skin, Shonitaksha drove his chariot boldly
at the monkey and, in his fury, struck him with his sharp and
fiery arrows, tearing his flesh ; then, like unto the Fire of Death,
he loosed innumerable flaming Kshuras, Kshurapras, Narachas,
Vatsadantas, Shilimukhas, Karnis, Shalyas and Vipathas1 on
him, and that valiant and energetic son of Bali, his limbs pierced,
in his might, snapped the formidable bow of that titan and
shattered his chariot with its shafts also.
Thereupon Shonitaksha instantly took up his sword and
shield and, without hesitation, sprang forward with an impetuous
bound but the courageous Angada, receiving the violent impact,
with a shout, broke that weapon with his hand. Thereafter
that lion among monkeys, as if following the line of the sacred
thread, let the blade fall on the titan's shoulder, cutting it in two
and, raising his great sword, the son of Bali, shouting again and
again, ran to the forefront of the battle to seek out further
opponents.
Now, in company with Prajangha, the courageous Yupaksha
drove his car furiously against that valiant monkey and, at that
instant, Shonitaksha, breathing heavily, rushed on that warrior
of the golden bracelets.1 Full of energy, Prajangha, the
intrepid companion of Yupaksha, hurled himself on the mighty
Angada, mace in hand and, between Shonitaksha and Prajangha
1 See Glossary of Weapons.
1 Angada.
YUDDHA KANDA
the Prince of Monkeys resembled the full moon between two
Vishakhas.1 Then Mainda and Dvivida went to Angada's aid
and stood on guard near him, whilst the titans of immense
stature, their battalions drawn up, full of vigour, threw them-
selves furiously on the monkeys with swords, arrrows and
maces and the encounter between those Indras among the
monkeys, in the grip of those bulls of titans, was desperate,
causing the hair to stand on end. In that fight, the former,
seizing trees and stones, discharged them, but Frajangha, who
was exceedingly powerful, broke them with his sword. Stones
and trees fell thick and fast on his chariot but were all severed
by the countless shafts of the mighty Yupaksha, while the trees
that, on their side, were thrown by Dvivida and Mainda, were
crushed and destroyed by Shonitaksha, who was full of ardour
and courage.
Thereafter the infuriated Prajangha, brandishing his great
sword with which he severed the limbs of his adversaries, leapt
on Angada and, seeing him close beside him, that Indra among
the monkeys, in his great strength struck him a violent blow
with an Ashvakarna Tree and, with his fist, hit out at the arm
holding the sword which fell at the impact. Beholding his
sword lying on the earth, like unto an iron bar, that powerful
titan raised his fist and, like unto lightning, brought it down with
great force on the brow of the intrepid Angada, foremost among
the monkeys, who reeled for an instant but, having regained
his senses, that courageous son of Bali, boiling with rage,
struck Prajangha's head from his shoulders.
Then Yupaksha, seeing his paternal uncle lying on the field,
quickly alighted from his chariot, his eyes full of tears and, as
his quiver was empty, drew his sword.
Beholding Yupaksha rushing towards him thus, Dvivida,
with a mighty blow, struck him on the breast and, in his ire,
seized hold of him with force. Perceiving his valiant brother
made captive, the exceedingly energetic Shonitaksha struck
Dvivida on the chest, and the blow caused the intrepid Dvivida
to stumble, but he clung to the mace that his rival sought once
more to raise against him. Meanwhile Mainda joined Dvivida,
and Shonitaksha and Yupaksha, burning with courage, engaged
1 AsterUms, (see Nakshatras.)
325
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the two Plavagas in a terrible struggle. The mighty Dvivida
tore the face of Shonitaksha with his nails and, dragging him to
the ground, crushed him, whilst Mainda, fired with wrath,
pressed Yupaksha in his arms so that he fell lifeless on the earth.
Then the army of those foremost among the titans, discouraged
by the death of their leaders, turned and fled in order to rejoin
the sons of Kumbhakarna ; and Kumbha, seeing those soldiers
fleeing in all haste, rallied them and, perceiving those valiant
warriors to have been cruelly used by the highly powerful
monkeys, and their leaders being slain, Kumbha, full of ardour,
began to execute difficult feats in the encounter.
Taking up his bow, he, the foremost and most skilled of
archers, let fly a series of arrows like unto venomous serpents
able to pierce the limbs and, with his shafts and marvellous bow,
shining with a great lustre he appeared like a second Indra
illumined by the effulgence of Airavata ! Thereafter he stretched
that bow up to his ear and struck Dvivida with a golden-hafted
and plumed arrow and, as soon as it pierced that foremost of the
Plavagas, who resembled the Trikuta Mountain, his legs stiffened
and, trembling, he stumbled and fell.
Mainda, however, beholding his brother succumb in that
great combat, rushed towards his adversary with a huge rock
and that hero hurled it at the titan, but Kumbha shattered it with
five whetted shafts and, taking hold of another dart with a sharp
point, resembling a poisonous snake, he struck the breast of
Dvivida's elder brother with violence.
Under the blow, Mainda, the General of the Monkeys, his
chest torn open, fell unconscious on the earth. Thereupon the
fiery Angada, seeing his maternal uncles overcome despite their
prowess, hurled himself on Kumbha who was stretching his bow
and, as he advanced, Kumbha pierced him with five whetted
darts, then with a further three, and again with three spears,
as if he were attacking an elephant. Thus Angada was struck
by the mighty Kumbha with innumerable shafts but, though his
limbs were pierced by a succession of penetrating darts, that
were flaming and adorned with gold, yet he remained immoveable
and let fall a shower of rocks and trees on the head of that
warrior born of Kumbhakarna, who cut off and severed all the
weapons that the son of Bali loosed upon him.
326
YUDDHA KANDA
Seeing that leader of monkeys, Kumbha cut off his two
eyelids with twin arrows, as one blinds an elephant with torches,
so that the blood flowed and his eyes were veiled ; thereupon
Angada, with one hand protected his bloody lids and with the
other seized hold of a Sala Tree that stood near and, propping
it on his chest, he stripped that leafy tree of its branches, and,
having bent it a little, discharged it in the fight in the sight of all
the titans, and that Sala Tree, that resembled the banner of Indra,
appeared like unto Mount Mandara. Thereafter Kumbha cut
that tree to pieces and pierced his adversary with seven pointed
and murderous shafts so that Angada suddenly fell down,
unconscious.
Beholding the invincible Angada stretched on the ground,
like unto the sea when its waters recede, the leaders of the
monkeys carried the tidings to Raghava. Then Rama, hearing
that the son of Bali had fallen and been overcome in the course
of a desperate struggle, issued his orders to the simian leaders
who were led by Jambavan. At Rama's command, those lions
among the monkeys, full of rage, their eyes red with anger,
rushed on Kumbha, who was stretching his bow, and flew to the
aid of Angada.
Then Jambavan, Susbena and Vegadarshin, enraged, threw
themselves on that warrior born of Kumbhakarna, and seeing
them advance, the titan cut short the impetuous onslaught of
those foremost of monkeys with a hail of arrows, as a rock
obstructs the course of a torrent and, in the path sown with
arrows, the intrepid monkeys were unable to discern anything,
nor, as the sea cannot overstep its shores, were they able to
pass.
Beholding the simian ranks overwhelmed by the rain of
shafts, the King of the Monkeys, Sugriva, placing his nephew,
Angada, behind him, fell upon the son of Kumbhakarna in the
fight, as an impetuous lion on an elephant who is wandering on
the slopes of a mountain, and that powerful monkey tore up
huge trees, Ashvakarnas and others of varying fragrance, in
great numbers, which he hurled at his adversary. Then the
illustrious son of Kumbhakarna, with his sharp arrows, shattered
that irresistible avalanche of trees that covered the whole sky
and scattered those forest giants that shone like Shataghnis.
227
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Beholding the rain of missiles dispersed by Kumbha, the
valiant Monarch of the Monkeys, full of glory and majesty,
remained unmoved and, suddenly struck by an arrow, he seized
hold of Kumbha's bow that was equal to Indra's and broke it,
throwing that weapon on the ground with violence. Then,
having accomplished that incredible feat, he angrily addressed
Kumbha, who resembled an elephant whose tusks are broken,
and said : —
" O Elder Brother of Nikumbha, thy strength and prowess in
loosing thine arrows are admirable as are thy filial piety and
courage and Havana's also. O Thou who art equal to Prahlada
or Bah' or the Slayer of Vritra or Kuvera or Varuna, thou alone
art like unto thy mighty Sire. Thou only, O Long-armed
Warrior, armed with thy mace, the slayer of thy foes, cannot
be overcome by the Gods any more than misfortune can over-
whelm him who is master of his senses ! Advance, O Most
Intelligent Prince and witness me in action !
" On account of a boon, thy paternal uncle is able to with-
stand Devas and Danavas and, full of prowess, Kumbhakarna,
in his turn, defied the Suras and Asuras ! With thy bow thou
art equal to Indra and in valour Havana's peer ! In the world
thou art now the foremost of the titans in strength and power !
Let all beings witness the mighty and prodigious duel between
us to-day resembling the combat between Shakra and Shambara!
By striking down those valiant monkeys, who were possessed
of extreme courage, thou hast accomplished a feat without equal
and manifested thy skill in the use of weapons. O Hero, it
is from fear of incurring reproach that I have not slain thee, for
thy great exploits have wearied thee; rest awhile therefore,
reflecting on my prowess ! "
Thus flattered by Sugriva with fair words, the ardour of that
warrior was redoubled, as the sacred fire flames up when butter
is poured therein. Then Kumbha seized Sugriva in his two
arms, whereupon, like two elephants intoxicated with ichor,
those two, breathing heavily again and again, their limbs
interlaced, crushed each other, wrestling, and from their mouths
emitting flames mingled with smoke. Under the trampling
of their feet, the earth sank and the waters of Varuna's abode,
overflowed on every side.
228
YUDDHA KANDA
Finally Sugriva, having thrown Kumbha down with violence,
cast him into the salty waves, thus causing him to become
acquainted with the depths of the ocean. Nevertheless Kumbha
rose again and leapt on Sugriva, with his fist delivering a furious
blow like unto lightning upon his breast, and the armour of the
monkey was shattered and blood gushed forth. That violent
blow from the titan's fist struck against the bones of his adversary
and, from the impact, a flame shot forth resembling the fire that
bursts from the Mountain Meru when struck by lightning.
Thereafter Sugriva, that mighty lion among the monkeys,
effulgent like the solar disc of a thousand rays, parrying the
thrust, lifted up a fist resembling a thunderbolt and brought
it down with force on his opponent's breast. At the impact,
which shattered him, Kumbha, bereft of his senses, sank like a
brazier, the brightness of which is extinguished. Under this
blow of the fist, the titan suddenly fell down, like unto the
Lohitanga of brilliant rays expelled from heaven by the force of
destiny. And Kumbha falling, his chest crushed by Sugriva,
resembled the flaming body of a meteor shooting from the sky !
Thereupon Kumbha being struck down in the fight by that
Monarch of the Plavamgamas of formidable valour, the earth
with its mountains and forests trembled and a great fear seized
the titans.
CHAPTER 77
The Fight between Nikumbha and Hanuman
Nikumbha, seeing his brother slain by Sugriva, gazed on the
King of the Monkeys as if he would consume him with the fury
of his glance, and that warrior took hold of his brilliant and
terrible mace as large as the peak of the Mahendra Mountain,
like unto the Rod of Death, the support of the titans, which was
festooned with garlands, plated with gold and embellished with
diamonds and coral.
Brandishing that weapon of a splendour equal to Indra's
standard, the fortunate Nikumbha, who was endowed with
redoubtable courage, opening his mouth wide, emitted bud
ft 229
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
cries. With his breast adorned with golden pieces, his arms
encircled with bracelets, his charming earrings and graceful
garlands, his jewels and his mace, Nikumbha shone like a cloud
shot with lightning and charged with thunder to which the bow
of Indra is added. The tip of his weapon shattered the con-
junction of the seven winds and that loud-voiced hero glowed
like a smokeless flame, whereupon the firmament with the City of
Vitapavari, the most lovely palaces of the Gandharvas, the
clusters of stars and planets, the moon and great luminaries
seemed to be spinning round with the whirling of Nikumbha's
mace ! Unapproachable in ardour, Nikumbha was like unto
the Fire at the destruction of the worlds, his mace and his
ornaments the flames, his wrath the fuel, and, in their terror,
neither titans nor monkeys dared to move.
Hanuman, however, baring his breast, stood fearlessly before
him, and that titan, with arms as thick as iron bars which shone
like the star of day, brought his weapon down on the breast of
that mighty one so that it broke into a hundred pieces like a
meteor suddenly exploding in space. But the great monkey
remained unmoved under the impact of that weapon like a
mountain in an earthquake. Thus assailed by his adversary,
Hanuman, the foremost of the Plavagas, swinging his fist round
with extreme force and lifting it up, with a swift bound struck
Nikumbha a violent blow on the chest so that his armour was
shattered and biood shot forth like lightning from a cloud.
The shock caused Nikumbha to stumble but, steadying
himself, he seized hold of the energetic Hanuman, whereupon
a great cheering broke out amongst the inhabitants of Lanka,
witnessing that combat.
Though lifted up in this wise by the titan, the mighty
Hanuman struck him a violent blow with his fist and, freeing
himself from Nikumbha's grasp, leapt to the ground, thereafter,
with a supreme effort, in his rage he struck him down, crushing
him and then, leaping into the air, he fell heavily on bis chest
and taking hold of his neck, pressed it with his two hands while
he cried out, whereupon he tore off his head which was of an
appalling size.
Amidst the shrieks emitted by Nikumbha, who had fallen
under the blows of the son of Pavana, the armies of the son of
YUDDHA KANDA
Dasaratha and the son of that Indra of the Titans, both filled
with fury, entered into a desperate struggle. And Nikumbha
being slain, the Plavagas emitted cries of joy that re-echoed in
all the quarters of the horizon and the earth seemed to tremble
and the heavens crumble, whilst the hosts of the titans were
filled with terror.
CHAPTER 78
Maharaksha goes out to meet Rama and Lahhmana
Seeing Nikumbha slain and Kumbha also laid low, Ravana, in
extreme wrath, appeared like unto a raging fire, and that Nairrita,
mad with anger and grief, spoke with urgency to the son of
Rhara, the large-eyed Maharaksha, saying : —
" Go, O My Son, and, at my command, strike down Raghava
and Lakshmana with all the dwellers in the woods."
On this behest, the son of Khara, Maharaksha, who was
proud of his courage, answered : —
" It is well ! I shall obey thee ! " Thereafter, having paid
obeisance to Ravana by circumambulating him, that valiant
warrior emerged from his sumptuous abode. Then Khara's
son addressed the commander of the army, who stood near,
saying :—
" Let my chariot be brought hither immediately and assemble
the troops at the earliest moment ! "
On this, that night-ranger brought his chariot and assembled
the army, whereupon Maharaksha, having paid obeisance to the
car and circumambulated it, caused it to be driven forward
urging on his charioteer with the words : * Drive on ! '.
Thereafter Maharaksha issued this order to all the titans : —
" Do ye precede me, O Soldiers ! As for myself, the magnani-
mous Ravana has commanded me to slay those two brothers,
Rama and Lakshmana, in combat ! Today I shall lay them low
with my whetted shafts, O Night Rangers, as also the deer of the
trees and Sugriva. Today, under the blows of my mace, the
great host of monkeys will be destroyed as dry wood by fire I M
ajs
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing Maharaksha's words, the rangers of the night,
furnished with all sons of weapons, full of valour, closed their
ranks. Able to change their shape at will, ferocious, endowed
with sharp claws, their eyes inflamed, emitting the roar of
elephants, causing the hair to stand on end, inspiring terror,
those giants surrounded the huge son of Rhara, shouting
joyfully, shattering the vault of heaven. Then conches and
drums sounded by thousands in all the quarters whilst they,
leaping and clapping their hands, caused a great tumult.
Thereafter Maharaksha's charioteer suddenly let the goad
drop from his hand, and the standard fell to the ground, whilst
the horses, harnessed to his chariot, slackened their pace and
stumbled as they advanced, mournfully shedding tears, and, as
the illustrious Maharaksha set forth, a sinister and biting dust
storm arose.
Nevertheless the titans, having witnessed those portents, set
out unheeding and full of courage to meet Rama and Lakshmana
and their hue was like unto herds of elephants or buffalo and they
bore the marks of the blows from maces and swords received in
the forefront of battle.
" Here stand 1 1 Here stand I ! " cried those seasoned warriors
beginning to range to and fro on the battlefield.
CHAPTER 79
Maharaksha falls under Rama's Blows
Seeing Maharaksha approach, the foremost among the monkeys
rushed forward burning to fight. Thereupon a desperate
struggle ensued between the rangers of the night and the
Plavagas, like unto that combat formerly waged between Devas
and Danavas, causing the hair to stand on end.
Blows from trees and swords, clashes of maces and iron bars
were exchanged, whilst monkeys and night-rangers assailed each
other and the titans created carnage among the foremost of the
monkeys with swords, maces, lances, javelins, harpoons, goads
and arrows, nets, hammers, sticks and other weapons with which
they struck out on every side.
232
YUDDHA KANDA
Overwhelmed by a mass of missiles which the son of Khara
hurled upon them, all the monkeys, distracted, fled full of terror
and, seeing their enemies routed, the titans emitted leonine roars
and triumphant shouts, while the monkeys scattered in all
directions. Then Rama covered the titans with a hail of arrows
and, beholding them overpowered in this wise, Maharaksha,
that ranger of the night, consumed with the fire of his wrath,
challenged Rama in these words, saying : —
" Stay ! It is with me, O Rama, that thou shouldst measure
thy strength ! With whetted shafts loosed from my bow, I am
about to relieve thee of thy life ! Since, in the Forest of Dandaka,
thou didst slay my sire, remembering thine iniquity, my wrath
has increased ! O Wicked Raghava, a violent fire consumes my
limbs since I failed to meet with thee in that great forest ! By
good fortune thou art now before me ; as a hungry lion desires
to see its prey, so did I seek this encounter ! Soon shall my swift
arrows despatch thee to the region of the dead where thou shalt
rejoin the warriors thou hast slain ! Of what use are further
words ? O Rama, let all the worlds witness our combat ; let us
fight with darts, maces, fists or whatever weapon thou
prefcrest ! "
Thus spoke Maharaksha and the son of Dasaratha, smiling,
interrupted that flow of words, saying : — " O Titan, of what use
is this prating ? It is in no wise worthy of thee ! On the
battlefield one does not triumph by strength of words but by
fighting ! Fourteen thousand titans and thy sire, Trishiras and
Dushana himself, fell under my blows in the Dandaka Forest !
Today vultures, jackals and crows shall feed on thy flesh with
their beaks, nails and claws, O Wretch ! "
Hearing these words of Raghava's, Maharaksha loosed
innumerable shafts on htm with great violence, but Rama, with
a shower of darts, severed those golden-hafted and richly
bejewelled arrows again and again so that they fell in pieces on
the earth. Thereafter, as they joined issue, a desperate struggle
ensued between the son of the demon, Khara, and the son of
Dasaratha, and the clanging of their bow-strings and the clash of
their gauntlets was like the muttering of thunderclouds.
Then Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Kinneras and great
Serpents stood in the sky eager to witness that prodigious
*33
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
conflict. Each wound inflicted on the combatants redoubled
their ardour as they exchanged blow for blow, and the countless
shafts loosed by Rama were destroyed by the titan whilst those
of the titan were severed by Rama again and again.
Innumerable missiles covered all the regions and space itself
and the earth was heaped on every side so that it could not be
distinguished. Finally the long-armed Raghava, enraged, broke
the bow of his adversary and with eight Narachas wounded his
charioteer ; with his shafts he demolished the chariot and slew
the horses who fell to the ground.
Deprived of his car, Maharaksha, that prowler of the night,
stood on the ground and, armed with his spear, he shone like
Fire at the dissolution of the worlds ; and he was irresistible
with his great lance, a gift from Shiva, that glittered in the air
like unto the weapon of destruction.1
Beholding that great spear that emitted flames, the Gods,
struck with terror fled on all sides whilst that ranger of the night,
lifting it up, hurled it with fury against the magnanimous
Raghava. As it fell flaming from the hand of the son of Khara,
Raghava, with four arrows, severed it in its flight and, broken at
many points, that spear with its celestial gilding, having been
destroyed by Rama's shafts, fell to earth like a great meteor.
Beholding that weapon shattered by Rama of imperishable
exploits, the Bhutas cried out in the sky : — ** Well done ! Well
done ! "and observing his spear to be broken, Maharaksha, that,
ranger of the night, raising his fist, called out to Kakutstha,
"Stay! Stay!"
Seeing him advancing, Rama, the joy of the House of Raghu,
smiling disdainfully, took the Fire-weapon from his quiver
whereupon, struck by Kakutstha's shaft, the titan, his heart
transfixed, fell down and perished.
Witnessing the fall of Maharaksha, all the titans, terrified of
Rama's arrows, fled to Lanka. Thereafter the Gods rejoiced at
the death of that night ranger, born of Khara, who had been
stricken by the violent blows of Dasarathi and shattered like a
mountain struck by lightning.
' TJw weapon Shiva ia said to wield at the destruction of the universe.
*34
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 80
Indrajita sets out to fight once more
Hearing of the death of Maharaksha, Ravana, hitherto victori-
ous in war, became a prey to violent anger, grinding his teeth
and, enraged, he reflected on what ought to be done. Having
considered the matter, in his wrath he sent his son, Indrajita,
out to fight, saying : —
" Having triumphed over those two powerful brothers, Rama
and Lakshmana, return, O Hero ! Visible or invisible, thou art
superior in every way. Wert thou not victorious in the struggle
with Indra of incomparable exploits, therefore why shouldst
thou not succeed with these two mortals ? "
At this command of the King of the Titans, Indrajita, in
obedience, proceeded to the place of sacrifice to offer oblations
to Pavaka according to the traditional rites. During the ceremony
female titans carrying red turbans also came there and took part
in sacrificing to the fire. Thereafter titans came up hurriedly to
that place where Ravani was, and, in that sacrifice, weapons such
as Sharapatras, Bibhitakas, with fuel, red robes and iron ladles
were placed there, then, having heaped the fire with Sharapatras
and Tomaras, Indrajita seized hold of a living black buck by the
neck. And that smokeless brazier devoured the sacred grass,
oblations and fuel, whereupon many auspicious omens, indicative
of victory, appeared. With its flames, bright as the moon,
whirling in a southerly direction, the fire, having been kindled,
seized hold of the offerings.
Thereafter, having offered oblations to Agni and gratified the
Devas, Danavas and Demons, Indrajita ascended his marvellous
car which he had rendered invisible. In his magnificent vehicle
harnessed to four horses, that hero, furnished with whetted
shafts and armed with his great bow, appeared resplendent.
The chariot with its decorations of refined gold, carved with
figures of gazelles, moons and crescents shone with beauty ; and
Indrajita possessed a standard that, with its golden rings and
encrustations of emerald, glowed like a brazier.
235
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Under the protection of the Rod of Brahma, like unto the sun,
the mighty Ravani was invincible. Setting out from the city,
having invoked Agni and acquired the power to make himself
invisible by the aid of sacred formulas lawful to titans, the
triumphant Indrajita spoke thus : —
" Today I shall slay those two who have passed their exile in
the forest in vain and, in combat, win a decisive victory for my
Sire, Ravana. Today, having destroyed Rama and Lakshmana,
I shall enjoy the supreme felicity of ridding the earth of monkeys!"
Having spoken thus, he made himself invisible and thereafter
rushed furiously into the fray, whither Ravana had despatched
him. Effulgent, with bow and shafts, that ardent adversary
of Indra, beholding those two valiant heroes like unto a serpent
with three heads, who were loosing a stream of arrows in the
midst of the monkeys, reflected : — ' These are those two ! ' and
stretching his bow he covered those warriors with a shower of
darts, as Parjanya lets loose his rain. Standing in his aerial car,
invisible to the eye, he overwhelmed Rama and Lakshmana
with whetted shafts.
Enveloped by those swift darts, Rama and Lakshmana placed
celestial arrows on their bows and those two valiant warriors
covered the sky with a rain of missiles as bright as the sun,
without striking Indrajita.
Thereupon that powerful titan filled the sky with darkness
and smoke, blotting out the cardinal points and shrouding
himself in a dense fog; and, during his airy flight, neither the
twanging of his bow-string nor the sound of the wheels nor the
clattering of the horses' hoofs could be heard nor could he
himself be seen.
In the midst of that fearful darkness, that long-armed warrior
loosed a shower of Narachas so that it appeared like an avalanche
of rocks and, with his golden shafts, bestowed on him as a boon,
the furious Ravani wounded Rama and Lakshmana grievously in
every limb.
Then those two lions among men, overcome by Narachas,
like unto mountains under a deluge, loosed their whetted and
golden-hafted arrows and those darts, adorned with heron's
plumes, struck the son of Ravana in the sky and pierced him in
his course, whereupon they fell on the earth covered with blood.
236
YUDDHA KANDA
Thereafter, those two princes, with the aid of innumerable
shafts, sought to sever the mass of missiles in their flight that burned
them cruelly, and the two sons of Dasaratha aimed their
excellent shafts in the direction whence those whetted darts fell.
Ravani, however, a skilled driver, coursing on every side in his
chariot, struck the two sons of Dasaratha with swift arrows and
sharp shafts. Riddled by the golden-hafted arrows that rained
upon them incessantly, the two sons of Dasaratha appeared like
Kimshuka Trees in flower.
None could follow the rapidity of the titan's course ; none
catch a glimpse of him nor his chariot nor his arrows so that he
resembled the sun obscured by heavy cloud.
Struck down, wounded and slain by him, the monkeys lay
stretched on the earth in hundreds, whereupon Lakshmana,
enraged, addressed his brother, saying : —
" Shall I loose the Brahma Weapon in order to exterminate
all the titans ? " But Rama, who bore the marks of royalty,
answered him :-—
" Nay, it doth not behove thee to rid the earth of titans ! No
one may strike him who has withdrawn from the fight, or who
has sought protection or has bidden himself or stands before
thee with joined palms or who is fleeing or intoxicated ! O
Long-armed Hero, we will strive to slay Indrajita by employing
those exceedingly fiery arrows resembling serpents. That
magician, that insignificant titan with his invisible chariot will
be overthrown by the monkey leaders should he reveal himself.
Whether he penetrate heaven or hell or range the firmament, my
shafts will consume him wheresoever he may take refuge and he
will fall, deprived of life ! "
Having spoken these significant words, that hero of the House
of Raghu, who was surrounded by the Plavagas, in his great
might, reflected on how he should destroy that barbarian, the
perpetrator of evil deeds.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 8 I
Indrajita's Stratagem, Sita's Apparition
Indrajita, having divined the mighty Raghava's intention,
withdrew from the fight in order to re-enter the city. Thereafter,
remembering the death of those brave titans, his eyes red with
anger, the valiant Ravani set forth once more, leaving by the
western gate surrounded by titans ; and the extremely energetic
Indrajita, the descendant of Poulastya, that thorn in the side of
the Gods, seeing those warriors, the two brothers, Rama and
Lakshmana burning to fight, resorted to magic and caused the
illusory figure of Ska to appear in the chariot encircled by a large
force and he made seeming preparations to slay her.
For the purpose of deceiving the monkeys, that wretch
conceived this design and, advancing to meet them, resolved to
slay Sita as it were. Then the monkeys, beholding him approach-
ing, enraged, rushed upon him with rocks in their hands,
burning to fight. At their head marched Hanuman, that
elephant among monkeys, armed with an enormous mountain
peak. And he beheld in the chariot of Indrajita the unfortunate
Sita, with a single tress, sorrowful, her features wasted on
account of fasting ; and the beloved of Raghava wore only a
soiled garment nor had she washed her countenance and the
limbs of that lovely woman were covered with dust and mud.
Seeing Maithili, Hanuman stood a moment as if stupefied, for,
but a little while since, he had beheld the daughter of Janaka
and, at the sight of that unfortunate being standing sorrowfully
in the car, under the sway of that Indra of Titans, Hanuman
thought to himself ' What does this titan intend to do ? * Having
reflected thus, that great monkey, the foremost of the Plavagas,
rushed forward to meet Ravani.
Beholding that simian army, the son of Ravana, transported
with rage, drew his sword from its sheath and brandished it over
Sita's head in their presence, and he struck that woman in
the chariot, who was created by illusion, whilst she cried out,
238
YUDDHA KANDA
" O Rama, O Rama ! " Then Hanumau, bom of Maruta,
seeing the titan seize her by her attire, became greatly afflicted
and tears of grief fell from his eyes as he beheld the cherished
consort of Rama, who was so divinely beautiful. Thereafter, in
his anger, he addressed the son of the King of the Titans
harshly, saying : —
" O Wretch, it is to thy destruction that thou hast laid hands
on her hair ! O Offspring of a family of Brahmarishis, thou hast
fallen into the womb of a female demon. Cursed art thou for
thine infamous conduct in cherishing such a desire ! Cruel and
ruthless scoundrel, vile and puerile warrior, art thou not ashamed
to perpetrate such an infamous deed ? O Pitiless One, without
a heart, what has Maithili done, torn as she is from her home, her
kingdom and the arms of Rama, that thou shouldst seek to slay
her without mercy ? Sita being slain, thou shalt undoubtedly
not survive long, since, deserving death for such a crime, thou
hast fallen into my hands ! When thou hast yielded up thy life's
breath, thy fate will be the lowest hell to which the slayers of
women descend and which is eschewed by the most infamous of
evil-doers ! "
Speaking thus, Hanuman, attended by armed monkeys,
hurled himself in fury on the son of that Indra of Titans who
opposed the powerful army of monkeys that surged towards him
with his titans of redoubtable ferocity. And he himself assailed
that simian host with thousands of arrows and thereafter
addressed Hanuman, that monkey leader, saying : —
" I am about to slay Vaidehi before your eyes, who is the cause
of Sugriva, thee and Rama, coming hither ! She being slain, I
shall destroy Rama, Lakshmana, thou thyself, O Monkey, and
Sugriva, as also the vile Bibishana. Thou hast said ' One must
not slay a woman ', O Plavagama, but assuredly one is justified
in doing that which will injure a foe ! "
Speaking thus, with his sword furnished with a sharp blade, he
struck Sita, that illusory phantom, who was sobbing and, having
slain her, Indrajita said to Hanuman : —
" Behold how the beloved of Rama has fallen under my
sword ! Vaidehi is dead, thine arduous undertaking has been in
vain!"
Having thus slain her with his great sword, Indrajita, full of
239
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
joy, standing in his chariot, began to shout aloud, and the mon-
keys, ranged before him at no great distance, heard him roaring
full throatedly, stationed in his aerial citadel.
Having slain the illusory Sita, the perfidious Ravani manifested
great delight and, beholding him fully satisfied, the monkeys, a
prey to despair, took to flight.
CHAPTER 82
Hanuman rallies his Forces : Indrajita's Sacrifice
Hearing that formidable clamour and beholding Ravani, whose
voice resembled Indra's thunder, the monkeys immediately fled
in all directions.
Then Hanuman, born of Maruta, called to those who, with a
downcast mien, sorrowful and fearful, were fleeing on all sides
and said : —
" Why are you Seeing with a cheerless mien in all directions,
O Plavamgamas ? Where is your courage ? Do not turn your
back on the foe but follow me into battle ! "
At this reprimand from the virtuous son of Vayu, the monkeys,
re-assured, armed with rocks and trees, advanced and, in a
transport of fury, challenged the titans. Thereafter those lions
among the monkeys encircled Hanuman who accompanied them
in the great fight and, as the Consumer of Offerings burns up
the east with his rays, so did Hanuman, surrounded on all sides
by the foremost of monkeys, consume the enemy host. Creating
carnage among the titans, that most powerful monkey, attended
by the simian battalions, resembled Yama on the day of the final
dissolution and, smarting with grief and anger, Hanuman
hurled a huge rock on Ravani's chariot.
Seeing that missile descending, the driver, master of his
horses, turned his car aside so that neither Indrajita nor the
charioteer were struck by that rock which split the earth, burying
itself after a fruitless flight.
Then those inhabitants of the woods, shouting, rushed on the
enemy in their hundreds and those giants brandished trees and
240
YUDDHA KANDA
mountain peaks so that Indrajita was covered by a fearful hail of
trees and stones by those Plavamgamas of redoutable valour.
And they created havoc in the ranks of the enemy causing a great
tumult and, under the ferocious blows of those terrible monkeys,
the hideous rangers of the night fell, overwhelmed by trees on
the battlefield.
Beholding his forces thus roughly handled by the monkeys,
Indrajita, enraged, surrounded by his divisions, advanced
towards them loosing a quantity of arrows and that intrepid
warrior struck down the foremost of the monkeys in great
numbers.
Furnished with spears, rocks, swords, harpoons, picks and
maces, the monkeys, on their side, annihilated his companions
in the struggle, and the exceedingly valiant Hanuman made use
of huge trunks and branches of trees, stones and rocks to
exterminate those titans of terrible exploits.
Having thrown back the enemy forces, Hanuman said to his
troops : — " We have acted in order to please Rama at the risk of
our lives but she, for whom we have fought, the daughter of
Janaka, is dead ! Having informed Rama and Sugriva of this on
our return, we will do whatever they command ".
Thus spoke that monkey general and heroically calling in his
troops, he returned slowly with them.
Meanwhile, seeing Hanuman going to rejoin Raghava, the
wicked Indrajita, desiring to offer oblations, went to the sacrificial
altar of Nikumbhila and, reaching that place, he invoked the
God of Fire, Pavaka. Having entered the place of sacrifice at
the instance of the titans, Indrajita began to pour on the libations,
and the fire blazed up, consuming the oblations and blood, and
Agni, effulgent, sparkling and satisfied, resembled the setting
sun.
Thereafter Indrajita poured libations on the earth for the
prosperity of the titans, according to the rites in which he was
well versed and, beholding this, the titans, instructed in what
was fitting and unfitting, stood round in great numbers.
241
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 83
Lakskmana's Speech
Meanwhile in that fight between the titans and the monkeys,
Raghava, hearing the formidable tumult, said to Jambavan : —
'* O Friend, to judge by the fearful uproar and the clamour of
the combatants, Hanuman is performing an exceedingly difficult
feat at this moment. Go, attended by thine army, O Leader of
the Bears, and lend thine aid to that Prince of Monkeys who is
engaged in combat ! "
"Be it so ! " said the King of the Bears, and thereafter,
surrounded by his troops, he advanced to the western gate to join
Hanuman and that Lord of the Bears beheld Hanuman returning
amidst his monkeys who had given up the fight and were
lamenting. Beholding the host of bears, resembling a dark and
fearful cloud, Hanuman caused diem to halt and retrace then-
steps. Then that illustrious warrior, in company with those
troops, speedily returned to seek out Rama and, full of grief,
addressed him saying : —
" Whilst we were fighting, under our very eyes, Indrajita,
born of Ravana, slew Sita who was weeping, O Destroyer of thy
Foes and, my mind being afflicted by this spectacle, in despair I
have come to inform thee of what has taken place ! **
Hearing these tidings, Raghava, overcome with sorrow, fell to
the earth like a tree whose roots have been severed and, beholding
the son of Raghu, who was like a God, lying on the ground, the
monkey leaders from all sides rushed towards him as he lay
consumed with the violence of his grief, resembling a fire that
has suddenly been ignited ; and they sprinkled him with water
that was fragrant with the scent of blue and white lotuses.
Then Lakshmana, full of anguish, pressed him in his arms and
addressed die half-conscious Rama, in words pregnant with
reason and penetration, saying : —
" O Thou who walkest in the path of virtue, O My Noble
Brother, though thou hast mastered thy senses yet righteousness
242
YUDDHA KANDA
has not been able to preserve thee from misfortune ! I see the
form of that which is animate and inanimate but not the form of
dharma, hence in mine opinion, it does not exist ! Inanimate
objects may be seen and also those which are animate but the
spiritual law is not manifest, else the virtuous such as thou
would not suffer adversity ! If unrighteousness brought evil in
its train, then Ravana would now be in hell and thou, who art
virtuous, wouldst not be afflicted by ill-fortune. Meanwhile
calamity spares the titan in order to strike thee down, which
proves the consequences of righteousness and unrighteousness to
be reversed ! If virtue produced good results and unrighteous-
ness evil ones, then those (like Ravana)., who have forsaken
virtue, would suffer evil consequences. Those who never take
pleasure in ill-doing should not be robbed of felicity since their
every delight is in doing good ; those who follow righteousness
should pluck the fruits thereof. Since prosperity attends on
those in whom unrighteousness abides and those, who make
virtue their way of life, are afflicted, these words (vice and virtue)
have no meaning ! O Raghava, if the evil-doer perished through
his own unrighteousness, unrighteousness itself would perish
through its own evil and, it being destroyed, how could it
destroy ? If it be through the decree of destiny that a man is
slain or slays another, then it is destiny and not the slayer who is
at fault. O Thou, Slayer of thy Foes, since one is unable to
discern the law of dharma meting out retribution or behold its
form and it is as if it were not, how is it possible to attain the
highest by means of dharma ? If dharma truly existed, O King,
O Most Virtuous of Men, then thou wouldst not have suffered
this misfortune ; it is therefore manifest that this law is meaning-
less ! Dharma, being weak and powerless, attaches itself to the
strong and, because of its weakness, rubs out any difference
between itself and vice, therefore, in mine opinion, one should
disregard it. If unrighteousness is merely the result of strength,
then abandon it since might is right. But if, as some hold,
dharma is loyalty to one's word, O Scourge of thy Foes, then thy
sire is guilty of adharma in the duplicity and cruelty he meted
out to thee without reason 1 If one accepts the existence of
righteousness, then Indra, the Bearer of the Thunderbolt, God
of a Hundred Sacrifices, was not justified in performing a
M3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sacrifice after slaying the Ascetic Vishvarupa. If righteousness
gives birth to unrighteousness, it must perish, O Raghava 1
Men will act accordingly to their whim, O Kakutstha. In mine
opinion, O beloved Raghava, dharma has indeed been destroyed ;
thou hast severed its roots by abandoning thy kingdom ! like
streams from the mountains, all success is brought to birth by
material prosperity. The man of small intelligence, without
resources, sees all his deeds come to nought as trickles of water
drying up in the hot season. Renouncing wealth when one is
accustomed to the advantages in which one is reared, is an error
of judgment and is setting out on the wrong path. He who has
wealth has friends and kinsfolk ; he who has wealth is verily a
man of importance ; he who has wealth is a wise man. The
wealthy man is brave, the wealthy man is wise, the wealthy man
is powerful, above all the wealthy man is a man of worth ! O
Hero, I have pointed out the disadvantages that result from
giving up one's good fortune, I see no reason for thy determina-
tion to abandon the crown.
" He who possesses a fortune finds virtue, pleasure and
prosperity to be at his disposal ; the poor man who seeks wealth,
cannot attain it and merely dreams of it. Wealth is the creator
of joy, pleasure, pride, anger, and inner and outer control ; all
these come from wealth, O Foremost of Men! Prosperity
eludes virtuous men and those who pursue the path of duty in
this world, nor can it be discerned any more than the stars in a
stormy sky ! Whilst, in accordance with thy sire's command,
thou didst live in exile, O Hero, a titan bore away thy consort who
is dearer to thee than life itself.
"O Hero, by my valour I shall be able to dissipate this
great grief that Indrajira has caused thee to-day, O Raghava,
arise therefore, rise up, O Lion among Men, O Long-armed
Warrior, who art fixed in thy vows ! Dost thou not know that
thou art the Self, the Highest 'Self?
" Here am I, O Irreproachable Hero, at thy command I The
tidings of the death of the daughter of Janaka enrages me 1
With my shafts I shall overwhelm Lanka, its chariots, horses,
titans and its king."
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 84
Bibishana consoles Rama
Whilst Lakshmana, in his fraternal affection, was consoling
Rama, Bibishana, who had been restoring order in the ranks,
came to that place.
Four warriors, armed with various weapons, escorted him and
they resembled heaps of black collyrium and were like unto the
leaders of elephant herds. Then that hero approaching, beheld
Raghava plunged in affliction, as also the monkeys themselves,
whose eyes were full of tears, and he saw the great-souled
Raghava, the joy of the Ikshvaku Race, stunned with burning
grief, whereupon Bibishana, his heart pierced with anguish,
enquired : — " How is mis ? "
Then Lakshmana, seeing Bibishana, Sugriva and the monkeys,
uttered these impetuous words : —
" Indrajita has slain Sita ! Hearing these tidings from
Hanuman's lips, Raghava has been overwhelmed with despair,
O My Friend ! "
As Saumitri was still speaking, Bibishana interrupted him and
addressed Rama, whose mind was agitated, in words fraught with
good sense, saying : —
" O Indra among Men, that which thou hast heard spoken by
Hanuman with a sorrowful mien, seems to me as probable as the
drying up of the sea ! I am fully conversant with the wicked
Ravana's design ; assuredly he would never permit Sita to be
ill-treated, O Long-armed Warrior ! Though constantly pressed
by me, who desired his welfare, to release Vaidehi, he would
never listen to me. Neither by persuasion nor threats, concilia-
tion nor gifts nor by sowing dissension, has anyone been able to
behold Sita, how much less by force of arms ? It was in order
to deceive the monkeys that Indrajita set out to meet them again ;
this seeming daughter of Janaka is the effect of illusion, O Long-
armed Warrior.
" To-day Indrajita is going to the sacrificial ground of
Nikumbhila to offer an oblation. Having performed the
a 245
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sacrifice, on leaving, the son of Ravana will be invincible in
battle even ro the Gods led by Vasava. It is he, in the role of
a skilled magician, who has made use of this illusion in order to
undermine the courage of the monkeys. Let us leave now with
our forces ere he accomplishes his object. Shake off the distress
that has visited thee on this account, O Lion among Men ! The
whole army is dispirited on beholding the grief that overwhelms
thee. Come, pluck up courage, rise, call up thy valour and
command Lakshmana to join with us and the troops which we
command i
" With his whetted shafts, that lion among men will compel
Ravani to break off his sacrifice, after which he may be slain.
Thy brother's sharp and penetrating arrows, that fly on wings and
resemble birds of prey, will drink his blood. O Long-armed
Warrior, let Lakshmana, who is endowed with auspicious marks,
bear down on that titan in order to destroy him, as Indra looses
his thunderbolt. O Best of Men, it is not fitting to defer the
slaying of a foe j now suffer Lakshmana ro fall on thine adversary
speedily in order to slay him, as Mahadeva looses his thunderbolt
on the enemies of the Gods in order to exterminate them."
CHAPTER 85
Lakshmana goes to the Nikumbhila Grove to fight Indrajita
Thus did the titan speak, but Raghava, who was overwhelmed
with grief, did not fully comprehend what was said to him.
Thereafter, having regained his strength, Rama, the Conqueror
of Hostile Citadels, answered Bibishana, who was seated at bis
side, saying : —
" O Bibishana, Prince of the Nairritas, I desire to hear once
more what thou hast said to me ; do thou repeat what I long to
know."
Hearing these words of Raghava, Bibishana, skilled in
discourse, repeated that which he had already told him, saying: —
" The behests thou didst lay upon me, O Long-armed
Warrior, regarding the disposal of the forces, have been carried
YUDDHA KANDA
out scrupulously ; the divisions of the army are drawn up on all
sides and the leaders have each had their posts allotted to them.
O Mighty Lord, now hear what I have to impart further.
" O Prince, beholding thee afflicted, we are discouraged ;
abandon thy distress, that grief which conduces to the joy of the
foe afar off ! Take courage, O Hero, and destroy the rangers of
the night ! May felicity be thine, since thou art to be re-united
with Sita ! O Joy of the House of Raghu, listen to my sage
counsel ! Let Saurnitri set out bravely at the head of a consider-
able force and converge on the Nikumbhila Grove, in order to
slay Ravani in combat by the aid of arrows, resembling venomous
snakes, loosed from bis bow !
" That warrior,1 on account of his asceticism received a
marvellous boon, the Brahmashira Weapon, from Swyambhu and
also steeds that course at bis will ; he has undoubtedly reached
the Nikumbhila Grove with his forces ! If he succeeds in
carrying through the sacrifice, know that we are lost !
"'The foe who strikes thee ere thou hast reached the
Nikumbhila Grove and ignited the fire, armed as thou art, will
bring about thy death, O Enemy of Indra! ' Such were the words
pronounced by the Lord of the World and thus was the end of
that crafty titan ordained ! O Rama, send thy powerful brother
to slay Indrajita and, he being slain, Ravana with his friends is
also slain! "
Bibishana having spoken thus, Rama answered him saying : —
*' O Thou, whose prowess is truth, I know the magic power of
that barbarian ; his knowledge of the Brahma Weapon endows
that skilful and great magician with immense power so that he is
able to deprive the Gods and Varum himself of consciousness in
combat ! While he ranges the sky in his chariot, O Illustrious
Prince, one is no more able to follow bis course than that of the
sun in the midst of heavy cloud ! "
Then Raghava, who was conversant with the magic power of
that crafty foe, said to Lakshmana who shone with effulgence : —
" Go with the entire army of the Lord of the Monkeys with
its generals and Hanuman at their head, O Lakshmana ; take
the army of the bears with their leader Jambavan, and destroy
the titan possessed of the power of magic. This magnanimous
1 Indrajita.
*47
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
night-ranger1 will follow thee with his ministers in order that
thou mayest fall upon that master of illusion."
Hearing these words of Raghava, Lakshmana of redoubtable
courage, who was accompanied by Bibishana, took up his rare
bow, the foremost of all, and donning his mail, furnished with a
sword and arrows, and full of joy, addressed him thus : —
" To-day the arrows loosed from my bow, having pierced
Ravani, will lay Lanka waste as herons ravage a lotus pool ! This
very day the shafts speeding from my bow will pierce the body of
that barbarian ! "
Having spoken thus to his brother, the illustrious Lakshmana,
eager to slay Ravani, departed with all speed and, having paid
obeisance to the feet of his elder brother and circumambulated
him, he set out for the Nikumbhila Grove, the place of sacrifice,
where Ravani was to be found. Followed by Bibishana, Prince
Lakshmana, burning with courage, with the good wishes of his
brother, hastened away. Then Hanuman, at the head of count-
less monkeys and Bibishana wirh his counsellors speedily
followed in his wake.
Whilst the great hosts of monkeys threw themselves in his
train, Lakshmana beheld the forces of the King of the Bears
stationed in the way. Thereafter Sumitra's son, the joy of his
friends, having already covered a great distance, observed the
army of the King of the Titans ranged for battle and, bow in hand,
that conqueror of his foes, the joy of the House of Raghu, coming
upon that skilful magician, prepared to enter into combat with
him in conformity with Brahma's ordinance, and that prince,
who was full of ardour, was accompanied by Bibishana, the
valiant Angada and also the son of Anila.
Thereafter Lakshmana, as one entering into darkness, pene-
trated into the ranks of the countless enemy host that was
exceedingly formidable, blazing with its glittering weapons and
shaded by its dense rows of mighty chariots with their standards.
248
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 86
Indrajita breaks off Ms Sacrifice to fight ttnth Lakshmana
As these events were taking place, the younger brother of
Ravana1 gave the following counsel to Lakshmana, which was
advantageous to his undertaking but detrimental to bis foes,
saying : —
"Armed with rocks, throw thyself with thy monkeys on the
army of the titan which is now visible and resembles a dark
cloud. Seek to overthrow them, O Lakshmana, for the son of
that Indra of the Titans will become visible the instant die ranks
are broken. With thine arrows, that equal Indra's thunderbolt,
assail the enemy ; enter into the fray with all speed ere the
sacrifice be completed. O Warrior, triumph over that perverse
but skilled magician, the wicked Ravani of ruthless exploits, the
terror of the worlds ! "
At these words of Bibishana, Lakshmana, endowed with
auspicious marks, let loose a rain of shafts on the son of the Lord
of the Titans. Thereafter the bears and monkeys in a body,
arming themselves with huge trees, rushed on the army of the
titans which was drawn up in battle array and which, with sharp
darts, swords, picks and spears hurled itself on the simian
battalions eager to overcome them.
Thereupon a desperate struggle ensued between monkeys and
titans and the city re-echoed with the mighty tumult. Missiles
of every kind, whetted darts, trees and mountain peaks sped
through the air in dreadful wise so that the sky was obscured
and innumerable titans, possessed of monstrous arms and faces,
hurled their weapons on the foremost of the monkeys, creating
extreme terror amongst them, whilst, from their side, the
monkeys struck the titans with whole trees and crags, crushing
them in the struggle. And the foremost of the bears and
monkeys, of immense stature, created great terror among the
titans with whom they fought. Learning that his army, over-
whelmed by their foes, was losing ground, the invincible
Bibishana.
*49
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Indrajita arose, the sacrificial rites as yet uncompleted and, leaving
the Nikumbhila Grove, that was darkened by trees, Ravani,
enraged, ascended his chariot that stood ready harnessed and
fully equipped ; with his bow and arrows, he was formidable
and resembled a heap of black collyrium, terrifying to behold
with his reddened eyes, like unto Mrityu the Destroyer.
Beholding him standing in his chariot and the titan host
ranged round about him, rushing to attack Lakshmana with
fury, Hanuman, the scourge of his foes, who resembled a
mountain, uprooted a huge tree, difficult to wield and, like unto
Kala's consuming fire, that monkey, with repeated blows,
struck down the enemy on the battlefield where they lay insensible.
Seeing the son of Pavana creating confusion in the ranks,
thousands of titans attacked him with spears, those bearing
lances with lances, those with swords with blows of their swords
and those with harpoons with blows of harpoons. Iron bars,
maces, sticks in their hundreds, Shataghnis,1 iron hammers,
terrible axes, Bhindipalas, blows from their fists like unto
lightning, slaps sounding like thunder, were all delivered at
Hanuman, who like unto a mountain in stature, in his rage,
created a terrible carnage.
Then Indrajita beheld the foremost of the monkeys, the
intrepid son of Pavana, like unto a rock, destroying his adver-
saries and, addressing his charioteer, be said : —
" Drive towards that monkey ; he will certainly destroy all
the titans if he is suffered to do so ! "
At this command, the driver set his course at Maruti and
drove the invincible Indrajita, who was standing in the chariot,
upon him. Then that redoubtable titan, drawing near, let fall
arrows, blows from his sword, harpoons, spears and axes on the
head of that monkey, so that those formidable missiles that fell
upon him threw Maruti into a transport of rage and he said : —
" O Perverse Son of Ravana, if thou hast any claim to valour,
then fight ; with thy two arms strive with me ! O Insensate
One, if thou dost withstand my might, thou shall be accounted
as the foremost of the titans ! "
Then Bibishana pointed out the son of Ravana, to Lakshmana,
as he, with bow upraised, sought to slay Hanuman, and said :—
1 See Glossary of Weapons.
250
YUDDHA KANDA
" The Conqueror of Vasava, the son of Ravana, standing in
his car, is about to slay Hanuman ! O Saumitri, do thou slay
Ravani with thy formidable arrows of incomparable workman-
ship, the destroyers of their foes, that put an end to their lives ! "
Hearing Bibishana's words, that magnanimous one, a veritable
Bibishana,1 looked on Indrajita of dreadful prowess, who,
standing in his chariot, was invincible and resembled a mountain.
CHAPTER 87
Indrajita and Bibishana denounce each other
Having spoken thus, Bibishana, delighted, taking Saumitri, who
bore his bow in his hand, hastened away. Proceeding some
distance, they entered a great wood where Bibishana pointed out
Indrajita's place of sacrifice to Lakshmana and the illustrious
brother of Havana showed Saumitri a huge Nyagrodha Tree of
fearful aspect, resembling a dark cloud, and said : —
" It is here that the powerful son of Ravana offers up his
victims and thereafter enters into combat. Becoming invisible
to all creatures, the titan overthrows his enemies in the fight,
paralysing them with his excellent shafts. Do thou pierce the
valiant son of Ravana, his chariot, steeds and charioteer with thy
flaming darts ere he reaches the Nyagrodha Tree ! "
" Be it so ! " replied the mighry Saumitri, the delight of his
friends and, taking his stand, he drew his marvellous bow.
Thereafter Indrajita, the powerful son of Ravana appeared
before them in his chariot, that shone like fire, clad in armour
with his sword and banner. Burning with ardour, Lakshmana
challenged that invincible descendant of Poulasty a, saying : —
" I challenge thee to combat ! Let it be in fair fight ! "
Thus accosted, the brave and exceedingly energetic Indrajita,
observing Bibishana, overwhelmed him with reproaches,
saying: —
" O Thou, born and bred in this race, the brother of my sire,
why dost thou seek to harm his son, 0 My Paternal Uncle, O
1 Bibishana — One who inspires terror.
251
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Titan? For thee, O Wretch, there is neither tradition, brotherly
feeling nor a sense of duty ! O Impious One, Thou art to be
pitied ! O Perverse Being, thou art the object of reproach to the
virtuous, thou who didst abandon thine own kind in order to
seek service with the enemy. Is it not a want of intelligence in
thee, that thou dost not discern the great difference between
living with one's kindred and seeking a miserable refuge with
strangers ? Ever if a stranger be endowed with every quality
and a relation bereft of them all, yet the kinsman, though wanting
in all merit, is to be preferred ; a stranger is always a stranger !
He who renounces his own kind to follow another will perish
under the blows of the enemy after his own kinsfolk have been
destroyed. Thou alone art capable of such ruthlessness and so
relentless an attitude to thy kind, O Ranger of the Night, O
Younger Brother of Ravana ! "
Thus addressed by his brother's son, Bibishana answered : —
"Art thou ignorant of my character that thou dost reproach
me thus, O Titan ? O Perverse Prince, do not insult me but
treat me with respect. Albeit I have been born in the race of
titans, I possess those principles which appertain to men, my
nature is not that of the demons ! Nay, I do not delight in
cruelty nor does injustice find favour with me but, even if his
character be dissimilar, how can a brother banish his own brother?
The one, who rejects him who renounces his duty and is bent on
evil-doing, is assured of good fortune, as one who shakes off a
snake from his hand. One is told to fly that perverse wretch who
habitually purloins his neighbour's goods and has intercourse
with other's wives, as one would flee from a burning dwelling.
" To take possession of another's property or to look with
desire on his neighbour's wife or to distrust one's friends are the
three faults that lead to destruction ! The ruthless slaughter of
the great sages, the war on the Gods, arrogance, anger, hate and
self-will are the defects of my brother, who is destroying himself
and his empire, obscuring his good qualities as clouds veil the
mountains. It is on account of his vices that I abandoned my
brother, whose son thou art. Thou, thy father and Lanka are
doomed ! O Titan, Thou art a mere boy possessed of an over-
weening pride and art ill-mannered ! Say what thou wilt to me,
thou art caught in the noose of death ! Thou shalt suffer the
»5*
YUDDHA KANDA
penalty thou hast merited for the harsh reproaches thou hast
made to me this day ! From henceforth thou shalt not be able
to approach the Nyagrodha Tree, O Vilest of the Titans ! Having
outraged Kakutstha, thou canst not survive! Enter into
combat with this God among men ! Fall on the field of battle
and go to the abode of Yama to the satisfaction of the Gods !
Display thy prowess, exhaust thy weapons and missiles but if
thou approachest within the range of Lakshmana's shafts, thou
and thine army shalt not return alive ! "
chapter 88
The Combat between Ldkshmana and Indrajita
Hearing Bibishana's words, Indrajita, seething with anger,
answered him with fresh invectives and advanced upon him in
fury. Standing in his richly decorated chariot, that was yoked
to black steeds, his weapons and sword upraised, bearing his
mighty, pliant and terrible bow and his arrows that were fatal
to the foe, he resembled the Destroyer, Death Himself.
Then Lakshmana in all bis splendour appeared before that
mighty archer standing in his car, decked with ornaments, the
slayer of his foes, the valiant son of Ravana, and, transported
with fury, Indrajita addressed Saumitri, who was seated on
Hanuman's back and resembled the rising sun, and Bibishana
also and the foremost of the monkeys, saying : —
" Do ye all behold my prowess ! In an instant, a rain of
arrows speeding from mine irresistible bow will tall upon you in
the fight like unto a shower of rain from the sky ! Soon the
shafts loosed from my great bow will scatter your limbs as the
wind a heap of cotton ! Pierced by my sharp darts, spears,
lances, daggers and other weapons, this day I shall send you all
to the abode of Yama ! When, roaring like a thundercloud, I
scatter the waves of mine arrows with a steady hand in the fray,
who can stand before me ?
" Formerly in a night engagement, with my darts that are
equal to thunderbolts, I overthrew you both, leaving you
353
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
unconscious with your escort ; hast thou forgotten it ? Since
thou desirest to measure thy strength with mine, I who in my
fury resemble a venomous reptile, I deem thou art anxious to
enter the region of death ! "
Hearing the taunts of Ravani, that Indra among the Titans,
the son of Raghu replied indignantly : —
" It is not easy to succeed in those undertakings of which thou
dost boast and, in fact, he who accomplishes his end, alone is
skilful ! O Thou whose situation is desperate, thou deemest to
have attained thy purpose in this enterprise which is untenable
from every aspect, merely by saying I have accomplished mine
end ! O Insensate One, rendering thyself invisible on the field
of battle is the procedure of a rogue ; honest men do not practice
it ! Since I am within the range of thy shafts, O Titan, manifest
thy prowess ; of what use is this bragging ? "
Thus addressed, Indrajita who was ever victorious in combat,
stretched his dread bow and with a powerful arm let fly his
whetted shafts on his adversary. Discharged by him, those
swift arrows resembling venomous snakes, struck Lakshmana
hissing like serpents, and the impetuous son of Ravana, Indrajita,
with those arrows of extreme velocity, overwhelmed Saumitri,
who was endowed with auspicious marks, whereupon the
fortunate Lakshmana, his limbs pierced by those darts, covered
in blood, shone like a smokeless flame !
Meanwhile Indrajita, contemplating his feat, advanced,
emitting an exceedingly loud cry and said :— -
" O Saumitri, the feathered shafts loosed upon thee from my
bow will rob thee of thy life, for their impact is mortal ! This
very day, O Lakshmana, bands of jackals, eagles and vultures will
descend upon thee when thou hast fallen unconscious under my
blows ! Rama of perverse soul will see thee, his devoted brother,
struck down by mine arm, thine armour shattered, thy bow in
pieces, thy head severed, thou who art a warrior by birth only ! "
To these insolent words of Ravana's son, the sagacious
Lakshmana replied in measured and judicious terms, saying : —
" Cease from boasting, O Wretched Titan of crooked ways,
what purpose is served by vain speech ? Demonstrate thy valour
in action ; thou dost vaunt thine exploits ere thou hast accom-
plished them ! To what end, O Titan ? Act in such a way that
254
YUDDHA KANDA
I may believe in thine utterances ! Mark how, without addres-
sing a single word of contempt or provocation to thee and without
bragging, I shall slay thee, O Last of Warriors ! "
Thus speaking, Lakshmama, with five Narachas loosed with
great force from his bow, which he stretched up to his ear,
struck the titan full in the breast and those feathered shafts of
swift flight, resembling fiery serpents, shone in the breast of the
Nairrita like the rays of the sun.
Struck by those darts, the son of Ravana, enraged, in his turn,
pierced Lakshmana with three well-aimed arrows. Thereupon
an appalling and fearful exchange of blows ensued between those
lions among men and titans, who sought to triumph over each
other. Valiant and endowed with strength, both courageous by
nature, each found it hard to overcome the other, neither having
his equal in energy and prowess. Resembling two planets
coursing through the heavens, those two heroes strove, so that
they seemed like those two invincible warriors, Bala and Vritra,
struggling proudly like two lions, standing immoveable as they
showered innumerable darts on each other, and that King of
Men and Prince of the Titans fought on with extreme ardour.
chapter 89
Lakshmana and Indrajita continue to fight
Meanwhile the son of Dasaratha, slayer of his foes, arming
himself with arrows, loosed them in fury on that Indra of Titans
and at that twanging of his bow-string, the titan leader, his
countenance ashen, fixed his gaze on Lakshmana.
Bibishana beholding the blenched features of the son of
Ravana, said to Saumitri who was engaged in combat : —
" O Long-armed Warrior, I behold inauspicious signs round
Ravana's son, hasten therefore for he is assuredly nearing his
end ! "
Thereupon Saumitri, selecting some arrows resembling
venomous snakes, let fly those barbed shafts like unto exceedingly
poisonous serpents on Indrajita and he, struck by those missiles
like unto thunderbolts hurled on him by Lakshmana, was dazed
*55
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
awhile, his senses stupefied. Thereafter, beholding the valiant
son of Dasaratha standing in the held, he hung himself upon him,
his eyes red with anger and, drawing near, he began to taunt him
afresh, saying : —
" How is it that thou hast forgotten my prowess, when at the
first encounter thou and thy brother were bound and laid low,
thou who dost now seek to enter into combat with me anew ?
In that great struggle under mine arrows resembling thunder-
bolts, both of you with your followers were first felled to the
earth by me and then deprived of your senses.
" Meseems it has escaped thy memory ! Since thou hast
dared to challenge me, it is clear thou desirest to enter the abode
of Yama ! If, at the first assault thou didst fail to recognize my
superior strength, I shall soon demonstrate it to thee; stay
therefore and face me with resolution ! "
Speaking thus, he pierced Lakshmana with seven arrows and
Hanuman with ten powerful whetted shafts ; thereafter with
re-doubled fury, Indrajita pierced Bibishana with a hundred
well-aimed darts. Seeing this, the younger brother of Rama,
unmoved, began to laugh, saying : —
" This is nothing ! " and that lion among men, Lakshmana,
undaunted, taking up some dreadful darts, hurled them in anger
on Ravani in the fight, saying : —
" Nay, it is not thus armed that warriors enter the fray, O
Night Ranger ! Thy darts are trifling and without power,
conducing to mine ease ; it is undoubtedly not in this wise that
brave men fight ! "
With these words, he, from his bow, loosed a shower of
arrows on his adversary. Shattered by Lakshmana's shafts, the
heavy golden armour of the titan fell to pieces on the floor of the
chariot, like a mass of stars falling from the sky. His coat of
mail riven, riddled with wounds inflicted by Narachas, the
valiant Indrajita resembled the rising sun and, full of ire, the
courageous son of Ravana of redoubtable valour, struck Laksh-
mana with a thousand shafts, cleaving his celestial armour.
Then, exchanging blow for blow, they rushed on each other and
breathing heavily, engaged in a terrible struggle and, in the
twinkling of an eye, their limbs were lacerated by arrows and
from every part of their bodies the blood flowed.
256
YUDDHA KANDA
For a long time these two valiant warriors tore each other
with their sharp weapons and, in their unbridled energy, the
two skilled combatants sought to overcome each other. Both
riddled with a mass of arrows, their armour and standards
shattered, they caused the hot blood to flow, as waterfalls let
loose their torrents, and they let a dreadful hail of missiles fly
with a great clamour, like unto the dark destructive clouds of
doom, loosing their floods from the sky.
For a long time they fought thus without turning back or
experiencing any fatigue and those foremost of archers let fly
their shafts again and again, and the multi-shaped darts crossed
and re-crossed each other in the air. With agility, speed and
grace, the struggle between man and titan continued with an
appalling din and each, on his side, raised a tremendous clamour
inspiring terror, like unto a fearful tempest and the sound of
those two redoubtable warriors In desperate combat resembled
two clouds clashing in the sky. With golden-footed Narachas,
those two warriors, sought to overcome one another, inflicting
wounds from which rivers of blood flowed and from their
pierced bodies the golden-hafted arrows, covered with blood, fell
to the earth in which they buried themselves. By thousands their
whetted shafts converged in the sky, cleaving and riving each
other, and both let fall a formidable mass of darts in the struggle,
so that they appeared like heaps of Kusha Grass destined for
two sacrificial fires. Thebodiesof those illustrious heroes, full of
wounds, shon e like a Kimshuka or a Shalmali Tree, leaf-less and in
full flower in the forest; and the impact was appalling, as Indrajita
and Lakshmana fougbt, each desirous of overcoming the other.
Lakshmana battled with Ravani and Ravani with Lakshmana,
each striking the other without ceasing and the streams of arrows
buried in their flesh gave those two powerful warriors the
appearance of two hills covered with trees, and their limbs
streaming with blood, riddled with arrows, shone like two fires.
Thus did they fight for a long time without turning back in
combat or giving way to exhaustion. Nevertheless, in order to
allow the invincible Lakshmana, ever in the forefront of the
fight, to overcome the fatigue of combat, the magnanimous
Bibishana threw himself into the fray remaining near him to
lend him his support.
*57
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 90
Indrajita loses Ms Charioteer, Chariot and Horses
Seeing the desperate struggle between man and titan, who
resembled two elephants with broken tusks desirous of over-
coming each other, Ravana's valiant brother, curious to behold
the outcome of the duel, stood in the forefront of the battle, his
excellent bow in his hand.
Standing erect, he stretched his great bow, letting fly long
and pointed arrows on the titans and these shafts of burning
impact, falling thick and fast, tore the demons to pieces as a
thunderbolt rives the high mountains.
Then, in their turn, Bibishana's followers, the foremost of
warriors, arming themselves with maces, swords and harpoons,
struck the valiant titans in the fight and, surrounded by his
companions, Bibishana resembled a full-grown elephant in the
midst of young tuskers pressing dose to him.
In order to encourage the monkeys, whose dearest wish was
to slaughter their foes, Bibishana, the foremost of the titans,
conversant with what was fitting to the occasion, uttered these
pertinent words to them, saying : —
" Indrajita is the sole support of the King of the Titans and
this is all that is left of his army, why therefore, O Foremost of
the Monkeys, have you relaxed your efforts ? This wicked
wretch being slain in the fore-front of battle, all the titan warriors,
save Ravana, have been slain ! The valiant Prahasta is dead and
the all-powerful Nikumbha also, Kumbhakarna, Kumbha,
Dhumraksha, Jambumali, Mahamali, Tikshnavega, Ashani-
prabha, Suptagna, Yajnakopa, Vajradamshtra, Samhradin,
Vikata, Arighna, Tapana and Mainda, Praghasa as well as
Prajangha and Jangha, Agniketu, Durdharsha, Rashmiketu who
was full of energy, Vidyujjihva, Dvijihva and Akampana,
Suparshva, Shakramali, Kampana, Devantaka and Narantaka
who was full of valour. By slaying all these countless and
exceedingly powerful titans, you have swum the ocean and now
258
YUDDHA KANDA
it is for you but to cross the hoof mark of a cow. Attack the
titans who still remain, O Monkeys ; all these warriors, whose
strength has filled them with pride, have perished in the fight.
It is not fitting for me to slay my father's son, but, laying aside all
pity for Rama's sake, I will put an end to my brother's offspring ;
yet though I desire to slay him, tears fill mine eyes and deter me ;
the long-armed Lakshmana will best know how to subdue him !
O Monkeys, closing in upon him, place yourselves so that you
may wipe out those who stand near to him."
Thus incited by the exceedingly illustrious titan, the foremost
of the monkeys demonstrated their delight by lashing their tails,
and thereafter those tigers among the Flavamgamas, amidst
repeated clapping of hands, emitted every kind of cry, like
peacocks on beholding the clouds.
Jambavan too was surrounded by his leaders and their forces
and they assailed the titans with their nails and teeth and blows
from stones. Thereafter that Lord of the Bears decimated the
titans, who, banishing all fear, full of vigour, overwhelmed him
with countless missiles such as darts, axes, sharp pikes, lances
and spears, striking him, their exterminator, in the fray.
Thereupon a formidable conflict ensued between monkeys
and titans, like unto the fearful contest between the Gods and
the Asuras fired with wrath, and Hanuman, enraged, broke off a
mountain peak and having caused Lakshmana to dismount,
slew the titans in their thousands. Meanwhile after a fearful
combat with his maternal uncle, the valiant Indrajita, slayer of
his foes, threw himself afresh on Lakshmana and a desperate
duel arose between those two heroes amidst the general conflict.
Then those valiant warriors let loose a rain of missiles with
which they overwhelmed each other and, in the twinkling of an
eye, they disappeared under a hail of arrows, as the glowing sun
and the brightness of the moon under clouds at the end of
summer. Their movements were so swift that one was unable to
perceive when they took up their bows or stretched them or
changed hands or loosed their shafts or selected or separated
them or when they closed their fists or took aim and launched a
succession of arrows with force, filling the sky on every side, nor
was any object distinguishable. Lakshmana struck Ravani and
Ravani, in his turn, struck Lakshmana and a general confusion
259
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
arose between them during the combat. Barbed and pointed
shafts, loosed by those two warriors, filled the space in the
heavens as it were and those whetted darts, that fell in hundreds,
spread over the cardinal points and the intermediate regions, so
that everything was engulfed in darkness and extreme terror
took possession of all beings.
Then the orb of a thousand rays sank behind the Asta
Mountains enveloped in shadow, and torrents of blood flowed
that day and fearful beasts of prey emitted full-throated howls.
" May good fortune befall the worlds ! " murmured the great
Rishis, whilst the Gandharvas with the Charanas, panic-stricken,
fled away.
Meanwhile Saumitri with four arrows pierced the four black
steeds caparisoned in gold of that Indra among the Titans, and,
with the aid of a sharp, yellow, shining and terrible Bhalla,
furnished with beautiful plumes, resembling Mahendra's
thunderbolt, resounding like the clang of a gauntlet hurled with
full force, that mighty son of Raghu severed the head of the
charioteer from his shoulders while he circled round.
Thereupon, his charioteer slain, Mandodari's valiant son
seized the reins himself, taking up his bow ; and it was marvel-
lous to behold him driving his chariot as he fought. Yet while
his hands were occupied with the steeds, his adversary struck
him with pointed darts and while he attended to his bow, the
horses were pierced with arrows. Then Indrajita, even though
his horses were riddled with darts, caused them to circle bravely
under the arrows loosed by Saumitri with exceeding lightness of
hand. Seeing his charioteer slain in the fight however, the son
of Ravana lost his zest for combat and grew anxious, and observ-
ing the titan's countenance change, the monkey leaders began to
acclaim Lakshmana in the height of joy. Thereafter Pramathin,
Rabhasa, Sharabha and Gandhamadana, eager to bring matters
to a close, struck a mighty blow, and those foremost of monkeys,
endowed with extreme vigour and remarkable valour, with a
rapid bound, threw themselves on the four magnificent steeds
of Indrajita.
Under the weight of those monkeys who resembled mountains,
the horses threw up torrents of blood and thereafter, crushed
and mangled, fell lifeless on the earth. Having slain the
360
YUDDHA KANDA
titan's steeds and shattered bis chariot, the monkeys, with a
further bound, returned to Lakshmana's side.
Springing from his car, the horses having perished, and his
charioteer being slain, Ravani caused a shower of darts to fall on
Saumitri, whereupon, like unto Mahendra, Lakshmana over-
whelmed Indrajita with shafts and he, righting on foot, his excellent
steeds being dead, loosed countless whetted and marvellous darts
on Saumitri in the fight.
CHAPTER 91
The Death of Indrajita
The mighty Ranger of the Night, Indrajita, his horses slain)
stood in the field in a paroxysm of fury, flaming with valour, and
in their desire to triumph, those two archers, armed with bows,
hurled themselves against one another like two mighty elephants
in the forest.
Rushing this way and that, titans and monkeys slew each
other, not wishing to abandon their leaders. At that moment,
the son of Ravana began to encourage the titans and praised and
gladdened them by addressing them thus : —
'* O Foremost of the Titans, a profound darkness reigns over
all regions nor can we distinguish between ourselves and the
enemy, therefore fight fearlessly in order to delude the monkeys
and I too shall return to enter into combat in another chariot !
O Brave Companions, do not suffer the monkeys to triumph
whilst I am in the city ! "
At these words, the son of Ravana, slayer of his foes, eluding
the vigilance of the dwellers in the woods, re-entered the City of
Lanka, in order to provide himself with a fresh chariot ; and he
caused a car embellished with magnificent gilding, furnished
with javelins, swords and arrows, harnessed to the most excellent
of steeds and driven by a skilful and intelligent charioteer to be
made ready, whereafter the illustrious Ravani, victor in combat,
ascended it. Surrounded by the foremost of battalions, the
t 361
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
valiant son of Mandodari, Indrajita, urged on by the force of
destiny, left the city and, drawn by swift steeds, with exceeding
courage he rushed on Lakshmana and Bibishana who accom-
panied him.
Beholding the crafty son of Ravana, mounted in a chariot,
Saumitri, the intrepid monkeys and the Titan Bibishana were
astonished j Indrajita, however, struck down the foremost of
the monkeys with fury. Under the clouds of arrows falling in
hundreds and thousands, Ravani, victorious in combat, stretch-
ing his bow to a circle, slew the monkeys in his wrath, displaying
his extreme skill, and the monkeys, overwhelmed by the Narachas
of dreadful impetus, took refuge with Saumitri, as all beings with
Prajapati. Thereupon, inflamed with martial ardour, that
descendant of Raghu severed the bow of Indrajita, thus demon-
strating his fieetness of hard but he, seizing hold of another,
hastened to string it, yet Laksnmana shattered it also with three
arrows and, having broken his weapons thus, Saumitri pierced
Ravani's breast with five darts like unto venomous snakes. Then
these shafts, leaving that great bow, having entered Iudrajita's
body, fell to the earth like huge red serpents.
His weapon severed, vomiting blood, Ravani took hold of
another powerful bow with its stout cord and, aiming at Laksh-
mana, with extreme speed caused a shower of missiles to fall
upon him, like unto Purandara letting loose his floods. Yet,
irresistible as that hail of arrows, poured down by Indrajita was,
Lakshmana, the Conqueror of his Foes, standing immoveable,
repelled them.
Thus did Ravani witness Lakshmana's marvellous prowess, he
who was the intrepid and valiant son of Raghu. Thereafter
Lakshmana, in fury, pierced each of those titans with three
shafts in the fight, manifesting the velocity of his arrows, and
Indrajita, on his side, riddled him with a hail of shafts.
Then that India among the Titans, grievously wounded by his
valiant adversary, the slayer of his foes, loosed a continuous
shower of arrows on Lakshmana but, ere they reached him, they
were severed by the sharp spear of that warrior, the destroyer of
his enemies, and Lakshmana, with a crescent-shaped arrow, cut
off the head of Indrajita's charioteer in his excellent car, while
he was coursing here and there.
YUDDHA KANDA
Deprived of their driver, the horses, without deviating from
their course, continued to draw the chariot, advancing and
describing circles in a marvellous manner. Thereupon Saumitri,
of fixed courage, unable to control his anger, let fly his shafts
against the tiran's steeds causing them to take fright.
Provoked by this action, the son of Ravana struck the terrible
Saumitri with his ten arrows and those shafts, equal to lightning,
that seemed composed of all the poisons, glanced off his golden
armour.
Seeing that his coat of mail was impenetrable, the son of
Ravana, Indrajita, in a transport of rage, manifesting his lightness
of hand, struck Lakshmana in the forehead with three arrows of
graceful joints, and that illustrious warrior, the joy of the House
of Raghu, with three shafts embedded in his forehead, shone in
the forefront of battle like unto a triple mountain. Albeit thus
smitten by the titan's arrows, Lakshmana, in his turn, instantly
let fly five shafts which struck Indrajita, who was adorned with
lovely earrings, full in the face.
Thereafter Lakshmana and Indrajita, warriors of exceeding
prowess, armed with powerful and mighty bows, overwhelmed
each other with sharp arrows. With their limbs streaming with
blood, those two heroes, Lakshmana and Indrajita, at that
instant shone on the field of battle like two Kimshuka Trees in
flower and each hurling himself on the other desirous of victory,
pierced his opponent's limbs with formidable arrows. Filled
with martial ardour, the son of Ravana smote Bibishana's
handsome countenance with three darts and, having pierced that
Indra of the Titans with three iron-tipped shafts, he struck all
the monkey leaders one after the other.
Highly provoked, the exceedingly energetic Bibishana felled
the horses of the wicked Ravani with a mace, whereupon the
mighty Indrajita, springing down from his car, his horses slain
and his charioteer dead, hurled a javelin on his paternal uncle.
Beholding this, the enhancer of Surnitra's delight, with his
sharp arrow, severed it in ten pieces in its flight and it fell on the
earth. Thereafter Bibishana, his mighty bow in his hand, let
fly five Marganas, the impact of which being equal to lightning,
and struck Indrajita, whose horses had been slain, in the breast.
Having passed through his body, those golden-hafted arrows,
*3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
that flew straight to their target, were stained with blood so that
they resembled huge red serpents.
Then, highly incensed against his paternal uncle, Indrajita,
standing in the midst of the titans, selected a marvellous arrow
of great power that he had received from Yama and, seeing him
place that formidable shaft on his bow, the valiant and intrepid
Lakshmana took up one of immeasurable power which had been
bestowed on him during sleep by the God Kuvera, and that
weapon was irresistible, nor could the Gods nor the Asuras with
their leaders stand before it.
And those excellent bows, resembling maces, when stretched
by their arms, emitted a piercing sound like unto two ospreys
and the two powerful arrows notched on those wonderful bent
bows lit up the faces of the two heroes with a vivid glow. Those
barbed shafts loosed from the bows illumined the heavens,
striking against each other with a violent impact and the shock of
those formidable weapons as they struck against each other
caused them to burst into flame, emitting sparks and smoke.
Like unto two great planets colliding together, they fell shattered
in a hundred pieces on the battlefield.
Seeing those weapons severed and broken in the forefront of
the battle, Lakshmana and Indrajita were seized with mortifica-
tion and fury and, in his anger, Sauraitri armed himself with
Varuna's shaft whilst Mahendra's conqueror, fighting on foot,
let fly Rudra's weapon in the fight which shattered Varuna's
dart, despite its immense potency. Thereafter, in his ire, the
illustrious Indrajita, victorious in combat, as if about to destroy
the worlds, took up the filming Agneya Weapon but the valiant
Lakshmana diverted it with the Solar Dart and, seeing his shaft
thus baffled, Ravani, maddened with anger, seized hold of the
Asura Weapon that was sharp and fatal to its foe. Then from
his bow sped shining Kutamudgaras, spears, Bushundis, maces,
swords and axes and, beholding that dire and dreadful weapon,
irresistible to all beings, the destroyer of every missile, the
illustrious Lakshmana arrested it with the aid of the Maheshwara
Weapon.
Thereupon a prodigious struggle arose between the rivals,
causing the hair to stand on end and, from all sides, Beings,
standing in the sky made a circle round Lakshmana and the
264
YUDDHA KANDA
heavens were filled with a host of Beings overcome with astonish-
ment at the fearful tumult arising from that dread conflict
between monkeys and titans. Rishis, Pitris, Gandharvas,
Garudas and Uragas with Shatakratu at their head watched over
Lakshmana during the fight and, in that instant, the younger
brother of Raghava took up the foremost of shafts, the Avya
Weapon of flaming impact, in order to transfix Ravana's son, and
also the well-plumed and gilded dart, skilfully fashioned, to which
the Celestial Host paid homage and with which Shakra, that
mighty Lord of great energy, who is drawn by bay horses,
formerly overcame the Danavas in the war between Gods and
Asuras. That weapon of Indra's, undefeated in combat, fore-
most of shafts was placed by Saumitri on the most excellent of
bows and the fortunate Lakshmana, in order to achieve his
purpose, spoke to the presiding Deity of that weapon, thus ; —
" If Rama, the son of Dasaratha, is truly virtuous and loyal and,
in feats of heroism has no rival, then slay the son of Ravana ! "
Thus speaking, that warrior, the slayer of his foes, stretched
his bow up to his ear and let fly an arrow united to Indra's
weapon on Ravani in the fight, that was incapable of missing its
target, and it severed the lovely head of Indrajita, graced with
earrings and its casque, causing it to roll on the earth. Separated
from the body, Indrajita's huge head, streaming with blood,
resembled a golden ball thrown on the ground ; and the son of
Ravana fell dead on the battlefield with his armour, his helmet
and his broken bow.
Then all the monkeys with Bibishana, beholding the corpse,
shouted in exultation, as the Gods rejoiced at the death of
Vritra, and in the skies, the Bhutas, magnanimous Rishis,
Gandharvas and Apsaras, on beholding the leaders of the great
titan army scattering on all sides, harassed by the victorious
monkeys, emitted shouts of triumph.
Hard pressed by the monkeys, the titans, flinging down their
arms, hastily fled in disorder towards Lanka and, in the general
stampede the titans, throwing away their weapons, lances,
swords and axes, ran in all directions at once. Terror-stricken,
harried by the monkeys, some re-entered Lanka, others threw
themselves into the sea or took refuge on the mountain. Now
that Indrajita lay dead on the battlefield, the titans fled away in
*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
their thousands. As the sun withdraws behind the Asta Moun-
tain and its rays disappear, so did the titans vanish from the
horizon when Indrajita had fallen- As the solar orb with its rays
extinguished or a fire without heat, so did that long-armed
warrior lie bereft of life and the world, freed from her sufferings
and delivered from her enemy, rejoiced ! And the blessed
Shakra was exceedingly gratified at the death of that titan of evil
deeds and the great Rishis also, whilst in the heavens, the Gods
could be heard striking their gongs and the dancing Apsaras and
the magnanimous Gandharvas caused a rain of flowers to fall
that was marvellous to behold.
On the death of that titan of cruel exploits, peace reigned, the
waters became limpid, the air pure and Devas and Danavas
rejoiced at the fall of one who was a source of terror to all the
worlds. Thereafter a shout of triumph arose from the Devas,
Gandharvas and Danavas who said : —
" Now let the Brahmins go about their pursuits without
anxiety, their sins removed ! "
Then the monkey leaders, beholding that Bull among the
Nairritas slain in battle, whose prowess was irresistible, paid
homage to Lakshmana and Bibishana, Hanuman and Jambavan ;
and all the Plavamgamas, growling and leaping with chattering of
jaws, surrounded that descendant of Raghu, lashing their tails
and clapping their hands. * Victory to Prince Lakshmana ! ' rose
the cry and, embracing each other, the monkeys, their hearts
filled with joy, hymned the praises of Lakshmana in every way.
Witnessing that difficult feat of Lakshmana's, he who was the
delight of his friends and seeing the corpse of Indra's adversary,
the Gods, highly gratified, experienced supreme delight.
CHAPTER 92
Rama commends Lakshmana who is cured of his Wounds by the
Monkey Suskena
Lakshmana, graced with auspicious marks, his limbs bathed in
blood, having slain that conqueror of his foes on the battlefield,
experienced supreme satisfaction.
266
YUDDHA KANDA
Taking with him Jambavan, Hanuman and all the inhabitants
of the woods, the valiant and illustrious Lakshmana speedily
returned to Sugriva and Raghava, leaning on Bibishana and
Hanuman. Thereafter, having circumambulated Rama and
paid obeisance to him, Saumitri stood beside his brother as
Upendra by Indra.
Then that hero, Bibishana, approaching with a look which
itself was eloquent of delight, described Indrajita's fearful end
and it was with joy that Rama learned how the head of Ravani
had been severed by the great-souled Lakshmana and the
tidings that Indrajita had fallen under Lakshmana's blows filled
that valiant prince with unequalled felicity so that he cried
out: —
" Well done, O Lakshmana, this exceedingly difficult feat
pleases me ! Ravani's death means victory, be assured thereof ! "
Thereafter, smelling the head of Lakshmana, who had
increased his glory yet who was abashed, the mighty Rama caused
him to be seated on his lap and, with gentle strength, having
clasped his brother, who was wounded, to his breast, he gazed
upon him tenderly again and again. Then Rama, smelling his
head once more, passed his hand rapidly over his body and, in
order to sooth him, said : —
" Thou hast accomplished an auspicious and highly momen-
tous feat, O Thou whose exploits are beyond the power of others !
Now that his son is slain, I deem Ravana to be defeated. To-day
the death of that perverse wretch confers victory over Ravana,
the Scourge of Men, upon me, be thou blessed, O Warrior !
Thou hast severed the right arm of the King of the Titans on
which he leant for support 1 Bibishana and Hanuman too, bore
themselves with valour in the great fight. In three days, that
warrior was utterly vanquished ; from now I am delivered from
my foes, for Ravana will assuredly come forth, setting out with
considerable forces. When, on hearing of the death of his son,
which will overwhelm him with grief, the King of the Titans
advances surrounded by his vast army, I shall encircle him with
my powerful forces and slay him, difficult though it be. The
conqueror of Indra having fallen in combat with thee, under thy
direction, O Lakshmana, neither Sita nor the earth itself would
be hard to regain I "
a«7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having lavished comfort and caresses on his brother, the son
of Raghu, Rama, joyfully addressed Sushena, saying : —
" Do thou pluck out the arrows from the highly intelligent
Saumitri, who is ever devoted to his friends, and restore him.
Speedily heal the wounds of Saumitri, who is attached to his
friends, and do thou nurse back to health all those who received
blows and wounds in the conflict, those bears and monkeys whose
valiant battalions have trees as their weapons."
At these words of Rama, the powerful monkey leader, Sushena,
administered a sovereign remedy to Lakshmana's nostrils and
having inhaled it, that hero was at once liberated from his darts
and wounds. Restored to his normal state and freed from the
arrows, his burning pains at an end, his fever suddenly allayed,
Saumitri experienced supreme delight. Thereupon Rama, the
King of the Plavagas, Bibishana and the valiant Chief of the
Bears with their forces, seeing Saumitri standing free from pain,
rejoiced exceedingly.
Then that supremely difficult exploit of Lakshmana's was
praised by Dasarathi of great soul, and, recollecting that the
conqueror of Indra had fallen in the fight, the King of the
Monkeys was filled with joy.
chapter 93
Havana's Grief on hearing of his Son's Death
Poulastya's ambassadors, having learnt of Indrajita's death and
confirmed it, conveyed the tidings to Dashagriva in all haste,
saying : —
" O Great King, Thine illustrious son has been slain by
Lakshmana, who was accompanied by Bibishana ; we were
witness thereof ! That hero, confronted by a hero, measured his
strength with Lakshmana's ! Thy son, undefeated in any
combat, he who triumphed over the Gods with Indra at their
head, has gone to the Celestial Regions, having been overwhelmed
by Lakshmana's shafts ! "
Hearing of the terrible, cruel and grievous end of bis son on
268
YUDDHA KANDA
the battlefield, that bull among the titans swooned away and only
came to himself after a long time.
Distracted with grief on account of his son's death, that
unfortunate one, beside himself, burst into lamentation, crying:—-
" O Thou, the Conqueror of Indra, how hast thou suffered
thyself to be overcome by Lakshmana this day ? In thy wrath,
wast thou not able to strike down Kala and Antaka themselves
with thy shafts, as also the peak of the Mandara Mountain ?
How much more was it possible for thee to strike down Laksh-
mana in the fight ? Hereafter the King of Death will be held in
greater reverence by me, since to-day he has brought thee under
the sway of destiny, O Long-armed Warrior ! Even among the
Celestial Host, this is the path trodden by those skilful warriors
who wage a brave fight ! He who is slain in the service of his
lord goes to the heavenly regions. Seeing Indra jita slain this
day, the Gods and all the Guardians of the World, free from
anxiety will sleep in peace ! Now the Three Worlds and the
entire earth with its woods appears deserted to me without the
only Indrajita. To-day I shall hear the cries of the youthful
daughters of the Nairritas in the private apartments, like unto
the roar of elephants in a mountain cave. O Hero, where hast
thou gone, relinquishing thy right to the throne, to Lanka, the
titans, thy mother, myself and thy consorts ? Assuredly, I
should have preceded thee to the abode of death so that I might
have received those honours due to the departed, offered up by
thee, but the contrary has taken place, O Hero ! Why do
Sugriva, Lakshmana and Raghava still live and why hast thou
deserted me ere thou hadst rid me of this triple thorn ? "
Having first lamented thus, Ravana, the King of the Titans
was overcome with a violent rage on account of the death of
Indrajita and the grief at losing his son increased the fire of
anger within him who was irascible by nature, as in the summer
months the rays of the sun become more intense. From his half-
opened mouth, he seemed to breathe forth flame and smoke in
his rage, as Vritra formerly from his, and his eyes, naturally red,
were further inflamed with ire, glowing in dreadful wise. Under
the sway of anger, his aspect, ever a source of terror, caused him
to resemble the enraged Rudra ! Tears fell from the eyes of that
infuriated monster like boiling oil from two flaming lamps.
269
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Grinding his teeth, he made a sound like unto the revolving of
the rod1 with which the Gods and Danavas churned the milky
ocean. Mad with anger, like unto Antaka eager to devour all
beings animate or inanimate, he allowed bis gaze to wander over
the four quarters of the horizon nor did any titan dare approach
him, and in a transport of rage the King of the Titans, seated
amidst his warriors, in order to excite their ardour, said : —
" Having practised penance for thousands of years and
gratified Swyambhu on countless occasions, as the fruit of
mine austerities, he accorded me complete immunity from
Devas and Asuras.
" Brahma bestowed a coat of mail, that gleamed like the sun,
on me which, in my conflicts with the Gods and Asuras, none of
my foes, though armed with thunderbolts, were able to shatter.
To-day, clad in that armour and mounted on my chariot of war,
who will dare to withstand me, be it Purandara himself?
" The great bow with its arrows bestowed on me when I
gratified Swyambhu, after an encounter with Devas and Asuras,
that redoubtable bow will be drawn by me to the sound of
countless musical instruments, in a mighty battle, to Rama and
Lakshmana's destruction ! "
Tormented by the death of his son, the ferocious Ravana,
overpowered by anger, having reflected within himself, resolved
to slay Sita. Rolling his reddened eyes, that cruel and terrible
titan, in bis anguish, said in the presence of all the Rangers of
the Night, in plaintive tones : —
" My unfortunate son, in order to deceive the monkeys,
having had recourse to magic, showed them an illusory corpse,
saying : — ' This is Sita ! * Verily it shall become a reality ! I
shall slay Vaidehi who is devoted to that evil wretch ! "
Having spoken thus, he seized hold of a sword that was well-
tempered and bright as the stainless sky and rushed out in haste
surrounded by his wives and counsellors. Ravana, whose heart
was torn with grief on account of his son, taking up his sword,
rushed out to find Maithili and seeing the king setting out in a
great rage, the titans emitted leonine roars and embiacine each
other, said : —
1 This refers to the Mountain Mandara which was used by the Gods and
Asuras as the churning rod.
270
YUDDHA KANDA
" To-day we shall see those two brothers humbled ! In his
anger, Ravana has overcome the four Guardians of the World and
countless others have fallen under his blows ; the Three Worlds
have yielded up their treasure to him whose prowess and valour
have no equal on earth ! "
As they were speaking thus, Ravana, in a transport of rage, was
rushing to where Sita was to be found in the Ashoka Grove, and,
though his friends sought to restrain him, he ran on, as in the
sky the planet Rahu bears down on Rohini.
The irreproachable Maithili, in the midst of the female
titans who guarded her, beholding that furious titan with a great
sword, was seized with terror, and the daughter of Janaka, Sita,
seeing him continue to advance with that weapon upraised,
though his friends sought to restrain him, in the height of
misery, wailing, uttered these words : —
" Beholding that wicked wretch rushing upon me in fury, I,
who am defenceless but who yet have a defender, fear that he
intends to slay me ! Despite my loyalty to my lord, he entreated
me again and again, saying * Be my consort * and X constantly
repulsed him. My refusal has assuredly caused him to give way
to despair and, in a transport of fury, he is preparing to slay me.
Or it may be that those two tigers among men, those brothers,
Rama and Lakshmana, have, on my account, been cut down
to-day on the battlefield. I hear a great clashing of gongs and
the exultant shouts of innumerable people rejoicing ! Woe is
me, the two princes have died for me or else this titan of cruel
intent has come to slay me on account of grief over his son or he
has been unable to slay Rama and Lakshmana ! Why did I not
follow Hanuman's counsel, miserable creature that I am ! If I
had departed, seated on his back, I should now be resting
happily in the lap of my lord. Assuredly Kaushalya's heart will
break when she learns that her son has perished in the fight and,
weeping, she will recollect the birth, childhood, youth, virtuous
deeds and beauty of that magnanimous hero. Overcome with
despair, having offered up the obsequies in honour of her dead
son, distracted with grief, she will ascend the funeral pyre or cast
herself into the river. Cursed be that wicked hunch-back
Manthara and her sinister counsels ; it is she who is the cause of
the sufferings which will overwhelm Kaushalya."
271
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing the unfortunate Maithili lamenting thus, she, who
resembled Rohini fallen under the sway of Rahu in the absence
of the Moon, a virtuous and honest counsellor, the sagacious
Suparshwa, seeking with his companions to restrain Ravana, the
Ring of the Titans, said to him : —
" Why, O Dashagriva, dost thou, the younger brother of
Vaishravana himself, seek to put Vaidehi to death in an access of
rage, disregarding the law ?x Thou who art a student of the
Veda, who hast been purified by pious observances and who
delightest in the scriptures, how art thou able to harbour the
thought of slaying a woman ? O Valiant Monarch of the Titans,
spare the beautiful Maithili and loose the vials of thy wrath on
that man, entering into combat with him with our aid. This is
the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight8 and to-morrow, on the
day of the new moon, march to victory surrounded by thy
forces. Courageous, armed with thy sword, in thine excellent
chariot, a mighty car-warrior, thou shalt cut down the terrible
Dasarathi and take possession of Mithila's daughter ! "
Thereupon the wicked and powerful Ravana, giving ear to the
judicious words of his devoted counsellor, returned to the
palace and re-entered the assembly hall surrounded by his
friends.
chapter 94
Rama's Exploits
Having entered the council chamber, the unhappy king, the
mighty Ravana, overwhelmed by the death of his son, seated on
his throne, in the depth of affliction, breathing like an enraged
lion, saluted the leaders of his army and addressed them saying: —
" Do ye set out at the head of cavalry with a column of
chariots, elephants and horses, with which you are abundantly
supplied, and, in the fight, hurl yourselves upon Rama only,
overwhelming him with a lain of missiles, like clouds in the rainy
1 The Law of Dharma or Righteousness.
1 Dark Fortnight — The fortnight of the waning moon.
27a
YUDDHA KANDA
season. Thereafter when your sharp darts have pierced his
limbs in that great battle, to-morrow, I myself will put an end to
Rama's life in the presence of all beings."
On this command from their king, the titans set out in their
swift-moving chariots followed by innumerable battalions.
Armed with maces, harpoons, swords, arrows and life-destroying
axes, all those titans struck the monkeys, who countered them
with blows from rocks and trees. Then, as the sun rose, a great
and terrible struggle ensued between titans and monkeys, fearful
to behold and they struck each other with countless shining
weapons, javelins, swords and axes in the fray and a prodigious
dust storm, arising on account of the battle, was laid again by the
rivers of blood from titans and monkeys. With elephants and
chariots as the banks, javelins as the fish, standards as the trees,
corpses as the floating logs, rivers of blood flowed.
Though soaked in gore, the valiant monkeys, leaping hither
and thither in the fight, hacked the banners, armour, chariots,
horses and weapons of every kind to pieces. With their sharp
teeth and nails the Plavamgamas tore the hair, ears, foreheads
and noses of their opponents. A hundred of the foremost of the
monkeys leapt on every titan like birds on a felled tree and the
titans, like unto hills, struck the redoubtable monkeys with
heavy maces, javelins, scimitars and axes. Cut to pieces by their
foes, the great army of monkeys sought shelter with Rama, the
son of Dasaratha, the only true refuge.
Then that exceedingly energetic hero, taking up his bow,
penetrating into the ranks of the titans, overwhelmed them with
a hail of darts, and when he entered their lines, like unto the sun
entering the clouds, those formidable warriors, whom he was
consuming with the fire of his shafts, were unable to discern
him. And the titans, beholding the terrible exploits of that hero
so disastrous to them, recognized their author to be Rama, and
as the passing of a hurricane through a forest becomes patent, so,
when innumerable battalions were overthrown and great cars
overturned, they perceived it to be his work. And they beheld
their army decimated by arrows, battered and crushed by his
shafts but, so rapid were his movements, that they could not
see Rama and they were no more able to discern Raghava than
beings distinguish the soul that governs the senses.
*73
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"There is the one who is exterminating our cohorts of
elephants ! " " There is he, who with his sharp arrows is
destroying cavalry and infantry ! "
Speaking thus, the titans, taking each other to be Rama in the
fight, under this delusion, slew each other in anger, and they were
not able to see the real Rama, who, nevertheless, was destroying
their army, for they had all been thrown into bewilderment by
the exceedingly mighty, marvellous and powerful Gandharva
Weapon ! And sometimes on that vast battlefield, thousands of
Ramas appeared to the titans and sometimes they could only see
one ; and the bow of that hero seemed to them to be a myriad
golden bows, whirling like a circling torch, while Raghava
himself remained invisible !
With his body the pivot, his strength the lustre, his arrows the
spokes, his bow the felly, the twanging of the cord and the
gauntlet the sound, the force of his intelligence its radiance, its
splendour the impetus of his weapon, its circumference the
circle traced by Rama, while he was massacring the titans, he
resembled the Wheel of Time in the eyes of all beings. And in
the eighth part of a day, Rama with his naming arrows, single-
handed, exterminated the army of the titans who were able to
change their form at will, which comprised eighteen thousand
great elephants, fourteen thousand cavalry and two hundred
thousand infantry.
Exhausted, their horses slain, their chariots shattered, their
standards broken, those rangers of the night, who had escaped
the carnage, took refuge in the City of Lanka.
With the corpses of elephants, infantry and horses, the battle-
field resembled the ground where the mighty Rudra, enraged,
disports himself.
Then Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Paramarishis cried
out: —
" Well done ! Well done ! " lauding Rama's achievement.
And the magnanimous Raghava said to Sugriva who stood
near with Jambavan and the foremost of monkeys, Mainda and
Dvivida : —
" The power to wield this terrible weapon belongs to me and
Tryambaka1 alone ! "
1 Tryambaka — A name of Shiva meaning ' Three-eyed '.
374
YUDDHA KANDA
Having destroyed the army of the King of the Titans, Rama,
the equal of the magnanimous Shakra, who amidst darts and
arrows transcended all fatigue, received the delighted homage of
the Celestial Host.
chapter 95
The Lamentations of the Titan Women
All those thousands of elephants and horses and those mounted
upon them with the myriad chariots bright as tire and their
flaming banners, as also the innumerable titans who were full of
valour, able to change their form at will, armed with maces and
axes and wonderful golden pennants, fell under the fiery darts,
decorated with fine gold, of Rama of imperishable exploits.
Beholding this and hearing those tidings, the rangers of the
night, who had escaped the carnage, were filled with terror and
those wretched titans were united in a common misfortune.
The female titans and those who had lost their sons and
kinsfolk, overwhelmed with affliction, assembled to wail and
lament, crying : —
" How did Shurpanakha, who was old, hideous and of sunken
belly, dare to approach Rama in the forest, he who was the equal
of Kandarpa himself? Seeing that handsome youth, full of
nobility, ever engaged in the welfare of all beings, that monstrous
Rakshasi, who should have been slain by others, was overpowered
by lust. How could she, who was devoid of all good qualities,
dare to make love to the all-powerful Rama who is possessed of
comely features and endowed with every virtue? To the
detriment of her own race, despite her grey hair and wrinkles,
through a ridiculous infatuation condemned by all, that hideous
creature pursued Raghava with her importunities to the
destruction of the Titans, Dushana and Khara.
" It was on her account that Ravana committed this offence,
the fatal bearing away of Sita, the daughter of Janaka, and has
provoked the emnity of the implacable and powerful Raghava.
" When the Demon Viradha sought to possess Vaidehi, he fell
before her under Rama's blows; this example should have
*75
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
proved sufficient ! And fourteen thousand titans of terrible
deeds were cut down in Janasthana by Rama's shafts resembling
flaming torches, whilst, in the fight, Khara was also slain with
Dushana and Trishiras by his darts that glittered like the sun ;
this too should have been sufficient to prove his prowess 1
" Kabandha too, with his arms four miles in length, who lived
on blood, was slain despite his fury and screams ; this too was a
manifestation of Rama's might. He slew the powerful son of
that God of a Thousand Eyes, the mighty Bali who was as dark
as a cloud, this too proved his valour ! And Sugriva, who dwelt
disconsolate on Rishyamukha, the vehicle of his hopes shattered,
was restored to the throne by Rama, which was a further proof
of bis power.
"All the titans counselled Ravana to his advantage, and
Bibishana, in accord with his duty, offered him good advice in
reasonable words but, in his folly, that monarch disregarded
them. If the younger brother of Dhanada had given ear to
Bibishana, Lanka, which has now become a cemetery, would
not have been laid waste.
" When he learnt that the mighty Kumbhakarna had been
slain by Raghava and that the invincible Atikaya had fallen under
Lakshmana's blows, as also Indrajita, his beloved son, still
Ravana remained blind to the truth !
" ' My son, my brother, my lord has perished in the fight ' is
the cry heard from the female titans in every family. Chariots,
horses and elephants have been struck down in their thousands
by the mighty Rama and are lying here and there with the foot
soldiers whom he has also slain. He who is destroying us is
Rudra or Vishnu or Mahendra or the God of a Hundred Sacri-
fices, in the form of Rama, unless he be the God of Death
himself ! We live bereft of hope ; our warriors slain by Rama ;
we see no end to our fears and we lament the loss of our defenders,
" On account of the great boons he has received, Dashagriva
seems unaware of the appalling peril that races him at the hands
of Rama. Neither Devas, Gandharvas, Pisachas or Rakshasas
will be able to rescue him when he falls into Rama's power.
Each time Ravana has entered the lists against Rama, inauspici-
ous omens have appeared foretelling his destruction !
" When the Grandsire of the World was gratified with him.,
376
YUDDHA KANDA
he received immunity from Dcvas, Danavas and Rakshasas but
he did not ask to be protected from man. Here without doubt is
one of those who will prove fatal to the titans and Ravana.
" Oppressed by that titan, who was filled with arrogance on
account of the boon he had obtained through his severe penances,
the Vibudhas took refuge with Brahma and, in order to be of
service to them, the magnanimous Grandsire of the World
uttered these memorable words : —
" ' From to-day the Danavas and Rakshasas shall not cease to
wander through the Three Worlds harried by constant fear ! *
" Meantime the Gods with Indra at their head approached the
Destroyer of Tripura, the God whose vehicle is the bull, who
received them favourably and, being gratified, Mahadeva said
to them : —
" ' For your salvation, a woman will be born who will bring
about the destruction of the titans 1 This woman, whom the
Gods will employ, as formerly hunger was used to wipe out the
Danavas, will be the destroyer of the titans and Ravana .' By
bearing Sita away in his perversity and misconduct, Ravana has
dug a fearful abyss in which all will be engulfed! Who is there
in the world who can rescue us ? We have fallen into Raghava's
hands, who is the equal of Time, the Destroyer of the Worlds !
"As elephants (that are) trapped in a blazing forest, there is no
refuge for us in this extreme peril ! The magnanimous Bibi-
shana chose the fitting moment to take refuge with him from
whom he foresaw the danger was to come."
Thus did the consorts of those rangers of the night lament with
piercing cries, in despair, plunged in grief and terror, their
arms interlaced.
CHAPTER 96
Ravana goes out to fight and encounters ill Omens
From every dwelling in Lanka the piercing cries emitted by the
female titans and their heart-rending lamentations reached
Ravana's ears and, sighing for a long time, that fierce-eyed
monarch reflected awhile and thereafter fell into a great rage.
t 277
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Biting his lips, his eyes red with anger so that the titans
themselves were not able to endure bis aspect, he resembled the
Fire of Dissolution itself. In a voice choking with fury, he
issued the following orders to the titans who stood near, con-
suming them with his glance, as it were, and said : —
" Do you summon Mahodara, Mahaparshwa and Virupaksha
speedily and let troops go forth into battle at my command."
At these words, in accord with the king's command, the titans,
in fear, called the warriors together and those titans of formidable
aspect unanimously cried : — " Let it be so ! " and having per-
formed many benedictory rites and paid obeisance to Ravana,
those mighty car-warriors all bowed down with joined palms to
their master, whose victory they desired, and set out towards
the battlefield.
Then Ravana, agitated with fury, with a sneering laugh, said : —
" To-day with my shafts, loosed from the bow resembling the
sun at the end of the world-cycle, I shall send Raghava and
Lakshmana to the abode of Yama ! By the death of our foes, I
shall avenge Khara, Kumbhakarna, Frahasta and Indrajita this
day!
" Neither space nor the cardinal points nor heaven nor the seas
themselves will be visible under the cloud of shafts with which I
shall cover them. To-day with my bow I shall cut the foremost
of the monkey battalions to pieces with a succession of my
plumed darts. To-day from the height of my chariot, swift as
the wind, I shall submerge the simian army under the rolling
waves of mine arrows with the aid of my bow in the guise of the
ocean. This day I shall be the elephant who tramples under his
feet those divisions resembling lakes, with open lotuses the
faces, the glistening stamens the bodies ! This day, with each
arrow loosed in the battle, I shall pierce the monkey forces in
their hundreds, as they fight furiously with trees. By slaying
mine adversary to-day, I shall dry the tears of all those who have
lost their brothers or whose sons have perished. To-day,
pierced by my shafts, so large a number of monkeys will lie
scattered here and there that, through my prowess one will not
be able to discern the earth's surface ! To-day the crows,
vultures and beasts of prey will be sated by the flesh of the foe
struck down by my darts.
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YUDDHA KANDA
" Let my chariot be yoked with all speed and let my bow be
brought immediately ; let those rangers of the night, who are
still here, follow me into battle ! "
At this command, Mahaparshwa gave his orders to the army
leaders, who were present, saying : —
" Hasten to assemble the troops ! " On this, the leaders
summoned the titans, going from house to house, making the
entire circuit of Lanka at a rapid pace. Instandy all the titans of
grim aspect ran out with a formidable clamour, carrying every
kind of weapon in their hands. Swords, lances, clubs, maces,
hammers, Halas, spears with sharp points, huge Kutamudgaras,
harpoons of every kind, discus, pointed Parashvas, Bhindipalas,
Shataghnis and various other arms. Thereafter four officers
under his command, brought a hundred thousand chariots to
Ravana and three hundred thousand elephants, sixty kotis of
horses, mules and buffalo and innumerable foot soldiers, all
hastening there at the king's command.
Whilst the leaders rallied the forces who were to be found in
the city, the sovereign's driver prepared his chariot ; and it was
superbly furnished with celestial weapons and embellished with
every kind of ornament, filled with various arms, adorned with
rows of bells, encrusted with pearls, blazing with its jewelled
pillars and covered with thousands of golden pinnacles.
Beholding it, all the titans were seized with exceeding admira-
tion and, perceiving it, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans ascended
thereon and mounted that car glittering like a myriad suns,
blazing like fire itself, and effulgent with its own lustre. Then
Ravana drove away immediately surrounded by innumerable
titans, bearing down the earth as it were with the weight of his
forces ; and, amongst the titans on all sides, there was a great
din of shouting and shrilling of pipes accompanied by tabors,
war drums and conches.
" There goes the King of the Titans with his fan and canopy,
the abductor of Sita, the ruthless slayer of brahmins, that thorn
in the side of the Gods, who is setting forth to fight the Prince
of the House of Raghu ! " Such were the cries heard on all
sides and, at the uproar, the earth trembled whilst the monkeys
fled in terror.
Meanwhile, the long-armed Ravana, surrounded by his
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
ministers, marched on, full of the ardour of combat and certain
of victory. At his command Mahaparshwa, Mahodara and the
indomitable Virupaksha ascended their chariots and these
warriors, in their delight, emitted war cries loud enough to
shatter the earth and, with formidable shouts, they set out eager
for victory.
The highly effulgent monarch, surrounded by his valiant
battalions, rushed into battle, brandishing his bow, like Yama at
the dissolution of the world, and that great warrior, mounted on
his car harnessed to swift steeds set out through the gate where
Rama and Lakshmana were encamped. At that moment the
sun lost its brilliance, the quarters were enveloped in darkness,
the birds emitted dreadful cries, the earth trembled, the Gods
let fall a rain of blood and Ravana's horses stumbled, whilst a
vulture alighted on the pole of his banner and sinister jackals
howled. Then that titan felt his left eye twitch and tremors pass
through his left arm ; he grew pale and his voice seemed to
die away. As Dashagriva set forth to fight, ill omens appeared
presaging his death ; a meteor fell from the sky with the crash
of thunder and herons and vultures emitted mournful cries.
Ravana, however, remained unmoved by the terrible portents
that appeared and rushed madly to his doom, urged on by
destiny.
At the sound of the titan chariots, the rakshasa host and the
monkey army also prepared to give battle and from every side,
impatient for victory, challenged one another.
Meanwhile, in his ire, Dashagriva with his golden shafts,
created havoc among the monkeys and some among those
heroic warriors had their heads severed by him and the hearts of
others were pierced or their ears cut off and some fell lifeless,
the flanks of others being torn, their heads broken or their eyes
put out. Whenever the ten-headed titan, rolling his eyes
furiously, turned his chariot in the fight, the ferocity of his
assault was irresistible to the leaders of his foes.
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 97
The Fight between Virupaksha and Sugriva. Virupaksha's Death
The mutilated corpses of the monkeys, who had fallen under the
shafts of Dashagriva were heaped on the earth, and the Plavam-
gamas were as unable to endure that irresistible avalanche of
darts loosed by Ravana, as butterflies a scorching fire. Tormented
by those sharp arrows, they fled screaming like elephants
enveloped in flames and Ravana advanced in the fight scattering
them with his darts as the wind disperses the clouds.
Having, in his fury, exterminated those inhabitants of the
woods, that Indra among the Titans rushed on to find Raghava.
Then Sugriva, seeing the monkeys cut to pieces and routed, gave
over his position to Sushena and addressed himself for battle.
Relinquishing his command to that monkey, who was his equal in
valour, Sugriva went out to meet the enemy, a tree in his hand.
At his side and following in his footsteps marched all the monkey
leaders brandishing enormous rocks and every kind of tree.
Thereafter that royal giant let forth a great shout and fell on
that mob of titans, destroying their leaders, and that mighty
monarch crushed the titan divisions, as at the end of the world
cycle the wind breaks down the great trees ; and he let fall a
shower of stones on the titan divisions like a huge cloud letting
loose hailstones amidst a flock of birds in a wood. Under the
avalanche of stones loosed by the King of the Monkeys, the
titans, their heads shorn of their ears, fell like crumbling mount-
ains, and whilst the titans were being overthrown by Sugriva, who
was crushing them as they fell, they cried out. Then Virupaksha,
armed with his bow, proclaiming his name, leapt down from his
chariot and that indomitable titan mounted an elephant and,
advancing thereon, and he, full of vigour, let forth a terrible
cry and hurled himself on the monkeys. Thereafter he rained a
shower of formidable darts on Sugriva in the forefront of battle
and arrested the rout of the titans by reviving their courage.
Riddled with wounds from the sharp arrows of the titans, that
Indra of Monkeys, howling with rage, resolved to slay him and,
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
brandishing a tree, that valiant and indomitable monkey leapt
forward and struck the huge head of his adversary's elephant, and
under the virulence of that blow, the great tusker sank down
emitting loud cries.
Then the courageous titan jumped down from the back of the
stunned beast and, turning on the monkey, threw himself upon
him, but he, clad in mail covered with the hide of a bull, un-
sheathing his sword, with a rapid step, rushed defiantly on
Sugriva who stood fast, waiting. Then Sugriva met the impact
of Virupaksha and thereafter let fly a great rock like unto a
cloud, whereupon that lion among the titans, seeing the stone
falling, jumped aside and, full of valour, struck the monkey with
his sword. Pierced by the valiant titan's sword, the monkey lay
on the ground for a time deprived of consciousness, then,
suddenly rising to his feet in the great struggle, he whirled his fist
round and round, bringing it down violently on the titan's chest.
Wounded by his blows, the night-ranger, enraged, with his
sword severed Sugriva's armour in the forefront of battle and,
under the shock, he fell to his knees. Thereupon the monkey,
picking himself up, gave the titan a terrific blow that resounded
like thunder, but Virupaksha evaded it skilfully and, with his
fist, struck Sugriva on the chest.
Thereafter the monkey king waxed even more furious and,
seeing that the titan had parried his thrust, sought an opportunity
to attack him. In bis rage, he struck him a violent blow on the
temple like unto Indra's thunderbolt which felled him to the
earth, and the blood flowed from his mouth covering him like
water from a mountain torrent. Rolling his eyes in fury,
foaming at the mouth and bathed in blood, he seemed more
misshapen1 than ever and the monkeys beheld their enemy
covered with blood, trembling, and rolling from side to side,
emitting plaintive cries.
Meanwhile the two valiant armies of monkeys and titans, who
were fighting one another, began to create a terrible uproar like
two seas that had burst their banks.
In the presence of the all-powerful titan, who had been slain
by the King of the Monkeys, the varied multitude of monkeys
and titans resembled the Ganges in flood.
1 A play on the word Virupaksha, which meant ' Distorted '.
383
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 98
Makodara is slain by Sugriva
In that fearful struggle, both armies gradually melted away under
each others' blows like two lakes drying up under the summer
heat. The destruction of his forces and the death of Virupaksha
redoubled the fury of the Lord of the Titans. Seeing his army
decimated and destroyed by the monkeys, he recognized that
destiny was opposing him and he became apprehensive.
Thereafter he addressed Mahodara, who stood near him,
saying : — " From now on, O Long-armed Warrior, thou art my
only hope of victory ! Go, triumph over the enemy forces !
Display thy heroism to-day ; the time has come to return the
favours thy master has bestowed on thee ! Fight bravely ! "
At these words, that foremost of titans, Mahodara replied : —
" Be it so ! " and rushed on the enemy's army as a butterfly into
a flame. Then that exceedingly powerful titan, whose ardour
had been stimulated by the words of his master and also on
account of his own native valour, began to create carnage among
the monkeys.
From their side, the noble-hearted monkeys, arming them-
selves with enormous stones, penetrated into the ranks of the
redoubtable titans and slew them all. And Mahodara, at the
height of fury, with his golden shafts severed the hands, feet
and thighs of the monkeys in the great struggle and they, after a
hard fight with the titans, fled to different quarters, some taking
refuge with Sugriva.
Witnessing the rout of his powerful army, Sugriva rushed
upon Mahodara and the Lord of the Monkeys, seizing a huge and
formidable rock resembling a hill, threw it at him with great
force, in order to crush him.
Seeing the stone falling, Mahodara, unmoved, cut it to pieces
with his arrows. Under the titan's darts, it fell in a thousand
fragments on the earth so that it resembled a flock of frightened
vultures. Beholding that rock broken, Sugriva, mad with anger,
tore up a Sala Tree and flung it at his adversary, who broke it into
283
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
many pieces. With his shafts, that hero, the scourge of his toes,
broke the tree, whereupon Sugriva, observing an iron stake
lying on the ground, brandished the flash ng bar before the eyes
of the titan and, with one exceedingly violent blow, struck down
his excellent steeds.
Leaping down from his great car, its team of horses having
been slain, the valiant Mahodara, highly provoked, took hold of
a mace and the two warriors, one armed with an iron bar and the
other with a mace, approached each other, bellowing like bulls,
resembling two clouds charged with lightning. In fury, the
night-ranger, his lustrous mace glittering like the sun, rushed on
Sugriva and, as the terrible club was falling upon him, the
extremely valiant leader of the monkeys, his eyes red with
anger, lifted up his weapon and struck, whereupon the bar
instantly fell shattered to the earth. Then Sugriva, boiling with
rage, from the ground picked up a huge club gilded on all sides
and, brandishing it, hurled it against the mace, striking it,
whereupon, on the impact, the two missiles broke in pieces and
fell on the field.
Their weapons shattered, the two warriors attacked each other
with blows of their fists and, full of ardour and strength, re-
sembled two lit braziers. Amidst loud cries, they struck each
other and, having interchanged blows, rolled on the earth.
Leaping up immediately, the two pugilists, great champions,
scourgers of their foes, exhausted each other, whereupon each
seized hold of a sword that lay within reach and, transported
with rage, threw themselves upon each other, their weapons
upraised. Then those two spirited and experienced warriors
moved rapidly from left to right of one another, each seeking to
slay his opponent. Meantime the courageous, impetuous and
wicked Mahodara, proud of his strength, pierced Sugriva's
heavy mail with his sword whereupon the weapon snapped on
the impact. Then that elephant among monkeys, with his own
sword, severed the titan's head bearing a helmet and adorned
with earrings.
Beholding their leader lying headless on the ground, the whole
army of titans melted away and, having slain Mahodara, the
monkey with his forces began to cheer, whereupon Dashagriva
grew furious and Raghava was filled with joy.
284
YUDDHA KANDA
With downcast mien, the titans, overwhelmed, all fled away
mad with terror, but the son of Surya,1 having laid Mahodara
low, who resembled part of a great mountain, shone with
effulgence like that orb itself with its inextinguishable brilliance.
And the hosts of the Gods, Siddhas, Yakshas and also the beings
who move on the surface of the earth, gazed with great delight
on the King of the Monkeys, who had achieved that supreme
victory.
chapter 99
The Combat between Angada and Mahaparshwa
Mahodara having been struck down by Sugriva, the all-powerful
Mahaparshwa gazed on his slayer, his eyes red with anger and,
with his shafts, began to sow disorder in AngadVs formidable
ranks ; and as the wind detaches a fruit from its stalk so did
that titan sever the upper limbs of the leading monkeys. With
his darts, he cut off the arms of some and, full of ire, pierced the
sides of others. Overwhelmed by those shafts, that Mahaparshwa
loosed upon them, the monkeys grew pale with fright and lost
courage.
Then Angada, wishing to give a little respite to his troops, who
had been trampled upon and decimated by that titan, leapt up
full of fury like the ocean on the day of the full tide. Seizing an
iron bar that shone like the rays of the sun, that Prince of the
Monkeys struck Mahaparshwa in the struggle and he, losing
consciousness, fell from his chariot, its driver having been slain,
and lay senseless on the earth.
Thereupon the mighty King of the Bears who resembled a
heap of black antimony and was extremely powerful, arming
himself with a huge rock like unto the peak of a mountain, strode
ahead of his battalion, which resembled a cloud, and with a
furious blow struck down the horses and shattered the chariot of
the titan.
Mahaparshwa, however, regaining consciousness, leapt up in
an instant and, in his great vigour, riddled Angada with
1 Sugriva.
285
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
innumerable arrows again and again and struck Jambavan, the
King of the Bears with three spears full in the chest, wounding
Gavaksha with innumerable shafts. Thereafter Angada, who
was transported with rage, seized hold of an enormous stake and
with that iron bar, bright as the rays of the sun, the son of Bali,
his eyes red with anger, taking hold of it with both hands and
brandishing it with force, with the intention of slaying him,
hurled it on Mahaparshwa, who stood some distance off.
Thrown with force, the bar knocked the bow with its arrows
from the hand of the titan and struck off his helmet, whereupon
Angada, with a single bound, seething with rage, struck the titan
a blow with his clenched fist on the ear, which was adorned with
an earring.
Enraged, the valiant and illustrious Mahaparshwa seized hold
of a great axe in one hand and with that stainless weapon washed
in oil, made of solid stone, that titan, in a paroxysm of fury,
struck his antagonist violently, but the blow, falling on the left
shoulder, glanced off his armour. Then Angada, the equal of his
sire in valour, furious, lifted up his fist which was as powerful as
lightning and knowing the vital parts of the body, delivered a
blow like unto Indra's thunderbolt on the chest of the titan,
close to his heart.
On this the titan, his heart riven by the shock, fell dead on that
vast battlefield, and seeing him lying stretched on the earth
without life, his army took fright, whilst Ravana fell into a
transport of rage.
Thereafter the monkeys with Angada, let forth a joyous
roaring that resounded far and wide, shattering the gates and
turrets of Lanka as it were. The Gods too with their king let
forth a great shout and that enemy of Indra, the Lord of the
Titans, enraged on hearing the immense uproar among the
inhabitants of the Celestial Regions and the forests, resolved to
enter into the lists once more.
286
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 100
Rama and Havana fight toith magic Weapons
Beholding Mahodara and Mahaparshwa slain and, despite his
great strength, the valiant Virupaksha also struck down, a great rage
seized Ravana, who urged on his charioteer with these words: —
" By slaying Rama and Lakshmana I shall remove that double
scourge, the cause of the slaughter of my faithful adherents and
the siege of the city. In the fight I shall cut down Rama, that
tree of which Sita is the flower and the fruit, whose branches are
Sugriva, Jambavan, Kumuda, Nala, also Dvivida, Mainda,
Angada, Gandhamadana, Hanuman, Sushena and all the leading
monkeys."
Thereupon that mighty car-warrior, who caused the ten
regions to resound, drove rapidly on Raghava with his chariot,
and the earth, with its rivers, mountains and woods, trembled
with the uproar, and the lions, gazelles and birds that inhabited
it were seized with terror.
Then Ravana employed a dark and magic weapon that was
formidable and terrifying and with it he consumed the monkeys,
who fled hither and thither. Amidst the dust raised by their
battalions, for they were unable to endure that weapon created
by Brahma himself, Raghava, seeing those countless divisions
taking refuge in innumerable places, pursued by Havana's
powerful shafts, stood ready waiting.
Meanwhile that Tiger among the Titans, having routed the
army of monkeys, beheld Rama standing there unconquered
with his brother Lakshmana, like unto Vasava with Vishnu, and
Rama seemed to touch the sky as it were as he stretched his great
bow and those heroes with eyes as large as lotus petals were
long-armed and the conquerors of their foes.
From his side the extremely illustrious and valiant Rama, who
was accompanied by Saumitri, seeing Ravana overwhelming the
monkeys in the fight, joyfully took hold of the centre of his bow
and immediately began to bend that excellent weapon that was
stout and sonorous, riving the earth as it were.
287
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At die sound of Havana's loosing a myriad arrows and Rama
stretching his bow, the titans fell to the ground in their hundreds!
Thereafter Havana, coming within a bow's length of the two
princes, resembled Rahu in the presence of the sun and moon.
Desiring to be the first to enter into combat, Lakshmana with
his sharp arrows, having placed them on his bow, loosed his
shafts resembling flames of fire. Hardly had that archer let fly
his darts into the air than the extremely energetic Ravana stayed
them in their course, severing one with one, three with three and
ten with ten, thus demonstrating his lightness of hand. Leaping
over Saumitri, that triumphant warrior, Ravana approached
Rama in the conflict, who stood ready like unto an unscalable
mountain. Bearing down on Raghava, his eyes red with anger,
the Lord of the Titans loosed a rain of shafts upon him but, with
the aid of his sharp arrows, Raghava severed those innumerable
darts that flamed in formidable wise and resembled venomous
snakes.
Thereafter Raghava struck Ravana with redoubled blows and
Ravana struck Raghava and they riddled each other with a hail
of varied and penetrating missiles and, for a long time, described
marvellous circles round each other from left to right, over-
whelming each other with swift arrows, each remaining unde-
feated. And all beings were seized with terror witnessing that
desperate duel between those two redoubtable bowmen, the
equals of Yama and Antaka. The sky was covered with clouds
riven by lightning flashes and the firmament became, as it were,
pierced with holes by a rain of whirling arrows of extreme
velocity, possessing sharp points, adorned with heron's plumes.
With their darts, they first obscured the sky as when the sun
withdraws behind the Astachala Mountains and two great
clouds suddenly appear.
Thereafter, between those two warriors, each seeking to slay
die other, an incomparable and unimaginable struggle ensued
like unto the duel between Vritra and Vasava. Both were
furnished with excellent bows, both were skilled warriors, both
brought exceptional knowledge in the science of arms to the fight.
In all their manoeuvrings they were followed by a stream of
shafts as the waves in two oceans that are whipped up by a
tempest.
YUDDHA KANDA
Then, with a skilful hand, Ravana, the Destroyer of the
Worlds, aiming at Rama's forehead, loosed a formidable
succession of iron shafts from his bow, which Rama received
unmoved on his head like a garland of lotus leaves. Thereupon,
reciting a sacred formula, arming himself with Rudra's weapon
and choosing a large number of spears, full of wrath, the
illustrious Raghava bent his bow and with force let fly those
weapons in rapid succession against that Indra of Titans but
those darts fell without breaking through the armour of Ravana,
who, like an immense cloud, remained unmoved.
Then Rama, skilled in the use of arms, struck Ravana afresh
on the forehead, as he stood in bis chariot, with arrows to which
he had joined a miraculous weapon, and it appeared as if five-
headed serpents in the form of darts were penetrating hissing
into the earth repelled by Ravana whom they sought to devour.
Thereupon, having rendered Raghava's weapon void, Ravana, in
a transport of rage, armed himself in his turn with the dreadful
Asura weapon which he loosed joined to sharp and terrible arrows
with huge points, having the heads of lions, tigers, herons, geese,
vultures, falcons, jackals and wolves or resembling serpents with
five heads. Others had the heads of donkeys, boars, dogs, cocks,
aquatic monsters and venomous reptiles and those sharp arrows
were the creation of bis magic power. Struck by the Asuric
shafts, that lion among the Raghus, he who resembled the God
of Fire himself, responded with the Agneya Dart that was full of
power and to it he joined arrows of every kind with points that
burnt like fire and which resembled suns, planets and stars in
hue or great meteors like unto naming tongues. Those for-
midable missiles belonging to Ravana striking against those
loosed by Rama, disintegrated in space and were annihilated in
their thousands.
Thereupon all the valiant monkeys with Sugriva at their head,
able to change their form at will, beholding the titan's weapon
destroyed by Rama of imperishable karma, let forth joyous
acclamations and made a circle round him.
Then the magnanimous son of Dasaratha, the descendant of
Raghu, having destroyed that weapon discharged by Ravana's
own arm, was filled with felicity, whilst the leaders of the mon-
keys joyfully paid homage to him.
a*9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 101
Ravana flees from Rama
His weapon having been destroyed, Ravana, the King of the
Titans, whose fury was redoubled, in his wrath instantly
produced another j and he loosed the fearful Rudra Weapon,
forged by Maya, on Raghava. Thereafter, from his bow,
innumerable spears, maces, naming bars hard as diamond,
mallets, hammers, chains and spiked clubs, like unto fiery
thunderbolts, issued forth like the tempests at the dissolution of
the worlds.
Then the glorious Raghava, most skilled in the knowledge of
excellent shafts, that warrior of great renown, broke that weapon
with the aid of the marvellous Gandharva Dart, and when it was
shattered by the magnanimous Raghava, Ravana, his eyes red
with fury, loosed his Solar Weapon whereupon huge and brilliant
discs issued from the bow of the skilful Dashagriva of redoubtable
courage, which, falling, lit up the sky on every side and the four
quarters were consumed by the fell of those filming missiles that
resembled the sun, moon and stars.
With a mass of arrows Raghava destroyed those discs and darts
loosed by Ravana in the fore-front of the battle and, seeing his
weapon broken, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans with ten arrows
struck Rama in his vital parts. Struck by ten shafts that Ravana
had discharged from his great bow, the exceedingly energetic
Raghava did not flinch and, in his turn, that victorious prince,
in the height of anger, pierced Ravana in all his limbs with the
aid of innumerable darts.
At that instant, the younger brother of Raghava, the valiant
Lakshmana, slayer of hostile warriors, armed himself with seven
arrows and, with those exceedingly swift shafts, that illustrious
prince severed Ravana's standard in many places, which bore the
image of a man's head. With a single arrow, the fortunate
l-akshmana of immense vigour, cut off the head adorned with
brilliant earrings of the titan who drove the chariot, and with
290
YUDDHA KANDA
five sharp arrows severed the bow resembling the trunk of an
elephant that belonged to the King of the Titans.
Thereafter Bibishana, bounding forward, with his mace slew
Ravana's beautiful horses that were as tall as hills and resembled
a dark cloud in hue, whereupon Dashagriva, leaping quickly
from his car, the steeds of which having been slain, was filled
with exceeding wrath against his brother and that powerful and
spirited monarch loosed a flaming spear on Bibishana like unto a
thunderbolt, but ere it reached its target, Lakshmana severed it
with three arrows, whereupon a great cheer arose amongst the
monkeys in that formidable struggle, and that spear, wreathed in
gold, fell down shattered in three fragments like unto a great
meteor falling from the sky amidst a shower of flaming
sparks.
Then the titan, that mighty Ravana of wicked soul, armed
himself wiih another superior and tested spear which Death
himself would have found hard to resist and which was of
immense size and shone with its own effulgence. Brandished
with violence by the mighty Ravana of perverse soul it gave out
a lurid gleam so that it appeared like forked lightning.
Meanwhile the valiant Lakshmana, perceiving that Bibishana
stood in peril of his life, placed himself quickly in front of him
and that hero, stretching his bow, with a rain of darts riddled
Ravana, who stood waiting to discharge the weapon he held in
his hand. Under the shower of arrows with which the courageous
Saurnitri overwhelmed him, thus frustrating bis design, the
titan no longer thought of striking him in return. Seeing that he
had preserved his brother's life, Ravana, who was standing before
him, addressed him thus : —
" O Thou whose strength renders thee arrogant, since thou
hast preserved this titan, my spear shall fall on thee ; having
pierced thine heart, this bloodstained weapon that mine arm,
equal to an iron bar, will hurl at thee will rob thee of thy life's
breath and return to my hand."
Thus did Ravana, speak and in a paroxysm of rage,
levelling that pick adorned with eight extremely loud bells,
created magically by Maya, that was infallible, the slayer of its
foes, the splendour of which flamed up as it were, hurled it at
Takshmana with a mighty shout. Loosed with terrible violence
291
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and a sound of thunder, that spear fell with force on Lakshmana
in the forefront of the battle.
Then Raghava sought to mitigate the power of that weapon
and said : —
" May good fortune attend Lakshmana ! May this mortal
impact be rendered void ! "
Released by the enraged titan on that indomitable hero, the
spear which resembled a venomous snake, falling with extreme
violence, penetrated bis great chest and so brilliant was it that it
appeared like the tongue of the King of the Serpents. Loosed
with force by Ravana, that spear penetrated deep into the body
of Lakshmana who, with his heart pierced, fell on the earth.
Beholding Lakshmana in that condition, near to whom he
stood, the extremely powerful Raghava, full of solicitude for his
brother, felt his heart stricken, but after an instant's reflection, his
eyes welling with tears, enraged as is Pavaka at the dissolution of
the world, he thought — ' This is not the time for lamentation '
and thereafter he entered once more into the fearful conflict,
resolved to make a supreme attempt to slay Ravana.
His eyes fixed on his brother, Rama saw how he had been
pierced with a spear in the great fight and was covered with
blood, resembling a mountain with its reptiles. And the most
vigorous of monkeys sought to draw out that weapon loosed by
the mighty Ravana, overwhelmed though they were by a hail of
shafts discharged by the King of the Titans ; the spear, however,
having passed through Saumitri's body had penetrated into the
earth. Then Rama, with his powerful hands seized hold of that
spear and, in his wrath, snapped it, throwing the fragments to a
great distance and, as he drew it out, Ravana penetrated his
every limb with his shafts that pierced to his very marrow.
Ignoring these darts, Rama embraced Lakshmana and said to
Hanuman and that mighty Monkey Sugriva : —
" Ye foremost of the monkeys, gather round T^kshmnna ! O
King of the Monkeys, the time has come for me to manifest my
prowess ! For long I have sought this occasion ! May the
wicked Dashagriva of infamous exploits perish ! My longing
resembles that of the Chatak bird1 on beholding the clouds at the
end of summer. Ere long, I swear to thee either Ravana or
1 This bird is said only to quench its thirst at a certain season.
29Z
YUDDHA KANDA
Rama will cease to exist in the world ! Ye shall be witness
thereof ! The loss of the kingdom, my sojourn in the forest and
my wanderings in the woods of Dandaka, the insult offered to
Vaidehi, my encounter with the titans, the great and terrible
misfortune that has visited me, this torment resembling hell will
be wiped out this day when I slay Ravana on the battlefield ! He
on whose account I took the army of monkeys in my train, having
installed Sugriva, when I had slain Bali in the open field, and on
whose account I crossed the ocean, having thrown a bridge over
it, that wretch to-day has come within my range of vision and shall
therefore cease to live. Appearing before me, Ravana cannot
survive any more than one who comes into the presence of a
serpent whose glance is poisonous or a snake falling under
Vainateya's gaze. Be tranquil witnesses of my combat with
Ravana, O Invincible Ones, Foremost of the Monkeys ; seat
yourselves on the brow of the mountain. To-day in this duel,
the Three Worlds with the Gandharvas, the Siddhas and
Charanas will recognize Rama's attributes ! I shall accomplish a
feat that the world with all beings who move or do not move, as
also the Gods, will recount as long as the earth exists ! "
Speaking thus Rama began to discharge his penetrating shafts
embellished with gold at Dashagriva. From his side, Ravana,
like a cloud from which the rain falls, showered down arrows
and clubs with violence on Rama. And a mighty uproar arose
when, in order to slay each other, those marvellous arrows were
loosed by Rama and Ravana. Severed and scattered, the shafts
with flaming points discharged by Rama and Ravana fell from
the sky on the earth, and the twanging of their bows, causing
great terror amongst all beings, was astonishing to hear. Then
that amazing hail of missiles, that the mighty hero let fly in
continuous streams from his burning bow, overwhelmed
Ravana who, terrified, took to flight like a great cloud driven
before the tempest.
293
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 102
Lakshmana's miraculous Recovery
Seeing the courageous Lakshmana lying on the battlefield
drenched in blood, struck down by the spear discharged by the
mighty Ravana, Rama entered into a terrible duel with that cruel
titan whom he overwhelmed with a hail of arrows. Then he
addressed Sushena and said : —
" The valiant Lakshmana, struck down by the ruthless
Ravana, is writhing like a serpent, filling me with anguish !
When I behold that hero, dearer to me than life itself, how, in
mine affliction, can I find the strength to fight? If my brother,
who is endowed with auspicious marks, that proud warrior,
returns to the five elements, of what use is life or prosperity to
me ? My prowess is ebbing away as it were and my bow seems
to be falling from my grasp ; mine arrows are blunted, mine
eyes blinded with tears, my limbs are heavy as when one is
overcome by sleep, my thoughts wander and I long to die ! In
this extreme misfortune in which I am plunged, weeping, my
mind distracted on seeing my brother, who is emitting inarticulate
cries, lying in the dust of the battlefield, brought low by the
wicked Ravana, a prey to suffering and seriously wounded in his
vital parts, even victory cannot bring me felicity, O Hero. If the
moon is hidden from sight what delight can it give ? Of what
use is it to fight ? What purpose is served by living ? The
combat has no longer any meaning since Lakshmana is lying
dead in the forefront of the battle. As that illustrious warrior
followed me when I retired to the forest so will I follow him now
to the abode of death.
" Ever affectionate to his kinsfolk, he was undeviatingly
devoted to me ; I was led to this pass by the titans who have
made use of magic in the fight. Wives may be found everywhere
and everywhere one may meet with friends but I see no place
where one could find so dear a brother. Without Lakshmana of
what use will it be for me to rule over a kingdom, O Invincible
Warrior ? What shall I say to Sumitra who loves her son so
294
YUDDHA KANDA
tenderly ? I shall not be able to endure the reproaches with
which she will address me. What shall I say to my mother
Kaushalya or even to Kaikeyi ? What answer shall I give to
Bharata and the exceedingly powerful Shatrughna ? Having
gone with him to the forest, how can I return without him ?
Better were it to die than suffer the censure of my family. What
sin did I commit in a former life that my virtuous brother is
now lying dead before mine eyes ? O My Brother, O Foremost
of Men, O First of Heroes, O Prince, why, forsaking me, wilt
thou repair to the other regions ? How comes it that thou dost
not answer me who am lamenting ? Rise, look about thee, why
dost thou remain lying there ? Witness my grief with thine own
eyes ! In my despair, be my comforter, O Long-armed Warrior,
overwhelmed as 1 am with anguish, wandering distracted amidst
the woods and mountains."
As Rama was speaking thus, overwhelmed with affliction,
Sushena, in order to comfort him, addressed these well-
considered words to him : —
" O Tiger among Men, abandon this idea that causes thee
pain, this thought that pierces thine heart as a javelin in the
forefront of the battle. Kay, Lakshmana, the enhancer of
prosperity, has not rejoined the five elements for his features
have not changed nor is he pale, rather is his countenance
serene and handsome ! Observe how the palms of his hands
resemble the petals of a lotus and his eyes are bright. Those who
appear thus have not yielded up their lives, O Lord of all Men !
Do not grieve O Hero, Conqueror of thy Foes, Lakshmana
lives, and the proofs are the multiple beatings of his heart united
with his sighs even though his body lies stretched on the earth."
Thus spoke the extremely sagacious Sushena to Raghava and
thereafter he addressed that great monkey, Hanuman, who stood
near and said : —
" O Friend, go quickly, repair to the Mountain Mahodaya 1
Formerly thou hast heard of it from Jambavan, O Warrior ! On
the southern peak grow curative herbs, the plants named
Vishalyakarani, Savarnyakarani, Samjivakarani and also Samd-
hani of great virtue. Bring them back, O Warrior, in order to
revive that hero, Lakshmana."
At these words, Hanuman repaired to the Mountain of Herbs
»95
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
but there he became anxious, for that illustrious monkey could
not recognize those remedial plants. Then the thought came to
Maruti, whose strength was immeasurable, * I will carry back
the peak of the mountain for it is on the summit that the aus-
picious herbs are growing, at least I infer so from what Sushena
has said. If I return without having picked the Vishalyakarani,
the loss of time will prove fatal and a great misfortune will
follow.*
Reflecting thus, the mighty Hanuman hastened on his way
and when he reached that high mountain, he shook the summit
three times and having broken it off, balanced it, with its multi-
tudinous trees in full flower of varying fragrance, in his two hands.
Thereafter, like a dark cloud charged with rain, that monkey
sprang into the air carrying the mountain peak and returned in
great haste setting it down and, having rested awhile, he said to
Sushena : —
" I am not conversant with the medicinal plants, O Bull
among Monkeys, here is the whole summit which I have brought
to thee ! "
At these words of the son of Pavana, Sushena, the foremost of
the monkeys, having uprooted the herb, took hold of it and there
was great amazement among the monkeys witnessing Hanuman's
feat which even the Gods themselves could only have accom-
plished with difficulty.
Then the foremost of monkeys, Sushena, having crushed that
herb, held it to Lakshmana's nostrils and on inhaling it that
prince, the scourge of his foes, who was riddled with arrows,
instantly rose from the ground released from the darts and his
sufferings. Meanwhile the monkeys beholding him standing
erect cried out ' Excellent 1 Excellent ! and, full of joy, paid
homage to him.
Then Rama, the slayer of his foes, said to Lakshmana : —
" Come, Come ! " and, embracing him, pressed him close to
his heart, his eyes wet with tears. Thereafter, having embraced
him, Raghava said to Saumitri : — " O Hero, what good fortune
to see thee return from the dead ! Nay, assuredly neither life
nor Sita nor victory had any attraction for me ; in sooth what
reason had I for living since thou hadst returned to the five
elements ? "
296
YUDDHA KANDA
Then Lakshmana, pained, answered the magnanimous
Raghava who had spoken thus and, in a voice trembling with
emotion, said :—
" Bound by thy vow, O Thou who hast truth for thy prowess,
it does not become thee to utter such cowardly words ! Nay,
those who speak with sincerity do not render a promise void and
the proof they give is the fulfilment of their vow ! Thou
shouldst not give way to despair on mine account, O Irre-
proachable Hero ! Mayest thou redeem thy word by Ravana's
death this day. Nay, when he comes within the range of thy
shafts, thine adversary must not return alive, as a great elephant
may not live when he falls under the sharp tooth of a roaring
lion. I desire to see that wretch perish ere the orb of the day
withdraws behind the Astachala Mountain, his task accomplished .
If thou seekest the death of Ravana on the battlefield, if thou
wishest to fulfil thy duty and if thou dost aspire to re-capture the
princess, O Illustrious Hero, do what I tell thee without delay."
CHAPTER 103
Rama and Ravana renew their Combat
Hearing Lakshmana's words, the valiant Raghava, the destroyer
of hostile warriors, at the head of his forces, took up his bow and
stretching it allowed a shower of his formidable shafts to fall on
Ravana.
From his side, the Lord of the Titans, mounted on his chariot,
rushed on Kakutstha, as Svarbhanu on Bhaskara ; and Dasha-
griva, standing in his car, assailed Rama with darts like unto
lightning, as a great cloud covers a huge mountain with its
floods. Then Rama, with his arrows that were decorated with
gold and resembled naming brands, overwhelmed Dashagriva
with them on the battlefield.
On this the Gods, Gandharvas and Kinneras declared : —
' This combat is unequal, Rama is on foot whilst the titan is in a
chariot ! ' whereupon the foremost of the Gods, the blessed
Shakra, having heard the words of the Immortals* called Matali
to him and said : —
»97
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" With my chariot repair speedily to where the illustrious
Raghava is fighting on foot ! Go to the battlefield and invite him
to ascend this car ; do thou render this signal service to the Gods ! "
On this command from his king, Matali, the celestial chariot-
eer, bowing, made answer, saying : —
" With all speed I go to fulfil my duty as a charioteer ! "
Thereupon he harnessed the bay horses to the most handsome
of cars, the body of which being wrought with gold and hung
with hundreds of little bells, with its emerald shafts shone like
the rising sun, and it was yoked to excellent dappled steeds
flecked with white, caparisoned in gold, their coats gleaming
like the orb of day. A standard fluttered on a golden staff over
that marvellous car belonging to Indra and, under the order of
the King of the Gods, Matali ascended it and, leaving the
Celestial Regions, went to meet Kakutstha. Armed with a lash,
standing in the car, Matali, the charioteer of that God of a
Thousand Eyes, having paid obeisance to him with joined palms,
said to Rama : —
" Saharaksha,1 O Kakutstha, O Renowned Destroyer of thy
Foes, has lent thee this car so that thou mayest be victorious !
Here too is Indra's great bow, his shield bright as fire, his arrows
shining like the sun and his goodly spear well-burnished ! Ascend
the chariot, O Warrior, and with me as thy charioteer, triumph
over the Titan Ravana, as did Mahendra over the Danavas ! "
Thus addressed, Rama whose splendour illumines the
worlds, circumambulated the car and, bowing, ascended it.
Thereafter a wonderful combat of chariots ensued between the
long-armed Rama and the Titan Ravana, causing the hair to
stand on end.
Raghava, skilled in the use of powerful arrows, fought with
the King of the Titans, matching Gandharva Weapon against
Gandharva Weapon and Celestial Arrow against Celestial Arrow.
Then the royal night-ranger, in a paroxysm of fury let fly a
formidable missile on his rival, marvellous, dreadful, befitting a
demon. Loosed from Ravana's bow, those shafts, decorated
with gold, falling on Kakutstha, were transformed into serpents
of subde venom and those fearful monsters with brassy faces,
vomiting searing flames from their gaping mouths, sprang on
1 The Lord of a Thousand Eyes, Indra.
YUDDHA KANDA
Rama, and those reptiles whose contact was equal to Vasufci of
iron coils and violent poison, enveloped all regions on every side
filling the whole of space.
Seeing those serpents falling on him in the fight, Rama chose
the dreadful and appalling Garuda Weapon and discharged it.
Leaving Raghava's bow, those golden-hafted arrows, brilliant as
flames, transformed themselves into golden eagles, slayers of
serpents, and all the darts in the form of snakes were destroyed
by arrows in the shape of birds, that belonged to Rama, who was
able to change his form at will.
Enraged at the destruction of his weapon, Ravana, the Lord of
the Titans, caused a shower of formidable shafts to fall on Rama
and while he was riddling Rama of imperishable exploits with
thousands of darts, he wounded Matali with countless others.
Thereafter, having aimed at the golden standard, Ravana
shattered it with a single shaft and the golden device fell from
the height of the chariot to the floor. With a series of arrows he
struck Indra's steeds, to the exceeding terror of the Gods,
Gandharvas, Charanas and also the Danavas and, seeing Rama
wounded, the Siddhas and great Rishis were troubled as also
the King of the Monkeys and Bibishana.
When the moon of Rama was concealed from their sight by
Rahu in the form of Ravana, Budha, in the constellation of
Prajapati, rushed on Rohini, the beloved of Shashin, to the
misfortune of all beings. With its mist-wreathed waves,
naming as it were, the ocean, surging up in fury, seemed to touch
the orb of day ; and the sun in the grasp of the Planet Dhumak-
etu assumed a brassy hue dreadful to behold, its rays extin-
guished, revealing a headless trunk on its disc ; Angaraka too
was in opposition to the brilliant star of the Koshalas, the
presiding Deities of which being Indra and Agni ; and in die
heavens, that planet tormented Vishaka also, and Dashagriva
with his ten faces and twenty arms, equipped with his bow,
looked like the Mountain Mainaka.
Meanwhile Rama, overwhelmed by that ten-necked demon,
was unable to loose his arrows in the conflict and, knitting his
brows, enraged, his eyes inflamed, was transported with anger
and it seemed as if he would consume the titan.
On seeing the furious countenance of the virtuous Rama,
299
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
all beings were seized with terror, the earth shook, the moun-
tains, frequented by lions and tigers, trembled, the trees
swayed to and fro, the Ocean, that Lord of Rivers was agitated
and flocks of crows, braying like donkeys, described circles
in the sky on all sides.
Beholding Rama wrought up with extreme ire and those
fearful portents, all beings were filled with fear and Ravana too
felt dismayed. The Gods in their chariots, the Gandharvas, the
great Serpents, the Rishis, the Danavas, Daityas and winged
creatures of the air gazed down on that conflict between those
two warriors, who fought with every kind of dreadful weapon,
so that it appeared like the dissolution of the worlds. Suras and
Asuras who had come to witness the struggle, with their eyes
followed that formidable duel, uttering words of sympathy and
encouragement and the assembled Asuras cried out to Dasha-
griva * Victory to Thee ! • and the Suras addressing Rama
reiterated ' Triumph ! Triumph ! *
At that instant the wicked Ravana, in his fury against Rama
whom he wished to slay, took hold of an immense weapon that
was as hard as diamond, deafening, the destroyer of its foe,
furnished with spikes like unto mountain peaks, dreadful to
conceive or behold, and Ravana lifted up that lance with its
smoke-wreathed flaming point, like unto the fires at the time of
the final dissolution of the worlds, that was greatly to be feared,
irresistible and which death itself could not endure, the terror of
all beings, whom it was able to crush to fragments. At the height
of anger, he raised his strong arm and, surrounded by his brave
troops, brandishing his weapon, that colossus, his eyes red with
fury, emitted a piercing cry in order to encourage his forces, and
earth, sky and the four quarters trembled at that fearful shout
of the King of the Titans. With his stout arm, taking hold of
that weapon he emitted a great cry and addressed his opponent
insolently in these words :—
" This spear, as strong as a diamond, O Rama, that I wield in
my wrath, through my prowess will shortly rob thee and thy
brother of your lives ! Thou shalt share the fate of my brave
soldiers whom thou didst massacre in the forefront of the
battle. Stay therefore that I may strike thee down with this
lance, O Raghava."
300
YUDDHA KANDA
At these words, the King of the Titans hurled his weapon at
Rama, and loosed by Havana's hand, that lance wreathed in
lightning, deafening with its eight bells, passed through the air
with a blinding flash.
Seeing that naming spear, formidable to behold, Rama
stretched his bow and discharged an arrow with force, but as the
spear fell, Raghava loosed a mass of arrows to intercept it, so
that he appeared like Vasava with his floods seeking to stay the
encroachment of the fires at the end of the world period. As
butterflies are consumed by flames, so were those shafts con-
sumed by Havana's huge spear ; then Raghava, seeing his aerial
shafts reduced to ashes, pulverized by contact with that lance,
was transported with anger and furious in the extreme. There-
after Rama, Joy of the House of Raghu, took up his spear
favoured by Vasava, that Matali had brought to him ; wielding
it with his powerful arm, that lance, the destroyer of the worlds,
with its sonorous bells lit up the sky like unto a brilliant meteor.
In its flight, colliding with the spear belonging to that Indra of
the Titans, it was shattered by the impact and that enormous
lance fell bereft of its splendour. Thereafter Rama pierced
Ravana's swiftly-moving steeds with shafts loosed with great
force that were thunderous and flew straight to their target.
Displaying all his strength, he wounded his rival in the breast
with penetrating javelins and his brow with three arrows,
whereupon Havana, his whole body pierced with arrows and
covered with blood, which flowed from wounds in all his limbs,
resembled an Ashoka Tree in full flower. His body riddled with
darts loosed by Rama, bathed in blood, feeling himself utterly
exhausted, that Lord of the Rangers of the Night, in the midst
of his army, was filled with extreme wrath.
CHAPTER 104
Rama arraigns Havana and reproaches him for his Misdeeds
Grievously wounded by the wrathful Kakutstha, Ravana, that
proud warrior fell into a great rage. His eyes flaming with
anger, that titan raised his bow in a paroxysm of fury and in that
301
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
great combat, overwhelmed Raghava with blows. Like unto a
heavy shower, Ravana deluged Rama as clouds fill a pond.
Drowned in a rain of arrows loosed from the titan's bow in the
fight, Kakutstha stood firm like unto a mighty mountain.
Then that hero, resolute in combat, with his shafts deflected
the succession of darts which fell upon him like unto the rays of
the sun. Thereafter, with a skilled hand, the ranger of the night,
in fury, struck the breast of the magnanimous Raghava with
thousands of darts and the elder brother of Lakshmana, covered
with blood, looked like a huge Kimshuka Tree in flower in the
forest. His wrath roused by the wounds he had received, the
exceedingly powerful Kakutstha armed himself with shafts the
lustre of which resembled the sun's at the end of the world
period ; and Rama and Ravana, both transported with anger,
became invisible to each other on the battlefield that was
darkened by their shafts.
Thereafter at the height of fury, the valiant son of Dasaratha
addressed his adversary in these mocking and ironic words : —
" Having carried away my consort against her will in Janas-
thana, imposing on her ignorance, thou art verily no hero !
Bearing away by force, Vaidehi who was wandering forlornly in
the great forest far from me, thou thinkest * I am a great hero ! *
Because thou hast molested other women who were without a
protector, which is the act of a coward, thou deemest thyself to
be a hero, O Valiant One ! O Thou who hast overthrown the
ramparts of duty, O Arrogant Wretch of fickle nature, in thine
insolence, thou hast invited death into thine house, saying ' I am
a hero ! ' Is it in the role of the valiant brother of Dhanada that
thou, grown presumptuous on account of power, hast accom-
plished this memorable, great and glorious exploit? Thou
shalt presently receive a fitting recompense for this infamous act.
0 Wretch, in thine own estimation, thinking to thyself 'lama
hero/ thou wast not ashamed to bear Sita away like a thief. Had
1 been there when thou didst affront Vaidehi, handling her so
brutally, I should have dispatched thee to rejoin thy brother
Khara by striking thee down with my shafts. By good fortune,
O Insensate One, thou art now before me ; to-day with my
penetrating darts, I shall hurl thee into Yama's abode. To-day
thy head with its dazzling earrings, severed by my weapon, shall
302
YUDDHA KANDA
roll in the dust on the battlefield where the wild beasts will
devour it. Vultures will swoop on thy breast when thou art
lying stretched on the earth, O Ravana, and will drink the blood
greedily that flows from the wounds inflicted by my sharp arrows.
To-day pricked by my shares, lying without life, birds of prey
will tear out thine entrails as eagles destroy serpents ! **
Speaking thus, the valiant Rama, scourge of his foes, covered
that Indra among Titans, who stood near, with a hail of arrows,
and his courage, strength and martial ardour in loosing his
shafts was redoubled. Then all the celestial weapons belonging
to Raghava, versed in the Science of the Self, presented them-
selves before him1 and, in his joy, that illustrious hero felt the
dexterity of his touch increase.
On these auspicious signs appearing of themselves, Rama, the
Destroyer of the Titans, attacked Ravana himself with increasing
violence.
Wounded by innumerable rocks thrown by the monkeys and
the darts showered upon him by Raghava, Dashagriva's heart
fainted within him and, in the agitation of his soul, he neither
took up his arrows nor stretched his bow nor sought to oppose
Rama's valour, while the arrows and missiles of every kind
discharged unceasingly by his adversary had death as their
target so that the hour of his doom appeared imminent.
Then his charioteer, observing the peril, drove the chariot
calmly and slowly out of the tray and, aghast at the appearance
of the king, who had sunk down bereft of energy, he turned that
dreadful car, rumbling like a cloud, and left the battlefield
in haste.
CHAPTER 105
Ravana reproaches Us Charioteer
Distracted with fury, his eyes red with anger, urged on by
destiny, Ravana addressed his charioteer, saying : —
"Am I then bereft of valour and strength, deprived of prowess,
cowardly, infirm of purpose, weak, without energy, devoid of
1 That is the Deities presiding over them presented themselves before Rama.
303
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
magic powers and debarred from combat, that thou hast failed
me and actest on thine own understanding ? How comes it that
without respect for me and disregarding my commands, in the
presence of the foe, thou didst drive my chariot from the field !
Through thine error this day, O Vile Wretch, that which I had
won over a long period, glory, valour, honour and renown, are all
lost to me ! Before a foe famed for his prowess, who prides
himself on his exploits, thou hast transformed me who delights
in battle, into a coward. If it is not through heedlessness that
thou hast acted thus, O Villain, my suspicions are well founded
and thou hast been bribed by the enemy. Assuredly it was not
an act of friendship or devotion ; only a foe would conduct
himself as thou hast done. If thou hast any loyalty to me, then
return in the chariot instantly ere mine adversary has departed
and remember the benefits thou hast received m my hands."
At these reproaches from the insensate Ravana, the sagacious
charioteer made answer in words that were moderate and full of
good sense, saying : —
"lam neither afraid, nor am I mad, nor do I yield to the
solicitations of a foe, nor am I negligent, nor have I ceased to be
loyal to thee, nor have I forgotten the benefits I have received
from thy hand ! It was through my desire to be of service to
thee and to safeguard thy glory and on account of a sincere
attachment, that I acted as I thought best ! O Great King, thou
shouldst not unjustly regard me as a vile and cowardly wretch, I
who seek only to do that which is agreeable to thee. Hear me, I
will tell thee the reason why I took thy chariot, resembling a
flowing current driven back by the tide, from the field.
" Observing thy fatigue following on the tremendous struggle,
I no longer recognized thy proud assurance nor thy superior
strength. By drawing the chariot unceasingly, my steeds were
overcome with fatigue, they were prostrate and overcome with
the heat, like unto kine lashed by the rain ; furthermore
amidst the portents that were manifest in great numbers, not
one, it seemed to me, was favourable to us.
" One should at the proper time and place observe the
characteristics, gestures, facial expression, depression or ex-
hilaration and the measure of fatigue of one's master, O Mighty
Hero ; also the place where the earth is firm and where it is
304
YUDDHA KANDA
uneven or level, where it is flat or hilly and the time for combat ;
when the enemy lays himself open to attack, how to advance and
retire, to halt or go forward, to meet the enemy or retreat to a
distance, all this must be known by a charioteer, as he stands in
his chariot.
" It was on account of thy prostration and the exhaustion of
thy steeds and in order to mitigate this terrible fatigue, that I
undertook those specific measures. It was not from caprice, O
Warrior, that I drove the chariot away ; it was devotion to my
lord that made me resolve to act in this wise. Issue any command
thou desirest, O Hero, O Scourge of Thy Foes, and I shall
fulfil it implicitly with all my heart ! "
Then Havana, fully satisfied with the reply of his charioteer,
addressed many words of praise to him and, in his martial ardour,
said: —
" Speedily drive my chariot towards Raghava, O Charioteer,
Ravana is incapable of turning back ere he has destroyed his
enemies in battle ! "
Speaking thus, the King of the Titans standing in his chariot,
bestowed a brilliant ring of great price on his charioteer and,
under his orders, the driver set out to the battlefield. Urged on
by Ravana's command, the charioteer whipped his steeds into
a gallop and, in an instant, the great chariot belonging to that
Indra among the Titans stood before Rama in the field.
chapter xo6
The Sage Agastya instructs Rama in the Hymn to the Sun1
Meanwhile, seeing Rama exhausted by the fight, standing
absorbed in thought on the battlefield, and Ravana, racing
him, preparing to begin the encounter anew, the blessed
Agastya who had joined the Gods, and also come there to
witness the great combat, approached that hero and said : —
" Rama, Rama, O Long-armed Warrior, hearken to the
eternal secret which will enable thee to overcome all thine
1 Hymn to the Sun, 'Adityalmdaya ', the designation of a Vodic Hymn.
305
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
adversaries. It is none other than the * Hymn to the Sun,* O
Dear Child, it is sacred, capable of subduing the foe and brings
victory ; this prayer is eternal, imperishable, exalted and aus-
picious, the delight of the good, the destroyer of all ills, the
allayer of fear and anxiety, the increaser of life and the most
excellent of all verses : —
** * O Thou, who on rising art crowned with rays, to whom the
Devas and Asuras pay homage, salutations to Thee ! Thou art
Vivisvata, the resplendent Lord of the Worlds, the Soul of the
Gods, the Effulgent One, Creator of Light, who sustainest the
Hosts of Devas and Asuras and the Three Worlds with Thy
rays. Thou art the Creator, Maintainer and Destroyer, Thou
art the God of War, the Lord of Creatures, the King of the
Celestials, the Distributor of Wealth. Thou art Time and
Death, the One possessed of splendour, the Lord of the Waters,
the Ancestors, the Vasus, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, Manu,
Vayu and the God of Fire. Thou art the Source of Life and of
the seasons, Thou art the Great Nourisher of all, the Generator
of all, the Courser in the heavens, the Maintainer, the One
possessed of rays, the Golden, the Brilliant, the Cosmic Energy,
the Mater of Day. Thou art all-pervading, myriad-rayed, the
Indicator of all paths, from whom proceed the senses, Thou art
the Thousand-beamed One, the Subduer of Darkness, the One
from Whom all happiness proceeds, the Remover of the suffer-
ings of Thy votaries, the Inruser of life in the Mundane Egg, the
One possessed of rays. Thou art the Cause of the Creation,
Preservation and Destruction of the Universe, the Beneficent
One, the Possessor of Wealth, the Bringer of Day, the Teacher,
the Fire-wombed,1 the Son of Aditi, Thou art supreme Felicity,
the Remover of Nescience, the Lord of the Firmament, the
Dispeller of Darkness, the One versed in the Rik, Yajus and
Sama (Vedas), the One from Whom floweth the showers, the
Friend of Waters, the One Who, with a single bound, crossed the
Vindhya Range. Thou art intent on creating the Cosmos ;
Thou art adorned with gems ; Thou art the Bringer of Death,
the Pingala,* the Destroyer of all, the Omniscent One, Whose
form is the Universe, of great energy, beloved of all, Lord of all
1 Fire-wombed — Who has the Fire of Doom in his womb.
* Pingala — The motive power of the Ping&la vein.
306
YUDDHA KANDA
actions. O Thou, the Lord of stars, planets and constellations,
the Creator of all, the Resplendent among the splendid, the
Essence of the twelve forms,1 salutations to Thee ! Salutations
to the Eastern and Western Mountains, salutations to the Lord
of the stellar bodies and the Lord of Day ! Salutations to Thee,
the bringer of victory and the joy that springeth from victory, O
Lord of the Golden Steeds ! Salutations to Thee, O Thousand-
rayed One, O Aditya ! Salutations to Thee Who controlleth the
senses, to Thee O Hero Who art worthy of the Holy Syllable,3
salutations to Thee Who awakeneth the Lotus ! Salutations to
Thee, O Fierce One, Who art the Lord of Brahma, Ishana and
Achyuta ! To Thee, O Sun, Possessor of Light, Thou of
illumining power, the Devourer of all, Who assumest the form
of Rudra, be our salutations ! Salutations to Thee, the Des-
troyer of darkness, of cold and of the foe ; salutations to Thee of
Infinite Soul, the Destroyer of the ungrateful, the Lord of the
Stars ; salutations to Thee, Whose lustre resembles refined gold,
the Destroyer of ignorance, the Architect of the universe.
Salutations to Thee, the Remover of darkness, the Illuminer,
the Beholder of all the worlds. It is Thou Who Greatest all and
destroyeth all, Who dryeth up, consumest and annihilates all.
Thou wakest when all creatures sleep, in whose heart Thou
abidest ; Thou art both the Sacrificial Fire and the fruit of
sacrifice. Thou art the sum of all action and the Lord
thereof.*
" O Raghava, he who recites this hymn in the time of peril, in
the midst of the wilderness or in any danger does not succumb
to it. Do thou offer a deep devotion to that God of Gods, the
Lord of the World ! He who recites this hymn three times will
be victorious ! O Long-armed Warrior, the hour has come
when thou wilt triumph over Ravana ! "
Having spoken thus, Agastya returned whence he had come.
These words dispelled the grief of the illustrious Raghava who
felt himself fortified, full of ardour and well pleased. Thereafter
meditating on Aditya he recited the hymn and experienced
supreme felicity. Having rinsed his mouth three times and
purified himself, that hero took up his bow. Seeing Ravana, he
1 Twelve Forma — The twelve months.
* The Holy Syllable— The Pranava *Aum '.
307
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
rejoiced and advanced towards him in order to enter into combat,
calling up his whole strength with the intention of slaying him.
At that instant the Deity of the Sun, amidst the Host of the
Gods, knowing that the destruction of the Lord of the Rangers
of the Night was at hand, casting glances of joy and supreme
satisfaction on Rama, approached him and said : — " Put forth
thine whole strength ! "
chapter 107
Sinister Portents appear
Thereafter Ravana's charioteer drove his car forward speedily,
with joy, eating up space as it were, and that chariot, capable of
crushing hostile armies, bore an immense standard and resem-
bled the City of the Gandharvas. Harnessed to excellent steeds,
garlanded with gold, it was filled with implements of war and
adorned with fags and banners. The scourge of enemy forces
and the joy of its own, Ravana's car was driven with exceeding
velocity by its charioteer.
Then that prince of men, Rama, observed the chariot of the
King of the Titans, rolling noisily along with its great standard,
harnessed to dreadful black horses and resembling a Vimana1 in
space, bright as the sun, dazzling to behold, like unto Indra's
bow, and the rain of arrows falling therefrom resembled the
waters loosed by a cloud. Seeing the chariot of his adversary,
which bore down upon him like a cloud, with a sound resembling
a mountain shattered by lightning, Rama instantly stretching his
bow, like unto the crescent moon, said to Matali, the charioteer
of that God of a Thousand Eyes : —
" O Matali, behold the furious pace of the chariot of mine
adversary as he rushes upon me in violent rage ! Be vigilant
and drive to meet the car of my foe, I wish to destroy him as the
wind scatters a rising cloud ! Without swerving or confusion,
thy glance alert, thy mind steady, holding the reins with a firm
hand, drive swiftly I Assuredly thou hast no need of my counsel,
1 Vimana — A celestial chariot, seat or abode.
308
YUDDHA KANDA
accustomed as thou art to drive Purandara's chariot, yet in mine
ardent desire to enter into combat, I make appeal to thine
experience, I do not instruct thee."
Extremely gratified by Rama's words, Matali, the most
excellent charioteer of the Gods increased the speed of his car.
Passing Ravana's great chariot on the right hand, he covered it
with the dust of his own wheels.
Enraged, Dashagriva, his eyes inflamed with anger, riddled
Rama with arrows as he stood before him. Provoked by the
blows, Rama, whose strength was redoubled by his fury, armed
himself with Indra's extremely powerful bow and his great
arrows of exceeding swiftness that glittered like the rays of the
sun. Thereupon a fierce combat ensued between the two
warriors, who stood face to face like two proud lions, each
desirous of destroying die other.
At that moment, Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and Para-
marishis, hoping for Ravana's downfall, assembled to witness
that duel between those chariots.
Thereafter dreadful portents appeared, causing the hair to
stand on end, foreshadowing death to Ravana and victory to
Raghava. And the Gods caused blood to fall on Ravana's
chariot ; a great whirlwind blew from left to right whilst, in the
sky, a large flock of vultures flew over his head following the
evolutions of his car. Though still day, Lanka, enshrouded in
the light of dusk, hued like a Japa flower, seemed aglow ; great
meteors accompanied by lightning fell with the sound of thunder
and the titans were seized with terror witnessing those portents
so unfavourable to Ravana. In whatever direction the titan
drove, the earth shook and the limbs of his soldiers appeared as
if paralysed. The rays of the sun falling before Ravana seemed
to him coppery, yellow and white, like unto mountain ores, and
the vultures and jackals who pursued him, their jaws vomiting
flames, began to howl on beholding bis lugubrious and downcast
mien distorted with anger. Contrary winds blew raising clouds
of dust on the battlefield, so that the King of the Titans was
unable to distinguish anything. Indra loosed his thunderbolts
on all sides on his army with an unendurable sound, without a
single threatening cloud appearing ; all the cardinal points were
enveloped in darkness and a dense cloud of dust hid the sky.
x 309
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Dreadful birds1 fought desperately among themselves, falling in
hundreds before his chariot, emitting fearful cries. From his
horses' flanks sparks flew continually and from their eyes tears
fell, fire and water thus issuing from them simultaneously.
Many other terrifying portents, foretelling Ravana's death,
appeared, whilst omens propitious to Rama, foreshadowing his
imminent triumph, could be seen.
Beholding those inauspicious signs, Raghava was greatly
delighted and regarded Ravana as already slain. Seeing those
portents relating to himself, which he knew how to interpret,
Rama experienced supreme felicity and, full of confidence,
manifested a matchless energy in the struggle.
chapter 108
The Fluctuations of Combat
Then the desperate duel of chariots between Rama and Ravana
broke out with increased fury so that all the worlds were seized
with terror.
The battalions of titans and innumerable companies of
monkeys stood motionless with weapons in their hands and,
beholding those two warriors, man and titan, all were amazed,
their hearts beating rapidly. Ready for combat, their arms filled
with every kind of missile, they stood absorbed in the spectacle,
forgetting to loose their shafts at one another, and the titans had
their eyes riveted on Ravana and the monkeys on Rama so that
both armies took on a strange aspect.
Meanwhile, witnessing those portents, both Raghava and
Ravana, steady, resolute and full of anger, fought with deter-
mined courage. ' I shall triumph ' reflected Kakutstha, * I
must die ' thought Ravana and both displayed their full strength
with assurance in the encounter.
At that instant, Dashagriva, in his wrath, placed his arrows
(on the bow) and loosed them with force m the direction of the
standard on Raghava's chariot but those missiles failed to reach
the flag in Purandara's car and, glancing off the support, fell
1 Sharikas — Turdas Salica or Gracula Religtosa.
310
YUDDHA KANDA
on the earth. Meanwhile Rama, enraged, stretched his bow with
energy, resolving to return blow for blow and, aiming at Ravana's
banner, loosed a sharp arrow resembling a great snake, irresistible,
shining in its own lustre ; and he let fly his weapon in the direction
of Dashagriva's standard, which being severed, fell to the earth.
Beholding his flag torn down and overthrown, the extremely
powerful Ravana, inflamed with ire, blazed with wrath and
indignation and, under the goad of his fury, let fall a hail of
flaming shafts, striking Rama's horses. These celestial steeds,
however, did not flinch, remaining motionless as if brushed by
lotus stalks and, seeing the horses unaffrighted, Ravana, enraged,
discharged a fresh rain of arrows, maces, iron bars, discus,
clubs, rocks, trees, spears and axes, and those weapons were all
created by magic, and, summoning up all his powers, he loosed
them in hundreds and thousands. Appalling and terrible was
that unending flood of weapons re-echoing with a sinister sound
but Ravana failed to strike Rama's chariot, though his shafts fell
on the monkey host on all sides covering the whole of space, and
thus Dashagriva, unheeding, fought on.
Seeing him deploying increasing efforts in the struggle,
Kakutstha, as if smiling, took up his sharp arrows and loosed
them in hundreds and thousands. Observing them fall, Ravana,
with his shafts, covered the entire sky and, on account of that
rain of dazzling missiles loosed by those two antagonists, it
seemed as if a second heaven of weapons had been created and,
amongst them, there was not one that did not attain its target,
not one, that did not pierce another and not one, that was loosed
in vain ; and, having collided with one another, they fell to the
ground.
Thus Rama and Ravana fought with an increasing supply of
weapons and, in the struggle, they showered down their spears
without pause to right and left, so that these formidable weapons
covered the firmament ; Rama striking Ravana's steeds and
Ravana striking those belonging to Rama ; thus, both exchanged
blow for blow and both, in the height of anger, entered upon a
tremendous duel causing the hair to stand on end. Then with
sharpened arrows Rama and Ravana continued their combat and,
contemplating his broken standard, Ravana was consumed with
rage.
311
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 109
The Duel continues
Witnessing the combat between Rama and Ravana, all beings
were struck with amazement and those two warriors, assuming
a dreadful aspect in the struggle, highly enraged, determined on
mutual slaughter and, in their excellent cars, bore down on each
other. Thereupon their drivers, parading their skill as chariot-
eers, advanced, circled and manoeuvred in various ways. In
their rapid course and swift evolutions, those two marvellous
chariots ranged the battlefield, whilst the two warriors discharged
countless shafts on each other, like unto clouds letting loose their
showers.
Having displayed their immeasurable resource in the use of
weapons, those two champions halted face to face, chariot shaft
to chariot shaft, their horses' heads touching, their standards
intertwined. Then Rama loosed four sharp arrows, driving back
Ravana's four spirited steeds and he, furious on beholding them
retreat, let fly his penetrating shafts on Raghava.
That hero, however, grievously wounded by the mighty
Dashagriva, manifested neither agitation nor emotion and again
the Ten-necked One discharged his shafts, that resounded like
thunder, aiming at the charioteer of that God who bears the
Thunderbolt ; and he struck Matali with his arrows with great
force without being able to disturb him in any way or cause him
to falter. Nevertheless Raghava, indignant at the affront
offered to Matali more than if it had been directed at himself,
with the aid of a succession of darts, decided to humble his
adversary, and the valiant Raghava discharged twenty, thirty,
sixty and thereafter hundreds and thousands of shafts on his
rival's chariot.
On his side, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans, standing in his
car, enraged, overwhelmed Rama with an avalanche of maces
and clubs and the struggle became more desperate causing die
hair to stand on end.
51a
YUDDHA KANDA
At the sound of the maces, clubs and axes and the loosing of
plumed arrows, the seven seas were agitated and the tumult of
the oceans sowed terror in the Danavas and Pannagas in their
thousands, in the depths of hell. The earth shook with its
mountains, forests and jungles ; the orb of day lost its brilliance
and the wind ceased to blow. Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and
Paramarishis were wrought up with anxiety as also the Kinneras
and Great Serpents.
" May good fortune attend the cows and brahmins ! May all
the worlds endure forever ! May Raghava emerge triumphant
in his combat with Ravana, the King of the Titans ! **
Offering up these prayers, the Devas accompanied by hosts of
Rishis witnessed that duel between Rama and Ravana, a spec-
tacle that caused the hair to stand on end, and the hosts of the
Gandharvas and Apsaras, watching that indescribable struggle,
cried out : — " The sky resembles the sea and the sea the sky, but
the fight between Rama and Ravana resembles nought but
itself!"
Thus did they speak on beholding the combat between Rama
and Ravana. In his rage, the Long-armed Warrior, the increaser
of the glory of the Raghus, Rama, placed an arrow, like unto a
venomous reptile, on his bow and cut off one of Ravana's heads,
whereupon that glorious head, adorned with sparkling earrings,
rolled on the earth in the presence of the Three Worlds. Never-
theless another, equal to the former, grew immediately and Rama,
with a steady hand, dexterously sundered the second head with
his shafts. Hardly was it eliminated when another head
appeared which was severed once more by Rama's darts like
unto thunderbolts. Thereafter he struck off a hundred more,
being unable to bring Ravana low, and that hero, conversant with
every weapon, he the increaser of Kaushalya's delight, who had
made use of innumerable missiles, reflected : —
' These were the shafts by the help of which I slew Maricha,
Khara, and Dushana as also Viradha in the Krauncha Wood and
Kabandha in the Dandaka Forest ; these were the shafts where-
with I transfixed the Sala Trees and the mountains and Bali and
with which I agitated the ocean ! All these weapons found their
target, how is it that they have so little power over Ravana ? '
Absorbed though he was in his reflections, Raghava, without
313
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
ceasing from action, let loose a shower of arrows on the breast of
his adversary. On his side, Ravana, the Lord of the Titans,
standing in his chariot, enraged, overwhelmed Rama with an
avalanche of maces and clubs. Thus the fearful and desperate
conflict, causing the hair to stand on end, continued in the air
and on the ground and thereafter on the summit of the mountain.
Devas, Danavas, Yakshas, Pisachas, Uragas and Rakshasas
watched the dreadful combat that lasted seven days and neither
by night nor day for a single hour did Rama and Ravana cease
from fighting and the son of Dasaratha and the Indra of the
Titans continued to struggle thus. Then the magnanimous
charioteer of the King of the Gods, beholding no sign of Raghava
gaining the victory, addressed him rapidly in the following
words.
CHAPTER I 10
The Death of Ravana
At that moment, Matali sought to recall Raghava's thoughts,
saying : — " How is it that thou dost act in regard to Ravana as if
thou wert unaware of thine own powers ? In order to bring
about his end, discharge Brahma's Weapon upon him, O Lord 1
Foretold by the Gods, the hour of his doom is at hand ! "
Prompted by Matali, Rama took up a flaming shaft that was
hissing like a viper, formerly bestowed on him by the magnani-
mous and powerful Sage Agastya. A gift of the Grandsire, that
weapon never missed its target and it had been created of yore by
Brahma for Indra and bestowed on the King of the Gods for the
conquest of the Three Worlds. In its wings was the wind, in its
point the fire and the sun, in its haft space, and, in size, it
resembled the Mountains Meru and Mandara. With its
marvellous point, haft and gilding, it was composed of the essence
of all the elements and was as resplendent as the sun. Re-
sembling the Fire of Time enveloped in smoke, it was like unto
an enormous snake and was capable of riving men, elephants,
horses, gateways, bars and even rocks. Dreadful to behold,
covered with blood from countless victims, coated with their
flesh and of the temper of lightning, it emitted a thunderous
3M
YUDDHA KANDA
sound. The disperser of hosts, it created universal alarm, and
hissing like a great serpent, it was exceedingly formidable. In
war, it was the provider of nourishment to herons, vultures,
cranes and hordes of jackals ; it was a form of death itself, the
sower of terror, the delight of the monkeys, the scourge of the
titans and its wings were composed of innumerable brightly
coloured plumes, like unto Garuda's.
That marvellous and powerful shaft that was to destroy the
titan was the object of terror to the worlds, the remover of the
fear of the supporters of the Ikshvakus, the depriver of the glory
of the foe, and it filled Rama with delight. Having charged it
with the sacred formula, the valiant Rama of indescribable
prowess placed that excellent weapon on his bow according to
the method prescribed by the Veda and, when he made ready, all
beings were seized with terror and the earth shook. Enraged, he
stretched his bow with force and, deploying his whole strength,
discharged that weapon, the destroyer of the vital parts, on
Ravana, and that irresistible shaft like unto lightning, irrevocable
as fate, loosed by the arm of one equal to the God who bears the
Thunderbolt, struck Ravana's breast. Loosed with exceeding
force, that missile, the supreme destroyer, pierced the breast of
the wicked-hearted titan and, covered with blood, that fatal dart
having extinguished his vital breaths, buried itself in the earth.
Thereafter, having slain Ravana, that shaft, stained with blood
which dripped therefrom, its purpose accomplished, returned
submissively to the quiver.
And Dashagriva, who had been struck down suddenly, let his
bow and arrow fall from his hand as he yielded up his breath.
Bereft of life, that Indra of the Nairritas of redoubtable valour
and great renown, fell from his chariot as Vritra when struck by
Indra's thunderbolt.
Seeing him stretched on the ground, the rangers of the night
who had escaped the carnage, struck with terror, their sovereign
being slain, fled in all directions and, from every side, the monkeys
who, in the presence of the dead Dashagriva had assumed a
victorious air, hurled themselves upon them, armed with trees.
Harassed by the monkey divisions, the titans, terror-stricken,
took refuge in Lanka and, having lost their lord, in despair, gave
way to tears.
3*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
In the ranks of the monkeys, however, there arose cries of joy
and shouts of triumph proclaiming Raghava's victory and
Ravana's defeat, and the skies re-echoed to the music of the
drums beaten by the Gods. A rain of flowers fell from heaven
on to the earth, covering Raghava's chariot with a ravishing and
marvellous shower of blossom. The cry of ' Well done ! Well
done ! ' came from the firmament and the celestial voices of the
magnanimous Gods were raised in Rama's praise. On the
death of that source of terror to all the worlds a great joy rilled
the Celestial Host as also the Charanas.
The blessed Raghava, by slaying that Bull among the Titans,
fulfilled the ambitions of Sugriva, Angada and Bibishana;
peace reigned over all ; the cardinal points were stilled ; the
air became pure, the earth ceased to tremble, the wind blew
gently and the star of the day regained its full glory.
At that instant, Sugriva, Bibishana and Angada, the foremost
of his friends, and Lakshmana also, approached that happy
conqueror and joyfully offered him due homage. Rama, the
delight of the House of Raghu, surrounded by his adherents on
the battlefield, having slain his adversary by his extraordinary
power, resembled Mahendra amidst the Celestial Host.
CHAPTER III
The Lamentations of Bibishana
Seeing his brother defeated, lying on the battlefield, Bibishana,
his heart torn with violent grief, began to lament, saying : —
" O Illustrious Warrior, thou who wert renowned for thy
skill, experience and outstanding courage, even among the
valiant, O Thou accustomed to a luxurious couch, how is it that
thou art lying stiff and motionless, thy long arms adorned with
bracelets, stretched on the ground, having suffered thy diadem,
the lustre of which equals the sun, to fall on the earth ? O Hero
that which I predicted has come to pass I Carried away by
passion, in thy presumption, disregarding my counsel, this fate
316
YUDDHA KANDA
has overtaken Prahasta, Indrajita, Kumbhakarna, Atiratha,
Atikaya, Narantaka, and thee thyself. Alas ! The rampart of
the virtuous has disappeared, the incarnation of duty has de-
parted} the refuge of the strong and powerful is no more. The
sun has fallen to earth, the moon is obscured by darkness ;
fire has lost its brilliance, energy is bereft offeree, since that hero,
the prince of warriors, lies stretched on the earth. What
remains now that he is deprived of his might and that tiger
among the titans lies as if asleep in the dust ? That great tree,
the Lord of the Titans, whose stability was the foliage, his
valour the blossom, his asceticism the sap, his heroism the inter-
twining roots, has been overthrown on the battlefield by that
tempest, Raghava. That elephant in mustha, Ravana, his
strength the tusks, his lineage the backbone, his exuberance the
trunk, his wrath the limbs, has been seized by the lion, Ikshvaku.
That blazing fire, whose prowess and energy are spreading
flames, his angry breathing the smoke, his martial ardour the
heat, has been extinguished by that cloud, Rama. That bull
among the titans with the Nairritas as his tail, hump and horns,
his love of pleasure the eyes and ears, he the conquerer of his
foes, equal to the wind in swiftness, that tiger of the lords of
the earth is lying dead.*'
Hearing these words, full of good sense and virtue, uttered by
Bibishana who was torn with grief, Rama addressed him
saying: —
" Nay, this hero has not succumbed on account of his lack of
prowess ! Endowed with burning courage in battle, having
displayed the greatest energy, he fell without yielding. One
should not mourn for those who, firm in their duty as warriors,
for the sake of renown fall on the field of battle. It is not the
time to weep for this brave warrior, the terror of the worlds and
their leaders, now that he lies under the sway of death ; no one
is always victorious in war ; sometimes the brave succumb to
the blows of the enemy and at other times it is the foe who is
overcome by them. This path followed by Ravana was taught
to us by the Sages and the warrior class hold it in great honour.
The warrior who is shun in battle, should not be mourned, this
is the law. In this conviction, do thy duty without further
anxiety and consider what action should now be taken."
317
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Then Bibishana, who was overcome with grief, instantly
replied to that noble prince who had spoken to him in his
brother's interest and said : —
" This valiant one who, in previous battles was never defeated
even by the assembled Gods under Vasava's command, assailed
by thee on the field, beheld bis power shattered as the ocean
when coming in contact with its shores. The bestower of gins
on those who desired them, he knew how to enjoy wealth and
entertain those who served him. The distributor of treasure
amongst his friends, he suffered his wrath to fall on his foes.
Feeding the sacred fire, he practiced severe penances, was
conversant with the Veda and fulfilled his duty as a real hero.
Now, with thine approval, I desire to perform bis obsequies."
Touched by these poignant words of Bibishana's, Rama
commanded him to perform the funeral rites that lead the soul
to heaven, and said : —
" Death has terminated our emnity that now has no reason for
its existence. He is as dear to me as thee ; let us therefore
perform the obsequies ! "
CHAPTER 112
The Lamentations of Havana's Consorts
Hearing that Ravana had fallen under the blows of the highly
powerful Raghava, the female titans, like unto cows which have
lost their calves, overcome with grief, their hair dishevelled,
rushed out of the inner apartments and, though restrained,
rolled in the dust again and again. Issuing from the northern
gateway with their attendants, they entered that dreadful
battlefield searching for their dead lord and cried out, * O Our
King, Our Support *, running hither and thither on the ground
that was covered with headless trunks, mud and gore. Their
eyes full of tears, overcome with grief, they emitted cries like
unto female elephants who have lost the leader of the herd.
Then they beheld that great and exceedingly powerful and
illustrious Ravana, their lord, lying in the dust and they immedi-
ately all fell upon his body like creepers that have been tors
318
YUDDHA KANDA
down in the forest. In a transport of passion, one embraced
him sobbing, one pressed his feet, one hung on his neck, whilst
another, beating the air with her arms, rolled on the ground and
yet another, gazing on her dead lord, swooned away, and one,
laying her head in his lap, wept as she looked on him, her tears
bathing his face, as rime covers a lotus flower.
Beholding their lord lying stretched on the earth, in their
despair, they emitted continual cries of pain as their lamentations
increased — * He of whom Shakra himself stood in awe, he who
was the source of terror to Yama, he, by whom the King
Vaishravana was dispossessed of his Chariot Pushpaka, he, who
caused the Gandharvas, Rishis, and the magnanimous Gods to
tremble, is now lying dead on the field. He had nought to fear
from Asuras, Suras or Pannagas, for it was in man that the peril
lay for him ; he, who could not be slain by Devatas, Danavas
or Rakshasas is lying here on the earth, struck down by a mere
mortal fighting on foot ; he, who could not be slain by Suras,
Yakshas or Asuras, received bis death blow from a man, as one
who is defenceless.'
Thus did the wretched consorts of Ravana speak amidst their
sobs and, overwhelmed with grief, continued to lament without
ceasing, saying : —
" Not heeding the advice of thy friend, who ever offered thee
prudent counsel, to our destruction thou didst bear Sita away
and thus the titans have fallen and we shall perish this day on
account of thy fault. Thy beloved brother, Bibishana, speaking
to thee in reasonable terms was publicly affronted by thee in thy
folly, driven on, as thou wert by destiny ; if thou hadst returned
the Princess of Mithila to Rama, this fearful and appalling
disaster, that is destroying us to the very root, would never have
taken place. The wishes of thy brother, of Rama and of thine
innumerable friends would have been fulfilled ; none of us
would have been widowed nor the hopes of our enemies accom-
plished. But, in thy perversity, having retained Sita by force,
the titans, we ourselves and thou thyself, are all victims of a triple
destruction. Nevertheless, O Bull among the Titans, it is not
thy passion that is the cause but destiny ; all that dies is slain by
destiny. This destruction of the monkeys and the titans in
combat and thine own, O Long-armed Warrior, is the work of
319
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
destiny. Neither the considerations of wealth, desire, valour nor
dominion can avert the course of destiny ! "
Thus the wretched consorts of the King of the Titans lamen-
ted like ospreys, overwhelmed by grief, their eyes full of tears.
CHAPTER 113
The Lamentations of Mandodari : Havana's Funeral Rites
While the consorts of Ravana were lamenting thus, the foremost
amongst them steadily fixed on him a tender and sorrowful
glance and, in the presence of her lord, Dasbagriva, who had
been slain by Rama of inconceivable exploits, the unfortunate
Mandodari expressed her grief in this wise : —
" O Long-armed Warrior, younger brother of Vaishravana,
did not Purandara himself fear to stand before thee in thy wrath
and did not the great Rishis and the illustrious Gandharvas as also
the Charanas, assailed by thee, flee to every quarter ? Now
Rama, who is but a mortal, has defeated thee in combat, thou
who didst surpass the Three Worlds in prowess ; thou whose
strength rendered thee invincible, how is it that thou hast fallen
under the blows of a mere man, a wanderer in the forest ? Thou ,
able to assume any form at will, living in a place inaccessible to
man, how can thy defeat by Rama be explained ?
" Nay, I do not believe that thou wast thus struck down in the
forefront of the battle by Rama's action, thou who wert ever
wont to be victorious in all circumstances. Rather, having
recourse to inconceivable magic, was it destiny in the form of
Rama in person or it may be that it was Vasava who slew thee, O
Mighty Hero ! But would Vasava have ventured to stand face
to face with thee on the battlefield in view of thy great prowess
and strength, thou the foe of the Celestials ? Assuredly it was
that great Yogi, the Supreme Soul, the Eternal Spirit Who was
thy slayer. He who has no beginning, middle or end, the Most
High, greater that Mahat,1 the Support of Nature, He Who
carries the conch, the discus and the mace, Whose breast bears
1 Mahat— Connie Intellect,
3*0
YUDDHA KANDA
the Shrivatsa Mark, to Whom prosperity belongs, the invincible,
indestructible, everlasting Vishnu, the true Hero assuming
human form surrounded by all the Gods in monkey shapes, He,
the Lord of the Worlds, has slain thee, thou, the enemy of the
Gods, with thy kinsmen and the titans who attended on thee !
" Formerly, having subdued the senses, thou didst conquer
the Three Worlds and thereafter thy senses conquered thee in
their turn. Rama is no mere mortal ; once in Janasthana he
slew thy brother Khara and the innumerable titans who followed
him ; furthermore when Hanuman audaciously penetrated into
the City of Lanka, inaccessible to the Gods themselves, we were
sorely distressed. How oft did I address thee, saying, ' Have we
nought to fear from Raghava ', but thou didst not heed me.
These are the consequences ! Without cause thou didst cherish
a passion for Sita, O King of the Titans, to the destruction of thy
kingdom, life and race ! By offering insult to the illustrious
Sita, who surpasses Arundhati and Rohini, thou didst commit an
unpardonable offence ! She is more patient than the earth
itself, the prosperity of prosperity itself, the beloved consort of
Rama, of faultless limbs, who was the splendour of the lonely
forest where she dwelt. By bearing that unfortunate one away,
assuming a disguise and without being able to enjoy the antici-
pated delight of union with Maithili, thou hast brought about
thine own destruction !
" O My Lord, the asceticism of that lady faithful to her
husband, has consumed thee ! Since all the Gods and their
leaders with Agni at their head feared thee, thou wast not
instantly destroyed when thou didst lay brutal hands on that
slender-waisted lady. But, 0 Lord, when the time is ripe, the
one who acts wickedly reaps the fruit of his evil actions ; of that
there is no doubt. He who behaves virtuously culls felicity and
he who acts sinfully reaps ill-fortune. Bibishana has found
happiness and thou in the same wise has met with disaster. Thou
didst possess other women who surpassed Maithili in beauty
but in thine infatuation thou didst not perceive it. None dies
without a determining cause, for thee it was none other than Sita.
Far didst thou go to seek that woman who was to be the reason
of thy death ; now Maithili, released from all her sufferings, will
rejoice with Rama. Trifling indeed is my merit, since I have
3"
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fallen into this ocean of grief, I who formerly sported on Mount
Kailasha, Mandara and Meru and in the woods of Chaitaratha
and all the gardens of the Gods with thee, being adorned with
marvellous garlands and jewels, roaming at large in a chariot of
incomparable magnificence, beholding innumerable countries,
whilst now I am deprived of all pleasures and enjoyments by thy
death, O Hero ! Here am I, transformed as it were into another ;
condemned on account of the fluctuations of the fortunes of
kings. O Prince, how gracious wert thou with thy charming
eyebrows, brilliant complexion and arched nose ; thou whose
beauty, splendour and radiance rivalled the moon, the lotus
and the sun ; dazzling with innumerable diadems and varie-
gated garlands, thy red lips and brilliant earrings ; handsome
and pleasing, whose glances, misty with wine, roved here and
there in the banqueting hall, conversing with tender smiles !
Alas to-day thy countenance has lost its radiance, O King,
mutilated as thou art by Rama's shafts, red with blood, covered
with flesh and brains and soiled with the dust of chariots. Ah !
the final period of my life has come ; the sad state of widowhood !
Wretched being that I am, I never contemplated this ! ' My
rather is the King of the Danavas, my consort the Lord of the
Titans, my son the Conqueror of Shakra ! I have nought to fear
with such protectors who crush the arrogance of their foes, who
are terrible and renowned for their might and courage,' thus did
I speak in my pride. With such a power as thou possessed, O
Bull among Titans, how has so great a disaster overtaken thee
suddenly, through a mere man ? Thou wert like a marvellous
sapphire, enormous, like unto a mountain and dazzling with thy
rings, bracelets, chains of emeralds and pearls and thy flowery
garlands ; full of gaiety in pastimes and enjoyments. Thy
body, that shone with the lustre of thine ornaments, as a cloud
riven with lightning, is now pierced by many arrows, ill-fitted to
be embraced, without a space that is not bristling with darts, like
unto an hedgehog, the muscles torn with shafts loosed with
violence on thy vital parts, a corpse, lying on the earth, that was
formerly dark in hue and is now the colour of blood, O King !
Alas ! That which seemed a dream has now become a reality 1
How was Rama able to strike thee down, thou who wert death to
Death himself; whence comes it that thou hast fallen under his
322
YUDDHA KANDA
sway, thou who enjoyed the wealth of the Three Worlds
whom thou didst inspire with a lively fear ; thou who conquered
the Guardians of the Worlds, who overcame Shankara with thy
shafts, who didst humble the proud and manifest thy great
prowess. Thou who didst trouble the universe, the scourge of the
virtuous, whose strength inspired thee to utter insolent threats
in the enemy's presence ; thou the support of thy family and
thine attendants, the slayer of redoubtable warriors, thou who
exterminated the leaders of the Danavas and Yakshas in their
thousands, thou who triumphed in the fight over those wearing
impenetrable armour, thou who many a time obstructed the
sacrifices, thou the saviour of thy race, who set at nought the laws
of duty, who took refuge in the power of magic in battle, who
robbed the Gods, Asuras and men of their daughters from here
and there and who didst plunge the wives of thy foes into
mourning ; thou, the guide of thy people, who ruled over the
Island of Lanka, thou the perpetrator of dreadful deeds, thou
who didst prepare for us many a pleasure and enjoyment, thou
the foremost of warriors ; beholding thee, O Lord, who despite
thy great powers, hast been struck down by Rama, my heart
must be hard indeed that I yet live bereft of thee, my Beloved.
Having rested on sumptuous couches, O King of the Titans, how
is it that thou art now sleeping on the earth, the dust thy
coverlet ?
" When mine illustrious son Indrajita was struck down by
Lakshmana in the fight, I was deeply distressed but to-day I am
undone, I, who, already bereft of parents and kinsfolk, now lose
my last support in thee I Deprived of pleasure and enjoyments,
now that thou hast left on the last journey from which none
returns, O King, I shall waste away in thy perpetual remem-
brance. I cannot live without thee ; take me with thee ; why
dost thou leave me in my misery ? Art thou vexed to see me
unveiled who have crossed the city boundary to run here on foot,
O Lord ? Look on thy cherished consorts who have discarded
their veils ; seeing them all come forth from the city, art thou
displeased ? This company, with whom thou didst disport
thyself, is desolate, deprived of its leader and thou dost not
comfort them. Hast thou no reverence for us ? Those women
whom thou hast widowed, O King, and more than one was of
3*3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
noble lineage, who were devoted to their consorts, firm in their
duty and submissive to their Gurus, in their grief have cursed
thee and, on this account, thou hast fallen under the blows of
thine adversary. Stricken by thee, they have cursed thee and this
is the retribution ! O King, the truth of die saying, The tears
of women devoted to their husbands do not tall on the earth in
vain ', has been proven by thee ! How comes it, O King, that
thou, who didst surpass all the worlds in valour, wert so base as
to carry off this woman, having lured Rama from the hermitage
with the aid of an illusory deer ? In the intoxication of thy
strength thou didst bear away Rama's consort after separating
her from Lakshmana, and yet, if I reflect carefully, thou wert
never a faint-hearted warrior ! This is the manifest proof of the
changeability of fortune. Conversant with the past and future
and reflecting on the present, that long-armed warrior, my
truthful brother-in-law,1 seeing Maithili, whom thou hadst
borne away, sighing deeply, told me what had taken place. The
destruction of the foremost of the titans has been brought about
by this infatuation which was the source of thy lust and anger.
Thou didst sacrifice thy real interests to this violent appetite that
destroys everything to its very roots and, by this action, the whole
titan race is deprived of its leader.
" Nay, I should not weep for thee, though famed for thy
strength and valour but my woman's nature inclines my heart to
compassion. Bearing with thee the sum of that which thou hast
done, be it good or ill, thou hast gone to the place for which thou
wert destined ; it is for myself I should lament, I who am plunged
in affliction by thy loss.
" Thou didst not give ear to thy friends who desired thy
welfare and, though exceedingly sagacious, thou didst ignore the
counsels of thy brothers, O Ten-necked One. Bibishana's
words so full of reason, that were measured, prudent, salutory
and affectionate were not heeded by thee despite their signifi-
cance. Drunk with thine own power, the utterances of Marichi,
Kumbhakarna and of thy sire also, were not acceptable to thee ;
behold the consequences !
" O Thou who resemblest a dark cloud in hue, who art clothed
in yellow, wearing dazzling bracelets, why are thy limbs stiff
3*4
YUDDHA KANDA
and covered with blood ? Thou fcignest sleep ; why dost thou
not answer me who am overcome with grief? Why dost thou
not speak to me, the daughter of the supremely powerful
Yatudhana Surnali, who never retreated in battle? Rise!
Rise ! Why dost thou remain lying there in the face of this
fresh insult ? To-day the rays of the sun fall on Lanka without
fear. Thy mace, that brilliant weapon encircled with gold, like
unto Surya, with which thou didst exterminate thy foes in
battle, resembling the thunderbolt of Indra, which thou didst
wield at thy whim to the destruction of the many on the battle-
field, now Lies shattered in a thousand pieces by Rama's arrows.
Why dost thou lie embracing the earth like a loved one ? How
is it that thou dost not address a word to me as if I were no
longer thy beloved ?
" Woe unto me, whose heart did not split into a thousand
pieces, riven by grief, when thou didst return to the five
elements!"
Thus did Mandodari lament, her eyes full of tears ; and
thereafter her heart overflowing with love, she swooned away,
falling unconscious on Ravana's breast, like a flash of lightning
striking a crimson cloud at dusk. Thereupon her companions,
distressed, raised up her who was lamenting and placing her in
their midst, said : —
" O Queen, art thou not conversant with the uncertainty of
fate in this world and how, in a moment, the fortune of kings may
change?"
To these words, Mandodari replied with sobs and cries, her
pure and lovely face and her breast bathed in tears.
Then Rama said to Bibishana : —
" Proceed with the obsequies of thy brother and offer conso-
lation to his wives ! *'
Thereafter the sagacious Bibishana, having reflected within
himself, made this answer that was discreet, reasoned and in
conformity with duty and understanding, saying : —
" I cannot perform the funeral rites for one who failed to
fulfil his responsibilities and his vows, who was cruel, ruthless
and disloyal ; a ravisher of others wives 1 Under the guise of a
brother he was mine enemy and took pleasure in inflicting injury ;
Ravana does not merit this homage ! The world may say of me
v 325
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
* he was a barbarian ', but when they learn of Ravana's wicked
deeds, everyone will approve my conduct."
Thus did he speak, and Rama, full of joy, the foremost of
those who are firm in their duty, answered Bibishana, who was
skilled in speech, saying : —
" I seek thy welfare, since with thine aid I have been victorious,
nevertheless it is essential that I should utter what is fitting, O
Chief of the Titans ! Though unjust and wicked, this night-
ranger was ever energetic, valiant and courageous in war. It is
said that the Gods with Shatakratu at their head were not able
to overcome him. He was magnanimous and powerful, this
oppressor of the worlds. Death brings enmity to an end ; we
have accomplished our purpose, let us perform the obsequies ;
it is meet for me, as well as for thee, to do so. In accord with
tradition, this ceremony should take place in thy presence.
Perform this pious act speedily, thou wilt receive much glory
therefrom."
At these words of Raghava, Bibishana hastened to carry out
the funeral rites.
Entering the City of Lanka, that Indra among the Titans,
Bibishana, began to prepare for the Agnihotra Ceremony in
honour of his brother. Carts, wood of varying essences, fire,
utensils, sandal, logs of every kind, fragrant gums, perfumes,
cloths, jewels, pearls and coral were all assembled by him and he
soon returned surrounded by titans, whereupon, accompanied
by Malyavan,1 he initiated the sacrifice.
Having placed Ravana, the supreme Lord of the Titans,
wrapped in linen cloths on a golden bier, the Twice-born with
Bibishana at their head, their eyes suffused with tears, raised the
Utter decorated with many fragrant and divine symbols to the
sound of innumerable musical instruments and funeral chants,
and all, turning their faces towards the south, took up pieces of
wood which had been distributed among them.
Then the brahmins, versed in the Yajur Veda, bearing naming
brands went forward and those who had taken refuge with them,
and the women of the inner apartments followed sobbing with
tottering steps, running hither and thither. And Ravana was
placed in a spacious ground, amidst profound lamentation, and a
* Malyavan — The brother of Stiraali.
3»«
YUDDHA KANDA
great pyre was built with pieces of Sandal and Padmaka Wood
and grass, according to tradition ; and he was covered with
antelope skins.
Thereafter, in honour of the King of the Titans, a rare offering
was made to the ancestors and the altar was installed to the
south-west with the sacred fire in its proper place. Then curd
and clarified butter were poured on Havana's shoulder and a
wooden mortar placed at his feet with one between his thighs ;
vessels of wood and the lower and upper kindling sticks, with a
spare pestle, were set there according to the prescribed rules.
Now the titans sacrificed a goat in honour of their king, according
to tradition, as taught by the great Risbis, and, having dipped a
cloth in butter, they covered the face of their sovereign, who was
adorned with garlands and sprinkled with perfumes. Thereafter
Bibishana's companions, their faces bathed in tears, covered the
body with cloths and every kind of roasted grain, whereupon
Bibishana kindled the pyre according to the sacred rites and,
having laved him with a doth which had been previously
wetted with water and mingled with linseed and sacrificial grass,
he bowed down to him ; then he addressed the consorts of
Ravana again and again in order to console them, finally en-
treating them to return home. And when they had all re-
entered the City of Lanka, that Indra among the Titans took
up bis place by Rama in an attitude of reverence.
Rama, however, with his army, Sugriva and Lakshmana,
rejoiced at the death of his enemy, as the God who bears the
Thunderbolt on the destruction of Vritra.
Having laid aside the arrows and bow that Mahendra had
bestowed upon him as also the massive armour, Rama, the slayer
of his foes, renounced his wrath, his adversary having been
subdued, and once more assumed a gentle mien.
3»7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 1X4
Bibishana is installed as King of Lanka
Having witnessed the death of Ravana, the Devas, Gandharvas
and Danavas mounted their respective chariots, discoursing on
these matters. Conversing of Ravana's fearful end, the heroism
of Raghava, the courageous fighting of the monkeys, the great
valour of Maruti and Lakshmana and Sita's fidelity to her lord,
those blessed ones returned joyfully from whence they had come.
Raghava, however, sent back the celestial chariot blazing like
a name that Indra had lent him and took leave of Matali after
offering his thanks to him. Then Shakra's charioteer, dismissed
by the mighty Rama, mounting his celestial car, ascended into
the sky.
Matali having returned to heaven in his chariot, Raghava, the
foremost of car-warriors, in the height of felicity, embraced
Sugriva and, having done so, accepted Lakshmana's homage and
returned to the camp amidst the acclamations of the monkey ranks.
Thereafter Kakutstha addressed the son of Sumitra, the
devoted Lakshmana, the bearer of auspicious marks, who stood
near him and said : —
" O Friend, install Bibishana as King of Lanka ! On account
of his loyalty, his zeal and the service he formerly rendered to us,
my greatest desire is to see Bibishana, the younger brother of
Ravana enthroned in Lanka, O Dear One."
At these words from the magnanimous Raghava, Saumitri,
full of joy, said : — " So be it ! " and speedily took up a golden
jar which he placed in the hands of the foremost of monkeys.
Thereafter that warrior commanded water to be drawn from the
four seas and the monkeys went there in all haste and, having
drawn water from the oceans, returned as swiftly as thought.
Then Saumitri, at Rama's command, lifting up an excellent
jar, caused Bibishana to take his place on a high seat and,
following the injunctions laid down in the sacred texts, sur-
rounded by a crowd of his friends, with that water installed him
as King of Lanka amidst the titans.
3*8
YUDDHA KANDA
All the monkeys as well as the titans assisted at Bibishana's
installation and, amidst unequalled transports of delight, they
paid tribute to Rama. Bibishana's counsellors were exceedingly
happy, as also the titans who were devoted to him and, being
enthroned as King of Lanka, he, Raghava and Lakshmana, who
accompanied him, experienced supreme satisfaction. Then the
new monarch, having spoken graciously to his subjects, went to
where Rama was to be found.
Thereafter the people of the city offered him curds, parched
rice, sweetmeats, roasted grain and flowers, which he placed at
the disposal of Rama and Lakshmana, and Raghava, seeing
Bibishana's work accomplished and his purpose attained,
accepted all in deference to him.
Then Rama addressed the valiant Hanuman, who resembled a
mountain, as he stood before him with bowed head and joined
palms, saying : —
" With the approval of the great King Bibishana, O My
Friend, do thou re-enter Lanka and enquire for Maithili. Say
to Vaidehi that I am well, as also Sugriva and Lakshmana. 0
Most Eloquent of Speakers, tell her of the death of Ravana on
the field of battle. Impart these agreeable tidings to Vaidehi, O
Prince of the Monkeys, and having received her commands,
return ! "
CHAPTER ZI5
Hanuman carries Rama's Message to Sita
Thus commanded, Hanuman, born of Maruta, returned to
Lanka overwhelmed with honours by the rangers of the night and,
entering the city invested with Bibishana's authority which he had
sought, Hanuman penetrated to the Ashoka Grove, knowing that
Sita was to be found there.
There he beheld Maithili like an anguished Rohini, uncared
for, sitting sorrowfully at the foot of a tree surrounded by female
titans and, approaching her humbly and gently, Hanuman
inclined his head in obeisance to her.
329
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At the appearance of the mighty Hanuman, that Goddess
remained silent, but thereafter, having recognized him, she was
delighted, and marking her tranquil looks, Hanuman the fore-
most of monkeys, prepared to relate all that Rama had said : —
" O Vaidehi, Rama is well as also Sugriva and Lakshmana ;
he enquires as to thy welfare ! His purpose is accomplished, he,
the conquerer of his foes has slain his adversary. Assisted by
Bibishana and the monkeys, Rama, with the skill and wisdom of
Lakshmana, has slain Ravana despite his prowess, O Goddess !
These are pleasant tidings but I will delight thee still further, O
Divinity. In this war, undertaken on thine account, O Virtuous
Sita, Rama has achieved a great triumph ! Take heart therefore,
have no further anxiety ; Ravana is dead and Lanka subdued.
Banishing sleep, I resolved to deliver thee and bridging the sea
fulfilled my vow. Do not fear now to be in Ravana's abode since
Bibishana has become the Lord of Lanka. Because of this, take
courage, thou canst dwell peacefully in the palace; Rama
himself is coming hither with a joyful step eager to see thee."
At these tidings, the divine Sita, her face radiant as the moon
on account of joy, was unable to utter a single word and that
prince of monkeys enquired of Sita, who remained silent, saying:—
" Of what art thou thinking, O Goddess, since thou dost not
answer me ? "
Thus interrogated by Hanuman, Sita, fixed in the path of
duty, in the height of joy, said in a voice broken with sobs : —
" Hearing these pleasant tidings of the triumph of my lord,
for a moment joy rendered me speechless. Nay, assuredly,
reflecting on it, O Flavamgama, I do not know what gift I can
offer thee which would be equal to this ! I know nothing on
earth comparable to these happy tidings or with what I can
recompense thee fittingly. Gold, precious gems of every kind,
even a throne or any object in the Three Worlds cannot be
measured against thy message ! "
At these words of Vaidehi, the monkey, standing before her
with joined palms, joyfully replied : —
" O Thou who art ever engaged in what is pleasant and
advantageous to thy Lord and who desirest him to be victorious,
thine affectionate speech confers honour on thee, O Irreproach-
able Lady."
33°
YUDDHA KANDA
Hearing this, Maithili, the daughter of Janaka addressed
these flattering words to the Son of the Wind : —
" Thy speech which is characteristic, urbane and dictated by
the eight-fold intelligence is worthy of thee. Thou, the exceed-
ingly virtuous son of Anils art deserving of praise ! Assuredly
strength, prowess, knowledge of the scriptures, courage*
boldness, superior skill, energy, endurance, steadiness, con-
stancy and humility, these brilliant qualities and many others
arc all to be found in thee ! "
Unmoved by this praise, Hamiman, standing before her with
joined palms, addressed Sita respectfully and said : —
" With thy consent I will slay all those female titans who
formerly taunted thee in thy misfortune, O Thou whose lord is
a god. I know that those monsters of hideous shape and con-
duct, those cruel beings of savage looks, those grim-visaged
titans, more than once addressed thee in threatening tones at
Havana's command. Grant me permission to strike down those
barbarians of distorted features and fearful aspect. I shall beat
them with my fists, heels, long arms, thighs and knees ; I shall
tear them to pieces with my teeth, chew up their ears, pull out
their hair, knock them down and destroy them, since they have
caused thee pain, O Illustrious Princess ! I shall exterminate
those monsters who formerly insulted thee."
Hearing Hanuman's words, the unfortunate Sita, friend of the
distressed, reflecting carefully, said to him : —
" Who would be angry with women, who are dependent on a
monarch who is their supporter, and who act on other's advice
as mere servants or slaves, O Excellent Monkey ? All that has
happened to me is on account of an evil fate and the consequence
of some fault committed formerly. One reaps the fruit of one's
actions. Do not speak thus, O Long-armed Warrior, the path
of destiny is inexorable ! It was inevitable that these circum-
stances should overtake me and, in this conviction, I wish in
compassion to protect the slaves of Havana. It was under the
orders of that titan that these women ill-treated me. He being
slain, they will no longer oppress me, O Son of Maruta. There
is an ancient saying full of wisdom which a bear uttered formerly
in the presence of a tiger, hear it, O Plavamgama !
" 'A superior being does not render evil for evil, this is a
331
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
maxim one should observe ; the ornament of virtuous persons is
their conduct. One should never harm the wicked or the good
or even cruninals meriting death. A noble soul will ever exercise
compassion even towards those who enjoy injuring others or
those of cruel deeds when they are actually committing them,
who is without fault ? ' "
Hearing these words, Hanuman, who was skilled in speech,
said to Sita, the irreproachable consort of Rama : —
" Thou art worthy of Raghava, thou, bis chaste wife crowned
with many virtues. O Goddess, command me to seek out
Rama!"
On this, Vaidehi born of Janaka, said : —
" I desire to see my lord, the friend of his devotees ! "
Hearing her speak thus, Hanuman, the exceedingly intelligent
son of Maruta made this reply to Maithili, causing that princess
great delight
" This day shalt thou see Rama, whose countenance resembles
the full moon, with Lakshmana and his trusted friends, his
enemies slain, as Sachi looks upon Indra, the King of the Gods."
Having spoken thus to Sita, who was as radiant as Shri
herself, the exceedingly valiant Hanuman immediately departed
to rejoin Raghava. Without delay, the foremost of monkeys,
Hanuman, repeated the words that the daughter of Janaka had
uttered, in their proper sequence to Rama who was the equal of
the Chief of the Gods.
CHAPTER I I 6
Rama sends for Sita
That highly intelligent monkey, having paid obeisance to Rama,
whose eyes resembled the petals of a lotus, the most skilled of
archers, said to him : —
" It behoveth thee to visit Maithili who is consumed with
grief and on account of whom this enterprise, that has been
crowned with success, was undertaken. In the distress that
overwhelms her, Maithili, her eyes bathed in tears, hearing of
332
YUDDHA KANDA
thy victory, expressed a desire to behold thee once more.
Confiding in me formerly, her glances warm with emotion, she
repeated * I desire to see my lord again ! * "
These words of Hanuman instantly evoked thoughts in Rama,
the first of men, causing him to shed tears. Sighing deeply, he
said to Bibishana standing near, who resembled a cloud : —
" Bring the Princess of Videha, Sita, hither, anointed with
celestial unguents, adorned with heavenly jewels, having laved
her head ; do not delay ! "
At these words of Rama, Bibishana hastened to the private
apartments to fetch Sita with her attendants. Beholding the
unfortunate Maithili, Bibishana, the powerful King of the Titans,
paid obeisance to her, raising his joined palms to his forehead,
and respectfully addressed her, saying : —
" O Vaidehi, sprinkle thyself with celestial unguents, adorn
thyself with divine ornaments and ascend this palanquin ! May
happiness attend thee ! Thy lord desires to see thee ! *'
Then Vaidehi answered Bibishana who had addressed her
thus, saying : — " Without having bathed, I wish to see my
consort, O Bibishana."
Hearing this, Bibishana replied : — " It behoveth thee to do
what Rama commands ! " Whereto the virtuous Maithili, who
regarded her husband as a god, filled with conjugal duty, said : —
* Be it so ! '
Thereupon Sita, her tresses waved, adorned with priceless
ornaments, wearing gorgeous raiment, ascended a palanquin
borne by those titans accustomed to do so, accompanied by a
large escort under Bibishana's command.
And Bibishana approaching that magnanimous hero, who was
merged in meditation, bowing down to him, joyfully announced
Sita's arrival.
Hearing that his consort, who had dwelt long in the titan's
abode, had come, rage, joy and grief overwhelmed Raghava, the
slayer of his toes and, beholding Sita in the palanquin, Rama, in
order to test her, dissembling his happiness, said to Bibishana : —
" O Supreme Lord of the Titans, O My Friend who ever
rejoiced in my victories, bring Vaidehi nearer to me."
At Raghava's command, the righteous Bibishana caused the
crowd to disperse, whereupon titans clad in armour, wearing
333
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
turbans, with drums and bamboo staves in their hands began to
move about driving away the warriors, bears, monkeys and
titans, who, scattering, stood apart some way off. And as they
were being driven away, a tremendous clamour arose resembling
the roar of the sea buffeted by the winds.
Seeing them dispersing, whilst confusion was created amongst
them, Rama in affection for them, grew indignant at their
departure and, highly incensed, with a glance that seemed as if
it would consume him, addressed the exceedingly intelligent
Bibisbana in terms of reproach, saying : —
" Why, disregarding me, dost thou harass them, are they not
my people ? Her conduct, not raiment, walls, seclusion or other
royal prohibitions, are a woman's shield. In times of calamity,
peril, war, the Swyamvara or the nuptual ceremony, it is not
forbidden to behold a woman unveiled. It is not prohibited to
look upon a woman who has fallen into distress and difficulty,
above all in my presence. Therefore, leaving the palanquin, let
Vaidehi come hither on foot so that the dwellers in the woods
may see her at my side."
Hearing Rama's words, Bibishana became thoughtful and
conducted Ska to him reverently, whilst Lakshmana, Sugriva and
also Hanuman, hearing Rama speak thus, were saddened.
Then Maithili, confused and shrinking within herself,
approached her lord accompanied by Bibishana ; and it was with
astonishment, delight and love that Sita, whose husband was a
god, gazed on Rama's gracious appearance, she whose own face
was still beautiful. Beholding the countenance of her dearly
loved lord, whom she had not seen for so long and which was as
radiant as the full moon when it rises, she cast aside all anxiety
and her own face became as fair as the immaculate orb of the
night.
chapter 1x7
Rama repudiates Sita
Beholding Maithili standing humbly beside him, Rama gave
expression to the feelings he had concealed in his heart, saying : —
" O Illustrious Princess, I have re-won thee and mine enemy
334
YUDDHA KANDA
has been defeated on the battlefield ; I have accomplished all
that fortitude could do ; my wrath is appeased ; the insult and
the one who offered it have both been obliterated by me. To-day
my prowess has been manifested, to-day mine exertions have
been crowned with success, to-day I have fulfilled my vow and
am free. As ordained by destiny the stain of thy separation and
thine abduction by that fickle-minded titan has been expunged
by me, a mortal. Of what use is great strength to the vacillating,
who do not with resolution avenge the insult offered to them ?
" To-day Hanuman is plucking the fruit of his glorious
exploits, and Sugriva, who is valiant in war and wise in counsel,
with his army is reaping the harvest of his exertions ! Bibishana
too is culling the fruits of his labours, he who cast off a brother,
who was devoid of virtue, to come to me."
When Sita heard Rama speak in this wise, her large doe-like
eyes filled with tears and, beholding the beloved of his heart
standing close to him, Rama, who was apprehensive of public
rumour, was torn within himself. Then, in the presence of the
monkeys and the titans, he said to Sita, whose eyes were as large
as lotus petals, her dark hair plaited, and who was endowed with
faultless limbs : —
" What a man should do in order to wipe out an insult, I have
done by slaying Havana for I guard mine honour jealously !
Thou wen re-won as the southern region, inaccessible to man,
was re-gained by the pure-souled Agastya through his austerities.
Be happy and let it be known that this arduous campaign, so
gloriously terminated through the support of my friends, was
not undertaken wholly for thy sake. I was careful to wipe out
the affront paid to me completely and to avenge the insult
offered to mine illustrious House.
"A suspicion has arisen, however, with regard to thy conduct,
and thy presence is as painful to me as a lamp to one whose eye is
diseased ! Henceforth go where it best pleaseth thee, I give
thee leave, O Daughter of Janaka. O Lovely One, the ten
regions are at thy disposal ; I can have nothing more to do with
thee ! What man of honour would give rein to his passion so far
as to permit himself to take back a woman who has dwelt in the
house of another ? Thou hast been taken into Ravana's lap and
he has cast lustful glances on thee; how can I reclaim thee, I who
335
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
boast of belonging to an illustrious House ? The end which I
sought in re-conquering thee has been gained ; I no longer have
any attachment for thee ; go where thou desirest ! This is the
outcome of my reflections, O Lovely One ! Turn to Lakshmana
or Bharata, Shatrughna, Sugriva or the Titan Bibishana, make
thy choice, O Sita, as pleases thee best. Assuredly Ravana,
beholding thy ravishing and celestial beauty, will not have
respected thy person during the time that thou didst dwell in
his abode."
On this, that noble lady, worthy of being addressed in sweet
words, hearing that harsh speech from her beloved lord, who for
long had surrounded her with every homage, wept bitterly, and
she resembled a creeper that has been torn away by the trunk of
a great elephant.
CHAPTER i i 8
Sita's Lamentations; She undergoes the Ordeal by Fire
Hearing these harsh words from the wrathful Raghava, causing
her to tremble, those fearful utterances, which till that time had
never been heard by her and were now addressed to her by her
lord in the presence of a great multitude, Maithili, the daughter
of Janaka, overwhelmed with shame, pierced to the heart by that
arrow-like speech, shed abundant tears. Thereafter, wiping her
face, she addressed her husband in gentle and faltering accents,
saying: —
" Why dost thou address such words to me, O Hero, as a
common man addresses an ordinary woman ? I swear to thee, O
Long-armed Warrior, that my conduct is worthy of thy respect !
It is the behaviour of other women that has rilled thee with
distrust ! Relinquish thy doubts since I am known to thee ! If
my limbs came in contact with another's, it was against my will,
O Lord, and not through any inclination on my part ; it was
brought about by fate. That which is under my control, my
heart, has ever remained faithful to thee ; my body was at the
mercy of another ; not being mistress of the situation, what could
33<
YUDDHA KANDA
I do ? If despite the proofs of love that I gave thee whilst I lived
with thee, I am still a stranger to thee, O Proud Prince, my loss is
irrevocable 1
"When, in Lanka, thou didst dispatch the great warrior
Hanuman to seek me out, why didst thou not repudiate me then ?
As soon as 2 had received the tidings that I had been abandoned
by thee, I should have yielded up my life in the presence of that
monkey, O Hero ! Then thou wouldst have been spared useless
fatigue on mine account and others lives would not have been
sacrificed, nor thine innumerable friends exhausted to no purpose.
But thou, O Lion among Men, by giving way to wrath and by
thus passing premature judgement on a woman, hast acted like
a worthless man.
" I have received my name from Janaka, but my birth was from
the earth and thou hast failed to appreciate fully the nobility of
my conduct, O Thou who are well acquainted with the nature of
others. Thou hast had no reverence for the joining of our hands
in my girlhood and mine affectionate nature, all these things hast
thou cast behind thee ! "
Having spoken thus to Rama, weeping the while, her voice
strangled with sobs, Sita addressed the unfortunate Lakshmana,
who was overwhelmed with grief, saying : —
" Raise a pyre for me, O Saumitri, this is the only remedy for
my misery ! These unjust reproaches have destroyed me, I
cannot go on living ! Publicly renounced by mine husband, who
is insensible to my virtue, there is only one redress for me, to
undergo the ordeal by fire ! "
Hearing Vaidehi's words, Lakshmana, the slayer of hostile
warriors, a prey to indignation, consulted Raghava with his
glance and by Rama's gestures he understood what was in his
heart, whereupon the valiant Saumitri, following his indications,
prepared the pyre.
None amongst his friends dared to appeal to Rama, who
resembled Death himself, the Destroyer of Time ; none dared
to speak or even to look upon him.
Thereafter Vaidehi, having circumambulated Rama, who
stood with his head bowed, approached the blazing fire and,
paying obeisance to the Celestials and brahmins, Maithili, with
joined palms, standing before the flames, spoke thus : —
337
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"As my heart has never ceased to be true to Raghava, do thou,
O Witness of all Beings, grant me thy protection ! As I am pure
in conduct, though Rama looks on me as sullied, do thou, O
Witness of the Worlds, grant me full protection ! "
With these words, Vaidehi circumambulated the pyre and
with a fearless heart entered the flames.
And a great multitude were assembled there, amongst which
were many children and aged people who witnessed Maithili
entering the fixe. And, resembling gold that has been melted in
the crucible, she threw herself into the blazing flames in the
presence of all. That large-eyed lady, entering the fire, who is
the Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings, appeared to those who watched
her to resemble a golden altar. That fortunate princess
entering the fire, which is nourished by oblations, seemed, in the
eyes of the Rishis, Devas and Gandharvas, to resemble a
sacrificial offering.
Then all the women cried out : — 'Alas ! ' on seeing her, like
a stream of butter hallowed by the recitation of mantras, fall
into the flames, and she appeared to the Three Worlds, the Gods,
the Gandharvas and the Danavas like a goddess smitten by a
curse and cast down from heaven into hell. Then, as she
entered the flames, a great and terrible cry rose from the titans
and the monkeys.
chapter 119
Brahma's Praise of Rama
Meanwhile the righteous Rama, hearing the lamentation of the
masses, afflicted, pondered awhile and his eyes filled with tears.
Then the King Vaishravana and Yama with the Pitris, the
Thousand-eyed Lord of the Celestials, Varuna, Lord of the
Waters and Mahadeva the blessed Three-eyed God who rides
the Bull, as also Brahma the Creator of the World, King of the
Learned, all gathered together, having hastened there in their
chariots as bright as the sun, coming to the City of Lanka to seek
out Rama.
338
YUDDHA KANDA
Lifting up their great arms and hands adorned with jewels,
they made obeisance with joined palms and the King of the Gods
addressing Raghava, said : —
" O Creator of the Universe and foremost of those versed in
the spiritual science, how canst thou manifest indifference to
Sita falling into the flames ? How art thou unaware that thou
thyself art the Chief of the Gods ? Formerly thou wert the
Vasu Ritadhaman, the Progenitor of the Vasus ! Thou art the
Creator of the Three Worlds, Swyamprabhu, the eighth Rudra
and the fifth of the Sadhyas. The Twin Ashwins are thy two
ears, the sun and moon thine eyes ; these are the forms at the
beginning, middle and end of creation in which thou dost
appear, O Scourge of Thy Foes ; and yet thou dost distrust
Vaidehi as if thou wert an ordinary man ! "
Thus addressed by the Protector of the Worlds, the Leader of
the Gods, Raghava, Lord of Peoples, Foremost of the Pious,
answered : —
" I deem myself to be a man, Rama, born of Dasaratha ;
who then am I in reality ? From whence have I come ? Let
the Grandsire of the World inform me ! "
Thus spoke Kakutstha and Brahma, foremost of those who
know the truth, addressed him saying : —
" Thou art the great and effulgent God Narayana, the
fortunate Lord armed with the discus. Thou art the One-
Tusked Boar, the Conqueror of thy Foes in the past and the
future. Thou art the imperishable Brahman, Existence Itself,
transcending the three divisions of time ; Thou art the Law of
Righteousness, the Four-armed, the Bearer of the Sharnga Bow ;
Thou art the Subduer of the senses, the Supreme Purusha ;
Thou art invincible, Thou art the Holder of the Dagger, Thou
art Vishnu, Thou art Krishna and of immeasurable might ;
Thou art Senani and Gramani, the Controller of passions, the
Origin and Dissolution ; Thou art Upendra and the Slayer of
the Demon Madhu, Thou art the Creator of Indra and Indra
Himself; Thou art the Lotus-navelled One; Thou dost bring
combat to an end. The great and divine Rishis acknowledge
Thee as their refuge and protector. Thou art the Himalayas of
a hundred peaks, the Essence of the Vedas, the God of a Hundred
Tongues, the Great Bull, Thou thyself art the Creator of the
339
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
World, Swyamprabhu ; Thou art the Refuge and Elder of the
Siddhas and Sadhyas ; Thou art the Sacrifice, the sacred
syllable ' Vashat ' and 'Aum ', the greatest of the great. None
knows thine origin or end or who Thou really art. Thou art
manifest in all beings, in the cows and the brahmins ; Thou
pervadest all regions, the firmament, the mountains and the
rivers, Thou, the Thousand-footed God, the Thousand-headed
One, Thou of a Thousand Eyes ! Thou art the support of all
beings and the earth. When the earth is withdrawn, under the
form of a great serpent, Thou dost appear on the waters support-
ing all the worlds and the Gods, Gandharvas and Danavas, O
Rama. I am thy heart and the Goddess Saraswati, thy tongue ;
the Gods are the hairs of Thy body, I, Brahma created them
thus. When Thou dost close thine eyes, it is night and when
Thou dost open them, it is day. The Vedas are Thy Samskaras1;
nothing exists apart from thee ; the whole universe is Thy
body, the earth Thy forbearance ; Agni Thy wrath, Soma Thy
beneficence, the Shrivatsa Mark, Thy holy symbol.
" Thou didst cover the Three Worlds in three strides ; Thou
didst bind the terrible Bali and establish Mahendra as King.
Sita is Lakshmi and Thou, the God Vishnu, Krishna and
Prajapari. It was in order to slay Ravana that Thou didst enter
a human body. This task that we entrusted to Thee has been
accomplished, O Thou, the foremost of those who observe their
duty. Ravana having fallen, do Thou ascend to heaven joyfully !
Thy might is irresistible, O Rama, and thine exploits are never
fruitless. To behold Thee and offer adoration to Thee is never
unprofitable ! It is not in vain that men are devoted to Thee on
earth. Those who are ever faithful to Thee, attain to Thee who
art the primeval Purusha and their desires will be fulfilled in this
world and the other worlds. Those who recite this eternal,
ancient and traditional theme, transmitted by the Rishis, will
never suffer defeat."
1 Samakaraa — Latent Impressions.
340
YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 120
Sita ts restored to Rama
Hearing those excellent words uttered by the Grandsire,
Vibhabasu, who bore Vaidehi in his lap, having extinguished the
pyre, rose up, and that Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings, assuming
a corporeal form, stood up and took hold of the daughter of
Janaka. Then that youthful woman, beautiful as the dawn,
wearing ornaments of refined gold, attired in a red robe, having
dark and curly hair, wearing fresh garlands, the irreproachable
Vaidehi was restored to Rama by the God of Fire.
Thereafter the Witness of the whole world, Pavaka, addressed
Rama, saying : —
" Here is Vaidehi, O Rama, there is no sin in her ! Neither by
word, feeling or glance has thy lovely consort shown herself to be
unworthy of thy noble qualities. Separated from thee, that
unfortunate one was borne away against her will in the lonely
forest by Ravana, who had grown proud on account of his power.
Though imprisoned and closely guarded by titan women in the
inner apartments, thou wast ever the focus of her thoughts and
her supreme hope. Surrounded by hideous and sinister women,
though tempted and threatened, Maithili never gave place in her
heart to a single thought for that titan and was solely absorbed in
thee. She is pure and without taint, do thou receive Maithili ;
it is my command that she should not suffer reproach in any
way."
These words filled Rama's heart with delight and he, the most
eloquent of men, that loyal soul, reflected an instant within
himself, his glance full of joy. Then the illustrious, steadfast
and exceedingly valiant Rama, the first of virtuous men, hearing
those words addressed to him, said to the Chief of the Gods : —
" On account of the people, it was imperative that Sita should
pass through this trial by fire ; this lovely woman had dwelt in
Ravana's inner apartments for a long time. Had I not put the
innocence of Janaki to the test, the people would have said : —
* Rama, the son of Dasaratha is governed by lust 1 ' It was well
z 34*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
known to me that Sita had never given her heart to another and
that the daughter of Janaka, Maithili, was ever devoted to me.
Ravana was no more able to influence that large-eyed lady, whose
chastity was her own protection than the ocean may pass beyond
its bournes. Despite his great perversity, he was unable to
approach Maithili even in thought, who was inaccessible to him
as a name. That virtuous woman could never belong to any
other than myself for she is to me what the light is to the sun.
Her purity is manifest in the Three Worlds ; I could no more
renounce Maithili, born of Janaka than a hero his honour. It
behoveth me to follow your wise and friendly counsel, O
Gracious Lords of the World."
Having spoken thus, the victorious and extremely powerful
Rama, full of glory, adored for his noble exploits, was re-united
with his beloved and experienced the felicity he had merited.
CHAPTER 121
Dasaratha appears to Rama
Hearing those excellent words uttered by Raghava, Maheshvara
addressed him with even greater eloquence, saying : —
" O Lotus-eyed One, O Thou the possessor of long arms and
a broad chest, O Scourge of Thy foes, fortunate it is that thou
hast accomplished this great feat, O Most Pious of Men !
" O Rama, it is well for all beings that thou hast dispelled this
deep and dreadful darkness of the whole world, this fear created
by Ravana. Go now and console the unfortunate Bharata with
thy presence, the illustrious Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra,
the mother of Lakshmana, Rule over Ayodhya, giving satisfac-
tion to thine innumerable friends and establish the dynasty of
the Ikshvaku Race. O Mighty Hero, having performed the
Ashvamedha Sacrifice and acquired supreme renown, having
distributed wealth among the brahmins, do thou attain the
highest state.
" Behold King Dasaratha standing in his chariot, thy sire, thy
superior in the world of men, O Kakutstha ! Having crossed the
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YUDDHA KANDA
sea of relativity by thy grace, fill! of glory he has entered the
region of Indra ; with thy brother Lakshmana pay homage to
him! "
Hearing the words of Mahadeva, Raghava who was accom-
panied by Lakshmana, bowed before his sire, who was standing
in his aerial car on high, and that prince with his brother
Lakshmana beheld his sire blazing in his own effulgence, clad
in spotless raiment. With extreme delight, King Dasaratha,
standing in his chariot, once again beheld his son who was as
dear to him as his own life and that long-armed warrior, on his
seat, took him in his lap and embracing him, said : —
" Far from thee I do not prize the heaven in which I dwell
with the Gods, O Rama, this is the truth ! O Most Eloquent of
Men, the words addressed to me by Kaikeyi, which were designed
to effect thy banishment, have never been erased from mine
heart ! Embracing thee and Lakshmana and beholding thee
well and happy, I am delivered from mine affliction as the sun
when the mist has been dispelled. By thy grace, O My Son, thou
who art truly filial and of noble soul, I am redeemed, as was the
virtuous Brahmin Kahola by Ashtavakra. Now it is made clear
to me, O Dear Child, that in order to destroy Ravana, the Gods
determined that the supreme Purusha should become incarnate
as man.
"Assuredly Kaushalya will see all her desires fulfilled, O
Rama, when she beholds thee returning from the forest, O
Slayer of Thy Foes. O Rama, the people, seeing thee returning
to the city and installed as king and ruler of the world, will
indeed be blessed ! I desire to see thee re-united with Bharata,
thy devoted, valiant, pure and loyal brother. Thou hast passed
fourteen years in the forest with my beloved Sita and Lakshmana,
O Dear Child. The term of thine exile is over, thy vows honoured,
and further, by slaying Ravana on the battlefield, thou hast
gratified the Gods. Thy task is accomplished ; thou hast won
infinite renown, O Slayer of Thy Foes ; now, installed as king,
mayest thou with thy brothers live for a long time ! "
With joined palms, paying obeisance to King Dasaratha, who
had thus addressed him, Rama answered : —
" O Virtuous Sire, give thy blessings to Kaikeyi and Bharata !
Thou didst pronounce a terrible curse upon them, saying : — ' I
343
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
renounce thee and thy son ! *, may this malediction not fall on
Kaikeyi or her son, O Lord." ' Be it so ! ' replied that great
monarch, paying obeisance with joined palms to Rama who had
spoken thus, and thereafter embracing Lakshmana, he said to
him : —
" Thou hast acquired extreme merit, O Pious One, and thy
fame will be great on earth ; by Rama's grace thou shalt attain
heaven and thy power shall be inconceivable. Attend on Rama
and be happy, O Thou who art the increaser of Sumitra's
delight. Rama is ever engaged in the welfare of all beings. The
Three Worlds with their Indras, the Siddhas and the great
Rishis do honour to that great hero and adore him as the
supreme Purusha. He, thy brother, is the invincible, imperish-
able Brahman, the essence of the Veda, which is secret, and the
Inner Ruler of all, O Dear Child 1 Thou hast acquired great
merit and glory in serving him and the Princess of Videha with
devotion ! "
Having spoken thus to Lakshmana, the King paid obeisance
to Sita who stood before him with joined palms, and addressed
her in gentle tones, saying : —
" My Daughter, do not take it ill that Rama renounced thee !
O Vaidehi, he acted thus in thine own interest in order to
demonstrate thine innocence ! The proof of thy chaste conduct,
which thou hast given to-day, places thee above all other women.
O My Daughter, thou hast no need to be instructed regarding
thy duty towards thy husband, nevertheless I must tell thee that
he is the Supreme God."
Having thus addressed his two sons and Sita, King Dasaratha,
the descendant of Raghu, ascended to the region of Indra in his
chariot. Mounted on his aerial car, full of majesty, his body
blazing with effulgence, that foremost of men, having given his
counsel to his two sons and Sita, returned to the abode of the
Sovereign of the Gods.
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YUDDHA KANDA
CHAPTER 122
On Rama's request Indra restores the Army
King Dasaratha having departed, Mahendra, the Vanquisher of
Paka, addressed Raghava, who stood before him with joined
palms, and said : —
" O Rama, O Lion among Men, our presence here must not
prove unfruitful ; we are pleased with thee ; ask what thou
desirest ! "
Hearing these magnanimous words of the blessed Mahendra,
Raghava, of compassionate soul, answered him joyfully : —
" Since thou wishest to gratify me, O Chief of the Vibudhas,
grant me that which I ask of thee ! O Most Eloquent of Orators,
let all the valiant monkeys, who for my sake descended into the
region of death, be resuscitated and live again. I wish to see all
those monkeys happy, who for my sake left their sons and wives,
0 Great Lord.
" Those courageous monkeys, those heroes who courted
death and, crowning their sacrifice, succumbed, do thou restore
to life, O Purandara \ Devoted to mine interests they disregarded
death ; be gracious enough to give them back to their families ;
1 solicit this favour of thee ! I wish to see the Golangulas and the
Bears in all their former energy, freed from their sufferings and
their wounds, O Munificent God. Let there be flowers, roots
and fruits, even though they be out of season, and rivers with
pure water in abundance wherever the monkeys are to be found."
Hearing these words of the magnanimous Raghava, Mahendra
answered graciously : —
" Hard indeed to fulfil is this boon, thou dost crave, O Dear
Prince of the Raghus, but my words never prove vain ; so be it !
May all those who have been slain in battle by the titans, the
Bears and the Gopucchas, whose heads and arms have been
severed, be resurrected ! May those monkeys rise up exalting,
without pain or wounds, in all their natural vigour and courage,
like sleepers who wake at the end of night, and let them be re-
united with their friends, relatives and tribes ! O Thou, the
345
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Wielder of die Great Bow, may the trees be laden with fruit and
flowers even out of season and the rivers be full of pure water."
Thereupon those excellent monkeys, who were formerly
covered with wounds, rose up healed, as persons who have been
asleep, and there was general astonishment amongst the monkeys,
who questioned each other, saying, ' What is this ? '
Seeing bis purpose fulfilled, the Gods, in an excess of joy,
unanimously addressed Rama, who was accompanied by Laksh-
mana, praising him and saying : —
" Now return to Ayodnya, O King and disband the monkeys ;
do thou console the devoted and illustrious Maithili ! Seek out
thy brother Bharata who, in sorrow of thy separation, has given
himself up to penances. Approach the magnanimous Shatrughna
and all thy mothers, O Scourge of Thy Foes ! Be installed as
king and rejoice the hearts of the citizens by thy return ! "
Having spoken thus to Rama who was accompanied by
Saumitri, the Gods, paying obeisance to him, joyfully returned
to heaven in their chariots blazing like the sun ; and Rama
with his brother ordered the encampment of the army.
Thereafter, under Rama and Lakshmana's protection, that
great and glorious company of happy people, radiant with
splendour, resembled the night illumined on all sides by that orb
of cool rays.
CHAPTER 123
Bibishana places the Chariot Pushpaka at Rama's disposal
Having passed the night, Rama the conqueror of bis foes, rose
happily and Bibishana, paying obeisance to him with joined
palms, addressed him, saying : —
" Here are various articles for bathing such as unguents,
ornaments, sandalwood paste, raiment and celestial garlands of
every kind. Lotus-eyed women, versed in the art of applying
perfume await thy pleasure, as is fitting, 0 Raghava 1 "
At these words, Kakutstha answered Bibishana saying : —
" Do thou invite the foremost of the monkeys and Sugriva to
bathe first, for the pious Bharata, accustomed to happiness, that
346
YUDDHA KANDA
youthful and loyal hero is suffering on mine account. Far from
Bharata, Kaikeyi's son, who has been loyal to his duty, I do not
value bathing or raiment or jewels ! Order it so that we may
return to Ayodhya soon, assuredly the route is extremely
arduous.'*
Thus did Rama speak and Bibishana answered : —
" I will arrange for thee to reach that city in one day, O
Prince ! May happiness attend thee ! There is an aerial car
named Pushpaka that shines like the sun, which the powerful
Ravana forcibly took from Kuvera, having overcome him in
combat. That celestial and marvellous chariot, going everywhere
at will, is at thy disposal, O Thou of unequalled prowess ! That
car, bright as a cloud, which will transport thee to Ayodhya in
perfect safety, is here. But if I am worthy of a boon, if thou
dost recall any merit in me, then remain here for at least one day,
0 Virtuous One. If thou hast any friendship for me, then remain
here with thy brother Lakshmana and Vaidehi, thy consort.
Having received all possible homage, O Rama, thou shalt
depart. I nave prepared those honours dictated by mine
affection, O Rama, do thou enjoy them with thine innumerable
friends and thine army also. I beg thee in all humility, out of my
profound esteem and feeling of friendship for thee, O Raghava ;
1 am thy servant and therefore may not command thee."
Then Rama answered Bibishana, who had spoken thus in the
presence of all the titans and monkeys and said : —
" O Hero, Thou hast honoured me with thy friendship with
thine whole soul and in all thine actions hast proved thy supreme
affection for me. Nevertheless I cannot accept thy request, O
King of the Titans, because my heart urges me to see my brother
Bharata again, he who came to Chittrakuta in order to bring me
back to Ayodhya though, as he bowed before me, I did not listen
to his appeal. I wish to see Kaushalya, Sumitra and the illus-
trious Kaikeyi, as also mine house, my friends, the people of the
city and the country. Grant me leave, O Dear Bibishana, Thou
hast paid me sufficient honour ! Do not be angry, O My Friend,
I beg of thee. O Foremost of the Titans, prepare the aerial car
speedily, my task has been accomplished, what justification is
there for reniaining here longer ? "
Hearing Rama's words, that Indra among the Titans, Bibi-
347
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
shana, hastened to order the aerial Chariot Pushpaka, gilded and
bright as the sun, with its seats of emerald and pearl, its rooms
ranged round about, silvered all over, its white banners and
supports and gilded apartments enriched with golden lotuses
which were hung with many bells. Round the windows, set
with pearls and rare gems, rows of bells were placed giving forth
a melodious sound, and that moving palace, resembling the peak
of Mount Meru, constructed by Vishvakarma, abounded in rich
ornaments, gold and jewels and sparkled with silver] and its floors
were inlaid with crystal and the thrones of emerald (displayed
there) furnished with rare coverings.
Having prepared that indestructible vehicle, the Chariot
Pushpaka, which was as swift as thought, Bibishana stood before
Rama, and that aerial car, that went everywhere at one's will
and resembled a mountain, having been placed at his disposal,
the magnanimous Rama who was accompanied by Saumitri, was
astonished.
CHAPTER 124
Rama sets out for Ayodhya
The Chariot Pushpaka, having been prepared and adorned with
flowers, Bibishana, who stood a litde way off with joined palms,
reverendy enquired of Rama with some urgency, saying : —
" What shall I do now, O Raghava ? "
Then the supremely illustrious Raghava, having reflected
awhile, in the presence of Lakshmana, made answer affectionately,
saying: —
"All the inhabitants of the woods have brought about the
fulfilment of my mission by their efforts ; O Bibishana, do thou
gratify them abundandy with jewels and riches of every kind.
With their support thou hast recaptured Lanka, O Sovereign of
the Titans ! Full of ardour, they did not fear to expose then-
lives nor did they ever retreat in combat. They have fulfilled
their task ; now reward them by distributing gold and gems
among them. When, in thy gratitude, thou hast loaded them
with gifts, the monkeys will be fully satisfied.
348
YUDDHA KANDA
" Thou dost know how to give and how to receive, thou art
liberal and master of thy senses, all know thee to be a renunciate,
it is for this that I address thee and exhort thee, O Prince ; a
king will wage war in vain and his army abandon him at the first
opportunity if he be wholly devoid of those qualities that render
him pleasing to all."
Hearing Rama's words, Bibishana bestowed precious gems and
riches of every kind in abundance on all the monkeys and,
beholding the foremost of the monkeys loaded with jewels and
silver, Rama ascended the chariot of his adversary, holding the
chaste and illustrious Vaidehi to his breast and accompanied by
his brother Lakshmana, that valiant bow-man.
Standing in the chariot, Kakutstha bade farewell to all the
monkeys, to the mighty Sugriva and to Bibishana and said : —
" O Foremost of Monkeys, you have accomplished all that
could be asked of a friend, now go where you will, I give you all
leave to depart. O Sugriva, thou who fearest nought but
unrighteousness, thou hast done all that a devoted and loyal
companion could do ; return to Kishkinda at the head of thine
army. And thou, Bibishana, occupy the throne of Lanka that
I have conferred upon thee. Even the inhabitants of heaven and
their chiefs will not be able to trouble thee. I go to Ayodhya,
that was the royal residence of my sire and wish to take leave of
you all and to offer you my salutations 1 "
Thus did Rama speak and all the leaders of the monkeys and
the monkeys themselves as also the Titan Bibishana, paying
obeisance with joined palms, answered : —
'* We desire to go to Ayodhya, take us all with thee ! We shall
delight in ranging the woods and copses and assisting at thine
installation, of which thou art worthy. Having paid obeisance to
the Queen Kaushalya, we shall return to our homes without
delay, 0 Greatest of Kings ! "
Thus did they speak and the virtuous Rama answered the
monkeys, Sugriva and Bibishana, saying : —
" Nothing would be more agreeable to me, as also to mine
innumerable friends, than to return to the capital with you all.
Hasten to take thy place with thy monkeys in the chariot, O
Sugriva, and thou too, O Bibishana with thy ministers, O King
of the Titans."
349
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIK1
Thereupon Sugriva with the monkeys and Bibishana with his
counsellors, took their places in the celestial Pushpaka Chariot
and, all being installed, that marvellous aerial car belonging to
Kuvera rose into the air under Raghava's command. In the
chariot, which shone brightly, and was harnessed to swans, Rama
exulted, overcome with delight, and resembled Kuvera himself,
whilst all the monkeys, bears and titans, full of vigour, seated
comfortably in that celestial car travelled at ease.
chapter 125
Rama tells Sita of the Places over which they are passing
Under Rama's command, that aerial chariot harnessed to swans
flew through the air with a great noise, and Rama, the delight of
the Raghus, letting fall his glance on every side, said to
the Princess of Mithila, Sita, whose face resembled the
moon : —
" See how Lanka has been constructed by Vishvakarma on the
summit of the Trikuta Mountain, which resembles the peak of
Mount Kailasha. Behold the battlefield covered with a mire of
flesh and blood ; there, O Sita, a great carnage of monkeys and
titans took place. There lies the ferocious King of the Titans,
Ravana, who, despite the boons he had received, was slain by me
on thine account, O Large-eyed Lady.
" Here Kumbhakarna was struck down as also another ranger
of the night ; Prahasta and Dhumraksha perished here under the
blows of the monkey, Hanuman. Vidyunmalin was put to death
at this spot by the great-souled Sushena, and in another, Laksh-
mana overcame Indrajita, the son of Ravana. Angada struck
down the Titans named Vikata and Virupaksha, hideous to look
upon, as also Mahaparshwa and Mahodara. Akampana suc-
cumbed, as also other valiant warriors, Trishiras, Atikaya,
Devantaka and Narantaka, Yuddhonmatta and Matta, both
great heroes, Nikumbha and Kumbha, the two sons of Kumbha-
karna, who were full of courage ; Vajradamshtra, Damshtra and
350
YUDDHA KANDA
innumerable other titans perished here and the invincible
Maharaksha whom I slew in combat ; and Akampana1 was slain
and the powerful Shonitaksha whilst Yupaksha and Prajangha
also succumbed in the great struggle. Vidyujjihva, a titan of
fearful aspect fell there and Yajnashatru died also ; the mighty
Suptaghna too, as also Suryashatru, were slain with Brahma-
shatru, who had no equal, and here Mandodari's consort, for whom
she wept surrounded by her companions to the number of a
thousand or more.
" Here is the place where the ocean was traversed, O Lady of
Lovely Looks, and, having passed over the sea, there is the spot
where the night was spent. There the bridge that I had thrown
over the ocean of salty waves on thine account, O Large-eyed
Lady, that causeway, difficult of construction, was built by Nala.
Behold the ocean, O Vaidehi, that indestructible abode of Varuna's
that seems without bourne, whose thundering waters abound in
conch shells and pearls. O Maithili, behold that golden moun-
tain, which, cleaving the waves, rose out of the bosom of the deep
in order to allow Hanuman to rest. And here, our headquarters
were established ; here, formerly the Lord Mahadeva granted
me a boon and there is the sacred and purifying spot known as
Setubandha2 where even the greatest sins are washed away.
Here Bibishana, King of the Titans, first came to me. Now we
have reached Kishkindha with its beautiful woods, it is Sugriva's
capital where I slew Bali."
Then Sita, seeing the Gty of Kishkindha of which Bah' was
formerly the support, said to Rama in gende, loving and wistful
tones: —
" I desire to enter thy royal capital, Ayodhya, O Prince, with
the beloved consorts of Sugriva, Tara at their head, as also the
wives of the other leaders of the monkeys ! "
Thus spoke Vaidehi and Raghava answered, ' So be it ! ',
thereafter reaching the heights of Kishkindha, he caused the
aerial chariot to halt and said to Sugriva : —
" O Lion among Monkeys, command all the Plavamgamas,
accompanied by their wives, to come to Ayodhya with Sita and
1 Akampana appears twice ; it is not known if it refers to the same warrior
or another.
* This place is still to be seen near Rameshwara — a place of pilgrimage.
35«
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
myself. Let all come, O King, and make haste to depart, O
Sugriva ! "
Hearing Rama's command, he whose energy was immeasur-
able, Sugriva, the illustrious monarch of the monkeys, attended
by his ministers entered the inner apartments and, seeing Tara,
said to her : —
" O Dear One, at the command of Raghava, who wishes to
gratify Vaidehi, do thou speedily assemble the consorts of the
magnanimous monkeys so that they may leave for Ayodhya to
visit the wives of King Dasaratha."
Hearing Sugriva's words, Tara, of beautiful limbs, gathered
all the female monkeys together and said to them : —
" Sugriva commands us to leave for Ayodhya ; do me the
favour of accompanying me and witness the entry of Rama in
the midst of the people from town and country and the splendour
of the wives of Dasaratha."
Thus commanded by Tara, the female monkeys, having first
adorned themselves and circumambulated her, ascended the car,
anxious to behold Sita, and that aerial chariot at once rose into
the air with them.
Then Raghava, gazing down on all sides, having reached the
vicinity of Rishyamuka, once more addressed Vaidehi, saying : —
" O Sita, here is a great mountain resembling a cloud rent by
lightning, abounding in gold and other metals. It is here that I
met that Indra among Monkeys, Sugriva, and entered into an
agreement with him to slay Bali. Here is the Pampa Lake with
its marvellous fields of blue lotuses and here separated from
thee, out of the depth of mine affliction, I wept ! It was on its
banks that beheld the virtuous Shabari.
" Here I slew Kabandha, whose arms extended tor four miles !
O Sita, in Janasthana, I came upon that magnificent tree, the
Ashwatta, near which Jatayu, the renowned and valiant Monarch
of Birds perished under Ravana's blows on thine account, O
Lovely One. And there is our hermitage, O Lady of Brilliant
Complexion, where our enchanting leafy hut may be seen. It is
there that thou wert borne away by force by the King of the
Titans.
" There is the ravishing Godavari of transparent waters and
there, the retreat of Agastya can be seen, that is covered with
352
YUDDHA KANDA
palms, as also Sharabhanga's hermitage where the God of a
Thousand Eyes, the Destroyer of Gties, entered in secret. O
Goddess of slender waist, behold the ascetics with Atri at their
head, the equal of Surya and Vaishnava ; in that place the Giant
Viradha fell under my blows and there, O Sita, thou didst visit
the virtuous Sage. See, O Lady of beautiful form, the King of
Mountains, Chittrakuta, appears ; it is there that the son of
Kaikeya came to crave my forgiveness. Here is the enchanting
Yamuna with its ravishing woods and here the retreat of
Bharadwaja looms into view, O Maithili. Now we are in sight of
the Ganges, that three-branched sacred river. There is the City
of Shringavera where my friend, Guha, dwells, and there,
the River Sarayu with rows of stone pillars on its banks
commemorating the Kings of the House of Ikshvaku ! Behold
there the royal abode of my Sire ! O Vaidehi, bow down to
Ayodhja, we have returned ! "
During this time the monkeys and the titans were leaping
about in delight on seeing that city and, with the palaces with
which it abounded, its wide spaces and the elephants and horses
that filled it, Ayodhya appeared to the monkeys and titans to
resemble Amaravati, the city of the mighty Indra.
CHAPTER 126
Rama's Meeting with the Sage Bharadaaja
Having completed the fourteen years of exile, on the fifth day of
the lunar fortnight, the elder brother of Lakshmana reached the
hermitage of Bharadwaja and bowed low before that Ascetic.
Paying obeisance to him, he enquired of the Sage, saying : —
" O Blessed One, dost thou know if all are well and happy in
the city ? Is Bharata fixed in his duty ? Do my mothers still
live?"
Thus did Rama question Bharadwaja and that great Sage,
smiling, answered the Prince of the Raghus cheerfully and
said: —
" Bharata, his locks matted, carrying out thine instructions,
353
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
awaits thy return. In the presence of thy sandals, to which he
pays homage, he rules all in the best interests of thy family and
country.
" Beholding thee clad in bark, setting out on foot, thy consort
making the third,1 banished from thy kingdom, entirely devoted
to thy duty, obedient to the behests of thy sire, renouncing every
pleasure, like unto a God driven from heaven, formerly I was
filled with pity for thee; then, O Victorious Warrior, thou,
dispossessed by Kaikeyi, nourished thyself on fruits and roots ;
but now I see thee, thy purpose accomplished surrounded by
friends and kinsfolk, having triumphed over thine enemy and
my joy is supreme !
" I know all that thou hast experienced of good and ill whilst
dwelling in Janasthana, O Raghava, and how, engaged in
procuring the welfare of the Sages, seeking to protect them all,
thine irreproachable consort was borne away by Ravana. I
know of die appearance of Maricha and Sita's delusion ; the
meeting with Kabandha; thine arrival at Lake Fampa, the
alliance with Sugriva when Bali fell under thy blows ; the search
for Vaidehi and the exploit of the Wind-god's son ; the construc-
tion of the causeway by Nala and the finding of Vaidehi ; how
Lanka was set on fire by the foremost of the monkeys whilst he
was bound ; how Ravana, proud of his strength, fell in the fight
with his sons, kinsfolk, ministers, infantry and cavalry ; how
after the death of Ravana, who was a thorn in the side of the
Gods, thou didst meet the Celestials and receive a boon from
them ; all these things I know by virtue of my penances, O Hero,
0 Thou who art fixed in virtue.
" Therefore I have sent my disciples to carry the news to the
city and I too will grant thee a boon, O Most Skilful of Warriors ;
but first accept the Arghya, to-morrow thou shalt go to Ayodhya,"
Hearing these words, the illustrious prince, with bowed head,
answered joyfully, * It is well ! ' and made the following request :-
" On the road I take to reach Ayodhya, though it is not the
season, yet may all the trees bear honeyed fruits and those fruits
have the fragrance of 'Amrita " and may every variety be found
there; O Blessed One ! "
1 Rama and Lakshmana being the other two.
* Amrita — Nectar of Immortality.
YUDDHA KANDA
Thereupon the Sage replied : " So be it ! Thy desire shall be
realised immediately ! " Then the trees of that region instantly
resembled those of Paradise. Those that had none, grew fruits,
and those that had no flowers were covered with blossom;
trees that had withered were enveloped with foliage and all
dripped with honey for three leagues along the way.
Meanwhile the foremost of the monkeys regaled themselves on
those celestial fruits to the extent of their desire and, transported
with joy, imagined they had entered heaven.
chapter 127
Rama sends Hanuman to seek out Bharata
When he beheld Ayodhya, that descendant of Raghu of rapid
step full of magnanimity, gave himself up to pleasant thoughts
and, having reflected awhile, that fortunate and illustrious
hero said to the monkey, Hanuman : —
" Hasten with all speed to Ayodhya, O Foremost of Monkeys,
and ascertain if all are happy in the royal palace. Passing
Shringavera, communicate with Guha, King of the Nishadas,
who dwells in a wooded country, and offer him my salutations.
When he hears that I am safe and well, freed from all anxieties,
he will be content, for he is my second self and my friend. He
will gladly show thee the way to Ayodhya and give thee tidings
of Bharata. Do thou enquire of Bharata as to his well-being and
inform him that I have returned with my consort and Laksh-
mana, my mission accomplished. Tell him of Site's abduction
by the ruthless Ravana, of my meeting with Sugriva and the
death of Bali in combat ; of how I set out to find Maithili and
how thou didst discover her, having crossed the great waters of
that domain of the unchangeable Lord of Rivers ! Tell him of
our arrival on the shores of the sea, the appearance of Sagara and
how the causeway was constructed ; how Ravana perished ; of
the boons bestowed on me by Mahendra, Brahma and Varuna
and, by the favour of Mahadeva, the meeting with my Sire.
355
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Inform Bharata, O My Friend, that I am coming accompanied
by King Bibishana and the Lord of the Monkeys. Say to him,
' Having overcome the army of the enemy and attained a glory
without parallel, Rama, his purpose accomplished, is approaching
with his valiant friends '. Do thou carefully observe the expres-
sion on the face of Bharata when he hears these tidings and how
he comports himself. Thou wilt know all by his gestures, the
colour of his face, his glances and his words. Whose mind
would not be moved by the thought of (ascending) an ancestral
throne, fulfilling all one's dreams, and to a kingdom abounding
in prosperity, hosts of elephants, horses and chariots ? If
the fortunate Bharata wishes to reign in his own right, then,
by mutual agreement, let that descendant of Raghu govern
the entire earth ! "
On receiving these instructions} Hanuman, born of Maruta,
assuming human form, left in all haste for Ayodhya and
advanced with speed, like unto Garuda swooping on a great serpent
on which he wishes to lay hold. Traversing the path-way of his
sire, the shining abode of great birds and, crossing over the
formidable confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, he reached
the City of Shringavera. Then the valiant Hanuman sought out
Guha and said to him, his voice ringing with joy : —
" Thy friend, Kakutstha, that true hero who is accompanied
by Sita as also Saumitri, enquires as to thy welfare. Having
spent the fifth night of the moon with the Sage Bharadwaja, on
his request, Raghava has now taken leave of him and thou wilt
see him to-morrow."
Having said this, the illustrious and agile Hanuman, whose
hair stood on end with delight, rushed on regardless of fatigue.
Thereafter he crossed the river sacred to Parasurama, and the
Valukini, Varuthi and Gaumati and the formidable forest of
Sala Trees, also many densely populated countries and opulent
cities. Having journeyed a great distance that foremost of
monkeys came to the flowering trees that grow in the neighbour-
hood of Nandigrama and resemble those of Chaitaratha, the
gardens of the King of the Celestials. There he beheld people
who, with their wives, sons and grandsons, well-attired were
given up to enjoyment in those pleasant surroundings.
Thereafter, at a distance of one league from Ayodhya, he
35«
YUDDHA KANDA
observed Bharata, clad in a black antelope skin, sad, emaciated,
wearing matted locks, his limbs besmeared with dust, dwelling
in a hermitage, afflicted on account of his brother's misfortune.
living on fruit and roots, practising penance, self-controlled,
his hair knotted, dressed in bark and a black antelope skin,
disciplined, pure of soul, like unto a Brahmarishi in radiance, he,
having placed Rama's sandals before him, ruled the earth by
protecting the four castes from every peril with the aid of his
ministers, and virtuous priests and senior officers wearing red robes
surrounded him. And his subjects, faithful to their duty, had
resolved not to neglect the welfare of their king, who resembling,
righteousness itself, seemed to be the God of Dharma incarnate.
Then Hanuman, paying obeisance with joined palms, said to
that loyal prince : —
" Thy brother, Kakutstha, for whose exile to the Forest of
Dandaka in robes of bark and matted locks, thou grievest,
enquires as to thy welfare. I bring thee good tidings, O Prince,
abandon thy despair ; the moment has come when thou wilt be
re-united with thy brother Rama. Having slain Ravana and
recovered Maithili, Raghava is returning with his valiant friends,
his purpose accomplished. The mighty Lakshmana too is
coming and the illustrious Vaidehi, Rama's devoted companion,
as Sachi is to Mahendra."
Hearing Hanuman's words, Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi
swooned with joy, felicity causing him to lose consciousness. In
a moment, however, the descendant of Raghu, Bharata, rose up
breathing with an effort and addressed Hanuman who bad
brought him those pleasant tidings. Deeply moved, the fortu-
nate Bharata, embracing the monkey bedewed him with his
tears that fell from him in great drops, inspired not by suffering
but by joy, and said : —
" Whether thou be god or man who has come hither out of
compassion for me, O My Friend, I wish to bestow a gift on thee
for the happy tidings thou hast brought me. I offer thee a
hundred thousand cows, as also a hundred prosperous villages
and sixteen youthful women for thy consorts, possessed of curls,
with sweet expressions, golden skins, shapely noses, lovely
ankles and gracious mien, resembling the moon, adorned with
every kind of ornament, all of noble families."
ax 357
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing from that Prince of Monkeys of the miraculous return
of Rama, Bharata, whose desire to behold his brother again threw
him into a transport of delight, added joyfully : —
CHAPTER 128
Hanuman tells Bharata of all that befell Rama and Sita
during their exile
" Verily it is with joy that I learn these tidings of my protector
after the innumerable years that he has passed in the forest. How
felicitous is the well-known saying, ' Happiness comes to man
even if it be after a hundred years ! ' How did Raghava and the
monkeys conclude an alliance and for what purpose ? Answer
my questions candidly ! "
Thus interrogated by the prince, Hanuman, seating himself
on a heap of Kusha Grass, began to describe Rama's life in the
forest and said : —
" O Lord, thou knowest how he was exiled on account of
the two boons bestowed on thy mother ; how the King Dasaratha
died in consequence of his son's banishment ; how the messen-
gers, O Lord, brought thee back from Rajagriha ; how, returning
to Ayodhya, thou didst refuse the crown ; how thou didst go
to Chittrakuta to appeal to thy brother, the scourge of his foes,
begging him to accept the throne, thus conforming to the way of
virtuous men ; how Rama renounced the kingdom and how, on
returning, thou didst bring back the sandals of that illustrious
hero ; all this, O Long-armed Warrior is well-known to thee but
what happened subsequent to thy departure, now hear from me !
"After thy return, distress seized the denizens of the forest,
creating a great turmoil. Thereupon Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
entered the huge, dreadful and lonely Dandaka Forest that was
trodden down by elephants and formidable with its lions, tigers
and deer. Having penetrated into its depths, the powerful
Viradha appeared before them emitting fearful cries. Lifting
him up, as he was roaring like a great elephant, those two
358
YUDDHA KANDA
warriors threw him headlong into a pit and having accomplished
that difficult exploit} the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana,
at dusk reached the enchanting hermitage of Sharabhanga. That
Sage having ascended to heaven, Rama, a true hero, paid
obeisance to the ascetics and thereafter went to Janasthana.
" Fourteen thousand titans, who dwelt in Janasthana, were
slain during the time that the mighty Raghava resided there.
For having fallen into the hands of the only Rama, during the
fourth watch, those demons were wholly exterminated. Taking
advantage of their great power, in order to harass the ascetics,
those demons, inhabitants of the Dandaka Forest, were slain by
Rama in combat. The demons slain and Khara also, Rama then
despatched Dushana and subsequently Trishiras. Thereafter
a female demon, named Shurpanakha, accosted him and, being
ordered to do so, Lakshmana, rising, took up his sword and
instantly cut off her ears and nose. Thus mutilated, that titan
woman took refuge with Ravana.
" Then a redoubtable titan in Ravana's service, named
Maricha, assuming the form of a jewelled deer, beguiled Vaidebi,
who, on beholding it, said to Rama : —
" ' O My Beloved, capture it for me, it will enliven our
solitude.*
" Raghava, bow in hand, rushed out in pursuit of that deer
and destroyed it with a single arrow, O My Friend.
" While Raghava, however, was thus engaged in the chase,
Lakshmana too had left the hermitage, and Dashagriva, entering
there, speedily took hold of Sita, as Graha seizes Rohini in the
sky. Slaying the Vulture Jatayu, who sought to deliver her, the
titan, taking hold of Sita, departed in all haste for his capital.
Meanwhile some strange looking monkeys, as large as hills,
standing on the summit of a mountain, astonished, observed
Ravana, the King of the Titans proceeding with Sita in his
arms; and, mounting into the sky with her in the Chariot
Pushpaka, which was as swift as thought, the all-powerful
Ravana returned to Lanka. There he entered his vast palace
decorated with pure gold and, with many words, sought to
console Vaidehi but she, regarding his speech and his person
with disdain and as less than a straw, was imprisoned in the
Ashoka Grove.
359
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Meantime Rama returned, having slain the deer in the forest
and, as he did so, he beheld the vulture so beloved of his sire,
dead, at which he suffered extreme distress. Thereafter Raghava
with Lakshmana set out in search of Vaidehi and they crossed
the Godavari River with its flowering woodlands.
" In the great forest, the two princes met a titan, named
Kabandha, counselled by whom that true hero repaired to the
Mountain Rishyamuka in order to confer with Sugriva and, even
before they met, they were firm friends.
" Sugriva had formerly been banished by his irascible brother
Bali and, in consequence of this meeting, a sound alliance was
formed between them. Rama, by the strength of his arms
established him on the throne, having slain Bah, that giant full
of valour, in the field. Regaining his kingdom, Sugriva vowed
in return to set out with all the monkeys in order to find the
princess and, under the command of their magnanimous
sovereign, ten kotis of those Flavamgamas repaired to different
regions.
" Whilst, discouraged, we were resting on the lofty Vindhya
Mountain, plunged in despair, a long time passed. Meanwhile
the powerful brother of the King of the Vultures, named Sampati,
informed us that Sita was dwelling in Ravana's palace, where-
upon I, whom thou seest here, was able to dispel the grief of my
companions and, resorting to mine own prowess, crossed over a
hundred leagues of sea and discovered Maithili alone in the
Ashoka Grove, clad in a soiled silken cloth, stained with dust,
afflicted yet faithful to her conjugal vow. Approaching that
irreproachable lady I paid obeisance to her and bestowed a ring
on her in Rama's name as a pledge, and she, in her turn, gave me
a brilliant jewel.
" My mission accomplished, I returned and gave Rama that
token, the bright gem ; and he, receiving tidings of Maithili,
regained his zest for life, as one, who in extremity, drinks
Amrita. Summoning up his strength, he resolved to overthrow
Lanka, as, when the time has come, Vibhabasu prepares to
destroy the worlds.
" Reaching the shores of the sea, the Prince commanded Nala
to construct a causeway and the army of valiant monkeys crossed
the ocean on that bridge.
3<So
YUDDHA KANDA
" Prahasta fell under the blows of Nila, Kumbbakarna under
those of Raghava, Lakshmana slew Havana's son and Rama,
Ravana himself. Having been received by the Grantex of Boons,
Shakra, as also Yama, Varuna and Mahadeva, Swyambhu and
Dasaratha, Rama was showered with favours by all the Risbis.
The glorious Kakutstha, Scourge of His Foes, was rendered
happy by obtaining these boons and returned to Kishkindha
accompanied by the monkeys in the Chariot Pushpaka.
" He has reached the Ganges once more and is dwelling with
the Sage,1 where without hindrance, thou sbouldst behold him
to-morrow, when the Pushya Star is in an auspicious aspect ! "
Thereupon, hearing Hanuman's delightful words, Bharata,
full of joy, paid obeisance to him and, in accents pleasing to the
heart, said: —
"After a long time my desires are at last fulfilled ! "
chapter 129
Bharata sets out to meet Rama
Hearing those marvellous tidings, Bharata, that real hero, the
slayer of hostile warriors, delighted, issued a command to
Shatrughna, saying : —
" Let all righteous men, having purified themselves, worship
all the Deities and sacred altars of the city with fragrant garlands
and diverse musical instruments. Let the bards conversant with
the tradition and all the panegyrists, with the queens, ministers,
guards, the army, the courtiers, brahmins, nobles and the fore-
most of the artisans issue forth from the capital in companies, in
order to behold the countenance of Rama, which is as lovely as
the moon."
At this behest, Shatrughna, the slayer of hostile warriors,
called together some thousands of labourers, whom he divided
into groups, and he said to them : —
" Fill up the hollows and level the uneven ground from
Ayodhya to Nandigrama. Sprinkle every part with water as
cold as ice and let others scatter roasted grain and flowers
1 The Sage Bharadwaja.
361
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
everywhere ; set up large standards on all the main highways of
the capital. At the rising of the sun, let all the dwellings be
adorned with crowns and garlands, with many flowers and decor-
ations in five colours ; let contingents of soldiers stand along
the royal highway to keep it free."
At this command from Shatrughna, which rilled everyone with
joy, Dhristi, Jayanti, Vijaya, Siddhartha, Arthasadhaka, Ashoka,
Mantrapala and Sumantra set out. Thousands of elephants
intoxicated with ichor and female elephants with golden girths,
bearing standards, splendidly adorned, on which illustrious
warriors were mounted, issued forth, whilst others set out on
horses and in chariots also, and warriors armed with spears,
cutlasses and nets, furnished with banners and pennants were
escorted by the foremost of their leaders and thousands of
infantry.
Thereafter the litters, bearing the consorts of King Dasaratha,
with Kaushalya and Sumitra at their head, also set out. And
Bharata, ever fixed in his duty, surrounded by the Twice-born,
the elders of the city, the merchants and counsellors with garlands
and sweetmeats in their hands, rejoiced by the sound of conches
and drums, his praises sung by panegyrists, having placed the
sandals of the illustrious Rama on his head, took up the white
parasol decorated with bright garlands and two golden chowries
made of Yaks tails, worthy of a king. Then that magnanimous
prince, emaciated by long fasting, pale, wearing robes of bark
and a black antelope skin, yet full of joy at the tidings of his
brother's approach, set out with his escort to meet Rama and the
sound of the horses hooves, the noise of the chariot wheels, the
blare of conches and beat of drums, the roaring of elephants, the
blast of trumpets and booming of gongs caused the earth to
tremble as the whole city proceeded to Nandigrama.
Thereafter Bharata, glancing round, said to Hanuman, the
son of Pavana : —
" Is it due to the levity of thy monkey nature that I do not
behold Rakutstha, the illustrious Rama, Scourge of His Foes ?
Neither are those monkeys, able to change their form at will, to
be seen ! "
To these words, Hanuman, testifying to the truth, answered
the virtue-loving Bharata, saying : —
362
YUDDHA KANDA
" That sylvan army has reached the trees covered with fruit
and flowers, flowing with honey, where the humming of bees
intoxicated with love can be heard. All this was created by
virtue of a boon bestowed by Vasava on the Sage Bharadwaja, as
a reward for his great hospitality. One can hear their shouts of
delight and, to my mind, those monkeys have crossed the River
Gaumati. Observe that immense cloud of dust near the wood ;
in mine estimation, the monkeys are shaking the boughs of the
Sala Trees ; behold that aerial chariot, bright as the moon, which
can be seen in the distance, it is the celestial Car Fushpaka
created by Brahma's thought and was obtained by that hero after
he had skin Ravana and his kinsfolk. Glittering like the rising
sun, that celestial chariot, swift as thought, that is bearing Rama,
belongs to Dhanada, who received it from Brahma. In it are the
two valiant brothers, offspring of the House of Raghu, accom-
panied by Vaidehi, the supremely illustrious Sugriva and the
Titan Bibishana."
At that moment, from women, children, youthful persons and
the aged, the joyful clamour ' Rama has come ! * arose, reaching
the skies.
Alighting from their chariots, elephants and horses in order to
go on foot, the people beheld that prince standing in his aerial
car, resembling the moon in the sky. With joined palms,
Bharata advanced joyfully to meet Rama, to whom he paid
obeisance, offering him water wherewith to wash his hands and
feet, as also the Arghya.
In that chariot, created by Brahma's thought, the elder
brother of Bharata with his large eyes, looked as radiant as the
God who bears the Thunderbolt. Then Bharata, with a deep
bow, paid reverence to his brother Rama, who was seated in the
car, like unto the sun on the summit of Mount Meru, and at
Rama's command, that swift and excellent vehicle, harnessed to
swans, descended to earth. Then the faithful Bharata approach-
ing Rama, full of joy paid obeisance once more, and Kakutstha,
drawing Bharata to him, whom he had not seen for a long time,
caused him to sit on his lap, embracing him affectionately.
Thereafter, Bharata, the scourge of his foes, approached Laksh-
mana and Vaidehi and saluted them lovingly ; then the son of
Kaikeyi embraced Sugriva, Jambavan, Angada, Mainda,
3<*3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Dvivida, Nila and Rishabha also, and Sushena, Nala, Gavaksha,
Gandhamadana, Sharabha and Panasa, clasping them in turn in
his anns.
In the form of men, those monkeys, able to change their shape
at will, gaily wished Bharata good fortune ; then, after embracing
him, that prince, full of valour, said to Sugriva, that lion among
monkeys ; —
" We are four brothers, thou shalt be the fifth, O Sugriva ;
benevolence creates friendship and malevolence enmity ! "
Thereafter Bharata addressed Bibishana in comforting words,
saying: —
" Be thou blessed ; thy co-operation ensured the success of
this difficult enterprise ! "
At that instant, Shatrughna, having paid obeisance to Rama
and Lakshmana, bowed reverently to the feet of Sita, Then
Rama approached his mother, who was pale and drawn with
grief and, prostrating himself, touched her feet, thus rejoicing
her heart, after which he saluted Sumitra and the renowned
Kaikeyi, thereafter paying obeisance to the other Queens and
his spiritual preceptor.
Then all the citizens, with joined palms said to Rama : —
" Be thou welcome, O Long-armed Hero, thou art the increaser
of Kaushalya's delight ! "
To the elder brother of Bharata, those thousands of hands
joined in salutation caused the inhabitants of the city to appear
like a lotus in flower.
Then Bharata, conversant with his duty, himself took Rama's
sandals and fastened them on the feet of that Indra among Men
and thereafter, with joined palms, said to him ; —
" This kingdom that I received in trust, I now render back to
thee in its entirety. To-day, since I see thee as Lord of Ayodhya,
the purpose of mine existence has been fulfilled and my desires
consummated. Now examine thy treasury, thy storehouses, thine
house and thine army ; by thy grace, I have increased them
tenfold ! "
These words uttered by Bharata out of fraternal love, caused
the monkeys and the Titan Bibishana to shed tears. Thereafter,
in his joy, Raghava made Bharata sit on his lap and, with his
chariot and army, proceeded to the hermitage.
3«4
YUDDHA KANDA
Reaching that place with Bharata and his troops, Rama
alighted from his aerial car and thereafter spoke to that most
excellent chariot, saying : —
" Now go hence and place thyself at Vaishravana's disposal, I
give thee leave to depart."
Thus dismissed by Rama, that excellent car proceeded in a
northerly direction and reached Dhanada's abode. The celestial
Car Pushpaka, which had been borne away by the Titan Ravana,
returned at Rama's command with all speed to Dhanada.
As Shakra touches the feet of Brihaspati, Raghava, having
touched the feet of his friend, his spiritual preceptor, seated
himself by his side, a little way apart, on an excellent seat.
chapter 130
Rama is installed as King : The Benefits that accrue
from the Recitation and Hearing of the Ramayana
Raising his joined palms to his forehead, Bharata, the increaser
of Kaikeyi's delight, said to his elder brother, Rama, that true
hero: —
" Thou hast honoured my mother by conferring the kingdom
on me ; now I give back to thee that which was entrusted to me.
How can I, who am but a young steer, bear the heavy load that
one full grown is scarcely able to sustain ? To my mind, it is as
hard to preserve the boundaries of this kingdom as to build up a
dam which has been swept away by a torrent. How can a
donkey outpace a horse or a crow surpass a swan in flight ? Nor
am I able to follow in thy footsteps, O Hero, O Scourge of Thy
Foes ! As a tree with a vast trunk and branches, planted in a
courtyard, that has grown immense and difficult to climb, dries
up when it has blossomed without yielding any fruit, so, O Long-
armed Prince, if, being our master, thou dost not uphold us all,
we thy servants, are in the same case !
"Let the universe to-day witness thine enthronement} O
Raghava, thou who art as radiant as the sun at noon in all its
effulgence. From henceforth, let it be to the sound of gongs,
365
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the tinkling of girdles and anklets and the gentle strains of
melodious singing that thou dost wake and fall asleep. Do thou
rule the world as long as the sun revolves and the earth endures."
Hearing Bharata's words, Rama, the conqueror of hostile
cities, answered ' So be it ! * and took his place on an excellent
seat.
Thereafter, at the command of Shatrughna, skilled and deft-
handed barbers quickly surrounded Raghava ; and first Bharata
bathed and the mighty Lakshmana also, then Sugriva, that Indra
among Monkeys, followed by Bibishana, the Lord of the Titans ;
whereupon Rama, his matted locks shorn, performed his
ablutions and he was clothed in robes of great price, covered
with garlands and sprinkled with every kind of perfume;
thereafter he re-appeared blazing in his own effulgence. The
hero, Bharata, attended on Rama's robing and Shatrughna, the
upholder of the prosperity of the Ikshvakus, on Lakshmana's,
and all the consorts of King Dasaratha attended on Sita. Kau-
shalya, in love of her son, herself adorned all the consorts of the
monkeys with joy.
Then Shatrughna, having issued the command, Sumantra
harnessed a magnificent chariot and when that celestial car,
bright as flame, had been brought before him, Rama, that long-
armed warrior, conqueror of hostile citadels, took his place
therein. Sugriva and Hanuman, whose beauty equalled
Mahendra's, bathed and attired in robes of divine loveliness and
sparkling earrings, followed ; thereafter Sugriva's consorts, as
also Sita, advanced eager to behold the capital.
In Ayodhya all the ministers of King Dasaratha, with Rama's
spiritual Preceptor Vasishtha, at their head, took counsel as to
what ought to be done ; and Ashoka, Vijaya and Siddhartha,
with undivided mind, entered into consultation regarding the
honours to be paid to Rama by the city and said : —
" Prepare all that is needed for the coronation of the magnani-
mous Rama, who is worthy of this honour, beginning with the
benedictory prayer."
Having issued these orders, the ministers as also the spiritual
Preceptor set forth from the city in haste, in order to behold
Rama, who resembled the God of a Thousand Eyes in his chariot
drawn by bay horses. And Raghava, seated in his car, proceeded
366
YUDDHA KANDA
along the highway to his capital ; Bharata took up the reins,
Shatrughna the parasol, Lakshmana the fan and Sugriva one of
the chowries, whilst that Indra among the Titans, Bibishaaa,
held the second that was made of Yaks tails of dazzling whiteness
and like unto the moon, waving it to and fro over the prince,
behind whom he stood. At that instant, the sweet music of
Rama's praises rang out in the sky sung by companies of Rishis
and Gods with the Marut Hosts.
The illustrious Sugriva, that bull among the monkeys, was
mounted on an elephant named Sbatrumjaya, as high as a hill,
and nine thousand elephants carried the monkeys, who in the
form of men, proceeded along the way, adorned with, ornaments
of every kind.
Then that Lord of Men advanced towards the city encircled
with palaces, to the sound of conches and the roll of drums ; and
the inhabitants of die city beheld Raghava radiant with beauty
advancing in his chariot, and, having exchanged salutations,
they took up their places behind Kakutstha, the magnanimous
Rama, surrounded by his brothers. In the midst of his coun-
sellors, the brahmins and the people, Rama shone with splendour
like unto the moon amidst the stars ; and, as he advanced along
the highway, preceded by the musicians and those who bore the
Swastika on the palms of their hands, he was attended by a
joyous crowd. Before Rama marched those who carried roasted
grain and gold, and virgins and kine were there with the Twice-
born and men with their hands full of Modaka.1
Meantime Rama informed his ministers of his alliance with
Sugriva and of the prowess of the son of Anila; and the monkeys
and the inhabitants of Ayodhya were astounded by the narrative
concerning the monkeys' exploits and the valour of the titans.
Whilst relating these incidents, the illustrious Rama, who was
attended by the Vanaras, entered Ayodhya, which was filled with
healthy and happy people, and where every house was decorated.
Thereafter they came to the ancestral dwelling, the abode of
the descendants of Ikshvaku, and that prince, the delight of the
House of Raghu, paid obeisance to Kaushalya, Sumitra and
Kaikeyi and thereafter addressed Bharata in gentle and reason-
able words saying : —
1 Modaka— A kind of sweetmeat.
3«7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Let Sugriva stay in the magnificent palace, set amidst the
woods in the Ashoka Grove, which abounds in pearls and
emeralds."
At these words, Bharata, that true hero, took Sugriva by the
hand and led him into the palace. Meanwhile servants bearing
oil lamps, couches and carpets entered immediately as comman-
ded by Shatrughna and the exceedingly valiant younger brother
of Raghava said to Sugriva :—
" Do Thou, O Lord, issue thy commands for Rama's
coronation ! "
On this, Sugriva gave over four golden urns encrusted with
gems to the monkey leaders, saying : —
" To-morrow, at dawn, see to it that ye return with your urns
filled from the four seas, O Monkeys."
At this command, those powerful monkeys, resembling
elephants, immediately rose into the air, so that tbey looked like
swift eagles, and they were Jambavan, Hanuman, Vegadarshin
and Rishabha, who brought back their urns filled with water,
whilst five hundred other monkeys drew water in their jars from
five hundred rivers. The mighty and valorous Sushena returned
with his vessel, adorned with every variety of gem, bearing
water from the eastern sea ; Rishabha, without delay, brought
water from the southern sea ; Gavaya, with his urn powdered
with red sandal and camphor, rilled it at the vast ocean of the
west, and Hanuman, the marvellous son of Anila, who was as
swift as the wind, with his huge urn, encrusted with diamonds,
drew water from the icy northern sea.
Beholding the water brought by those foremost of monkeys
for Rama's coronation, Shatrughna, attended by servants,
imparted the tidings to the chief Priest Vasishtha, and his
companions, and that venerable one hastened there with the
brahmins, whereupon he caused Rama accompanied by Sita, to
ascend a throne inlaid with precious gems. Then Vasishtha,
Vijaya, Javali, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Gautama and Vamadeva
consecrated that lion among men with pure and fragrant water,
as the Vasus crowned Vasava of a Thousand Eyes.
Then the Ritvijs and the Brahmins with sixteen virgins,
counsellors, warriors, as also the merchants, were full of joy and
Rama was sprinkled with pure water, and the Celestial Beings,
YUDDHA KANDA
standing in the firmament with the Lokapalas and the Gods
assembled to anoint him with the juice of all the sacred herbs.
And having been crowned by the magnanimous Vasishtha,
the priests placed royal vestments upon him ; and Shatrughna
bore the immaculate shining canopy, and Sugriva, the King of
the Monkeys, the chowry made of Yaks tails, the Lord of the
Titans, Bibishana carrying the second, that was as bright as the
moon. Thereafter, on Vasava's command, Vayu bestowed on
Raghava a brilliant golden garland embellished with a hundred
lotuses, and a necklace of pearls enriched with every variety of
gem was also conferred on that Lord of Men by Shakra.
The Gods and Gandharvas sang and troops of Apsaras
danced at the installation of the virtuous Rama, who was worthy
of that honour. The earth too was covered with rich crops and
the trees with their fruit and flowers gave forth their fragrance
in honour of Raghava. Hundreds and thousands of horses, cows
and heifers were distributed amongst the Twice-born by that
prince, who had already bestowed hundreds of bulls on the
brahmins ; and Raghava gave them thirty crorcs of gold and
rich attire and priceless ornaments.
Then a golden crown encrusted with precious stones, glittering
like the sun's rays, was offered to Sugriva by that valiant leader
of men, who bestowed two bracelets set with emeralds, the
lustre of which rivalled the moon's, on Angada, the son of Bali.
And Rama gave unto Sita a necklace of pearls embellished with
gems that was without peer and like unto moonbeams, and
celestial and immaculate raiment richly embroidered with
superb ornaments. Then Vaidehi, the delight of Janaka,
prepared to bestow her own necklace on the son of the Wind as
a token and, unclasping it from her neck, she looked on all the
monkeys and on her lord again and again, whereupon Rama,
understanding her gesture and approving it, said to the daughter
of Janaka : —
" Give the necklace to whom thou pleaseth, O Lovely and
Illustrious Lady ! "
Thereupon the dark-eyed Sita gave the necklace to the son of
Vayu, and Hanuman, in whom courage, strength, glory, stall, capa-
bility and reserve, prudence, audacity and prowess were ever to be
found, that Hon among monkeys, adorned with that necklace,
369
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
looked as radiant as a mountain covered by a white cloud
silvered by an aureole of moonbeams.
Thereafter all die elder and leading monkeys received fitting
gifts of jewels and raiment, whereupon Sugriva, Hanuman,
Jambavan and all those monkeys having been overwhelmed with
favours by Rama of imperishable exploits, and received precious
gems in addition, according to their merits, with all that their
hearts could desire, returned joyfully from whence they had
come ; and Rama, the scourge of his foes, lord of the earth,
sought out Dvivida, Mainda and Nila and satisfied all their
wishes.
Thereupon the festival which they had attended being termi-
nated, the foremost of the monkeys took leave of that lord of men
and returned to Kishkindha. And Sugriva, the King of the
Monkeys, having assisted at Rama's coronation and being
overwhelmed with honours by him, went back to his capital.
Thereafter, Bibishana, that virtuous monarch, having obtained
the kingdom of his forbears, returned to Lanka full of glory
with the leading titans.
The supremely illustrious and magnanimous Raghava, having
slain his foes, ruled his empire in peace, enhancing the joy of his
people.
Devoted to virtue, Rama addressed Lakshmana who was fixed
in his duty, saying :—
" O Faithful One, aid me in defending the land protected by
the ancient kings with their armies. As was the custom of our
ancestors in days of yore, do thou share the weight of state
affairs with me as heir presumptive."
Yet, despite the earnest entreaties addressed to him, Saumitri
did not accept the dignity, and the high-souled Rama conferred
it on Bharata. Thereafter that prince performed the Paundarika,
Ashvamedha, Vajimedha and other sacrifices of many kinds again
and again. Reigning for ten thousand years, he offered up ten
horse sacrifices, distributing immense wealth in charity, and
Rama, whose arms reached to his knees, the powerful elder
brother of Lakshmana, ruled the earth in glory and performed
many sacrifices with his sons, brothers and kinsfolk. No widow
was ever found in distress nor was there any danger from snakes
or disease during his reign ; there were no malefactors in his
370
YUDDHA KANDA
kingdom nor did any suffer harm ; no aged person ever attended
the funeral of a younger relative ; happiness was universal ;
each attended to his duty and they had only to look on Rama to
give up enmity. Men lived for a thousand years, each having a
thousand sons who were free from infirmity and anxiety ; trees
bore fruit and flowers perpetually ; Parjanya sent down rain
when it was needed and Maruta blew auspiciously ; all works
undertaken bore happy results and all engaged in their respective
duties and eschewed evil. All were endowed with good qualities ;
all were devoted to pious observances and Rama ruled over the
kingdom for ten thousand years.
This renowned and sacred epic, the foremost of all, granting
long life and victory to kings, was composed by the Rishi Valmiki,
and he who hears it constantly in this world is delivered from
evil ; if he desires sons he obtains them, if wealth he acquires it.
He who, in this world, listens to the story of Rama's enthrone-
ment, if he be a king, will conquer the earth and overcome his
enemies. Women will obtain sons as Sumitra and Kaushalya
obtained Rama and Lakshmana and Kaikeyi, Bharata.
The hearing of the ' Ramayana ' grants longevity and victory
equal to Rama's, he of imperishable exploits. The one who,
mastering his anger, listens with faith to this epic, formerly
composed by Valmiki, overcomes all obstacles and those who
hear this story set forth by Valmiki will return from their
journeys in foreign lands and rejoice the hearts of their kinsfolk.
They will obtain fulfilment of all the desires they conceive
in this world from Raghava, and its recitation will bring delight
to the Celestials ; it pacifies the adverse forces in those houses
where it is to be found.
Hearing it, a king will conquer the earth ; if he be a stranger
he will fare well ; women who hear this sacred epic in their
pregnancy, will give birth to sons who are unsurpassed. He who
recites it with reverence will be freed from all evil and live long.
Warriors should listen to it recited by the Twice-born with
bowed heads in order to achieve prosperity and obtain sons.
Rama is ever pleased with the one who hears this epic or who
recites it in its entirety and he who does so will obtain a felicity
comparable to Rama's, who is Vishnu, the Eternal, the Primeval
God, the Long-armed Hari, Narayana, the Lord. Such are the
371
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fruits produced by this ancient narrative. May prosperity
attend thee ! Recite it with love and may the power of Vishnu
increase !
The Celestial Beings rejoice in the understanding and hearing
of * Ramayana ' and the Ancestors are gratified. Those who, in
devotion, transcribe this history of Rama, composed by the
Rishi Valmiki, attain to the region of Brahma.
The hearing of this rare and beautiful poem in this world
brings prosperous families, wealth and grain in abundance,
lovely wives, supreme felicity and complete success in all
undertakings.
This narrative which promotes long life, health, renown,
brotherly love, wisdom, happiness and power should be heard in
reverence by virtuous men desirous of felicity.
END OF YUDDHA KANDA
372
BOOK VII.
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTEX I
The Sages pay homage to Rama
When Rama regained his kingdom, having slain the titans, all
the Sages came to pay him homage.
Kaushika, Yavakrita, Gargya also, and Kanva, the son of
Medhatitbi, who dwelt in the eastern region ; Svastiyatreya, the
blessed Namuchi and Framuchi, Agastya and Atri, the blessed
Sumukha and Vimukha, led by Agastya, came from the southern
region, and Nrishangu, Kavashin, Dhaumya and the great Rishi
Kausheya, who inhabited the western region, also presented
themselves with their disciples; and Vasishtha, Kashyapa,
Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Bharadvaja came with
the seven Rishis who were established in the northern quarter.
Reaching the palace of Raghava, those magnanimous ascetics
who shone like Fire, the devourer of offerings, presented them-
selves at the gate and they were all conversant with the Veda
and its component parts and versed in the various traditions.
Addressing himself to the doorkeeper, the virtuous Agastya,
Prince of Sages, said to him : —
" Let the arrival of the ascetics be made known to the son of
Dasaratha ! "
Thereupon the vigilant guardian of the door, hearing these
words from the Sage Agastya, instantly went away and, trust-
worthy, skilled in the art of procedure, instructed in conduct
and gesture, he entered the presence of that magnanimous
sovereign, who was as radiant as the full moon, and informed
him of the arrival of that Prince of Sages, Agastya.
Learning that those ascetics, who resembled the rising sun,
had come, Rama said to the door-keeper : —
" Usher them in with all due respect ! "
Thereafter, when the Sages had entered, Rama rose in deference
to them and honoured them with water and the Arghya, bestow-
ing on each a cow.
Then Rama, bowing low, paid obeisance to them and caused
raised and costly seats encrusted with gold to be brought, that
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
were covered with cushions of Kusha Grass and antelope skins,
and those mighty Sages seated themselves according to rank and,
questioned by Rama concerning their well-being, the great
Rishis versed in the Veda, who were accompanied by their
disciples, replied to him, saying : —
** O Long-armed Hero, Joy of the House of Raghu, all is well
with us ! By the grace of heaven we behold thee happy and
delivered from thine enemies ! By divine grace, O King, thou
hast slain Ravana, that destroyer of the worlds, nor is it any
great matter for thee to slay Ravana with his sons and grandsons !
Furnished with thy bow, thou canst undoubtedly destroy the
Three Worlds ! By heaven's favour, we behold thee with Sita
victorious to-day. We see thee with thy brother Lakshmana,
who is devoted to thine interests, in the midst of thy mothers
and other brothers, O Virtuous Prince. By the grace of heaven,
the Rangers of the Night, Prahasta, Vikata, Virupaksha,
Mahodara, Akampana and Durdharsha have perished. By
divine grace, O Rama, Kumbhakarna, he, whose monstrous
form had no equal in the world, was overthrown by thee in
combat. Trishiras, Atikaya, Devantaka and Narantaka, those
mighty night rangers, were struck down by thee, O Rama. By
the grace of heaven, thou didst measure thy strength against
that Indra of Titans whom the Gods themselves were unable to
destroy and didst vanquish him in single combat. Assuredly
it was no small matter for thee to overcome Ravana in fight but,
by divine grace, thou wast able to join issue with Ravani and, in
combat, slay him also.
" Once thou wast delivered from his magic bonds, O Long-
armed Hero, by heaven's favour, thou didst triumph over that
enemy of the Gods who bore down on thee like Time itself!
We marvelled to learn of the death of Indrajita ! By granting
us the sacred and agreeable gift of security, thou hast enhanced
thy victory, O Kafcutstha, O Scourge of Thy Foes ! "
Hearing those pure-souled Sages speak thus, Rama was
extremely surprised and, with joined palms, answered them,
saying: —
"O Blessed Ones, I vanquished Kumbhakarna and that
Ranger of the Night, Ravana, both of whom were filled with
valour, why, therefore, do you praise me particularly on account
376
UTTARA KANDA
of Ravani ? Since I vanquished Mahodara, Prahasta, the Titan
Virupaksha, also Matta and Unmatta who were both invincible,
and those great warriors, Devantaka and Narantaka, why this
commendation on Indrajita's account? Did I not overcome
those Rangers of the Night, Atikaya, Trishiras and Dhumraksha
who were full of courage ? Why, therefore, do you extol me
because of Ravani ? In what lay his special power, strength and
prowess ? How was he superior to Ravana ? If I may learn it,
for this is no command I lay upon you, if it be no secret that
you may not reveal, I desire to know it, therefore speak!
Shakra himself was vanquished by him ; in virtue of what boon
and from what source did the son derive those powers that his
sire Ravana, did not possess ? From whence did this titan gain
pre-eminence over his father in combat ? How was he able to
triumph over Indra ? Tell me now of all the boons he received,
O Foremost of the Sages ! "
CHAPTER 2
The Birth of Vishravas
Thus questioned by the magnanimous Raghava, the illustrious
Kumbhayoni answered as follows : —
'* Learn, O Rama, of the brilliant exploits of that warrior and
how he slew his adversaries without being wounded by them ;
but first I shall tell thee of Ravana's birth and lineage, O
Raghava, and thereafter of the rare boon accorded to his son.
" In former times, during the Kritayuga, there lived a son of
Prajapati, O Rama, and that lord, Poulastya by name, was a
Paramarishi equal to the Grandsire of the World Himself. One
is unable to enumerate all the virtues he owed to his excellent
character and it is sufficient to say that he was the son of
Prajapati and, as such, was the favourite of the Gods. He was
beloved of the entire world on account of his charming qualities
and great wisdom. In order to pursue his ascetic practices, that
foremost of Munis repaired to the hermitage of Trinabindu and
took up his abode on the slopes of the great Mountain Mem.
377
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
There, that virtuous soul, his senses fully controlled, gave him-
self up to the practice of austerity, but some youthful maidens,
whose fathers were Rishis, Pannagas and Rajarishis, wandering
in those solitudes, disturbed bim. Accompanied by Apsaras,
they came to divert themselves in that place and, as it was
possible to find fruits in every season and disport oneself in
those woods, the young girls constantly went there to play.
Attracted by the charms of Poulastya's retreat, they sang,
played their instruments and danced, thus in full innocence,
distracting the hermit from the exercise of his penances.
" On this, that mighty and exalted Sage cried out in indigna-
tion : —
" ( She who rails under my gaze, will instantly conceive ! '
" Thereupon all those maidens, who heard the magnanimous
Sage, terrified of the brahmin's curse, left that place ; but the
daughter of the Sage Trinabindu had not heard it. Entering
the wood, wandering here and there without fear, she was
unable to find the companions who had accompanied her.
"At that moment the illustrious and mighty Rishi, born of
Prajapati, was concentrating on the sacred scriptures, his soul
purified by asceticism. Hearing the recitation of the Veda, that
youthful maiden approached, and beholding that treasury of
asceticism, she instantly grew pale and manifested all the signs
of pregnancy. Thereupon, discovering her condition, she
became extremely bewildered and said : —
" * What has happened to me ? ' Thereafter, realising the truth,
she returned to her father's hermitage.
** On seeing her in that state, Trinabindu said : — * What means
this strange condition in which thou dost find thyself? '
" Thereat, with joined palms, the unfortunate girl answered
that treasury of asceticism, saying : —
" ' I do not know, Dear Father, what has brought me to this
pass. Preceded by my companions, I had gone to visit the
sacred hermitage of that great and pure-souled Rishi Poulastya.
Thereafter I was unable to find any of those who had accom-
panied me to the woods but, perceiving the alteration in my
body, seized with fear, I returned here.'
" Then that Rajarishi Trinabindu, of radiant aspect, entered
into meditation awhile and it was revealed to him that this was
378
UTTARA KANDA
the work of the ascetic and, the curse of that great and pure-
souled Sage having been made clear to him, he, taking his
daughter, went to where Poulastya was to be found and said to
him: —
" ' O Blessed One, accept this daughter of mine in all her
native perfection as alms spontaneously offered. O Great Rishi,
assuredly she will ever be completely obedient to thee who art
given to the practice of asceticism and to the mortification of the
" Hearing the words of the virtuous Rajarishi, that Twice-
born One, who was willing to accept the young girl, said : — * It
is well ! ' and, having given his daughter to that king of Sages,
Trinabindu returned to his hermitage whilst the young wife
remained with her consort, gratifying him with her virtue. Her
character and conduct so charmed that powerful and exalted
Sage that, in his delight, he addressed her, saying : —
" * O Lady of lovely limbs, I am well pleased with thine out-
standing virtues and will confer on thee a son like unto myself
who will perpetuate both our houses ; he will be known by the
name of Poulastya and, as thou hast listened to me reciting the
Veda, he will also be called Vishravas.'1
" Thus, his heart filled with delight, did the ascetic speak to
his divine consort and, in a short time, she gave birth to a son,
Vishravas, who was famed in the Three Worlds and full of glory
and piety. Learned, looking on all with an equal eye, happy in
the fulfilment of his duty, like unto his sire inclined to asceticism,
such was Vishravas.
1 From the root ' Sru ', to listen.
CHAPTER 3
Vishravas becomes the Protector of Wealth
" The son of Poulastya, that foremost of Munis, was not long in
establishing himself in asceticism like his sire. Loyal, virtuous,
devoted to the study of the Veda, pure, detached from all the
pleasures of life, bis duty was his constant aim,
379
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Hearing of the life he was leading, the great Muni Bharad wa ja
gave his own daughter of radiant complexion to him and
Vishravas accepted Bharadwaja's daughter with traditional rites
and began to consider how he might perpetuate his line and
happiness. In extreme delight, that foremost of the ascetics,
conversant with his duty, begot with his wife a wonderful child
full of vigour, endowed with all the brahmic qualities.1
" At the birth of this child, his paternal grandfather was filled
with joy, and Poulastya, beholding him, bethought himself how
he might make him happy. * He shall become the " Guardian
of Wealth ",' he said in bis delight, which was shared by all the
Sages, and he gave him a name, saying : —
" * Since the child resembles Vishravas, he shall be known as
Vaishravana ! '
" Thereafter Vaishravana, retiring to pastoral solitudes, grew
up to resemble the mighty Anala, who is invoked at the time of
sacrifice and, while he sojourned in that retreat, the thought
came to that magnanimous one, * I will pursue my supreme
duty ; the path of duty is the highest path '.
" For a thousand years he gave himself up to asceticism in the
great forest and practising severe austerities, performed heavy
penances. At the end of a thousand years, he underwent the
following discipline — drinking water, he fed on air alone or took
no nourishment whatsoever. A thousand ages passed like a
single year, whereupon the mighty Brahma, accompanied by the
Hosts of the Gods and their leaders, came to the hermitage and
said to him : —
" ' I am highly gratified with thine accomplishments, O
Devoted Son, now choose a boon ! May prosperity attend thee ;
thou dost merit a favour, O Sage 1 *
"Then Vaishravana answered the Grandsire of the World, who
stood near and said : —
*' ' O Blessed One, I desire to be the saviour and protector of
the world ! *
" In the satisfaction of his soul, Brahma, who was accompanied
by the Celestial Host, joyfully answered : — * So be it ! It is my
desire to create four Guardians of the Worlds. Now there shall
be the region of Yama, the region of Indra, the region of Varuna
1 Such as self-control, purity, austerity, etc.
3«o
UTTARA KANDA
and the one sought by thee. Go, O Virtuous Ascetic, and reign
over the dominion of wealth ! With Shakra, Varuna, the Lord
of the Waters, and Yama, thou shalt be the fourth. Receive as
thy vehicle this chariot named Pushpaka, which is as bright as
the sun, and be equal to the Gods. Be happy, we shall
now return from whence we came, having accomplished that
which we had to do by conferring this double gift, O Dear
Son!'
" With these words, Brahma withdrew to the region of the Gods
and when the Celestial Host, with the Grandsire at their head,
had gone to the heavenly region, Vaishravana, having become
the Lord of Wealth, humbly addressed his sire with joined
palms and said : —
" ' O Blessed One, I have received a rare boon from the Grand-
sire of the World, but the divine Prajapati has not assigned me a
dwelling place ; do thou therefore counsel me, O Blessed One,
O Lord, as to where an agreeable retreat may be found where
no suffering comes to any living being.'
" At these words of his son, Vaishravana, the foremost of the
ascetics answered saying : —
" * Hear, O Most Virtuous of Men ! On the shores of the ocean,
to the south there is a mountain named Trikuta. On its lofty
summit, which is as great as the capital of the mighty Indra, the
ravishing City of Lanka was constructed by Vishvakarma for the
Rakshasas and it resembles Amaravati. Do thou dwell in
Lanka and be happy ! Do not hesitate ! With its moats,
golden walls, engines of war and the weapons with which it is
filled, with its gold and emerald archways, that city is a marvel!
The Rakshasas left it formerly in fear of Vishnu and it is deserted,
all the demons having gone to the nethermost region. Now
Lanka is empty and has no protector. Go and inhabit it, My
Son, and be happy ! No harm will visit thee there.'
" Hearing the words of his sire, the virtuous Vaishravana went
to dwell in Lanka on the summit of the mountain, and soon,
under his rule, it was filled with thousands of delighted Nairritas
disporting themselves.
" That righteous King of the Nairritas, the blessed Sage
Vaishravana, dwelt in Lanka, that city surrounded by the sea
and, from time to time, the saintly Lord of Wealth, in the
381
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Pushpaka Chariot, went to visit his father and mother. Hymned
by the Hosts of the Gods and Gandharvas and entertained by
the dances of the Apsaras, that Guardian of Wealths radiating
glory like unto the sun, went to visit his sire. "
CHAPTER 4
Origin of the Rakskasas and of the Boons they received
This discourse of Agastya filled Rama with astonishment.
" How was it that the Rakshasas formerly dwelt in Lanka ? ",
such was the question that Rama put to the ascetic, shaking his
head and casting wondering glances upon him from time to
time.
He said : — '* O Blessed One, the words ' Formerly Lanka
belonged to the Eaters of Flesh ' from thy lips causes me extreme
surprise. We have been told that the Rakshasas were the
offspring of Poulastya and now, thou afiirmest that they owe
their origin to a different source. Were Ravana, Kumbhakarna,
Prahasta, Vikata and Ravani stronger than they? Who, O
Brahmin, was their first king ? What was the name of that one
of terrific strength ? For what fault were they driven out by
Vishnu ? Tell me all in detail, O Irreproachable Sage and, as
the sun chases away the shade, so dispel my curiosity ! "
Hearing Raghava's fair and eloquent words, Agastya, amazed,
answered : —
" Formerly Prajapati created the waters, choosing that
element as his source and, thereafter, in order to protect it, that
lotus-bora One generated all creatures. Then those beings,
tormented by hunger and thirst, humbly presented themselves
before their author and enquired saying : —
" * What shall we do ? *
" Whereupon Prajapati, smiling, gave this answer to them all : —
' Protect the waters carefully, O Sons of Manu ! * Then
some said : — ' Rakshami * (we will protect) and others ' Yak-
shami * (we will sacrifice). Thus addressed by those afflicted
by hunger and thirst, the Creator said : —
3»2
UTTARA KANDA
" ' Those among you who have said " Rakshami " shall be
Rakshasas and those among you who have said "Yakshami"
shall be Yakshas.'
" On this, two brothers sprang up, named Heti and Praheti, the
equals of Madhu and Kaitabha, who were Rakshasas, oppressors
of their foes ; and the righteous Praheti withdrew to the soli-
tudes to practice asceticism, but Heti did all in his power to find
a wife and, immeasurably intelligent and of great wisdom, he
espoused the sister of Kala, a young girl named Bhaya,1 who was
exceedingly terrifying ; and that foremost of those possessing
sons begot a son by the name of Vidyutkesha.
" The son of Heti, Vidyutkesha, was possessed of the splendour
of the sun and grew like a lotus in a lake and that ranger of the
night, having reached the bloom of youth, his sire resolved that
he should wed. In the interests of his son he sought out the
daughter of Sandhya, who was his equal in beauty, and Sandhya,
reflecting * a daughter must inevitably be given to some stranger '
gave her to Vidyutkesha in marriage, O Raghava.
" Vidyutkesha, that ranger of the night, having received the
daughter of Sandhya, began to divert himself with her as
Magna vat with the daughter of Paulomi. After a time, O Rama,
Salatantaka was filled with child, as a cloud is charged with
water from the ocean.
" Repairing to the Mandara Mountain, the Rakshasi brought
forth a child who was as beautiful as a cloud, even as Ganga had
been delivered of an infant by the God of Fire. Having given
birth to that child, she again desired to disport herself with
Vidyutkesha and, forsaking her son, she rejoined her consort.
Then the infant who had just been born and was as radiant as
the autumnal sun, whose voice resembled the rumbling of a
cloud, placing his fist in his mouth, cried for a long time, and
Shiva, who was following the Path of the Wind, mounted on
his bull and accompanied by Parvati, heard the sound of weeping
and with Uma beheld the son of the Rakshasi who was crying.
Allowing himself to be moved by compassion by his consort,
Bhava, the Destroyer of Tripura, made him equal to his mother
in age and bestowed immortality upon him. Thereafter the
unchanging and imperishable Mahadeva bestowed an aerial car
1 Bhaya — Fear.
383
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
upon him that traversed space, in order to gratify Parvati, and
she, on her side, also conferred a boon on him, saying : —
" ' The Rakshasas shall conceive instantly and give birth as
they conceive ; their children shall at once attain the age of
their mothers.'
" Thereafter the highly intelligent Sukesha, proud of the
favours he had received, having obtained this great fortune from
the Lord Hara, began to range everywhere, displaying himself
in his aerial car and resembling Purandara when he obtained
heaven.
chapter 5
The Story of the three Sons of Sukesha
" A gandharva named Gramani, who was as effulgent as fire, had
a daughter named Devavati in all the beauty of her youth,
famed in the Three Worlds, equal to a second Shri,1 and that
virtuous Gandharva, beholding Sukesha to be thus endowed, gave
her to him as a second Shri of whom he was the guardian.
"Approaching her beloved consort, who had attained a sovereign
state by virtue of the boons he had received, as a mendicant on
whom wealth has been conferred, Devavati was highly delighted.
United to that woman, the ranger of the night appeared as
majestic as a great elephant, the offspring of Aryama. In time
Sukesha became a father, O Raghava, and begot three sons, the
equals of the Three Sacrificial Fires, Malyavan, Sumali and
Mali, the foremost of herpes, rivals of the Three-eyed God ;
such were the sons of the Sovereign of the Rakshasas. In
repose, they resembled the Three worlds, in action, they were
like unto the three Sacrificial Fires,' as powerful as the Three
Vedas and as formidable as the three humours of the body.3
" These three sons of Sukesha, shining like three fires, throve like
1 Shri — The Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi.
•Three Sacrificial Fires — Garhapatya, Ahavaniya and Dakshina. See
Glossary.
* Three Humours of the body — Wind, bile and phlegm.
3&t
UTTARA KANDA
diseases that have been neglected and, learning of the boons
their sire had received, which had led him to increased sover-
eignty and which he owed to his asceticism, the three brothers
repaired to Mount Mem in order to practice penance.
" Adopting a rigid and formidable course of austerity, O
Foremost of Monarchs, those Rakshasas gave themselves up to
fearful mortifications, sowing terror among all beings. On
account of their penances, faith, virtue and equanimity, scarce to
be witnessed on earth, they agitated the Three Worlds with the
Gods, Asuras and men.
" Then the Four-faced Deity,1 in his marvellous chariot, came
to pay homage to the sons of Sukesha and said : —
" * It is I who am the conferrer of boons ! '
" Whereupon they, recognizing him to be Brahma, the Dispens-
er of Favours, who was accompanied by the Indras and their
Hosts, with joined palms, shaking like trees, answered hira,
saying : —
" ' If our penance has found favour with thee, O Lord, then
grant us the boons of remaining invincible, of destroying our
enemies, of living long, of becoming powerful and of being
devoted to one another.'
"' Let it be so !'" replied the God, who was a lover of brahmins,
to the sons of Sukesha and he returned to Brahmaloka. There-
upon those rangers of the night, O Rama, who had become
supremely arrogant on account of the boons they had received,
began to harass the Gods and Asuras, and the Celestials with the
companies of Rishis and Charanas, being thus persecuted
and having no protector with whom they could take refuge,
resembled beings in hell.
" Meantime, O Prince of Raghu, the three Rakshasas sought out
the immortal Vishvakarma, the foremost of architects and
joyously said to him : —
" ' O Thou, who from thine own resources, created the palaces
of the great Gods, strong, dazzling and impregnable, do thou in
thy transcendent intelligence construct a dwelling for us of our
own choosing on the Himavat, Meru or Mandara Mountains.
Build us a vast abode equal to that belonging to Maheshvara.*
" Then the mighty-armed Vishvakarma spoke to the Rakshasas
1 Four-faced Deity — Brahma.
385
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
concerning a residence equal to Indra's Amaravati and said : —
" * On the shores of the southern sea there is a mountain named
Trikuta and there is also another named Suvela, O Princes of the
Rakshasas. On the central peak resembling a cloud, inaccessible
even to birds and which is hewn on four sides, is a city of thirty
leagues in extent, covering a space of a hundred leagues in length.
Surrounded by golden walls, pierced by gateways and furnished
with terraces of gold, it is called Lanka, and was constructed by
me at Shakra's command. Go and establish yourselves in that
city, O Invincible Rakshasas, as the inhabitants of heaven dwell
in Amaravati. When you occupy that Citadel of Lanka with the
innumerable Rakshasas who surround you, none will be able to
expel you and you will overcome your foes.'
" Thus counselled by Vishvakarma, the foremost of the Rak-
shasas followed by thousands of their companions went to
inhabit the City of Lanka. Surrounded by strong walls and deep
moats, it was filled with hundreds of golden palaces and there
the rangers of the night began to dwell in great felicity.
" At that time, there lived a Gandharvi named Narmada, O
Descendant of Raghu, and she had three daughters born of her
own will, who were as lovely as Shri or Kirti. Though not of
their race, she gave her three daughters, whose faces were as
radiant as the full moon, to those three Indras among the
Rakshasas, The youthful Gandharvis of supreme attraction
were wedded by their mother under the Uttara Fhalguni
Constellation, which is presided over by the Deity Bhaga.1
" Having accepted their wives, O Rama, the sons of Sukesha
diverted themselves with them, as the Celestials sport with the
Apsaras. And the consort of Malyavan, Sundari* in name and
nature, gave birth to many sons — Vajramushti, Virupaksha,
Durmukha, Suptagna, Yajnakopa, Matta and Unmatta.
Sundari had a daughter also, O Rama, the lovely Anala.
" On her side, the consort of Sumali, whose complexion
resembled the full moon, was called Katumati and she was
dearer to him than his own life. I wul enumerate the offspring
that ranger of the night begot with her according to their birth,
0 Great King : —
1 Bhaga — An Aditya regarded in the Veda as presiding over love and marriage.
1 Sundari — The name means ' Beautiful '.
386
UTTARA KANDA
"They were — Prahasta, Akampana, Vikata, Kalikamukha,
Dhumraksha, Danda, Suparshwa of great energy, Samhradi,
Praghasa, Bhasakarna, Raka, Pashpotkala, Kaikasi of gracious
smiles and Kumbhanasi. These, we are told, were the off-
spring of Suraali.
" Mali's wife was the Gandharvi named Vasuda, who was
supremely graceful, whose eyes resembled lotus petals and who
rivalled the most ravishing of the Yakshis. Hear, O Lord
Raghava, and I will tell thee of the offspring the youngest
brother begot with her ; they were Anala, Anila, Hara and
Sampati ; these sons of Mali became the counsellors of
Bibishana.
" Meanwhile, those foremost of night-rangers surrounded by
hundreds of their sons, in the intoxication of their extreme
strength, harassed the Gods and their leaders with the Rishis,
Nagas and Yakshas. Ranging the earth, irresistible as the
tempest, ruthless as death in combat, overweeningly proud of
their boons, they constantly impeded the sacrifices of the Sages.
CHAPTER 6
Vishnu goes to the defence of the Gods
« thus afflicted, the Gods and Rishis, those treasuries of asceti-
cism, terror-stricken, sought refuge with the God of Gods,
Maheshwara, He Who creates and destroys the universe, the
Inner Ruler, Who is unmanifest, the substratum of the worlds,
the supreme Guru, adored by all. And the Gods, coming to
that enemy of Kama,1 the Destroyer of Tripura, addressed him
in a voice shaking with fear, and said : —
" ' O Bhagawat, the sons of Sukesha, wrought up with pride on
account of the boons they have received from the Grandsire of
the World, those scourgers of their foes, are oppressing the
children of the Lord of Creatures. Our dwellings, which should
be our refuge, no longer afford us shelter ; having driven out
1 Kama — The God of Love, who, having disturbed the meditations of Mahesh-
wara was burnt to ashes by him by a single glance from his third eye.
387
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the Gods from heaven, they themselves assume the rdle of Gods.
"IamVishnu",,,IamRudra".MIamBrahma"." lam the King
of the Gods ", " I am Yama ", " I am Varuna ", " I am the Moon ",
" Verily, I am the Sun ", thus do Mali, Sumali and Malyavan
speak, those Rakshasas, formidable in combat, who harass us
as also those who precede them. We are terrified, O Lord,
deliver us from fear ; do thou assume a terrible form and subdue
those thorns in the side of the Gods."
" On this prayer from the united Gods being addressed to
Kapardin,1 of reddish hue, he, in deference to Sukesha answered
the Celestial Host, saying : —
" * Kay, I shall not destroy these Rakshasas ; I am not able to
slay them, O Ye Gods, but I shall unfold to you how you may
rid yourselves of them ! This step having been taken, O
Maharishis, go and seek refuge with the Lord Vishnu who will
himself destroy them ! *
" Thereupon, offering obeisance to Maheshwara, with jubilant
cries they presented themselves before Vishnu, though filled with
terror on account of those rangers of the night.
" Bowing down to the God who bears the conch and discus,
they paid him great homage and, in trembling tones, denounced
the sons of Sukesha, saying : —
" ' O Lord, by virtue of the boons they have received, the three
sons of Sukesha, like unto three fires, penetrated into our abode
and took possession of it. Lanka is the name of that inaccessible
citadel built on the summit of the Mount Trikuta ; it is there
that these rangers of the night, our persecutors, have established
themselves. Come to our aid and destroy them, O Slayer of
Madhu ! We take refuge in Thee, be our deliverer, O Lord of
the Gods! Do Thou offer up their lotus-like faces, severed by Thy
discus, to Yama. In time of peril, none but Thee canst give us
shelter, O Lord. As the sun dispels the mist, so do Thou dispel
our terror in regard to these Rakshasas, who, with their adherents
take delight in warfare ! '
" When the Gods had spoken thus, the Lord of Lords, Janar-
dana, who strikes terror in the hearts of his foes, re-assured
them, saying : —
" ' The Rakshasa Sukesha, who, on account of the boons
1 Kapardin — Waarer of 2 Kapardz, a particular knot of hair.
388
UTTARA KANDA
received from Ishana, is intoxicated with pride, is known to me
and his sons also, the eldest of whom is Malyavan. Those
Rakshasas, the vilest of all, exceed all limits and I shall extermin-
ate them in my wrath, O Ye Gods, have no fear ! '
" Hearing the words of the mighty Janardana, Vishnu, each of
the Gods returned to his abode, chanting His praises.
" Learning of the intervention of the Gods, that ranger of the
night Malyavan, said to his two valiant brothers : —
" ' The Immortals and the Rishis have unitedly sought out
Shankara in order to bring about our destruction and addressed
Him thus : —
" O Lord, the offspring of Sukesha, intoxicated with pride, by
the power they received from those boons torment us without
respite. Harassed by these Rakshasas, it is impossible for us, O
Frajapati, to remain in our retreats for fear of those wicked ones ;
do Thou defend us and subdue them, O Three-eyed God, and,
with Thy word of power ' Hum ', burn them up, O Supreme
Consumer.
"'Thus did the Gods speak and the Slayer of Andaka, shaking
his head and hands, answered them saying : —
" ' It is impossible for me to destroy the celestial children of
Sukesha in the open field but I will tell you the means whereby
they may be slain. Let the God who bears the Mace and Discus
in His hands, who is clad in yellow, Janardana, Hari, Narayana,
the Lord of Shri, be your refuge ! '
" * Having received this counsel from Hara and taken leave of
that enemy of Kama, the Gods went to Narayana's abode and
related all to Him. Then Narayana said to the Gods, who had
India at their head : —
" * I shall slay all your enemies, O Ye Gods, fear not ! *
" * O Foremost of the Rakshasas, Hari promised those Gods,
who were filled with terror, that He would destroy us. There-
fore do what you think fit. Narayana has slain Hiranyakashipu
and other foes of the Gods ; Namuchi, Kalanemi, Samrhada
that foremost of warriors, and Radheya,Bahumayin,the virtuous
Lokapala and Yamala, Arjuna, Hardikya, Shumbha, Nishumbha,
all those Asuras and Danavas, full of courage and strength, said
to be invincible in the field, who had offered hundreds of
sacrifices, were versed in magic and skilled in the use of weapons
ac 389
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and who were all a source of terror to their foes. Knowing this,
it behoveth us to unite in order to slay the wicked Narayana
who wishes to exterminate us/
" Hearing Malyavan, their elder brother speak thus, Sumali and
Mali answered him as the Twin Ashwins address Vasava,
saying: —
" * We have studied the Veda, made charitable gifts, offered
sacrifices, safe-guarded our sovereignty, obtained the boon of
longevity and freedom from disease and have established
righteousness. Plunging our weapons into the bottomless ocean
of the Gods, we have explored it ; we have overcome our enemies
though their valour was unequalled ; nay, we have nothing to
fear from Mrityu, Narayana, Rudra, Shakra and Yama, all
hesitate to oppose us ! Since we have come together, let us
assist each other mutually and exterminate the Gods, whose
perfidy has been revealed to us.'
" Hiving taken counsel together thus, those huge-bodied and
valiant Nairritas hurled themselves into the fray, like unto
Jambha and Vritra of yore.
" 0 Rama, thus resolved, summoning up all their strength, they
set out to fight, mounted on their chariots, elephants and horses
that resembled elephants, mules, bulls, buffalo, porpoises,
serpents, whales, turtle, fish, and birds resembling Garuda, also
on lions, tigers, boars, deer and Yaks.
" Intoxicated with pride, all those Rakshasas marched out of
Lanka, and those enemies of the Gods determined to lay siege to
Devaloka. Perceiving the destruction of Lanka to be at hand,
all the beings who inhabited it, recognizing the peril in which
they stood, became wholly dispirited, whilst the Rakshasas,
borne in marvellous chariots hastened towards Devaloka in
hundreds and thousands, but the Gods avoided the path they
had taken.
" Thereupon, at Kala's command, terrible portents appeared
on earth and in the skies, foretelling the death of the Rakshasa
leaders. From the clouds a torrent of hot blood and bones fell,
the seas over-passed their bornes and the mountains shook,
jackals of formidable aspect howled lugubriously, emitting
hoarse laughter that resembled the rumble of clouds. Groups
of phantoms passed by in succession, and flocks of vultures,
390
UTTARA KANDA
vomiting flames, hovered like fate over the Chief of the Rak-
shasas. Red-footed pigeons and crows fled in all directions,
ravens croaked and two footed cats were seen.
" Disregarding these omens, the Rakshasas, proud of their
strength, continued to advance without halting, caught in the
noose of death. Malyavan, Sumali and Mali of immense power,
preceded the Rakshasas like unto naming braziers ; Malyavan,
who resembled Mount Malyavan, was escorted by all the rangers
of the night, as the Gods by Dhatar. That army of the foremost
of the Rakshasas, thundering like massed clouds, eager for
victory, advanced towards Devaloka under Mali's leadership
" Then the Lord Narayana, learning thereof from a messenger
of the Gods, resolved to enter into combat with them. Making
ready His arms and quivers, He mounted Vainateya and, having
put on His celestial armour which shone like a thousand suns, He
strapped on two dazzling quivers full of arrows. Buckling on
His stainless sword, that God, Whose eyes resembled lotuses,
furnished with His conch, discus, mace, sword, excellent weapons
and His bow,1 fully equipped, mounted the son of Vinata,2 who
was as high as a hill, and thereafter the Lord set out in all haste
to slay the Rakshasas.
" On the back of Suparna, the dark-hued Hari, clad in yellow,
resembled a cloud transpierced with lightning on the peak of a
golden mountain. As He left, with His discus, sword, bow,
spear and His conch in His hands, Siddhas, Devarisbis, Great
Serpents, Gandharvas and Yakshas hymned the praises of the
renowned enemy of the Asura Host.
" With the blast of His wings, Suparna struck at the Hostof the
Rakshasas, bringing down their standards and dispersing their
weapons so that they reeled like the dark summit of a mountain
whose crags are crumbling away.
" With their excellent shafts however, soiled with flesh and
blood, like unto the fires of doom at the end of the world cycle,
which they loosed in thousands, those rangers of the night
covered and pierced Madhava.
1 Vishnu's bow, named ' Sharnga. '.
1 Son of Vinata — Garuda.
391
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 7
The Combat between Vishnu and the Rakshasas
" In the midst of rumblings, the clouds in the form of Rakshasas
poured down a shower of weapons on the Peak Narayana, as
with their torrents they shroud a mountain, and the dark and
immaculate Vishnu, surrounded by those swarthy and powerful
rangers of the night, resembled Mount Anjana under rain. As
locusts in a rice field or gnats in a flame, as flies in a pot of honey,
as monsters in the deep, so did the arrows, keen as diamonds,
swift as the wind or thought, which the Rakshasas loosed on
Hari, piercing him, disappear as the worlds vanish at the time of
universal destruction.
" Warriors in chariots or seated on the heads of elephants,
soldiers on horseback, infantry stationed in the sky, leaders of
the Rakshasas resembling mountains, with their shafts, spears,
swords and darts, caused Hari to hold His breath, like unto the
Twice-born when practising Pranayama.1
" Like an ocean where fishes play, that invincible God, under
the countless blows of those rangers of the night, drew His bow
and loosed His shafts on them ; then Vishnu with extreme
force, like unto lightning, swift as thought, riddled them with
His penetrating weapons and spears by hundreds and thousands.
Having dispersed them under a load of arrows as the wind a
downpour, the Supreme Purusha blew His great Conch Pan-
chajaya, and that king of conches, born of the waters, into which
Hari blew with all His strength, re-echoed in such fearful wise
that it shook the Three Worlds as it were. The sound of that
king of conches struck terror into the Rakshasas, as the King of
Beasts in the forest terrorizes the elephants intoxicated with
ichor. At the sound of the conch, the horses were no longer able
to stand erect, the frenzy of the elephants was subdued, whilst
the warriors fell from their cars bereft of strength.
" Loosed from His bow, Vishnu's arrows, possessed of plumed
1 The science of breath control.
39*
UTTARA KANDA
halts, having rent the Rakshasas, penetrated into the earth.
Pierced by those darts, which the hand of Narayana loosed in
the fight, the Rakshasas fell on the earth like crags struck by
lightning, their powerful limbs torn by Vishnu's discus, the
blood flowing in torrents, as from mountains secreting gold.
The sound of that king of conches, the twanging of the bow-
string and the voice of Vishnu stifled the cries of the Rakshasas.
" Then Hari severed their trembling necks, their darts, banners,
bows, chariots, pennants and quivers. As the rays fall from the
sun, as masses of water spout forth from the sea, as mighty
tuskers rush down the mountain side, as torrents of rain fall
from a cloud, so did the darts and arrows discharged by Nara-
yana from His bow, fall in hundreds and thousands. As a lion
before a Sharabha, as an elephant before a lion, as a tiger before
an elephant, as a panther before a tiger, as a dog before a panther,
as a cat before a dog, as a snake before a cat, as mice before a
snake, so did the Rakshasas flee before the mighty Vishnu.
Some escaped, others fell in their flight and the rest lay stretched
on the earth. Whilst slaying his foes in their thousands, the
Destroyer of Madhu filled the conch with his breath, as Indra
the clouds with water.
" Put to flight by Narayana's shafts, terrified by the sound of the
conch, the army of the Rakshasas, their ranks broken, fled in
the direction of Lanka.
" Seeing his troops routed, decimated by Narayana's arrows,
Sumali covered Hari with a hail of darts on the battlefield, as the
fog obscures the sun, whereupon the valiant Rakshasas plucked
up courage. Then Sumali, proud of his strength, rallying his
forces, hurled himself forward with a great shout. Shaking his
earrings as an elephant his trunk, that night-ranger, in his joy,
raised a great clamour like unto a cloud pierced by lightning and,
while Sumali cried out thus, Hari cut off the head of his charioteer
with its dazzling earrings, and the steeds of that Rakshasa
swerved, bearing away Sumali, the leader of the Titans, as those
other steeds, the senses, when uncontrolled, bear away man's
judgment.
"Thereafter while Sumali was being borne away by the horses
of his chariot, Mali, alert, armed with his bow, rushed on the
mighty Vishnu who, on his vehicle, had thrown himself into the
393
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fray ; and he let fly his arrows decorated with gold from his
bow, which fell on Hari piercing him, as birds penetrate into
the Krauncha Mountain. Assailed by the shafts, which Mali
loosed in their thousands in the fight, Vishnu remained as
undisturbed as one in full control of his senses in the face of
adversity.
" Twanging His bow-string, Bhagawat, the Author of all beings,
still bearing bis sword and mace, discharged a hail of arrows on
Mali, like unto thunder and lightning, penetrating his body, and
those shafts drank his blood as serpents a pleasing draught.
" In the confusion into which he had thrown Mali, the God who
bears the conch, discus and mace, struck off his diadem and
brought down bis banner, his bow and his steeds. Deprived of
bis chariot, that most powerful ranger of the night seized hold
of his mace and, with this weapon in his hand, like a lion from
a mountain height, hurled himself on the King of the Birds1 as
Antaka on Ishana, striking him on the forehead, as Indra strikes
a mountain with his thunderbolt.
" On receiving that violent blow dealt by Mali, Garuda, dis-
tracted with pain, carried the God away from the fight, and
Vishnu, having turned away through this act of Mali's and
Garuda's, a great clamour arose from the Rakshasas shouting in
triumph.
" Hearing the Rakshasas shout thus, the younger brother of
Harihaya,the blessed Hari, was incensed with that King of Birds
who served as his mount and, with the intention of slaying Mali,
though his back was turned, He loosed His discus that was as
bright as the solar orb, whose radiance illumines the heavens.
Like unto Kala's wheel,2 the discus fell on Mali's head and that
terrible head of that leader of the Rakshasas, thus severed, rolled
down amidst torrents of blood, as formerly that of Rahu.
" At that instant, the Gods, transported with joy, emitted roars
like unto lions, crying with all their strength, ' Victory to Thee,
0 Lord ! *
" Beholding Mali slain, Sumali and Malyavan, in burning grief,
took refuge in Lanka with their forces. Meanwhile Garuda
1 King of Birds — Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle.
1 Kala's Wheel — The Wheel of Time consisting of days, weeks, months,
years, decades, centuries and aeons.
394
UTTARA KANDA
having recovered, retraced his steps and, in fury, dispersed the
Rakshasas with the blast of his wings. Their lotus faces cut with
the discus, their breasts torn by the mace, their necks severed by
the ploughshare, their foreheads split open by pikes, some
pierced by the sword, some slain by arrows, those Rakshasas
began to fall from the skies into the waters of the sea.
" Narayana, like unto a luminous cloud, with his excellent
shafts loosed from His bow, as so many lightning strokes, exter-
minated those rangers of the night with their hair dishevelled
and streaming in the wind. Their parasols broken, their rich
apparel torn by the shafts, their entrails ripped open, their eyes
wide with fear, those warriors, throwing away their arms, fell
into a frenzy of terror. Resembling elephants attacked by a
lion, those night-rangers with their mounts emitted cries whilst
fleeing from that Primeval Lion,1 who pursued them.
" Overwhelmed by a rain of darts from Hari, they threw away
their weapons, and those rangers of the night resembled sombre
clouds which the wind drives before it. Their heads severed^by
the discus, their limbs crushed with blows from the mace, cut
in two by strokes of the sword, those foremost of the night-
rangers, resembling sable clouds, crumbled like rocks and they
stumbled and fell on the earth which they covered completely
like dark mountains which have been shattered.
CHAPTER 8
The Combat between Vishnu and Malyavan
" When the army that followed him was destroyed by
Padmanabha,3 Malyavan halted in his flight, as the ocean when it
reaches the shore. His eyes red with anger, his head trembling, that
ranger of the night said to Padmanabha, the Supreme Purusha :-
" 'O Narayana, Thou art ignorant of the ancient tradition of
warriors, since Thou, as if a stranger to their caste, dost slay
1 Primeval Lion — Referring to Vishnu's incarnation as Nrsingha, half man,
half lion.
* Padmanabha — The Lotus-navelled One.
395
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
those who, in their terror, have retreated in the fight. That
assassin who commits the sin of slaying a foe who has turned his
back on him, O Chief of the Gods, does not attain heaven, as do
the virtuous on leaving this world. Assuredly if Thou dost
desire to enter into combat, Thou Who art armed with conch,
discus and mace, here I stand ! Manifest Thy prowess that I
may witness it ! '
" Seeing Malyavan standing motionless, like unto the mountain
of that name, the younger brother of the King of the Gods, in
his valour, answered the foremost of the Rakshasas, saying : —
" ' I have vowed to the Gods that I will deliver them from the
terror thou hast inspired, by slaying thee, I shall honour that
pledge. The welfare of the Gods is dearer to me than life
itself; therefore I shall destroy you all ; now descend into the
lowest hell ! '
" Thus did the Lord of Lords speak, He Whose eyes resembled
crimson lotuses and, filled with fury, the Rakshasa, with his
spear, cut open his breast. Wielded by Malyavan's arm, that
weapon emitting the sound of a bell, glittered in the breast of
Hari like lightning athwart a cloud. Thereafter, He Who is
dear to the God Who bears the Spear 2 drawing out that lance,
hurled it at Malyavan and, as formerly Skanda loosed it, that
weapon, flying from the hand of Govinda, rushed on the
Rakshasa like unto a great meteor striking the Anjana Mountain,
and it fell on his mighty chest, that was adorned with innumer-
able diamonds, as lightning strikes a rocky summit. That blow
cut his mail asunder and his eyes were veiled but, recovering
consciousness, he stood erect once more, like unto an im-
moveable rock. Armed with an iron club with innumerable
spikes, he struck the God violently in the centre of the breast
and, in his martial ardour, having wounded the younger brother
of Vasava with his fist, that ranger of the night retreated a bow's
length. At that moment, the cry * Excellent, Excellent ' arose
in the sky.
" Thereafter the Rakshasa attacked Garuda, and Vainateya
incensed, drove him off with the blast of his wings as a violent
tempest disperses a heap of withered leaves.
* The God Who bears the Spear— The God of War, Karttikeya, alio called
Skanda.
396
UTTARA KANDA
" Seeing his elder brother driven back by the blast of GarudVs
wings, Sumali, overcome with confusion, with his troops fled in
the direction of Lanka. And thrust back by the violence of the
wind produced by those wings, Malyavan also, joined by his
forces, fled to Lanka covered with shame.
" O Lotus-eyed Prince, the Rakshasas having been repeatedly
defeated in the battle by Hari and having lost the most valiant of
their leaders, in their inability to withstand Vishnu, Who was
destroying them, abandoned Lanka and went to dwell in Patala
with their consorts. O Prince of the House of Raghu, those
Rakshasas, renowned for their strength and who were the issue
of the Salakatankata Race, remained under the leadership of
Sumali. It was Thou Who didst destroy those warriors of the
family of Poulastya named Sumali, Malyavan, Mali and their
companions, who were all exceedingly resourceful and more
powerful than Ravana. None other could have subdued the
enemies of the Gods or have weeded out those thorns in the side
of the Celestials, save Narayana, the God Who bears the conch,
discus and mace. Thou art that Four-armed God, Narayana,
eternal, invincible and immutable, Who came to exterminate the
Rakshasas. Thou art the Father of all Beings, who, whenever
righteousness declines and for love of those who take refuge in
Thee, dost appear to wipe out evil-doers.
" O Lord of Men, I have related in detail all that concerns the
origin of the Rakshasas. Learn further, O Prince of the Raghus,
of the immeasurable power of Ravana and his sons.
" For a long time, Sumali wandered about the nether regions,
tormented by the fear of Vishnu, whilst the mighty God of
Wealth, surrounded by his sons and grandsons, sojourned in
chapter 9
The Birth of Dashagriva and fas Brothers
" After a time, that Rakshasa, named Sumali, emerged from the
nether regions to range the world of men. With his earrings of
pure gold, he, tike unto a dark cloud, took with him a young
girl who resembled Shri without her lotus and, as that Rakshasa
397
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
wandered about the earth, he beheld the Lord of Wealth, who
in his Chariot Pushpaka was going to visit his sire. Beholding
that son of Poulastya, that lord who was as radiant as a God,
advancing towards him like unto fire, he, amazed, returned to
Rasatala from the world of men.
" Thereafter that exceedingly intelligent Rakshasa reflected
' Which is the best way of increasing our power ? * Thus did
the foremost of the Raksbasas, who was like unto a dark cloud
and was wearing golden earrings, reflect within himself and,
having considered awhile, that extremely sagacious Rakshasa
said to his daughter Kaikasi, for such was her name : —
" ' My Daughter, it is time for thee to wed ; thy youth is
slipping away and, afraid of being refused, those who are in love
with thee do not pay their suit. Striving to fulfil our duty, we
seek only thine advantage. Assuredly, thou art endowed with
every good attribute and resemblest Shri in person, O Dear
Child 1 A young daughter is a source of anxiety to her father
who is concerned for her honour, nor does he know whom she
will wed. O Beloved Child, the mother's family, the father's
family and the one into which she is received are all three
involved in this anxiety. Do thou therefore seek out that blessed
ascetic, the foremost of Poulastya's offspring and choose Vish-
ravas, the descendant of Poulastya, O My Daughter. Assuredly
thou wilt beget sons equal to that Lord of Wealth, who, in his
splendour, rivals the sun.'
" At these words, in filial obedience, that young girl went to
seek out Vishravas where he was undergoing penance. At that
time, O Rama, that Twice-born, the issue of Poulastya was
engaged in the Fire Sacrifice and himself appeared like unto a
fourth fire. Heedless of the late hour and, in obedience to her
sire, she presented herself before the ascetic and, halting there
with her eyes cast down, fixed on her feet, she scratched the
earth from time to time with her toe.
" Beholding that lovely girl, whose face resembled the full
moon and who shone in her own radiance, that Muni of exalted
lineage, enquired of her saying : —
" ' O Fortunate One, whose daughter art thou ? From whence
dost thou come and for what reason or with what motive?
Answer me truthfully, O Beautiful One ? '
398
UTTARA KANDA
" Thus questioned, the young girl with joined palms, answered:
* By thine own powers, O Muni, thou must be conversant
with mine intentions ! Learn only, O Brahmarisni, that it is by
the command of my sire that I have come, and Kaikasi is my
name. The rest must be known to thee.* Thereafter the Muni,
reflecting awhile, uttered these words : —
" ' I know well, O Fortunate One, what brings thee here, thou
art desirous of having sons by me, thou whose gait is like unto
an intoxicated elephant ! But, having presented thyself at this
hour,1 hear me, O Fortunate One, thou shalt bring forth off-
spring of a dark aspect delighting in the companionship of doers
of evil deeds. O Lady of Lovely Form, thou shalt beget
Rakshasas of cruel exploits.'
"At these words, Kaikasi prostrated herself, saying : —
" * O Blessed One who recitest the Veda, I do not desire such
sons whose nature is depraved, from thee, be gracious unto me ! *
" Thus besought by that youthful maiden, Vishravas, foremost
among Munis, like unto the moon in the presence of Rohini,
added : —
" ' O Lady of Lovely Face, the son thou shalt bring forth last
will be like unto me, assuredly he will be virtuous.'
" Thus did he speak to that young girl, O Rama, and after some
time she gave birth to a hideous child with the face of a demon,
exceedingly dark ; and he had ten necks and great teeth and
resembled a heap of collyrium ; his lips were of the hueof copper,
he had twenty arms and a vast mouth and his hair was fiery red.
At his birth, jackals and other wild beasts with flaming jaws
circled from left to right. The God Parjanya let loose a rain of
blood whilst clouds emitted harsh sounds ; the sun ceased to
shine, fierce winds blew and the unchanging ocean, Lord of the
Rivers, was agitated.
' ' His father, who resembled the Grandsire of the World, there-
upon conferred a name upon him and said : — * This child with
ten necks shall be called Dashagriva.*
" After him the mighty Kumbhakarna was born, that giant who
was unequalled on earth, and a daughter of hideous aspect,
named Shurpanakha, while Kaikasi's last child was named
Bibishana.
1 That is at dusk, interrupting the Evening Devotions, which was inauspicious.
399
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
*' When this great being was born, a rain of flowers fell and, in
the heavens, celestial gongs resounded whilst an aerial voice
cried, ' Excellent ", " Excellent '.
" Thereafter Kumbhakarna and Dashagriva throve in that vast
forest and each was exceedingly powerful and they were scourgers
of the worlds. The insensate Kumbhakarna ranged the Three
Worlds devouring the great Rishis who were fixed in their duty,
and yet he remained unsatisfied.
" As for the virtuous Bibishana, ever vowed to righteousness,
the study of the Veda being his chief nourishment, he lived as
the subduer of his senses.
" After a time Vaishravana, the Lord of Wealth, went to visit
his sire in his Chariot Pushpaka and, seeing him flaming with
effulgence, the Rakshasi sought out Dashagriva and said to
him: —
" * My Son, behold Vaishravana, thy brother, blazing with
glory and behold thy state, who art of the same family, O
Dashagriva. Thou who art of immeasurable might, strive to be
like Vaishravana himself.'
" Hearing his mother's words, the arrogant Dashagriva experi-
enced a wave of overpowering bitterness, whereupon he formu-
lated this vow.
" * I swear to thee in truth that I shall become my brother's
equal if not his superior in power ; banish any fears that may have
entered thine heart ! '
" Thereafter, in his spleen, Dashagriva, accompanied by his
younger brother,1 began to undertake an exceedingly difficult
task, undergoing a rigid penance.
(He thought) ' I shall accomplish mine end by asceticism '
and having thus resolved, he went to the lovely hermitage of
Gokarna in order to purify his soul. There that Rakshasa with
his younger brother performed unsurpassed austerities. Such
were his mortifications that he gratified the Lord, the Grandsire
of the World, who, in his satisfaction, granted him those boons
that would assure him of victory. "
* KamMiakama,
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 10
Concerning the Penances practised by Dashagriva and fas Brother
Then Rama enquired of the Muni : — " How did those highly
powerful brothers practice penance, O Brahmana, and of what
nature was it ? "
Then Agastya of tranquil mind answered Rama and said : —
"Various were the pious observances of each of them;
Kumbhakarna too, putting forth all his strength, constantly
pursued the path of duty. In the heat of summer he stood
amidst five fires and, in the rainy season, he took up the Vira
posture,1 whilst in the winter season he remained plunged in
water.
" Thus two thousand years passed during which he applied
himself to piety and remained on the righteous path.
" On his side, Bibishana, who was virtue itself, intent on duty
and of pure soul, stood on one leg for five thousand years. This
penance accomplished, troops of Apsaras danced and a rain of
flowers fell, whilst the Gods hymned his praises. During another
five thousand years, he stood facing the sun, bis head and arms
raised, his mind fixed in contemplation of the Veda. In this
wise, Bibishana, like an inhabitant of heaven in the Nandana
Gardens, dwelt for ten thousand years. And Dashagriva
deprived himself of nourishment for the same period and every
thousand years sacrificed one of his heads to the God of Fire.
Thus nine thousand years passed and nine of bis heads had been
sacrificed to Fire; when ten thousand years had gone by,
Dashagriva prepared to sever his tenth head when the Grandsire
of the World appeared, and He, with the Gods, highly gratified,
presented Himself before Ravana and said to hi"> : —
"'lam pleased with thee, what boon shall I confer on thee
this day ? Thou shalt not have undergone these austerities in
vain. O Thou who art conversant with dharma, speedily choose
what boon will most please thee ; thou hast found favour with
me, O Dashagriva 1 '
1 Vira posture — The posture which is favourable to the regulation of breath.
401
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"Thereupon Dashagriva, delighted, bowing down to that
God, answered in a voice trembling with joy : —
" ' O Bhagawat, for living beings there exists no fear like that
of death ; there is no foe comparable to Mrityu, therefore I
choose immortality ! *
" Thus spoke Dashagriva and Brahma answered him saying :-
" * It is not possible to grant thee immortality, choose some
other boon ! '
" At these words of Brahma, the Creator of the World, O Rama,
Dashagriva replied with joined palms : —
*'* May I not be slain by Suparnas, Nagas, Yakshas, Dairy as
Danavas, Rakshasas nor by the Gods, O Eternal One, O Lord of
Beings. I do not fear other creatures, who, with men, I look upon
as mere straws, O Thou who art adored by the Celestials.'
" Thus spoke the Rakshasa Dasaratha, and the Lord, the Grand-
sire of the Worlds, who was accompanied by the Gods, said to
him: —
" * It shall be as thou desirest, O Foremost of the Rakshasas ! *
Then, having answered Dashagriva thus, O Rama, the Grand-
sire added : —
" ' Hear what great favour I shall grant thee further in my
satisfaction. The heads that formerly were sacrificed by thee
into the fire, O Irreproachable One, will now grow again as
they were before and, O Rakshasa, I will finally confer another
boon on thee that is hard to obtain, O My Friend, thou shall be
able to assume any form thou desirest at will.'
" As soon as the Grandsire had spoken thus, the heads of the
Rakshasa Dashagriva, that had been consumed by fire, grew
again.
" O Rama, having spoken thus to Dashagriva, the Grandsire of
the Worlds said to Bibishana : — " ' O My Dear Bibishana, thou
whose intellect is fixed on virtue, I am gratified with thee, choose
a boon, O Righteous and Pious One.'
" Then the pure-souled Bibishana, who radiated good qualities
as the moon her beams, spoke with joined palms, saying : —
" ' O Bhagawat, I have endeavoured to do that which I ought
to do. Thou art the Guru of the World ; if, in thy satisfaction,
thou dost accord me a boon, then hear me, O Blessed Lord.
May my soul ever be fixed in righteousness in the midst of the
402
UTTARA KANDA
greatest adversity. Without being instructed, may I be able to
use the Brahma Weapon. May whatever thoughts come to me,
wherever or in whatever state I find myself, always conform to
virtue and may I fulfil my duty ! O Most Exalted of Beings,
these are the boons I consider to be the most precious ; for those
who follow dharma nothing is impossible ! '
"Then Prajapati, full of joy, again addressed Bibishana
saying :-
"'O Most Virtuous and Dear Child, let it be as thou sayest,
though thou wast born in the Rakshasa Race, O Slayer of Thy
Foes, no evil ever enters thy heart ! I grant thee immortality 1 *
" Having uttered these words, as Prajapati was preparing
to accord a boon to Kumbhakarna, all the Gods, with joined
palms, addressed him thus : —
" ' As for Kumbhakarna, do not grant him any boons ! Thou
knowest well how the Three Worlds fear this perverse wretch !
In the Nandana Gardens, seven Apsaras and ten servants of
Mahendra were devoured by him, O Brahma, as also Rishis and
men. Such are the deeds of this Rakshasa before receiving a
boon ; if one is conferred on him, he may consume the Three
Worlds ! O Thou whose splendour is immeasurable, feigning to
grant him a boon cause him to become bemused ; in this way,
the worlds will live in peace and he will receive his just deserts.'
" Thus did the Gods speak, and Brahma, born of the lotus,
thought on the Goddess, his consort, and, as soon as he called
her to mind, Saraswati appeared at his side and, with joined
palms said to him : —
" * O Lord, I am here, what shall I do ? *
" Then Prajapati answered that Goddess, who had come there,
saying: —
" ' O Thou who art Speech, be thou in the mouth of that
Indra among the Rakshasas and utter that which the Gods
desire.'
"*So be it! *" she answered and, having entered his mouth,
Kumbhakarna said :—
" * To sleep for innumerable years, O Lord of Lords, this is
my desire I '
" ' May it be so ! * " answered Brahma and, with the Gods, he
departed.
403
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" The Goddess Saraswati then left the Rakshasa, while Brahma,
with the Gods ascended to the heavenly region,
"When Saraswati had departed, Kumbhakarna came to himself
and that perverse wretch, in his misfortune, reflected : —
" ' How can such words have passed my lips ? I must have been
bemused by the Gods who came hither.'
" Having received those various boons, the three brothers of
flaming energy, returned to the Sleshmataka Forest where they
dwelt happily.
CHAPTER I I
Dhanada cedes Lanka to Dashagriva
** Sumau, having learnt of the boons that the rangers of the night
had received, abandoning his fear, emerged from the nether
regions, and the companions of that Rakshasa, Maricha, Prahasta,
Virupaksha and Mahodara rushed out also full of fury.
" Thereafter Sumali with his friends, surrounded by the fore-
most of the Rakshasas, sought out Dashagriva and, embracing
him, said : —
" * By the grace of heaven, O Dear Child, the desire of my heart
has been fulfilled since thou hast received these excellent boons
from the Lord of the Three Worlds. The great fear that forced
us to abandon Lanka in order to take refuge in Rasatala, into
which we were precipitated by Vishnu, has now been dissipated !
Many and many a time, under the threat of that terror, wc
abandoned our retreat but, being pursued, together we plunged
into hell. Thy brother, that crafty Lord of Wealth, took
possession of the City of Lanka, the abode of the Rakshasas. If
it be possible by conciliation, gifts or force, to regain the posses-
sion of it, then do so, O Irreproachable Hero ! Thou wUt then
become the sovereign of Lanka and, by thy grace, the Rakshasa
Race, that has been disestablished, will be reinstated; there*
after thou wilt reign over us all, O Lord.'
" Then Dashagriva answered his maternal grandfather who
stood near and said :—
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UTTARA KANDA
" * The Lord of Wealth is mine elder brother ; it is not fitting
that thou shouldst speak thus.'
" Quietly rebuked in this wise by that Indra of the Rakshasas.,
the most powerful of them all, Sumali, being aware of his
intentions, did not insist further.
" Some time later, as Ravana continued to reside in that place,
Prahasta addressed these significant words to him : —
" ' 0 Valiant Dashagriva, such a speech is not worthy of thee ;
brotherly love is not the concern of heroes ! Hear me ! There
were two sisters who loved each other and who were 'supremely
fair ; they were wedded to that Lord of Creatures, the Prajapati
Kashyapa, and with him Aditi begot the Gods, those Lords of
the Three Worlds, whilst Diti begot the Daityas. To the
Daityas, those virtuous heroes, the earth, with its mountains,
surrounded by the ocean, formerly belonged. They waxed
exceedingly strong, nevertheless they were slain in war by the
mighty Vishnu, who gave over the imperishable Triple World to
the Gods. Thou art therefore not the only one to act in opposi-
tion to a brother, which was done by the Gods and Asuras.
Follow my counsel therefore ! *
" Dashagriva, hearing these words was filled with joy and,
having reflected a moment, he said, * It is well ! * and, in his
delight, that same day the valiant Dashagriva with his rangers
of the night repaired to the wood bordering on Lanka. Stationed
on the Trikuta Mountain, that ranger of the night sent out
Prahasta, who was skilled in speech, as his ambassador, and said
to him: —
" * Go speedily, O Prahasta, and speak to the foremost of the
Nairritas, addressing him in conciliatory words, saying : —
" ' This City of Lanka, O King, belongs to the magnanimous
Rakshasas ! O My Friend, thou didst take possession of it ; it
is not just, O Thou who art beyond reproach ! If thou dost
restore it to us now, O Hero of unrivalled exploits, I shall be
gratified and justice will have been maintained. *
" Then Prahasta repaired to the City of Lanka, whose strong
support was Dhanada, and addressed that Lord of Wealth of
illustrious lineage in the following words : —
" ' I have been deputed by thy brother Dashagriva, who is near
at hand, that long-armed hero who is pious and the foremost of
2d 405
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
warriors, to come hither and my words are those of Dashanana,
O Lord of Wealth!
" * This ravishing city, O Large-eyed Hero, was formerly held
by the Rakshasas of terrible exploits, whose chief was Sumali.
It is on this account, dear son of Vishravas, that Dashagriva asks
thee to restore it to them ; this request is made in all friendli-
ness. *
" Having heard Prahasta, Vaishravana replied in words worthy
of one who is skilled in speech and said : —
" ' Lanka was bestowed on me by my sire when it had been
abandoned by the rangers of the night ; I have peopled it by
inducements of gifts, honours and every kind of privilege. Now
go and bring this answer to Dashagriva — " The city and the
kingdom under my dominion are thine also, O Long-armed
Hero, enjoy this realm without restriction; share this dominion
and its riches with me without division." '
" Having spoken thus, that Lord of Wealth went to visit his
sire and paying obeisance to him related the nature of Ravana's
request, saying : —
" * 0 My Father, Dashagriva has sent a messenger to me,
saying, " Give up the City of Lanka that was formerly occupied
by the Rakshasa Race." What shall I do now, O Blessed One,
tell me ? '
" On this enquiry, the Brahmarishi Vishravas, foremost of the
ascetics, said to Dhanada who stood before him with joined
palms : —
" ' Hear me, O My Son, the long-armed Dashagriva has spoken
of this matter in my presence and I have often rebuked him ; he
is exceedingly wicked and, in my wrath, I said to him " Thou
wilt be destroyed ; it were better for thee to listen to my words
which are fraught with reason and integrity ". He is perverse
however, and the boons he has received have so intoxicated him
that he can no longer discriminate between what is just and
unjust It is on account of my curse that he has fallen into this
lamentable condition. Do thou therefore retire to Mount
Kailasha, that support of the earth, O Long-armed Hero, and
leave Lanka with thy followers at once. In that place the en-
chanting Mandakini, the most excellent of rivers flows, whose
waters are covered with golden lotuses radiant as the sun, and
406
UTTARA KANDA
Kumuda, Utpala and other varieties of water-lilies of sweet
fragrance. Devas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Uragas and Kinneras
sojourn there, constantly disporting themselves. It is not
fitting, O Dhanada, that thou shouldst enter into combat with
that Rakshasa, for thou art conversant with the special boons he
has received.'
" Hearing this reply and obedient to the counsel of his venerable
sire, Dhanada left Lanka with his consort, his sons, his ministers,
his vehicles and his wealth.
" Meantime Prahasta had sought out the mighty Dashagriva and,
with a joyous heart, said to him in the midst of his counsellors : —
" * The City of Lanka is now free, Dhanada has abandoned it
and has departed. Do thou establish thyself therein so that,
with us, thou canst fulfil thy duty/
" Thus did Prahasta speak, and the all-powerful Dashagriva
invaded Lanka with his brothers, his army and his court. As
the Gods enter heaven, so did that enemy of the Celestials enter
that city that Dhanada had just deserted and which was divided
by well-planned highways. Enthroned by the rangers of the
night, Dashanana installed himself in that city, which was filled
with Rakshasas resembling dark clouds.
" The Lord of Wealth, however, in reverence for his father's
words, built a city on Mount Kailasha which was immaculate as
the moon, adorned with splendid palaces sumptuously decorated,
as Purandara constructed Amaravati.
CHAPTER 12
The Marriages of the Rakshasas
" The foremost of the Rakshasas, having been anointed king,
with his brother began to consider giving his sister in marriage.
He therefore gave that Rakshasi to the King of the Kalakas and
the Lord of the Danavas himself presented Shurpanakha, his
sister, to Vidyujjihva.
" This being accomplished, that night-ranger left for the chase
and thereafter he beheld the son of Diti, Maya, O Rama. Seeing
407
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
him accompanied by a young girl, that Rakshasa, Dashagriva
said to him : —
" ' Who art thou wandering in the forest that is devoid of man
or beast ? How is it that thou art in the company of this youthful
maiden whose eyes resemble a doe's ? ' "
" O Rama, to this question, put to him by that ranger of the
night, Maya replied, saying : —
" ' Hear me and I will tell thee the truth ! There was a nymph
named Hema of whom thou hast already heard. The Gods
bestowed her on me, as Pauloma was given to Shatafcratu. Full
of love for her, I passed centuries at her side when she was taken
from me by the Gods. Thirteen years passed and in the
fourteenth, I built a golden city which I decorated with diamonds
and emeralds by the aid of my magic powers. There I dwelt,
deprived of Hema, sad, dejected and extremely wretched.
Thereafter, taking my daughter with me, I left that city in order
to retire to the forest. This is my child, O King, who was
brought up in Hema's lap and here I am seeking a husband for
her. A daughter is a great calamity, at least for all those who
have regard to her honour. In truth, she is a source of anxiety
to the family of her father and that of her mother.
" ' Two sons were also born to me by my wife ; the first was
Mayavi, O Dear Friend, and Dundubhi followed immediately. I
have told thee the whole truth in accordance with thy wish !
And now, My Dear Son, I would know something of thee, who
art thou ? '
" At these words the Rakshasa answered respectfully : —
" ' I am of Poulastya's race and my name is Dashagriva, my
father was the Sage Vishravas, who was the third son of Brahma.' "
" On hearing these words of that Indra among the Rakshasas, O
Rama, indicating that he was the son of a great Sage, Maya, the
foremost of the Danavas wished to give his daughter to him.
Taking her hand in his, Maya addressed that King of the
Rakshasas, saying : —
" ' O King, this child, whose mother was the nymph Hema, the
youthful Mandodari, for such is her name, do thou accept as thy
consort.'
" * Let it be so ! * answered Dashagriva, whereupon igniting a
fire there, he took her hand in his, O Rama. Maya was
408
UTTARA KANDA
conversant with the curse that Dashagriva's sire, that treasury of
asceticism had pronounced, nevertheless he bestowed his
daughter in marriage on him, knowing him to be the offspring
of the Grandsire of the World. At the same time, he gave him
a marvellous spear which he had obtained through his supreme
penances. It was with this weapon that Ravana wounded
Lakshmana. Then, having brought about this marriage, the
Lord of Lanka returned to that city.
" There, with their consent, he chose two wives for his two
brothers ; the daughter of Virochana, named Vajravala, was
given by him to Kumbhakarna, and Bibishana received as wife
the virtuous Sarama, the daughter of the King of the Gand-
harvas, the magnanimous Shailusha, and she had been born on
the shores of the Lake Manasa.
" At that time in the rainy season, the waters of the Manasa
Lake were swollen and the mother of the girl cried out affection-
ately, * Do not overflow, O Lake ! 1 ' Thereafter the girl was
called Sarama.9
" These alliances having been concluded, the Rakshasas gave
themselves up to pleasure, each with his own consort, as the
Gandharvas in the Nandana Gardens.
" And Mandodari gave birth to a child with the voice of a
thunder-cloud, he who is known to thee as Indrajita. Scarcely
had he been born than that son of Ravana began to roar with a
terrible voice, like unto thunder, and the city was deafened, O
Raghava. His father therefore called him Meghanada ;3 and he
grew up in the magnificent private apartments, hidden in the
lap of the foremost of women, as a fixe is concealed under
shavings ; and that son of Ravana tilled his mother and rather
with joy.
1 Saranariddhata — 0 Lake (Saro), do not overflow'
1 Sarama — The wile of Bibishana who befriended Sita when in captivity.
* Meghanada — The name means ' The roar of a thunder-cloud '.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 13
Ravana's Crimes
" Some time later, the Lord of the Worlds sent Nidra1 to Kum-
bhakarna in the fonn of overpowering sleep and Kumbhakama
said to his brother, who was present : —
"'0 King, sleep holds me in thrall, prepare a refuge for
me.*
" Therefore the king selected some artisans, like unto Vish-
vakarma, who constructed a splendid dwelling for Kumbhakama,
a league in expanse and two in length which was exceedingly
sumptuous and secluded. On every side, it was decorated with
columns of crystal encrusted with gold ; the stairways were
made of emerald with rows of small bells hanging from the
carved ivory galleries, the floors being of diamond and
crystal.
" All should have been constantly and wholly happy in that
place, which was enchanting and luxurious in every way, and
which was built by the Rakshasas and resembled a sacred cave
in the Meru Mountain. It was there, overcome by slumber,
that the mighty Kumbhakama rested innumerable years without
waking.
"Whilst his brother, the mighty Kumbhakama, overcome by
Nidra, slept for thousands of years without waking, Dashanana,
of unbridled passions, harassed the Devas, Rishis, Yakshas and
Gandharvas and overran their beautiful parks and groves like a
madman, laying them waste ; and that Rakshasa churned up the
rivers, like an elephant disporting itself, agitating the trees like
a violent tempest and striking the hills as if by lightning.
" Hearing of Dashagriva's exploits, the virtuous Lord of Wealth,
reflecting that he was his own brother, for the honour of bis
race and desirous of manifesting fraternal affection, sent a
messenger to Lanka in Dashagriva's interests.
" Then the messenger, entering the city, approached Bibishana
1 Nidra— The Personification of Steep.
4IO
UTTARA KANDA
who received him with honour and enquired concerning his
visit. After asking about the welfare of Dhanadaand his kinsfolk,
Bibishana brought him to Dashanana in the assembly hall
where he was resting.
" Beholding the king blazing in his own effulgence, the
messenger said : — ' Hail to thee, O King ' and having paid
obeisance with these words, stood silent awhile. At that time
Dashagriva was reclining on a sumptuous couch adorned with rich
coverings whereupon the messenger addressed him saying : —
" ' O King, I bring thee the words uttered by thy brother in
their entirety — ' Between us two, equality of conduct should
exist as among others of our race. A truce to these evil deeds !
From now on comport thyself in a seemly manner and, if possible,
take righteousness as thy guide ! I have seen the Nandana
Gardens laid waste and, it is said, that the Rishis have been
persecuted ; the measures that the Gods are taking against thee
are known to me. I have been disregarded by thee on countless
occasions, but even if a youthful person err, he should be
protected by his relatives.
" * Having repaired to the Himavat Plateau to practice dharma
and subjugate my senses, I forced myself to undergo penance in
order to gratify the Lord Mahadeva ; there I beheld that divine God
accompanied by Uma and a glance from my left eye fell on the
Goddess 1 " Who is this woman ? " I asked myself, desiring
this knowledge and for no other reason, for Rudrani had
assumed an unparalleled form. Then the Goddess, by her
celestial power, consumed my left eye, which grew yellow and
the light became obscured as if by dust.
" ' Thereupon I repaired to another vast mountain plateau
and remained there eight hundred years observing silence.
Having completed that penance, the God Maheshwara came to
me and, highly gratified, said : —
" * " I am satisfied with thine austerities O Virtuous and Saintly
Ascetic. This vow has been fulfilled by me and by thee, O Lord
ofRishis ; noneothercouldhaveobservedasimilarmortification.
These practices are extremely rigid and I myself formerly
followed them also. Grant me thy friendship therefore, 0
Sinless One, thou hast conquered me and thy penance has been
fruitful. As the Goddess, whose form thou didst look upon,
4x1
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
burnt up thy left eye, turning it yellow, thou shalt be named
EkakshipingaU.1 "
" ' Having thus contracted a friendship with Shankara, I took
leave of him and, on my return, learnt of thine evil conduct.
Abandon this impious course that will bring dishonour on our
race. The Gods with the hosts of Rishis are considering how
they may destroy thee.'
" Hearing these words, Dashagriva, his eyes red with anger,
clenching his fists and teeth, answered him thus : —
" ' O Messenger, I knew what thou wast about to utter !
Neither art thou my brother nor is he who sent thee ; for the
Lord of Wealth is not speaking in mine interests ! That fool
forces me to hear of his friendship with Maheshwara ! This
speech of thine is intolerable. I have borne it till now, for he is
mine elder brother and, as such, it is not fitting that I should slay
him. Now, hearing thine address, this is my resolve*—' By the
strength of mine arms, I shall conquer the Three Worlds.
Solely on his account, I shall dispatch the Four Guardians of the
World to the region of Yama ! '
" Having spoken thus, the Lord of Lanka, Ravana, slew the
messenger with a single stroke of his sword and gave him to
the wicked Rakshasas to devour. Thereafter, ascending his
chariot amidst acclamations, in his eagerness to subdue the
Three Worlds, he set out to seek the Lord of Wealth.
CHAPTER 14
The Combat between Ravana and the Yakshas
" Ravana, proud of his strength, surrounded by his six ministers,
Mahodara, Prahasta, Maricha, Shuka, Sarana and Dhumraksha,
those heroes, who dreamt only of war, departed, as if in his fury
he would consume the worlds.
" Then he traversed cities, rivers, mountains, forests and woods
and soon came to Mount Kailasha. Hearing that the Lord of
the Rakshasas, eager to fight, full of insolence and wickedness
1 EkakshipingaU — Yellow-eyed.
412
UTTARA KANDA
accompanied by his counsellors, had established himself on the
mountain, the Yakshas dared not remain there for fear of him.
Then they said to each other, * This is the brother of our King '
and, knowing this, they approached Dhaneshwara and, coming
into his presence, they imparted his brother's intentions to him.
Thereupon, with Dhanada's permission, they set out joyfully in
order to give battle.
" The impact of those valiant troops of the King of the Nairritas
was as violent as the sea ; and the mountains seemed to be riven
asunder, whilst a furious struggle ensued amongst the followers
of the Rakshasas and, seeing his army thrown into disorder,
Dashagriva, the ranger of the night, after many encouraging
shouts, flew into a rage. Then the companions of the King of
the Rakshasas of redoubtable valour, each took on a thousand
Yakshas. Smitten with blows from maces, iron bars, swords,
picks and darts, Dushana, scarcely able to breathe, was over-
whelmed by a rain of weapons which fell thick and fast like hail
from the clouds. Nevertheless he remained unmoved under the
shafts of the Yakshas, as a mountain that the clouds flood with
innumerable showers.
" Thereafter, that hero, brandishing his mace like unto Kala's
sceptre, flung himself on the Yakshas whom he hurled into
Yama's abode. Like unto fire, flaming up on account of the wind,
consuming a heap of grass or dried faggots which are scattered
about, so did he destroy the army of the Yakshas.
" And his ministers, Mahodara, Shuka and the others, only
suffered a few of the Yakshas to escape, who resembled clouds
dispersed by the wind. Overwhelmed with blows and broken,
they fell in the fight, filled with fury, biting their lips with their
sharp teeth. And some of the Yakshas, exhausted, clung to each
other, their weapons broken, and sank down on the battlefield as
dykes give way before a surge of waters. With those who were
slain ascending to heaven, those who fought rushing hither and
thither and the companies of Rishis witnessing the scene, there
was not a single space left anywhere.
" Beholding the foremost of the Yakshas scattered despite their
valour, the mighty Lord of Wealth despatched other Yakshas
and, at his call, O Rama, a Yaksha named Samyodhakantaka
instantly rushed out at the head of a large force. Struck by him
413
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in the fight, as by a second Vishnu with his discus, Maricha fell
to the earth like a star falling from the heights of Mount Kailasha,
ts merits exhausted.
"Thereafter, that Ranger of the Night, regaining consciousness,
gathered up his strength in a moment and entered into combat
with the Yaksha, who having been defeated, fled. Meantime
Dashagriva, his limbs loaded with ornaments of gold, silver and
emerald, advanced to the very portals of the outer defences and,
seeing that Ranger of the Night enter, the doorkeeper sought to
prevent him ; but the Rakshasa forced bis way in, whereupon
the Yaksha seized hold of him. Seeing himself checked, O
Rama, he was not discouraged and began to break down the
door, whilst the Yaksha, overwhelmed by his blows, streaming
with blood, looked like a mountain from which minerals are
pouring.
" Though struck by the Yaksha with the door-post, that hero
was not slain on account of the rare gifts received from Swyam-
bhu, and in his turn, arming himself with the same post, he
struck the Yaksha who, his body reduced to dust, disappeared,
leaving no trace.
" Thereupon, witnessing the strength of the Rakshasas,a general
stampede took place among the Yakshas, who, mad with terror,
sought refuge in the rivers and the caves, throwing away their
arms, exhausted, their features distorted.
chapter i 5
The Combat between Ravana and Dhanada. Ravana seizes
Pushpaka
" Seeing the foremost of the Yakshas fleeing in their thousands,
the Lord of Wealth said to the powerful Manibhadra : —
"'O Prince of the Yakshas, slay that wicked Ravana of evil
ways and deliver the valiant and heroic Yakshas ! '
" At this command, the long-armed and invincible Manibhadra
set out to fight surrounded by four thousand Yakshas and they
hurled themselves on the Rakshasas, whom they struck with
4x4
UTTARA KANDA
blows from maces, bars, javelins, lances, swords and clubs. And
they entered into a violent struggle, tailing on the foe with the
swiftness of birds of prey, crying 'Advance ! Advance ! *
'Yield!' * Never!' 'Fight!*
" Beholding that formidable combat, the Devas, Gandharvas,
Rishis and Chanters of die Veda were extremely astonished. A
thousand of the Yakshas fell under Prahasta's blows in the conflict
and that irreproachable Hero Mahodara slew a further thousand,
whilst, in his fury, O Prince, Maricha, thirsting to fight, slew
two thousand of the enemy in the twinkling of an eye.
" On their side, the Yakshas fought valiantly but the Rakshasas
called upon their powers of magic and thus gained ascendancy
in the combat, O Lion among Men. While wrestling with
Dhumraksha in the great struggle, Manibhadra received a
violent blow in the chest from a pike but remained unmoved, and
he, in his turn, struck the Titan Dhumraksha on the bead
whereupon he fell senseless.
" Seeing Dhumraksha wounded and covered with blood,
Dashanana hurled himself on Manibhadra in the thick of the
fray and, while he was rushing on him in fury, the foremost of
the Yakshas, Manibhadra, pierced him with three darts. Wounded,
Dashagriva struck a blow at Manibhadra's diadem which
fell to one side and, from that day, he was known as ' Parsh-
vamauli V
"Manibhadra, having been put to flight despite his valour, a
great clamour arose on the mountain, O King. From afar, the
Lord of Wealth, who was armed with a mace and surrounded
by Shukra, Prausthapada, Padma and Shakha, beheld Ravana,
and, seeing his brother in the field, having lost all dignity,
deprived of his glory on account of the curse, the sagacious
Kuvera addressed him in words worthy of the House of his
Grandsire, saying :—
" * As despite my warning, thou dost not desist, O Perverse
Wretch, thou shalt recognize the consequences in the future,
when thou hast fallen into hell. He who through heedlessness
drinks poison and when he realises it, in his delusion, does not
refrain, will know the results of his act in its effects. The Gods
do not necessarily approve even dharmic actions, how much
1 Parshv&mauli — ' One whoee diadem is awry '.
415
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
less those that bring about such a condition as thine; it is
because of this that thou art reduced to this state and thou dost
not appear to be aware of it. He who does not honour his
mother, rather, a brahmin or a preceptor, will reap the fruit of
his fault when he falls under the sway of the Lord of Death.
That fool who does not mortify his body will suffer hereafter,
when after death he enters the region that his deeds have merited.
No wicked man sees bis designs fulfilled as he would have
wished ; as he sows so shall he reap. In this world, prosperity,
beauty, power, sons, wealth and prowess are all attained by
pious acts. Given over to such iniquitous deeds, thou wilt go
to hell. I will not parley with thee further ; thus should one
act in respect of evil-doers ! *
" At these words of Dhanada, which were addressed to Ravana's
counsellors led by Maricha, they being struck, turned and fled.
Dashagriva, however, who had received a blow on the head from
the mace of that powerful Lord of the Yakshas, did not move.
Thereafter Yaksha and Rakshasa entered into a fierce and pro-
longed duel, experiencing no fatigue, and Dhanada loosed the
Fire-weapon on the Lord of the Titans, who parried it with the
Varuna weapon. Then Ravana, having recourse to magic,
natural to a Rakshasa, transformed himself in a thousand ways
in order to slay his adversary, and that Ten-necked One assumed
the form of a tiger, a boar, a cloud, a mountain, an ocean, a tree,
a Yaksha and a Daitya. Thus, though wearing many forms, his
own remained hidden. Thereafter seizing hold of a mighty
weapon, Dashagriva, whirling it round, brought that enormous
mace down on the head of Dhanada and the blow knocked the
Lord of Wealth senseless, who fell covered with blood, like unto
an Ashoka Tree whose roots have been severed.
" Then Padma and other Rishis surrounded Dhanada and bore
him through the sky to the Nandana Wood.
" Having vanquished Dhanada, the foremost of the Rakshasas,
with a joyful heart, as a sign of victory, seized the Chariot
Pushpaka, that was furnished with golden pillars and doors of
emerald, hung with strings of pearls and planted with trees
bearing fruit in all seasons ; swift as thought, it ranged
everywhere at will in its aerial flight. Possessed of golden stair-
ways, encrusted with gems and with floors of refined gold, that
4x6
UTTARA KANDA
indestructible vehicle of the Gods, a perpetual joy to the eyes
and heart, that masterpiece created by Vishvafcarma at Brahma's
command, with its countless ornaments, was indeed a marvel.
All that could be desired was to be found therein and it was of a
magnificence nothing could surpass ; neither too hot nor too
cold, it was pleasantly temperate at all seasons.
" Ascending that chariot, which he had acquired by his prowess,
coursing wheresoever he would, the King Ravana, in his pride and
wickedness, deemed himself to have overcome the Three Worlds.
Having conquered Vaishravana, he descended from Mount
Kailasha and, having by his prowess obtained this great victory,
that Ranger of the Night, dazzling in bis diadem and necklace of
flawless pearls, in his marvellous chariot, blazed like fire.
CHAPTER I 6
The Origin of Ravana's Name
" O rama, having vanquished his brother, the supreme Lord of
the Rakshasas went to the great fen where Mahasena was born ;
and Dashagriva beheld that vast and golden expanse of reeds
sending forth shafts of light like unto a second sun. Ascending
the mountain which rose in the centre of that fen, O Rama, he
observed that the Chariot Pushpaka was suddenly deprived of
motion.
" Thereupon that King of the Rakshasas, surrounded by his
attendants, reflected : — ' How is this, the chariot has halted ?
Why is it not still moving since it was created to follow its master's
will ? Wherefore does the Pushpaka Car not go wheresoever I
desire ? Is this not the doing of some inhabitant of the mountain'?
" Then, O Rama, the intelligent Marietta said to him : —
" * It is not without reason, O King, that the Chariot Pushpaka
moves no longer. Without doubt it is only able to serve Dhanada
and, since it is separated from that Lord of Wealth, it has become
motionless ! *
" As he spoke thus, a fearful yellow and black-hued dwarf
appeared, who was extremely stout and possessed a shaven head
4:7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and short arms ; it was Nandi. Approaching that Indra among
the Rakshasas, that servant of Bhava, Nandi, fearlessly addressed
him, saying : —
" ' Begone, O Dashagriva, the Lord Shankara is disporting
himself on this mountain ; it is forbidden to birds, serpents,
Yakshas, Devas, Gandharvas and Rakshasas to come hither ! '
" Hearing Nandi's words, Ravana, with his earrings trembling
in his wrath, his eyes red with fury, leapt down from the Push-
paka Chariot and approaching the foot of the peak, demanded : —
** ' Who is this Shankara ? '
" Then he beheld Nandi standing at the side of that God,
supporting himself on his gleaming trident, blazing in his own
effulgence, like unto a second Shankara.
" Beholding that monkey-faced One, the Rakshasa, in his
contempt laughed derisively, roaring like a thunder-cloud.
Highly provoked, the blessed Nandi, Shankara in another form,
said to Dashagriva, who stood near : —
" * Since thou hast derided me in my monkey form, O Dasha-
nana, by bursting into loud laughter resembling thunder,
monkeys, like unto myself in form, endowed with prodigious
strength, shall be born to destroy thee and thy race. Armed with
nails and teeth, O Barbarian, they will descend like an avalanche
of rocks, and swift as thought, thirsting to fight and, proud of their
strength, shall crush thy great pride and thy high prowess with
that of thine adherents and thy sons. I am well able to slay thee
now, O Ranger of the Night, but it is no longer necessary to put
thee to death since thy previous acts have already overtaken
thee.'
" Hearing these prophetic utterances of that magnanimous God,
the celestial gongs resounded and a rain of flowers fell from
the sky. Disregarding Nandi's words, the extremely powerful
Dashanana drew nearer to the mountain and said : —
" * As it is on thine account that the course of Pushpaka, in
which I was travelling, has been arrested, I shall uproot the
mountain, O Cowherd ! What is the nature of the power which
enables Bhava to sport here continually like a king ? He is not
aware of what should be known to him and that the moment for
him to tremble has come.'
" Speaking thus, O Rama, he seized the mountain in his arms
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UTTARA KANDA
and shook it violently so that the rocky mass vibrated. In
consequence of the mountain quaking, the attendants of the God
were troubled and Parvati herself, terrified, clung to the neck of
Maheshwara.
" Then, O Rama, Mahadeva, the foremost of the Gods, as if in
sport, pressed the mountain with his great toe and, at the same
time, he crushed Ravana's arms, that resembled pillars of
granite, to the great consternation of all the counsellors of that
Rakshasa. And he, in pain and fury, suddenly let forth a terrible
cry, causing the Three Worlds to tremble, so that his ministers
thought it to be the crash of thunder at the dissolution of the
worlds ! Thereupon the Gods, with Indra at their head,
stumbled on their way; the oceans became agitated, the
mountains shook, and die Yakshas, Vidyadharas and Siddhas
cried out : — ' What is this ? Do thou pacify Mahadeva, the
Blue-throated One, the Lord of Uma ; apart from Him, there is
no refuge in the world, O Dashanana ! By hymns and prostra-
tion seek refuge with Him, propitiated and gratified, Shankara
will look on thee with favour.1
M Hearing the words of his ministers, Dashanana, bowing before
Him, worshipped the God Whose standard bears the bull, by
the recitation of hymns and innumerable sacred texts. Thus
did that titan lament for a thousand years.
" Thereafter the Lord Mahadeva, propitiated, released the arms
of Dashanana from under the mountain and addressed him
saying : —
"'lam gratified with thy courage and endurance, O Dasha-
nana E When thou wast imprisoned under the rock, thou didst
emit a terrible cry, striking terror in the Three Worlds. For
this reason, O King, from now on thy name shall be Ravana,
and Celestials, Men, Yakshas and other Beings in the universe
shall call thee " Ravana " — " He who causes the worlds to cry
out ". O Poulastya,1 follow the path that pleases thee without
fear, thou hast my sanction to depart.'
" Thus spoke Shambhu to the Lord of Lanka and he, in his
turn, said : —
** * O Mahadeva, if thou art satisfied, then I pray thee, grant me
a boon t I am not able to be slain by Gods, Gandharvas,
1 Mahaseaa— The Lord of War, Karttikeya.
419
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Danavas, Rakshasas, Guhyakas or Nagas nor by any other great
Beings, I do not take man into account deeming him to be too
insignificant. I have been granted a long life by Brahma, O
Destroyer of Tripura, but I desire a further lease of Jife ,* do thou
confer this upon me, as also a weapon.'
" Thus spoke Ravana, and Shankara bestowed an exceedingly
bright sword upon him, famed as Chandrahasa.1 Thereafter
the Lord of Creatures accorded him a further lease of life and,
handing him the weapon, Shambhu said : —
" ' Never treat this weapon with contempt, if thou dost dis-
regard it, it will assuredly return to me ! *
" Having received bis name from that great God Maheshwara,
Ravana paid obeisance to him and re-ascended his aerial Car
Pushpaka. Thereafter, O Rama, he began to range the entire
world subduing the foremost of warriors, irresistible in combat
and those who were filled with courage and boiling with ardour,
who dreamt only of war and who perished with their troops by
refusing to submit to him. But those, who knew Ravana to be
invincible, showed themselves to be more wary and said to that
titan, proud of his strength, * We have been vanquished ! '
chapter 17
The Story of Vedavati
" O RING, when the long-armed Ravana was ranging the earth, he
came to the Himalayan Forest and began to explore it. There
he beheld a young girl, radiant as a goddess, wearing a black
antelope skin and matted locks, leading the life of an ascetic.
Seeing the youthful and lovely girl who was given over to austere
practices, he was overcome by desire and enquired of her
laughingly : —
"'Why, O Blessed One, hast thou adopted a life so ill-fitted
to thy years ? Assuredly such vagaries do not agree with thy
beauty, O Timid Lady, a beauty that nothing surpasses, and
which inspires others with desire, should not be hidden.
1 He being a descendant of Ponlastya.
420
UTTARA KANDA
" ' Whose daughter arc thou, O Fortunate One? From whence
springs thy way of life ? Who is thy consort, O Youthful Lady
of lovely looks ? He with whom thou art united is fortunate
indeed! I beg of thee to tell me all; why these mortifications?'
" Being thus questioned by Ravana, that young girl, radiant
with beauty and rich in ascetic practices, having offered him the
traditional hospitality, replied : —
" ' My Sire is named Kushadwaja, a Brahmarishi of immeasur-
able renown, the illustrious son of Brihaspati, whom he equals in
wisdom. I, bis daughter was born of the speech of that mag-
nanimous One, whose constant pursuit is the study of the Veda ;
my name is Vedavati. At that time, the Devas, Gandharvas,
Yakshas, Rakshasas and Pannagas approached my sire to ask
for my hand but my father did not wish to give me in marriage
to them, O King of the Rakshasas, for the reason which I shall
now unfold to thee ; listen attentively, O Lion among Heroes !
" * My Sire had chosen Vishnu, Chief of the Gods, Lord of the
Three Worlds Himself, to be my consort and on this account he
would not permit me to wed any other. Hearing this the King
of the Daityas, Shumbhu, proud of his strength, was highly
provoked and, during the night, while my father slept, he was
slain by that wicked one. My unfortunate mother, who till then,
had been so happy, embracing my father's body, entered the fire.
'" Now I desire to fulfil his will regarding Narayana; it is He
to whom I have given my heart. With this intention I am under-
going a rigid penance. I have told thee all, O King of the
Rakshasas ; Narayana is my lord ; I desire no other than the
Supreme Purusha. For the sake of Narayana, I have undergone
these severe mortifications. Thou art known to me, O King, go
hence, thou the offspring of Poulastya. By the grace of mine
austerities I know all that has taken place in the Three Worlds.'
" Thereupon Ravana, dismounting from his chariot, overcome
by the darts of the God of Love, once more addressed that young
girl of severe penances, saying : —
" * O Lady of Lovely Hips, thou art presumptuous in har-
bouring such an ambition ; it is to the aged that the accumula-
tion of merit accrues, O Thou whose eyes resemble a fawn's.
Thou art possessed of the beauty of the Three Worlds, O Timid
Lady, but thy youth is passing away ; I am the Lord of Lanka
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and am called Dashagriva ! Become my consort and enjoy every
delight according to thy whim. Who is this whom thou callest
Vishnu ? In valour, asceticism, magnificence and strength, the
one thou lovest cannot compare with us, O Fortunate and
Youthful Lady ! '
"As he spoke thus, Vedavati cried out * For shame ! For
share e ! * and thereafter addressed that Ranger of the Night
further, saying :—
" ' Who, had he any wisdom, would fail to pay homage to the
Supreme Lord of the Three Worlds, Vishnu, Who is universally
revered, save thou, O Indra among the Rakshasas ? *
"At these words of Vedavati, that Ranger of the Night seized
bold of the hair of that young girl, whereupon Vedavati, in
indignation, cut off her hair with her hand which had been
transformed into a sword. Burning with anger, she, as if she
would consume that night-ranger, kindled a brazier and, in her
eagerness to yield up her life, said to him : —
** * Soiled by thy contact, O Vile Rakshasa, I do not desire to
live and shall throw myself into the fire before thine eyes.
Since thou hast affronted me in the forest, O Wretch, I shall be
reborn for thy destruction. It is not possible for a woman to
slay an evil man and, if I curse thee, my penances will be ren-
dered void ; if, however, I have ever given anything in charity
or offered any sacrifice, may I be of immaculate birth and the
noble daughter of a virtuous man/
" So speaking, she threw herself into the fire that she had
ignited, and straightway a rain of flowers fell.
" Vedavati is the daughter of Janaka, her supposed father, O
Strong-armed Lord, and thy consort, for thou art the eternal
Vishnu. That woman, who, in anger, formerly cursed the
enemy who resembled a mountain, destroyed him by appealing
to thy supernatural power. Thus that goddess was reborn
among men, springing up like a flame on the altar, from a field
which was turned by the blade of a plough. First she was born
as Vedavati in the Golden Age and subsequently, in the Silver
Age, she was re-born in the family of the magnanimous Janaka
in the race of Mithila, for the destruction of that Rakshasa."
422
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 18
The Gods assume a thousand Forms in fear of Ravana
"Vedavati having entered the fire, Ravana remounted his
chariot and began to range the earth once more. Having reached
Ushirabija, he beheld the King Marutta performing a sacrifice
in company with the Gods.
"A Brahmarishi named Samvarta, the brother of Brihaspati
himself, conversant with the tradition, was assisting amidst the
Celestial Host. Perceiving the Rakshasa, rendered invincible on
account of the boons he had received, the Gods, fearing an
outrage on his part, assumed the shape of animals.
" Indra became a peacock, Dharmaraja a crow, Kuvera a
chameleon and Varuna a swan. The other Deities having escaped
in a like manner, O Slayer of Thy Foes, Ravana penetrated into
the place of sacrifice like an unclean dog.
"Approaching the king, Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas
said to him : —
" * Fight or submit ! '
" Then the monarch replied, ' Who art thou ? * to which
Ravana, with a sneering laugh, answered : —
"'lam charmed with thy simplicity, seeing thou dost not
flee before me, Ravana, the younger brother of Dhanada. In
the Three Worlds can there be any other who is ignorant of my
strength, I who vanquished my brother and carried off his
aerial car? '
" Then the King Marutta answered Ravana, saying : —
" ' Forsooth thou art highly fortunate that thou hast triumphed
over thine elder brother in combat. None in the Three Worlds
can equal thee in glory, yet unrighteous deeds can never be
commended. Having committed this foul act, thou dost preen
thyself on having vanquished thy brother I What course of
asceticism didst thou follow formerly that has earned thee this
boon ? I have never heard aught equal to that which thou hast
related to me. Halt where thou standest; never shalt thou
423
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
approach me alive ! This very hour, with my sharp arrows, I
shall send thee to the abode of death ! *
" Speaking thus, the king, armed with his bow and arrows, in
the height of anger, rushed out, but Samvarta barred the way ;
then the great Rishi said to Marutta : —
" * Hear the words inspired by my attachment for thee !
Thou shouldst not enter into combat. If this sacrifice in honour
of Maheshwara remain uncompleted, thy race will be destroyed.
How can one, who has undertaken a sacrifice, fight ? How can
he show anger ? Further, it is doubtful that thou wilt triumph ;
the Rakshasa is difficult to overcome.'
" Hearing the words of his Guru, Marutta, that Lord of the
Earth, throwing away his bow and arrows, grew calm and gave
himself wholly to the ceremony.
" Then Shuka, deeming he had accepted defeat, proclaimed
with shouts of triumph, ' Ravana is the victor ! '
" Having devoured the great Rishis, who were present at the
sacrifice, Ravana, gorged with their blood, began to range the
earth once more. When he had departed, the Celestials with
Indra at their head returned and spoke to those creatures whose
forms they had borrowed.
" In his delight, Indra said to the peacock, whose tail was dark
blue :—
" ■ I am pleased with thee, O Virtuous Bird, thou shah have
nothing to fear from serpents ; thou shah bear a thousand eyes
on thy tail and shalt manifest thy joy when it rains, as a testimony
of my satisfaction.11
" Such was the boon conferred on the peacock by that great
lord. O Monarch, the tails of peacocks, which were dark blue
formerly, have become brilliantly hued on account of this
boon.
" O Rama, Dharmaraja then said to the crow, who had
perched on the sacrificial post : —
" * O Bird, I am gratified with thee, listen to mine auspicious
words. Thou shalt not be visited by the various diseases to
which all beings are subject, for thou hast gratified me, be
assured thereof ! Through the grace of the boon I shall confer
on thee, O Bird, thou shalt have no need to fear death and shalt
* Indra being the ' Bringer of Rain '.
424
UTTARA KANDA
live long, till thou art slain by man. Those inhabiting my
empire, who are tormented by hunger, shall be satisfied, as also
their kinsfolk when thou hast fed.'
" Varuna, in his turn, said to the swan, the King of Winged
Creatures, who was disporting itself in the waters of the Ganges :-
" * Thou shall appear in a ravishing and graceful form, radiant
as the lunar orb, supremely beautiful, white as pure foam. In
contact with mine element,1 thou wilt rejoice continually. Thou
shalt taste a happiness that is unparalleled, which will be the
mark of mine approval ! '
" O Rama, formerly swans were not wholly white, their wings
were dark at the tips and their breasts were the colour of emerald.
" In his turn, Kuvera addressed the chameleon who was
resting on a rock and said : —
" * I confer on thee a golden hue on account of the pleasure
thou hast given me. Thy head will be of an unalterable golden
colour as a mark of my favour.'
" Such were the boons conferred on those creatures after the
sacrifice of the Gods, who, when the ceremony had been com-
pleted, returned with their king to their abode."
CHAPTER 19
Havana fights with Anaranya who dies prophesying
the Rakshasa's End
" Having triumphed over Marutta, the Lord of the Rakshasas,
Dashanana, ranged the royal cities thirsty for combat and,
approaching the mighty monarchs who were the equals of
Mahendra and Varuna, that Lord of the Titans said to them,
1 Fight or submit ! Thus have I resolved, there is no escape
for you ! '
" Thereupon, though not faint-hearted, those sagacious
monarchs, fixed in their duty, took counsel together and, despite
their great strength, recognizing the superior power of their foe,
O Dear Child, all those princes, Dushkanta, Suratha, Gadhi,
Gaya and the King Pururava, said to him : — ' We are defeated ! *
' Literally * My body ' — water, Varuna being the Lord of Riven.
4*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"Then Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas approached
Ayodhya, which was as strongly fortified by Anaranya as Amara-
vati by Shakra. Presenting himself before that Hon among men,
a king who was equal to Purandara in valour, Ravana said : —
" * Enter into combat with us or admit defeat, such is our
mandate ! *
" The King of Ayodhya, Anaranya, hearing that wicked
Monarch of the Rakshasas speak thus, answered indignantly : —
" * O Lord of the Titans, I accept thy challenge, stay and
make thy preparations speedily as I too shall make mine.'
" Thereafter, though already overcome by that which he had
heard related and despite his great prowess, the king with his
army set out, in an attempt to slay Ravana, with his elephants
numbering ten thousand, his horses a million, his chariots in
their thousands and his infantry, which, O Prince, covered the
whole earth. And that force rushed out to fight with its infantry
and cavalry and a terrific and extraordinary struggle ensued
between the King Anaranya and the Lord of the Rakshasas.
" In the grip of Ravana's forces, the army of that monarch,
having fought for a long time and manifested supreme courage,
was entirely destroyed as a libation poured into a fire is wholly
consumed. Coming in contact with those ranks projecting
flames, the remaining battalions were completely annihilated
like moths that enter a brazier.
" Beholding his vast army obliterated as hundreds of streams
disappear in the sea in which they empty themselves, the king,
transported with fury, stretching his bow, that resembled Shakra's,
advanced in the height of anger towards Ravana whereupon his
followers, Maricha, Shuka and Sarana, fled like deer. Then that
descendant of Ikshvaku loosed eight hundred arrows on the head
of the Sovereign of the Rakshasas but, as showers loosed from
the clouds on the summit of a mountain, those shafts fell upon
him without inflicting a single wound.
" Meantime the Lord of the Rakshasas, provoked, struck the
face of Anaranya, unseating that king from his chariot so that
the monarch, trembling convulsively, fell to the earth helpless, as a
Sala Tree struck down in the forest by a lightning stroke. Then
the Rakshasa mockingly enquired of that descendant of the
Ikshvaku Race, saying : —
436
UTTARA KANDA
" ' What hast thou gained by entering into combat with me ?
In the Three Worlds, none can stand against me, O Chief of
Men ! I deem that thou art immersed in pleasure and hast not
even heard of my prowess ! *
" Thus spoke Ravana and the king, scarcely breathing,
answered : —
" ' What can I do now ? Assuredly fate is inexorable ! It is
not thou who hast conquered me, 0 Rakshasa, despite thy boast-
ings, it is Time that has overwhelmed me; he is the true
author of death ! What can I do, now that I have come to the
end of my days ? Nay, O Rakshasa, I did not turn back in this
fight with thee in which I am about to succumb but, on account
of thy disregard for one of the magnanimous Ikshvakus, I tell
thee this, O Rakshasa: — if I have ever given anything in charity,
if I have ever undertaken a sacrifice, if I have ever practiced a
rigid penance, if I have protected my subjects, may my words
prove true— in the House of the magnanimous Ikshvakus will be
born a warrior named Rama, the son of Dasaratha, who will
extinguish thy vital breaths ! *
"As this curse was being pronounced, the sound of celestial
gongs could be heard and, from the cloud-covered sky, a rain of
flowers fell. Thereafter the king, that Indra among Monarchs,
ascended to the region of Trivishtapa, and that sovereign having
entered heaven, the Rakshasa went away."
CHAPTER 20
Havana's Meeting with the Sage Narada
"As the King of the Rakshasas was ranging the earth, sowing
terror amongst its inhabitants, he beheld Narada, that foremost
of Munis, riding on a cloud and, having paid obeisance to him
and enquired as to his welfare, Dashagriva questioned him
concerning his presence there. Then Narada, the supremely
illustrious and celestial Rishi of immeasurable effulgence,
stationed on the peak of a cloud, replied to Ravana who stood in
the aerial Car Pushpaka, saying : —
427
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" * O King of the Rakshasas, O My Friend, stay a moment !
0 Son of Vishravas, Offspring of a noble Race, I am gratified by
thy valiant exploits. Vishnu, overcoming die Daityas, pleased me
and thou also hast filled me with delight by harassing the Gand-
harvas and Uragas and exterminating them. I will tell thee
something that should be known to thee if thou art willing to
hear it ! Pay attention to my words, My Dear Son !
" ' Why destroy the world, O Dear Child, thou whom the
Gods cannot slay ? This world passes away and is under the
power of Mrityu ; it is not worthy of thee to harass the world of
mortals, thou who may not be destroyed by Suras, Danavas,
Daityas, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Rakshasas. Who would slay
creatures who are ever bewildered in respect to their welfare and
a prey to great calamities ? Who would strike a world such as
this which is overcome by age and disease ? What wise man
would enjoy making war on this world of men amidst a perennial
stream of every kind of affliction that visits it on all sides ? How
can one torment this world which is perishable, smitten by divine
forces, hunger, thirst and old age and assailed by misfortune and
disappointment ?
" * Sometimes, full of joy, men give themselves up to music
and dancing, whilst others are crying out in distress, their faces
streaming with tears that fall from their eyes. Through attach-
ment to mother, rather, children or in affection for their consorts,
they rush into ills they know not, then why torment a world
already brought low by nescience? Assuredly thou hast
heretofore subdued the world of men, O Dear One ' Thou
shouldst undoubtedly descend to Yama's abode ; it is Yama
whom thou shouldst overcome, O Poulastya,1 O Thou the
penetrator of hostile citadels. When death is subdued, verily
the whole universe is subdued.*
" Thus spoke Narada, radiant in his own effulgence, where-
upon the Lord of Lanka began to laugh and paying obeisance
to him, replied : —
M * O Great Rishi, thou who findest felicity in the company of the
Gods and Gandharvas and who takest delight in warfare, I am
resolved to descend into Rasatala for the purpose of conquest
and, having triumphed over the Three Worlds and placed the
1 Havana is here addressed as ft descendant of Poulastya.
428
UTTARA KANDA
Serpent Race and the Gods under my yoke, I shall chum up the
ocean containing the Nectar of Immortality.'
" Thereafter, the blessed Rishi Narada asked Dashagriva : —
" ' Why therefore dost thou remain here engaged in another
path ? Assuredly the way that leads to the City of Yama, the
King of the Dead, is extremely hard, O Invincible Hero, O
Scourge of thy Foes.*
"Thereat, bursting into laughter, like unto the crash of
thunder in autumn, Dashanana cried out: —
" * Verily it is accomplished ! ' Then he added, * Resolved to
slay Vaivasvata, O Great Brahmin, I shall go to the southern
region, where that king, born of Surya, dwells. Truly, O Most
Blessed One, in mine anger and martial ardour, I swear I shall
overcome the four Guardians of the World ! Here am I, ready
to march against the city of the King of the Pitris. I shall
compass the end of Mrityu, he who plunges all beings into
mourning.'
" Having spoken thus to the Muni and taken leave of him,
Dashagriva went away and entered the southern region accom-
panied by his ministers.
" Narada however, filled with brahmanic ardour stood
awhile plunged in thought and, as he pondered, that Indra among
ascetics resembled a smokeless fire.
" He reflected : — * How can death be overcome, he who
afflicts the Three Worlds with their rulers and all animate and
inanimate beings, visiting them with just retribution at the
termination of their lives ? He, the witness of their offerings
and sacrifices, like unto a second Pavaka ; he, whose power
energises the worlds when beings attaining consciousness put
forth their activity, and in fear of whom the Three Worlds are
disturbed. He before whom the Three Worlds flee in terror,
how dare that foremost of Rakshasas stand before him ? He
who is Vidhatar and Dhatar, the distributor of rewards and
punishments in accordance with men's deeds; he the con-
queror of the Three Worlds, how can Ravana overcome him ?
And if he does subdue him, what other order will he establish ?
Curiosity urges me to descend into Yama's abode in order to
witness the duel between Yama and that Rakshasa in person.' "
4*9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 2 I
Ravana goes to the Nether Regions to challenge Yama
" Reflecting thus, the foremost of the ascetics departed with a
light step for Yama's abode in order to acquaint him with what
had taken place and there he found the God Yama before a fire,
dealing out justice to every being according to his deserts.
" Then Yama, becoming aware of the presence of that great
Rishi Narada, offering him a comfortable seat and the Arghya,
according to tradition, said to him : —
" * O Devarishi, is all well or is righteousness in jeopardy ?
Wherefore hast thou come hither, thou who art revered by the
Gods and Gandharvas ? *
" Thereupon Narada, that blessed Rishi, answered him
saying: —
" * Hear what I have to tell thee and do what thou considerest
fitting ! That ranger of the night, named Dashagriva, is coming
here to overthrow thee by the force of his will, though thou art
invincible. It is on this account that I have come hither in all
haste, fearing what would befall thee, O Lord Who bearest the
Rod.*1
"At that instant, they beheld the Rakshasa's chariot, bright as
the sun, approaching in the distance ; and the mighty Dasha-
griva advancing in the dazzling Pushpaka Car dispelled the
darkness of the region of death.
" On all sides that long-armed hero beheld those who were
eating the fruit of their good and evil acts and he observed the
soldiers of Yama and his attendants, ferocious beings of formid-
able and hideous aspect. He saw those undergoing torment
emitting loud cries, giving themselves up to bitter lamentations,
devoured by worms and fierce dogs, uttering shrieks that rent
the ears, filling all with terror ; and those who were crossing the
Vaitarani River, which flowed with blood, sinking at each step
into the burning sands which scorched them ; and malefactors
1 The Rod of Punishment.
430
UTTARA KANDA
being cut to pieces in the Asipatra Wood1 or plunged in the
Raurava region8 or the Ksharanadi8 or slashed with Kshurad-
haras4, crying out for water, tortured by hunger and thirst,
emaciated, afflicted, pale, their hair in disarray, besmeared with
mud and filth, stricken and demented, running hither and
thither. And Ravana beheld them in hundreds and thousands
on the way, and he saw others in palaces, where songs and
musical instruments could be heard, disporting themselves as
the result of their good deeds. And milk was supplied to those
who had given kine in charity and rice to those who had distribu-
ted rice, and dwellings to those who had bestowed dwellings on
others; each reaping the fruit of his own deeds. Others among
the virtuous were surrounded by youthful women adorned with
gold, precious gems and magnificent pearls, resplendent in their
own radiance ; all these appeared to the long-armed Ravana,
Lord of the Rakshasas.
" Then those who were in torment as a punishment for their
evil deeds, were audaciously liberated by the Rakshasa who was
powerful and valiant, and those phantoms, suddenly receiving
that unexpected clemency, set free by that mighty monarch,
rushed upon him, and a great clamour arose, whereupon the
soldiers belonging to Dharmaraja, who were full of courage, ran
to that spot.
"Armed with arrows, iron bars, spears, maces, lances and
picks in their hundreds and thousands, they attacked the
Pushpaka Car bravely. Seats, upper galleries, floors and arches
were rapidly demolished by those warriors who fell upon it like a
swarm of bees ; but the celestial aerial car, though broken, was
indestructible and resumed its former shape through Brahma's
power. That great army of the magnanimous Yama was not to
be counted and the advance guard alone numbered a hundred
thousand warriors.
"Trees, rocks, missiles in their hundreds were thrown in
profusion with all their strength by those valiant followers of
Dashanana and by the king himself. Although their limbs were
covered with blood and lacerated by every kind of missile, the
1 Asipatravana — A wood in hell where the leaves are as sharp as swords.
1 Raurava — Another hell.
* Ksharanadi — A river in hell, the waters of which were said to be corrosive.
4 Kshuradhara — A sharp razor-like instrument.
43*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
ministers of the foremost of the titans fought like giants and the
foremost of warriors, the intrepid soldiers of Yama and Ravana's
followers struck each other with redoubled blows, O Prince.
Thereafter, leaving their adversaries, Yama's forces rushed on
Dashanana with their spears, and the King of the Rakshasas, his
body streaming with blood, shone like an Ashoka Tree in
flower.
" Meantime, spears, maces, javelins, lances, darts, arrows,
rocks and trees poured from the mighty bow of that courageous
warrior. A formidable shower of trees, stones and weapons of
all sorts fell on the forces of Yama and thereafter on the earth.
" Having severed all those missiles and repelled that hail of
projectiles, the soldiers of Yama struck that redoubtable titan,
who fought single-handed against hundreds and thousands and
they all surrounded him like a mass of clouds round a mountain
and, with their Bhindipalas and their spears, they assailed him
with such force that he could scarcely breathe. His coat of mail
severed, cut to pieces midst rivers of blood flowing from his
person, full of rage, he abandoned Pushpaka and leapt to the
earth. Furnished with his bow and arrows, he expanded in
energy in the combat and speedily regaining his senses, full of
fury, he stood there like a second Antaka. Placing the celestial
shaft, Pashupata1 on his bow and bending it, he cried ' Stay !
Stay ! * and, stretching the cord up to his ear, he loosed that
missile in the fight, as Shankara when attacking Tripura.
"And that dan with its circle of fire and smoke resembled a
blazing fire that, growing, consumes a forest during the summer
season. With its crown of flames, that shaft, loosed by that
eater of flesh, ranged the field of battle freely, reducing the
bushes and trees to ashes. Then the soldiers of Vaivasvata fell
like the standards of the Great God Indra, consumed by the
violence of the blaze, and that Rakshasa of formidable prowess,
with his companions uttered a great roar which convulsed the
earth.**
1 The weapon of Shiva.
43*
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 22
The Duel between Ravana and Yama ; Brahma intervenes
" Hearing that great tumult, the Lord Vaivasvata realised his
enemy had triumphed and that his army was destroyed.
Knowing his forces were slain, his eyes red with anger, he
addressed his charioteer, saying : —
" ' Take my chariot there speedily ! *
" Thereupon the driver brought the vast celestial car of his
most powerful master and that exceedingly energetic one ascen-
ded it. And Mrityu, the destroyer of the Triple World of
perpetual change, with a lance and mallet in his hand and Time
as his Rod, stood at Yama's side ; and that divine weapon
blazed like fire.
" Beholding Kala1 highly enraged, inspiring terror in the
whole universe, the Three Worlds were agitated and the
inhabitants of heaven were seized with fear. Thereafter the
charioteer urged on his steeds that were the colour of blood, and
drove his thundering chariot to meet the Lord of the Rakshasas ;
and, in an instant, his horses, the equals of those belonging to
Hari, carried Yama with the speed of thought to the scene of
the combat.
" Seeing that terrible chariot that Mrityu accompanied, the
followers of the foremost of the Rakshasas took to their heels,
saying : —
" * It is impossible for us to contend with him J ' In their
cowardice, beside themselves with terror, they fled away,
Dashagriva, however, in the presence of that chariot that spread
terror in the Universe, remained unmoved and experienced no
fear.
" Coming within range of his adversary, Yama, in fury, loosed
arrows and darts piercing Ravana's vital parts but he, master of
himself, let fly a hail of shafts on Yama's chariot, as a cloud lets
fall its waters, and though the Rakshasa was unable to repel those
1 Kala— Time aa Death.
433
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
great shafts that fell in hundreds on his mighty breast, yet he
experienced no ill effect ; nevertheless, after a fight lasting seven
days, and all those missiles of various kinds that Yama, the
Scourge of his Foes, loosed upon him, Ravana, averting his face,
became distraught and a terrible struggle ensued between Yama
and the Rakshasa, each eager to triumph and neither turning
back in the fight.
"At that time, Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas and great Rishis
with Prajapati at their head, assembled on the field of battle, for
the duel taking place between the Lord of the Rakshasas and the
King of the Dead appeared like the dissolution of the worlds.
" Ravana, stretching his bow, like unto Indra's thunderbolt,
filled the whole of space with his shafts and he struck Mrityu
with four barbed arrows and his driver with seven, thereafter
with his swift arrows piercing Yama in his vital parts a hundred
thousand times.
" Then, from the mouth of the enraged Yama, a circle of flame
issued, accompanied by wind and smoke, verily a fire of wrath.
Beholding that marvel in the presence of Gods and Danavas,
both Mrityu and Kala were transported with rage and Mrityu,
in a paroxysm of anger, said to Vaivasvata : — ' Suffer me to
destroy this wicked Rakshasa ! This very day, in accord with
the natural law, this Rakshasa shall cease to be ! Hiranya-
kashipu, the fortunate Namuchi, Shambara, Nishandi, Dhuma-
ketu, Bali, Virochana, the Giant Shambhu, mighty monarchs,
Vritra and Bana, the Rajarishis versed in the Shastras, Punnagas,
Daityas, Yakshas and troops of Apsaras, with the earth and its
mountains, rivers and trees and the great ocean, have all been
destroyed by me at the end of the World cycle, O Great King.
Those beings and others in great numbers, who were powerful
and invincible, have been annihilated by my glance, how much
more easilj can I bring about the death of this ranger of the night?
Let me go therefore, O Virtuous Lord, that I may destroy him !
No creature, however powerful he may be, can survive if my
glance falls upon him. This power is not mine own ; it is a
natural law that on whosoever I cast my glance, O Kala, he does
not live even for an instant.'
" Thus spoke Mrityu and the illustrious Lord of Justice
answered : —
434
UTTARA KANDA
" ' Calm thyself I shall slay him ! ' Then the Lord Vaivas-
vata, his eyes red with anger, lifted up the Rod of Death that
never misses its target, that Rod to the sides of which the snares
of destruction are attached, and he seized hold of a hammer like
unto a flash of lightning, which, by its aspect alone, extinguishes
the breath of living beings, how much more when it falls on
them ! That weapon surrounded by flames, that huge mace,
that seemed to consume the Rakshasa, emitted sparks when that
mighty being took hold of it. Then, as the God prepared to
smite Ravana, the Grandsire of the World appeared suddenly
and said: —
" * O Great-armed Vaivasvata, O Thou, whose courage is
immeasurable, know that thou must not strike the ranger of the
night with thy Rod. I have bestowed a boon on him, O King
of the Gods, thou must not render it void for I have pledged my
word I Verily he who makes me appear as a deceiver, whether
he be God or a mere mortal, renders the Triple World guilty of
deceit ! That terrible weapon, if loosed in anger, will strike
down all beings, irrespective if they are dear to me or no.
Inevitable destruction and death to all follows on that Rod of
Death of immeasurable splendour created by me ! Undoubtedly,
O My Friend, thou shoiildst not let it fall on Ravana's head, for
once it falls, none will survive even for an instant. Should it
fall on the Rakshasa Dasbagriva, whether he die or does not die,
either way, deceit will have been practised ! Therefore turn
aside that uplifted Rod from the King of Lanka and confirm my
good faith in deference to the worlds ! *
"Thus addressed, the virtuous Lord of Death, Yama
answered : —
" ' I shall restrain the Rod as thou art our Master, but, as I
may not slay mine adversary who is protected by thy boon, what
shall I do now in the fight? I shall render myself invisible to the
Rakshasa 1 '
" So speaking, he vanished with his chariot and horses.
" Thereafter, Dashagriva, master of the field, proclaimed his
name and, re-mounting Pushpaka, emerged from Yama's abode.
Vaivasvata, however, with the Gods, preceded by Brahma,
joyfully returned to the Celestial Region, as did the great Muni
Narada also."
435
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 23
Ravana1 s Struggle with the Sorts of Varuna
" Having overcome Yama the foremost of the Gods, the Ten-
necked Ravana, proud warrior, went to seek out his followers.
Beholding him with his limbs covered with blood, riddled with
wounds, they were amazed. With Maricha at their head, they
offered felicitations to him on his victory and re-assured by him,
they all took their places in the Pushpaka Chariot. Thereafter
the Rakshasa descended into the watery region1 inhabited by
Daityas and Uragas under the powerful protection of Varuna.
From there he went to the Capital Bhogavati, where Vasuki
reigns, and, having subjugated the Nagas, he joyfully entered
the city made of precious stones. There the Nivatakavachas2,
Daityas protected by Brahma dwelt, and the Rakshasa, approach-
ing them, challenged them to fight. Instantly those intrepid
Daityas, full of valour, armed with every weapon in their
martial ardour, rushed out joyfully.
" Then the Rakshasas and Danavas struck each other furiously
with spears, tridents, Kalishas, harpoons, swords and Parash-
vadhas and, while they fought thus, a whole year passed away
without either side being victorious or suffering defeat.
"At the end of that time, the Grandsire, Lord of the Three
Worlds, the imperishable God, appeared in his marvellous
chariot and, in order to bring the bellicose activities of the
Nivatakavachas to a close, that Ancient One made known to
them the purpose of his intervention, saying : —
" ' Ravana cannot be overcome in battle by the Gods or Asuras
and you yourselves cannot be destroyed even by the Immortals
and Danavas together. It would find favour with me, if the
Rakshasas were joined with you in friendship ; undoubtedly all
benefits are shared by friends.'
1 Watery Region — Lit: Rasatala, the hell said to be situated at the bottom
of the sea.
1 A race of giants.
43«
UTTARA KANDA
" Thereupon, in the presence of fire, Ravana concluded an
alliance with the Nivatakavachas and became their friend.
" Honoured by them according to tradition, he sojourned in
that place for a year, where he passed his time exactly as in his
own city. There, having studied a hundred forms of magic he
became proficient in one, then he set out to explore Rasatala
in order to discover the capital of the Lord of the Waters,
Varuna. Reaching the Gty of Ashma, he slew all the in-
habitants and, with bis sword, pierced his powerful brother-in-
law, Vidyuj jihva, the consort of Shurpanakha, who was proud of
his strength and who, with his tongue, was licking a Rakshasa,
preparatory to devouring him. Having slain him, Ravana
thereafter, in an instant, destroyed four hundred Daityas. It
was then that the celestial abode of Varuna, resembling a cloud,
dazzling as Mount Kailasha, appeared to that monarch, and
he beheld there the Cow, Surabha, from whom milk ever flows
which forms the Ocean Kshiroda.
" Ravana saw Vararani, Mother of cows and bulls also, from
whom is born Chandra of cooling rays, who ushers in the night,
taking refuge under whom, the great Rishis subsist on the froth
of that milk from which the Nectar of Immortality, the food of
the Gods sprang, as also Svadha, the food of the Piths. Having
circumambulated that wonderful Cow, known to men as
Surabha, Ravana penetrated into a formidable region defended
by troops of every kind. It was then he beheld the splendid
residence of Varuna, abounding in hundreds of cataracts,
ever wearing a delightful aspect and resembling an autumn
cloud.
" Having struck down the leaders of the army in battle, whom
he riddled with blows, Ravana said to those warriors : — * Speedily
inform the King that Ravana has come hither seeking battle,
saying "Accept this challenge if thou art not afraid, otherwise,
paying obeisance to him declare, * I am defeated ! * ** *
" Meantime, the sons and grandsons of the magnanimous
Varuna, provoked, set out with. Go and Pushkara.1
" Those valiant beings, surrounded by their troops, harnessed
their chariots that coursed wheresoever they desired and shone
like the rising sun.
1 Two Generals.
ar 437
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Thereafter a terrible struggle ensued, causing the bair to
stand on end, between the children of the Lord of the Waters
and the crafty Ravana. The brave companions of the Rakshasa
Dashagriva, in an instant, destroyed Varuna's entire army.
" Seeing their army struck down in the fight, the sons of
Varuna, overwhelmed by a hail of missiles, broke off the conflict
and, as they were escaping underground, they beheld Ravana in
the Pushpaka Chariot and hurled themselves into the sky in their
fleet cars. Having attained an equally advantageous position, a
desperate fight broke out afresh and a terrible conflict arose in the
air like unto that between the Gods and the Danavas. With their
shafts, like unto Pavaka's, they put Ravana to flight and, in their
joy, emitted countless shouts of triumph.
" Then Mahodara, provoked, on seeing Ravana thus sore
pressed, banished all fear of death and, in his martial ardour,
casting infuriated glances round about, with his mace struck
the chariots that were coursing at will with the speed of the
wind, causing them to fall on the earth. Having slain the
soldiers and destroyed the chariots of Varuna's sons, Mahodara,
seeing them deprived of their cars, emitted a loud shout. The
chariots with their steeds and their excellent drivers, destroyed
by Mahodara, lay on the earth and, though bereft of their
vehicles, the sons of the magnanimous Varuna, by virtue of their
natural prowess, remained courageously in the sky without
being perturbed. Stretching their bows, they pierced Mahodara
and, gathering together, they surrounded Ravana on the battle-
field and, with their formidable shafts, like unto thunderbolts
loosed from their bows, they overwhelmed him in their rage, as
clouds rain down on a great mountain.
" On his side, the irascible Dashagriva, like unto the fire of
dissolution, showered down a fearful hail of missiles on their
vital parts with irresistible and uninterrupted force, and there
were maces of every kind, Bhallas in their hundreds, harpoons,
lances and huge Shataghnis. Then Varuna's sons, reduced to
walking on foot, saw themselves restricted like unto sixty-year
old elephants who have entered a great morass and, beholding
the sons of Varuna thus stricken and exhausted, the supremely
powerful Ravana emitted shouts of joy like unto an immense
cloud, and letting forth those loud roars, he struck Varuna's
438
UTTARA KANDA
offspring with shafts of every kind which he showered down upon
them like a cloud.
" Thereupon they turned back and fell headlong to the ground
and their followers carried them hastily from the battlefield to
their homes, whilst the Rakshasa cried out ' Carry the tidings
to Varuna 1 '
" Thereafter one of Varuna's counsellors, named Prahasta,
answered him saying : —
" ' Varuna, the Lord of the Waters, that mighty monarch,
whom thou art challenging to combat, has gone to Brahmaloka
to hear the Gandharra music. Why exhaust thyself in vain, O
Hero, since the King is not here ? *
" Then the Lord of the Rakshasas, having heard this, pro-
claimed his name and emitted joyful cries ; thereafter, issuing
out of Varuna's abode and returning from whence he had come,
Ravana ascended into the sky and directed his course to Lanka."
SOME COMMENTATORS CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING
FIVE CHAPTERS TO BE INTERPOLATIONS.
FIRST OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
Ravana* s Meeting with Bali
" Thereafter Ravana's war-intoxicated followers ranged the
City of Ashma and Dashanana beheld there a great palace, the
archways of which were set with emeralds and adorned with a
network of pearls. Abounding in golden pillars and sacred
altars, the stairways, made of gold, were studded with diamonds
and hung with small bells and delightful seats placed here and
there, so that it resembled the palace of Mahendra.
" Beholding that beautiful dwelling, the supremely powerful
Ravana reflected within himself: — 'Whose is this marvellous
mansion like unto the peak of Mount Meru ? Go, O Prahasta
and ascertain speedily to whom this residence belongs ! '
"Thereupon Prahasta entered that excellent abode and,
finding no one in the first apartment, he went to another,
439
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
penetrating into seven rooms till at last he observed a fire
burning, in the flames of which he beheld a man seated, laughing
aloud ; and, hearing that dreadful laughter, Prahasta's hair
stood on end. The man thus seated as if unconscious in the
fire, blinding to look upon as the sun and like unto Yama
himself, was wearing a golden chain. Beholding this, that night-
ranger speedily left the house and communicated all to
Havana.
" O Rama, Dashagriva, resembling a piece of collyrium,
alighting from Pushpaka, sought to enter that dwelling but a
huge-bodied person, moon-crested, barred the door. His
tongue resembled a name, bis eyes were red, his teeth dazzling,
his lips like die Bimba Fruit, his nose dreadful and he was
handsome of form with a neck curved like a conch, marked with
three lines, bis jaws enormous, his beard thick, his bones well
covered with flesh, possessing large fangs, his whole aspect
terrible, causing the hair to stand on end ; and he held a mace
in bis hand as he stood at the door; then as Ravana beheld him,
his hair rose on end, his heart beat furiously and bis body
trembled.
" Perceiving these inauspicious omens, Ravana began to
ponder within himself and while he was reflecting thus, that
Being addressed him, saying : —
" * Of what art thou thinking, O Rakshasa ? Tell me without
fear ! I shall confer the pleasure of combat on thee, O Hero, O
Night-ranger ! '
" Thereafter he spoke again to Ravana, saying : —
" ' Dost thou desire to enter into conflict with Bali or hast
thou some other intention ? '
" Hearing these words, Ravana was overwhelmed with fear so
that his hair stood on end but, recollecting himself, he answered:-
" ' O Thou, the foremost of those skilled in speech, who
resideth in this mansion? I would enter into combat with him if
thou counsellest me to do so ! *
" Then that Being answered him, saying : —
" * The Lord of the Danavas lives here ; he is supremely
magnanimous, valiant, possessing truth for his prowess, endowed
with many qualities, resplendent, like unto Yama bearing a
noose in his hand, bright as the rising sun, incapable of being
440
UTTARA KANDA
defeated in combat, impetuous, invincible, victorious, a veritable
ocean of accomplishments, soft-spoken, the support of those who
depend on him, devoted to his preceptor and the brahmins,
conversant with the proper time (for executing actions), gifted
with great powers, truthful, handsome, skilful, heroic, ever
engaged in the study of the Veda ; though walking on foot, he
moves like the wind, he shines like fire, radiating heat like the
sun, he stands in awe of neither Gods, spirits, snakes nor birds,
fear is unknown to him. Dost thou wish to fight with Bali, O
Lord of the Rakshasas, O Thou gifted with supreme energy ?
Then enter this abode speedily and engage in the encounter ! '
" Being thus addressed, the Ten-necked Titan went in to
where Bali was, and that foremost of the Danavas, who resembled
a Same of fire and was as hard to gaze upon as the sun, beholding
the Lord of Lanka, burst into laughter and, taking the Rakshasa
by the hand placed him on his lap, saying : —
" ' O Ten-necked Lord of the Rakshasas, O Long-armed One,
what desire of thine shall I gratify ? Say what has brought thee
hither?*
" Being thus addressed by Bali, Ravana answered : —
" * O Illustrious One, I have heard that formerly thou wert
imprisoned by Vishnu, verily I have the power to release thee
from these bonds ! '
" Hearing these words of Ravana, Bali laughed and said : —
" ' Hear and I will tell thee, O Ravana ! The Dark-hued One
Who stands at the door, formerly subdued all the Danavas and
other powerful Lords and I also was imprisoned by Him. He is
as invincible as Death ; none in the world can delude Him. He,
Who stands at the entrance, is the Destroyer, Creator and
Preserver, Lord of the Three Worlds. Neither thou nor I know
Him ; He is the Lord of the past, present and future, He is
Time, He is the Kali Yuga, He overthrows all beings ; He is the
Creator and Destroyer of the Three Worlds and of all animate
and inanimate things ; that great God of all Gods creates and
re-creates the universe again and again for ever. O Night-
ranger, He is the Dispenser of the fruits of sacrifices, gifts and
oblations, verily He is the Creator and Preserver of the entire
Universe, there is none in the Three Worlds comparable with
Him in majesty and glory. O Scion of the House of Poulastya.
44*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
He has the Danavas, our forbears, and thee, under His control,
like beasts bound with ropes.
" * Vritra, Danu, Shuka, Shambu, Nishumbha, Shumbha,
Kalanemi, Prahlada and others, Kuta, Virochana, Mridu,
Yamala, Arjuna, Kansa, Kaitabha and Madhu all radiated heat
like the sun and were as resplendent as its rays, all moved like
the wind and showered down rain like unto Indra, all celebrated
sacrifices and underwent severe penances, all were exalted of
soul and followers of the Path of Yoga, all acquired wealth and
enjoyed many pleasures, all distributed gifts abundantly,
studied the Veda and protected their subjects, all were defenders
of their kinsfolk and slayers of their foes , none could stand
against them in the Three Worlds and they were powerful,
thoroughly conversant with the Shastras and all branches of
learning and were never known to retreat in battle.
" ' They ruled the kingdoms of the Gods, having overcome
them a thousand times, and they were ever engaged in harassing
them and protecting their own followers. Inflated with pride
and arrogance, given to attachment, they were as effulgent as
the newly risen sun, but the glorious Hari, the Lord Vishnu
knows how to bring about the destruction of those who per-
petually trouble the Gods. He creates them all and Himself
constantly brings about their end ; existing by Himself at the
time of dissolution.
" * These highly powerful and illustrious Danava Chiefs, able
to assume any form at will, were destroyed by that glorious God,
and further, all those heroes, said to be invincible and irresistible
in warfare, have been discomfited by the wondrous power of
Kritanta.*1
" Having spoken thus to Ravana, the Lord of the Danavas
again addressed the King of the Rakshasas, saying : —
" ' O Hero, O Thou gifted with great strength, take up this
shining disc that thou seest and draw near to my side ; I shall
then tell thee how I have broken my bonds forever. Do what I
have told thee, O Long-armed One, delay not I *
" O Descendant of Raghu, hearing this, the highly powerful
Rakshasa, laughing, proceeded to where that celestial disc was.
Proud of his strength he deemed himself able to lift it with ease
1 Kritanta — The incarnation of the fence of destiny, lit: ' Btinger to an end '.
442
UTTARA KANDA
but, taking hold of it, he could not move it by any means and,
being ashamed, that highly powerful one again attempted it and
barely raising it, that Rakshasa immediately fell to the earth
unconscious, bathed in a pool of blood, like unto a Sala Tree
that has been felled.
" Meantime the counsellors of the Lord of the Rakshasas, who
were in the Pushpaka Chariot, cried out loudly *AIas ! Alas ! *
and thereafter, the Rakshasa, regaining his senses, rose up, his
head bowed in shame and Bali said to him : —
" * Draw near, O Foremost of the Rakshasas, and listen to my
words, O Hero ! This disc encrusted with gems, which thou
didst seek to lift, was an ornament for the ear belonging to one of
my forbears and has remained here where it fell, look upon it !
0 Thou, endowed with great strength, the other fell on the
summit of a mountain and, besides these two, his crown also fell
on the earth before an altar during the encounter. Formerly
neither time, death nor disease could overcome mine ancestor
Hiranyakashipu, nor could he be visited by death during the
day, at dawn or dusk. O Foremost of the Rakshasas, neither a
dry nor a wet object nor any weapon could encompass his end.
" * It came about that he entered into a dreadful quarrel with
Frahlada1 and antagonism having grown up between him and
the defenceless and courageous Prahlada, the Lord appeared in
the form of Nrsingha, he of dreadful aspect who was the cause
of terror to all beings. O Foremost of the Rakshasas, that awful
Being, casting glances here and there, overwhelmed the Three
Worlds and, taking up Hiranyakashipu in his arms, he tore his
body open with his nails ; that same Being, the supreme and
taintless Vasudeva stands at the door ! I shall now tell thee of
that supreme God, do thou hear me, if my words have any
significance for thee. He who stands at the door has subdued
thousands of Indras and hundreds and thousands of great Gods
and Rishis.*
" Hearing these words, Ravana said : —
" ' I have beheld Kritanta, the Lord of Spirits and Death
Himself ! His hair is formed of serpents and scorpions, he bears
a noose in his hand, his tongue is like unto a flame of fire darting
like lightning, his jaws dreadful, his eyes red; he is endowed with
1 Ptahlad&ais son, a devotee of Vishnu.
443
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
immense speed and is the terror of all beings, like unto the sun
incapable of being looked upon. Unconquerable in combat, the
chastiser of evil-doers, yet even he was overcome in conflict, nor
did I experience the least fear of him, O Lord of die Danavas. I
do not know this person (at the door), it behoveth thee to tell me
who he is.'
" Hearing these words of Ravana, Bali, die Son of Virochana,
answered: —
" * He is the Lord Hari, Narayana, the Protector of the Three
Worlds. He is Ananta, Kapila, Vishnu and die highly effulgent
Nrsingha ; He is Kratudhama and Sudhama who bears the
dreadful mace in his hands. He resembles the Twelve Adityas,
He is the first Man, the primeval and excellent Purusha ; He is
like unto a dark blue cloud and is the first Lord of the Gods. O
Long-armed One, He is encircled by flame ; He is the supreme
Yogi, beloved of His devotees ; He projected the universe,
preserves it and destroys it, assuming the form of Time endowed
with great power. This Hari, bearing the discus in His hand, is
the sacrifice and is worshipped in the sacrifice, He is the one great
form of all the Gods, all beings, all worlds and all knowledge ;
He is Baladeva, O Mighty-armed One, the Slayer of Warriors ;
He has the eye of a hero and is the eternal Guru, the Father of
the Three Worlds. All Sages, desirous of liberation, meditate
on Him. He who knows Him thus, is freed from sin ; he, who
remembers, adores and worships Him, attains all.'
" Hearing these words of Bali, the highly powerful Ravana,
his eyes red with anger, went out with uplifted weapons.
" Beholding him thus inflamed with fury, the Lord Hari, Who
bore a club in His hand, reflected, ' In deference to Brahma, I
shall not slay this sinner yet,'1 and making himself invisible, He
vanished.
" Then Ravana, not beholding that Purusha there, rejoiced,
and, shouting exultandy, issued out of Varuna's abode and
departed by the same way by which he had come,"
1 Since Brahma had granted him the boon of invulnerability.
UTTARA KANDA
SECOND OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
Ravana challenges the Sun God
"After reflecting awhile, the Lord of Lanka went to the Solar
Region, passing the night on the enchanting summit of Mount
Sumeru. Riding in the Pushpaka Chariot, which was endowed
with the speed of the sun's steeds, he, by various ways advanced,
and beheld the glorious and resplendent Sun, the purifier of all,
adorned with golden bracelets and crowned with a halo encrusted
with gems. His lovely countenance was graced with a pair of
brilliant earrings, his person embellished with Keyuras,1 golden
ornaments and garlands of crimson lotuses. His body was
annointed with red sandalwood and he was blazing with a
thousand rays.
" Beholding the Sun, foremost of the Gods, Surya, that
primeval Deity without end or middle, having Uchhaisravas as
his steed, He the Witness of the World, Lord of the Earth,
Ravana was overwhelmed by His rays and said to Prahasta : —
" ' O Counsellor, do thou go at my behest and apprise the Sun
of mine intention saying, ' Ravana has come hither to challenge
thee, do thou fight or admit defeat; do one or the other speedily !'
" Hearing these words, that Rakshasa advanced towards the
sun and beheld two door-keepers named Fingala and Dandi and,
having communicated Ravana's resolutions to them, he stood
silent, being overpowered by the sun*s rays.
"Approaching the Sun, Dandi related the matter to him and,
hearing of Ravana's intention, the sagacious Surya, that enemy
of the night, said to him : —
" ' O Dandi, either subdue Ravana or say to him " I have
been defeated, do as thou deemest best ! "
"At this command, Dandi approached the high-souled Ravana
and informed him of what the Sun had said.
" Hearing DandTs words, the Lord of the Rakshasas pro-
claimed his victory by a roll of drums and went away."
1 Keyuras — Bracelets worn on the upper arm.
445
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
THIRD OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
I St SERIES
Ravana's Encounter with, the King Mandhata
" Having passed the night on die enchanting summit of Mount
Sumeru and deliberated for some time, the mighty Lord of
Lanka went to the region of the moon. There be beheld one
sprinkled with heavenly unguents, seated in his chariot attended
by Apsaras and being embraced by them, proceeding on his way,
worn out by the gratification of desire. Seeing such a person, his
curiosity was aroused and, observing a Rishi, named Parvata,
there, he said to him : —
" * Thou art welcome, O Blessed Sage, verily thou hast come
at a fitting moment ! Who is this shameless being proceeding
in a chariot attended by Apsaras ? He appears to be unaware of
his peril ? *
" Thus addressed by Ravana, the Rishi Parvata, said to him : —
" ' O Child, O Thou girted with high intelligence, hear me and
I will tell thee the truth. By him all these worlds have been
subdued and Brahma propitiated, and he is on his way to a
blissful place. As thou, by virtue of asceticism, hast conquered
the worlds, O Lord of the Rakshasas, so has he ; and, having
drunk the Soma-juice and performed many pious acts, he has
set forth on bis journey. O Foremost of the Rakshasas, thou art
valiant and hast truth for thy prowess ; the mighty are never
offended by the virtuous ! *
" Then Ravana beheld a large and excellent car, radiant and
effulgent, from which the sound of music and singing issued and
he said : —
" * O Great Rishi, who is that person endowed with radiance
who proceeds surrounded by charming singers, dancing girls and
Kinneras?'
" Hearing these words, Parvata, the foremost of Sages, again
replied : —
" ' He is a hero, a mighty warrior, who has never retreated in
battle. Having performed innumerable heroic feats in combat
446
UTTARA KANDA
and slain many adversaries, he has received countless wounds
and finally sacrificed his life for his master. Having destroyed
a myriad people in battle, he has at last been slain by his enemies.
He is now to be a guest of Indra or, it may be that he is going to
some other auspicious region. This foremost of men is being
entertained by singing and dancing.'
" Then Ravana enquired once more : —
" ' Who goeth yonder shining like tie sun ? '
" Hearing Ravana's words, Parvata said : —
" * That person, resembling the full moon, adorned with
various ornaments and robes, O Mighty King, whom thou
beholdest in a great chariot accompanied by troops of Apsaras,
has distributed much gold, therefore he proceedeth in supreme
effulgence in a swiftly coursing car.'
" Hearing Parvata's words, Ravana said again : —
" * O Foremost of Rishis, do thou tell me which of these kings
proceeding here, if entreated, will grant me the pleasure of
battle ? Verily thou art my father ; do thou point out to me such
a one, O Thou conversant with piety.'
" Thus addressed, Parvata, once more replied to Ravana,
saying : —
" * O Great King, all these monarcbs desire heaven not
conflict, but, O Mighty One, I shall indicate to thee one who will
enter into combat with thee.
" ' There is a supremely powerful king, the Lord of the Seven
Islands, well known by the name of Mandhata, who will do
battle with thee.'
" Hearing these words of Parvata, Ravana said : —
" ' Do thou tell me where this king doth dwell, O Thou of
great devotion, I shall go to where that foremost of men resides.'
" Hearing Ravana's words, the Sage said again : —
" * The son of Yuvaneshwa, having conquered the world
consisting of the Seven Islands, from sea to sea, Mandhata, the
foremost of kings is coming here.*
" Thereupon the long-armed Ravana, proud of the boon
conferred upon him in the Three Worlds, beheld the heroic
Mandhata, the Lord of Ayodhya and the foremost of monarchs.
The Lord of the Seven Islands was proceeding in a gilded and
decorated car resplendent as that of Mahendra, radiant in his
447
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
own beauty, sprinkled with celestial unguents, and the Ten-
necked One said to him : — ' Do thou give me battle ! '
" Being thus addressed, he, laughing, said to Dashanana : —
" ' If thy life is not dear to thee, then enter into combat with
me, O Rakshasa ! '
" Hearing these words of Mandhata, Ravana said : —
" ' Ravana has experienced no harm from Varuna, Kuvera or
Yama, what should he fear from a mere man ? '
" Having spoken thus, the Lord of the Rakshasas issued
orders to the titans who were invincible in battle, whereupon,
in fury, the counsellors of the wicked-souled Rakshasa, well
skilled in the art of warfare, began to discharge a hail of
arrows.
" Then the mighty monarch, Mandhata, with golden feathered
shafts, assailed Prahasta, Shuka, Sarana, Mahodara, Vimpaksha,
Akampana and other generals, and Prahasta covered the king
with arrows but, before they reached him, that foremost of men
shattered them to pieces. As grass is consumed by fire so was
that host of Rakshasas consumed by the King Mandhata by
means of hundreds of Bushundis, Bhallas, Bhindipalas and
Tomaras.1 As Karttikeya sundered Mount Krauncha with his
shafts, so did Mandhata, full of rage, pierce Prahasta with five
Tomaras endowed with supreme velocity and, brandishing his
mace, resembling Yama's, again and again he struck Havana's
chariot violently and that club resembling lightning, fell with
force so that Ravana was thrown down like unto Shakra's banner.
Thereafter the joy of King Mandhata was increased, as the
waters of the salty ocean at the time of the full moon, but the
entire Rakshasa Host, shrieking with terror, stood round the
unconscious Lord of the Rakshasas. Speedily regaining his
senses, Ravana, the terror of all beings, Lord of Lanka, showered
missiles on the person of Mandhata and, beholding that king
falling unconscious, the highly powerful rangers of the night
were greatly delighted and emitted leonine roars.
" Regaining his senses in a moment, the King of Ayodhya,
beholding his adversary acclaimed by his followers and ministers,
was enraged, and assuming a dazzling form like unto the sun or
moon, instantly began to slay the titans with a dreadful hail of
1 See Weapons Glossary.
448
UTTARA KANDA
shafts ; and bis arrows and the noise thereof overwhelmed the
entire Rakshasa Host, that resembled a tempestuous ocean.
" Thereupon a fearful conflict arose between man and demon
and those two heroic and high-souled leaders of men and
Rakshasas, like persons possessed, taking up the attitude of
warriors, entered the field with swords and bows and, highly
enraged, began to assail each other with shafts, wounding each
other in the attack. Then, setting the Raudra-weapon on his
bow, Ravana discharged it, but Mandhata turned it aside with
the Fire-weapon. Thereafter Dashanana took up the Gand-
harva weapon and King Mandhata the Brahma-astra, a source of
terror to all. And Ravana took Up the Celestial and dreadful
Pashupata-weapon, the increaser of fear in the Three Worlds,
obtained from Rudra, by virtue of his rigid penances.
" Beholding this, all moveable and immoveable beings were
stricken with terror and the Three Worlds, including all that
was animate and inanimate, Gods and Serpents, together took
refuge in their abodes under the earth.
" Meantime, by virtue of their meditation, the two foremost
of ascetics, Poulastya and Galava, aware of the conflict, remon-
strated with these two warriors in various ways and restrained
the King and the Lord of the Rakshasas. Thereafter the man
and the Rakshasa were reconciled and, highly delighted, returned
from whence they had come."
FOURTH OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
ISt SERIES
Ravana visits the Moon Region and is given a Boon by Brahma
" The two Rishis having departed, Ravana, the Lord of the
Rakshasas, proceeded for forty thousand miles in the upper air,
whereupon he reached that excellent higher sphere where swans,
endowed with every virtue, dwell. And, having gone on, he
ascended yet higher for ten thousand leagues, where on all
sides, the clouds, Agneya, Pakshana and Brahma1 are eternally
1 Agneya— Clouds produced by fire.
Pakshana — Winged Clouds.
Brahma — Those created by Brahma.
449
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
established. Thereafter, he proceeded to an excellent airy
region where the high-souled Siddhas and Charanas ever abide,
which is ten thousand leagues in extent.
" O Slayer of thy Foes, he then passed to a fourth region, where
the Bhutas and Vinayakas perpetually sojourn and thereafter, he
went to the fifth aerial realm, which extends over ten thousand
leagues, where Gunga, the foremost of rivers is to be found, and
the elephants headed by Kumuda, from whose bodies, drops
pour down constantly as they sport in the waters, spout forth
the sacred stream which they sprinkle in all directions. Here
the waters fall down in rain and snow under the rays of the sun,
purified by the wind, O Raghava.
" Then that Rakshasa went to the sixth aerial region, O Thou
endowed with great radiance, where Garuda dwells, ever revered
by his kinsfolk and friends, and, thereafter, ascended to the
seventh aerial region, lying ten thousand leagues higher, where
the Seven Rishis dwell.1 And again proceeding ten thousand
leagues higher he reached the eighth aerial region where Gunga,
known as the Ganges of the sky, having strong currents, is found
in die path of the sun and, who, upheld by air, sends forth a great
roaring.
** Now I shall describe the region yet higher than these, where
the Moon-god dwells and the extent thereof is eighty thousand
leagues. There the Moon encircled by stars and planets, from
whom hundreds and thousands of rays stream forth, illumines
the world, bringing happiness to all beings.
" Thereupon, beholding Dashagriva, the Moon, blazing up
as it were, consumed him with its cold fires and, stricken with
fear of those rays, his counsellors were unable to withstand them
and Prahasta, uttering the words c Let victory be thine ! * there-
after said : —
" * 0 King, we are being destroyed by the cold and must leave
this place ! O Foremost of Monarchs, the icy rays of the moon
have the property of fire.*
" Hearing the words of Prahasta, Ravana, beside himself with
wrath, lifted his bow, twanging it and began to assail the Moon
with Narachas, whereupon Brahma speedily went to that lunar
region and said : —
1 The Plough of which the Seven Rishis axe said to be the Regents.
450
UTTARA KANDA
" c O Ten-necked One, 0 Mighty-armed One, 0 Son of
Vishravas, O Gentle One, do thou go hence from here speedily ;
do not oppress the Moon, for that highly effulgent King of the
Twice-born desireth the well-being of all. I will bestow a
mystical formula on thee ! He who recollects it at the hour of
death, does not succumb ! *
"Thus addressed, the Ten-necked Rakshasa, with joined
palms, said : —
" * O God, if I have found favour with thee, then, O Lord of
the Worlds, O Thou of great penances, impart that sacred mantra
to me, O Thou truly Pious One, reciting which, O Great One, I
shall be liberated from fear of the Celestials. Verily, by Thy
favour, O Lord of the Gods, I shall become invincible to all die
Asuras, Danavas and Birds.'
" Thus accosted, Brahma said to Dashanana : —
" ' O Lord of the Rakshasas, do not repeat this mantra daily
but only when thy life is in danger. Holding a string of Rud-
raksha beads and repeating it, thou shalt become invincible ;
but if thou dost not recite it, thou shalt not meet with success.
Hear and I shall communicate this sacred formula to thee, 0
Foremost of the Rakshasas, reciting which thou shalt obtain
victory in the encounter : —
" * Salutations unto Thee, O God, O Lord of Lords, O Thou
worshipped by the Celestials and Asuras. O Thou, the same in
the past, present and future, O Great God, O Thou having
tawny eyes, O Thou, a boy assuming the form of an aged Being,
0 Thou who wearest a tiger skin. O God, Thou art worthy to
be worshipped and art the Lord of the Three Worlds. Thou art
Ishwara, Hara, Haratanemi, the Fire at the end of the World
Cycle, Yugantadahaka ; Thou art Baladeva, Thou art Ganesha,
Lokashambu, and Lokapala, Thou an endowed with huge arms,
Thou art blessed, the Bearer of the Trident ; Thou art possessed
of dreadful teeth and jaws, the greatest of the Gods, Thou art
Time, Thou art Power, Thou art the Blue-throated1 and
possessed of a huge belly, Thou art Devantaka, the foremost of
the ascetics and the Lord of all creatures. Thou art the Leader,
Protector, Hari-Hara, Destroyer and Preserver, Thou wearest
1 Blue-throated — Shiva who drank the poison churned from the ocean and
became blue-throated. The story is told in the classics.
451
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
matted locks, art clean-shaven and wrapped in a loincloth,
Thou art mighty and illustrious, Thou art the Lord of
Spirits and Goblins, the Support of all, Protector of all, Destroyer
of all, the Creator and the Eternal Preceptor, Thou art the Bearer
of the Kamandalu,1 the Wielder of the Pinaka Bow and the
Dhurjata.8 Thou art worthy of veneration, Thou art Aum, the
highest of all, the First Chanter of the Sama-Veda. Thou art
Death and the nature of death, Pariyatra3 and the Observer of
great vows ; Thou art a brahmachari dwelling in a cave bearing
a Vina, Panava and quiver in thine hands ; Thou art immortal,
lovely to look upon as the newly risen sun ; Thou dwellest in
the crematorium ; Thou art the illustrious Lord of Uma, trans-
cending all taint ; Thou didst pluck out the eyes of Bhagadeva
and the teeth of Pusha. Thou art the overcomer of fever and
bearest a noose in Thy hand, verily Thou art Dissolution and
Time of the flaming mouth, fire being Thy symbol, Thou art
highly effulgent and the Lord of men. Thou art demented and
causest people to tremble ; Thou art the Fourth and deeply
venerated of men. Thou art the Holy Dwarf, Vamanadeva, and
the Dwarf who circumambulates the East. Thou wearest the
semblance of a beggar with three locks, and art crafty by nature.
Thou didst stay the hand of Indra and of the Vasus, Thou art the
Seasons, the Creator of seasons ; Thou art Time, Honey and the
One of honey eyes. Thou art the Lord of herbs, a lordly tree
bearing fruit and flowers ; Thy seat is made of arrows ; Thou
art ever worshipped by people in all conditions ; Thou art the
Creator and Protector of the Universe, the Eternal and true
Purusha ; Thou art the Controller of Righteousness, Virupaksha,
the Three Dharmas, the Protector of all beings. Thou art the
Three-eyed One of many forms blazing like a million suns, Thou
art the Lord of the Celestials, the foremost of the Gods, bearing
matted locks and the crescent moon, Thou art worthy of being
approached and art one with created beings ; Thou art the Player
of all musical instruments, ever creating and binding all, and dost
bring about the liberation of all beings. Thou art Pushpadanta,
1 Kamandalu — The coconut loshtba used by ascetics who may not touch
metal.
* Dhurjata — Lit a burden, ' He whose matted locks are a burden ', or He who
bears the burden of the Three Worlds.
» Pariyatra — The name of a well-known mountain in the Vindhya Chain.
453
UTTARA KANDA
indivisible} the foremost of Destroyers; Thou hast tawny
beards, bearest a bow and art fearful and endowed with terrible
ought.'
" ' These hundred and eight sacred and excellent names,
uttered by me, destroy all sins, bestow merit and give refuge to
those who seek it. O Dashanana, if thou dost recite them, thou
shalt be able to overcome thy foes ! ' "
FIFTH OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
Ravana and the MahaPurusha
" Having conferred that favour on Ravana, the Grandsire,
sprung from the lotus, speedily went to his own region and
Ravana, having obtained the boon, departed.
"After a few days, that Scourge of the Worlds, the Rakshasa
Ravana with his counsellors reached the banks of the western
ocean and, on an island, a person was seen seated there alone,
bright as fire, named Mahajambunada. His form was dreadful
like unto the Fire of Dissolution and, beholding that highly
powerful Being resembling Mahendra, the Chief of the Gods
among the Celestials, or the sun among the planets, a lion among
the Sharabhas, Airavata among elephants, Sumeru among
mountains and Parijata among trees, Dashagriva said : —
" ' Enter into combat with me ! ' and his eyes flickered like a
cluster of planets.1 Gnashing his teeth, he made a sound like a
grinding mill and the highly powerful Dashanana amidst his
counsellors, roared aloud. Thereafter with darts, Shatis,
Rishtis and Pattikas, he assailed that highly effulgent Being of
long arms, dread aspect, huge teeth, grim form, conch-like neck,
broad chest, frog-like belly, leonine countenance, feet like unto
the summit of Mount Kailasha, the palms of his hands and the
soles of his feet like unto red lotuses, endowed with the
swiftness of thought and the wind, terrifying, bearing a quiver,
adorned with bells and chowries, encircled by flames, emitting
1 Lit: Grahanuda — A cluster of planets or meteors.
20 453
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
a sweet sound like a net-work of Kinkinis,1 wearing a garland of
golden Sowers round his neck, noble, like unto the Rig- Veda and
resembling the Anjana or Golden Mountain.
"As a lion remains unmoved by the attack of a wolf or an
elephant} or Mount Sumeru by the King of the Serpents, or the
vast ocean by the current of a river, neither was that great
Being perturbed, but addressing Dashagriva, said : —
" ' O Vicious-minded Night-ranger, I shall soon rid thee of
thy desire for combat.'
" O Rama, the might of that Being was a thousand times
greater than Ravana's, which was a source of terror to the worlds.
Piety and asceticism, which are the roots of attainment of
everything in the world, are in his thighs, desire is in his male-
organ, the Vishvadevas are at his waist and the winds at the side
of his intestines ; the eight Vasus dwell in his middle, the
oceans abide in his belly, the quarters are his hips, the Maruts
his joints, the Pittris are at his back and the Grandsire has taken
refuge in his heart. Charitable acts of making many gifts of
kine, gold and land are the hair in his armpits ; the Mountains,
Himalaya, Hemakuta, Mandara and Meru are his bones, the
thunderbolt is in his palm, the sky in his frame, the evening
rain-clouds are on his neck ; the Creator and Preserver and the
Vidyadharas are his arms ; Ananta, Vasuki, Vishalaksha,
Iravat, Kamvala, Asvatara, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, the veno-
mous Takshaka and Utpatakshaka2 have taken shelter under his
nails in order to vomit forth their poison. Fire is in his mouth,
the Rudras on his shoulders ; the fortnights, months, years and
seasons in his jaws, the lunar fortnight and the dark half of the
month are his nostrils, the airy currents are the pores of his body,
Saraswati with her Vina is in his throat, the Asvins are in his
ears and the sun and moon in his two eyes.
" O Rama, all the branches of the Veda and the sacrifices, the
whole galaxy of stars, sweet speech, good deeds, energy and
asceticism are supported by his body in human form.
" Then that Purusha struck Ravana playfully with his hands,
which were as powerful as lightning arid, thus assailed, Ravana
fell to the ground immediately and having put that Night-
1 Kinkinis— Small bells.
• Great Serpents.
UTTARA KANDA
ranger to flight that great Purusha, like unto the Rig-Veda,
resembling a mountain be-decked with lotus wreaths, entered
the region under the earth.
" Then Ravana addressed his counsellors thus : —
" * O Prahasta, O Shuka, O Sarana and ye other ministers,
where has that Purusha suddenly gone ? Do ye tell me ! '
" Hearing the words of Ravana, the Night-rangers said : —
' That Purusha, who crusheth the pride of Devas and Danavas,
has entered into that place ! *
"As Garuda swoops on a serpent so did that wicked-minded
Ravana speedily approach the entrance of that cave and entered
it fearlessly. Penetrating there, he beheld three warriors, dark
like unto collyrium, wearing Keyuras,1 adorned with red garlands,
besmeared with sandalpaste, bedecked with diverse golden
ornaments set with gems ; and be saw three crores of exalted
beings, fearless, pure, radiant as fire, intent on dancing.
" Beholding them, Dashagriva was not in the least afraid but
watched them gyrating whilst he stood at the entrance ; and
they all resembled the Maha-Purusha, who had previously been
seen by him, and all were of similar colour, dress, form and all
equally endowed with energy. Then the hair of Dashagriva
stood on end as he gazed upon them but, on account of the boon
he had received from the Self-born, he issued out of that place
alive. Thereafter be saw the Maha Purusha lying on a couch,
and his dwelling, his seat and his bed were all white and costly
and he slept there enveloped in flames.
"And there, with a fan in her lotus-like hands sat the Goddess
Lakshmi, most beautiful in all the Three Worlds and their
decoration, as it were ; chaste, adorned with celestial garlands,
sprinkled with excellent sandal-paste, bedecked with rich
ornaments and clad in costly robes. And the wicked Ravana,
Lord of the Rakshasas, having entered there without a counsellor,
beholding that chaste damsel of sweet smiles, seated on a royal
throne, became filled with desire and wished to hold her by the
hand, as one under the sway of death fondles a sleeping serpent.
" Beholding that Lord of the Rakshasas with a loosened
garment and knowing him desirous of taking hold of her, the
huge-armed Deity, sleeping, enveloped in names, laughed aloud
1 Keyuras — An ornament used at the waist.
455
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and suddenly by his power began to consume Ravana, the
harasser of his foes, who fell down on the earth like an uprooted
tree. Beholding that Rakshasa fallen, the Purusha addressed
him saying: —
" * Rise up, O Foremost of the Rakshasas, thou shalt not meet
with death to-day ! Thou shalt live protected by the Grandsire's
boon. Do thou therefore go hence without fear, O Ravana, thy
death is not yet decreed ! '
" Regaining consciousness after a while, Ravana was seized
with fear and being thus addressed, that enemy of the Gods
rose up, his hair standing on end and said to that highly resplen-
dent Deity :—
" * Who art thou endowed with great energy and like unto the
Fire of Dissolution ? Say who art thou, O God and from
whence hast thou come hither ? '
" Being thus accosted by the wicked-minded Ravana, the God,
smiling, replied in accents as deep as the muttering of clouds,
saying: —
" ' What hast thou to do with me, O Dashagriva, thou shalt
be slain ere long ! *
" Being thus addressed, the Ten-necked Rakshasa, with
joined palms, said : —
" ' On account of Brahma's boon, I shall not tread the path
of death ; there is none born amongst men or Gods who can
equal me or, in virtue of his prowess, disregard the Grandsire's
boon. His words may never prove vain nor can any, howsoever
he exert himself, prove them to be false ; I do not see any in the
Three Worlds who could render his boon to me void. O Great
God, I am immortal, I do not fear Thee and even were I to
meet with death, may it be through thee and none other, O Lord;
death at Thy hands will bring me glory and renown 1 *
" Then Ravana endowed with dreadful prowess saw the
Three Worlds with all the animate and inanimate creatures
within the body of the Deity. The Adityas, the Maruts, the
Sadhyas, the Vasus, the Twin Ashvins, the Rudras, the Pittris,
Yaina, Kuvera, the seas, mountains, rivers, all the branches of
learning and of the Veda, Fire, the planets, the stars, the sky,
the Siddhas, Gandharvas, Charanas and the Alaha Rishis
conversant with the knowledge of the Veda, Garuda, the Nagas,
456
UTTARA KANDA
the other Gods, Yakshas, Daityas and Rakshasas were all seen
in their subtle forms in the limbs of that Purusha lying there. "
On this, the virtuous-souled Rama said to Agastya, the fore-
most of Munis : — " O Lord, tell me who was that Maha Purusha
on that island ? Who were those hundreds and thousands of
beings ? Who is the Purusha who humbles the pride of Daityas
and Danavas ? "
Hearing Rama's words, Shri Agastya answered : —
" O Thou existing eternally, O God of Gods, hearken and I
will tell thee. That Purusha on the island was the illustrious
Kapila and all those who were dancing are the Deities equalling
that intelligent Kapila in energy and power. And that Rak-
shasa, bent on sin, was not looked on by Him with a wrathful
glance, therefore he was not immediately reduced to ashes, but
Ravana, who resembled a mountain, with his person pierced, fell
to the ground. As a crafty man penetrates a secret, so did that
Purusha pierce Ravana's person with his arrow-like words.
" Thereafter that Rakshasa of great prowess, having regained
his senses after a long time, returned to where his counsellors
were."
chapter 24
Ravana carries off a number of Women and is cursed by them
"While Ravana of perverse soul was returning in the height of
joy, continuing his journey, he bore away the youthful daughters
of Kings, Rishis, Gods and Danavas. Whenever he met a young
maiden of remarkable beauty, he slew all her kinsfolk and friends
and took her into his chariot. Thus the daughters of Pannagas,
Rakshasas, Asuras, men and Yakshas were compelled to enter
his equipage and all these unfortunate beings, under the sway of
fear, in their grief, shed burning tears like unto fire.
" The youthful daughters of Nagas, Gandharvas, great Rishis
and Danavas lamented in their hundreds in the aerial Car
Pushpaka, and those charming women with long tresses, graceful
limbs and faces as radiant as the full moon, with their rounded
breasts gleaming like an altar and decorated with diamonds,
457
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
their hips like unto the axles of a chariot, who resembled the
consorts of the Gods with their elegant waists and their complex-
ion like unto refined gold, were mad with fear and grief. The
breath of their sighing scorched the ear, lending the Pushpaka
Chariot the appearance of a fire ceremony that is lit on all sides.
" Fallen into the power of Dashagriva, those women were
overcome with affliction and the sadness expressed in their looks
and mien caused them to resemble black antelopes that have
become a prey to a lion. And one asked herself ' Is he not going
to devour me ? * whilst another, in the despair that overwhelmed
her, thought * He is about to slay me ! ' Recollecting their
mothers, fathers, husbands and brothers, plunged in grief and
affliction, those women, thus assembled began to lament,
saying : —
" 'Alas ! What will become of my son without me ? What
will become of my mother ? ' And, submerged in an ocean of
grief, they cried ' What can I do now far from my lord ? O
Death, I call upon thee to bear me away for affliction is now my
portion. Have I committed some misdeed formerly in another
body?'
" Then all those wretched women, sunk in an ocean of despair
exclaimed : — * We see no end to our misery ! Woe unto the
world ! Assuredly none is more vile than the mighty Ravana,
since under his blows our helpless consorts have perished, as
stars disappear on the rising of the sun. Ah ! That powerful
Rakshasa takes delight in devising the means of our destruction !
Alas ! He gives himself up to evil without scruple, he is in-
different to every condemnation ; till now none has been able
to put an end to the exploits of this wicked wretch, yet it is a
great sin to lay hands on other men's wives ; this Rakshasa is the
vilest of all since he seeks enjoyment with them. Because of
this, a woman will be the cause of the death of this wicked
being ! '
" When those virtuous and noble women had uttered these
words, celestial gongs sounded and a shower of blossom fell.
Cursed by his captives, Dashagriva seemed to lose all his power and
glory and, hearing those women, who were chaste and devoted
to their consorts, lamenting in this wise, that bull among the
Rakshasas became distracted.
458
UTTARA KANDA
" Thereafter he made his entry into the City of Lanka to the
acclamations of the rangers of the night and, at that time, the
fierce Rakshasi, who was able to change her form at will, the
sister of Ravana, suddenly sank down on the earth before him,
and Ravana, helping her to rise and comforting her, said : —
" ' O Dear One, what is this ? Why dost thou seek speech
with me so urgently ? '
" Thereupon, her eyes inflamed and suffused with tears, she
said to him : —
" * O King, I have been widowed through thy ruthless
conduct ! O Lord, thy valour in combat has cut down those
Daityas called Ralakeyas to the number of fourteen thousand and,
in addition, my valiant lord who was dearer to me than life
itself. He was slain by thee, his foe, a brother in name only and,
by thee, I myself am slain, O Prince, thou my kinsman ! From
now, I shall bear the title of widow through thy fault ! Was it
not for thee to spare a brother-in-law in the fight ? *
" Hearing those indignant words from bis sister, Dashagriva,
in order to appease her, spoke soothingly, saying : —
" • Dry thy tears, my dear sister and fear nothing ! I shall
load thee with gifts, homage and favours. In the heat of battle,
being carried away by a desire to triumph, I loosed my shafts
without being able to distinguish mine own people from others
and did not recognize my brother-in-law whom I struck in the
height of the conflict. That is how thy consort fell under my
blows in the fight. O My Sister, whatever presents itself at this
time, I will do for thy pleasure. It is for thee to go and live near
thy kinsman, Khara, who enjoys sovereignty. Fourteen
thousand Rakshasas will be made subject to that powerful
Prince in the expeditions and distribution of spoils. There, that
son of the sister of thy mother, thy cousin Khara, the Ranger of
the Night, will ever be obedient to thy commands. Let that
warrior speedily go and guard the Dandaka Forest ; Dushana
shall be his commander ; great is his valour. The courageous
Khara shall ever obey thy will and be the leader of the titans
able to change their form at pleasure.'
" Having spoken thus, Dashagriva placed an army of fourteen
thousand Rakshasas, full of valour, under Khara's command.
Surrounded by all those titans of redoubtable appearance,
459
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Khara set out fearlessly at once to the Dandaka Forest. There
he established his authority without hindrance and Shurpanakha
dwelt near him in the forest."
CHAPTER 25
Dashagriva allies himself to Madhu
" Dashagriva, having given over that redoubtable army to
Khara and consoled his sister, became master of himself once
more and was freed from anxiety.
" Thereafter that powerful Indra among the Rakshasas
penetrated into the marvellous NikumbhiJa Grove where he
beheld hundreds of sacrificial posts and altars and, as if blazing
in brilliance, a sacrifice was being performed.
" There, clad in a black antelope skin, holding a coconut
loshta and staff, he beheld his own son, Meghanada of dread
aspect. Approaching bim, the Lord of Lanka, clasping him in
his arms, enquired of him : —
" ' What art thou doing here, O Child, tell me truly ! *
" Then that excellent Twice-born of rigid penances, Ushanas,1
in order that the sacrifice should prove auspicious,1 answered
Ravana, saying : —
" ' I shall tell thee myself, O King, listen to all that has taken
place. Seven sacrifices with countless preparatory rites have been
undertaken by thy son, the Agnisthoma, Ashvamedha, Bahus-
varnaka, Rajasuya, Gomedha and the Vaishnava and, having
engaged in the Maheshvara sacrifice, difficult for men to under-
take, thy son, on its completion, received gifts from the Lord of
Creatures Himself : a stable and celestial chariot coursing at will
in the sky, the power of illusion by which darkness is created on
the field of battle so that even the Gods and Asuras can no
longer find their way, and, in order to exterminate the foe in
combat, O King, he has also been granted two inexhaustible
1 Ushanas — another name of the Sage Sukra.
* Meghanada having taken the vow of silence till the ceremony waa
completed.
460
UTTARA KANDA
quivers, a bow that no weapon can shatter and a powerful arrow.
Having received these gifts, thy son, O Dashanana, wishes to meet
with thee on the completion of the sacrifice and will soon
present himself before thee.'
" Then Dashagriva said : —
" ' This is not well done, since our enemy, Indra, has been
worshipped with these offerings. However, what is done is
done and doubtless thou wilt acquire merit thereby, let us now
return, My Friend, and enter our abode.'
" Thereafter Dashagriva with his son and Bibishana returned
to his dwelling and caused all the captives, who were crying and
sobbing, to be brought down ; and the virtuous Bibishana, being
aware of his intention regarding those women, who were noble
and veritable pearls, the offspring of the Gods, Danavas and
Rakshasas, said to his brother : —
" ' It is practices such as these, which thou dost follow with
deliberate intention despite thy knowledge of the causes of
destruction of beings, that are ruinous to thy good name, thy
family and fortune ! After ill-treating their relatives, thou hast
carried away these high-born women, whilst Madhu affronts
thee by carrying off Kumbhinasi,'
" Then Ravana answered : — * I was not aware of this ; who
is this Madhu of whom thou speakest ? * and Bibishana replied
to his brother indignantly and said : —
" ' Learn the consequences of thine evil karma ! The elder
brother of our maternal grandfather, Sumali, that virtuous old
man named Malyavan, Ranger of the Night, the father of our
mother, is the grandfather of Kumbbinasi, so that we are
virtually her brothers. She has been borne away by Madhu, a
Rakshasa of superior power, while thy son was engaged in the
sacrifice and I was bathing in the waters. Kumbhakarna, on his
side, was still under the influence of sleep. Having slain the
aged ministers, that foremost of night-rangers instantly carried
away the princess most ruthlessly, though she was in the
precincts of the inner apartments. Though these ill-tidings
were known to us, we did not slay the ravisher since it is impera-
tive that a young girl be provided with a consort by her brothers.
This is the fruit of thy perverse and wicked conduct which, as
thou seest, thou art now reaping in this world itself.'
461
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Hearing these words of Bibishana's, that Indra of the
Rakshasas, Ravana, wrought up through the wickedness of his
soul, like unto an ocean with surging waves, his eyes red with
anger, said : —
" * Let my chariot be harnessed speedily, let my warriors
stand ready with my brother Kumbhakarna and the foremost of
the rangers of the night in their conveyances heaped with every
weapon. To-day, having slain Madhu, who dares to defy
Ravana, I shall go to the region of the Gods, burning to fight,
surrounded by my companions.'
" Four thousand Akshauhinis of the foremost of the titans,
armed from head to foot with various weapons, instantly rushed
out, eager for hand to hand encounter, and Indrajita marched in
the advance guard with his warriors. Ravana occupied the
centre and Kumbhakarna the rearguard. As for the virtuous
Bibishana, he remained in Lanka, faithful to his duty. All the
other warriors advanced against Madhu's city and they were
mounted on mules, buffalo, fiery steeds, porpoises and great
serpents, covering the sky and, beholding Ravana on the march,
hundreds of Daityas, who were at emnity with the Gods, followed
him.
" Meanwhile Dashanana, having reached Madhupura, entered
it, yet he did not find Madhu there but his own sister, who,
paying obeisance to him, with a deep bow cast herself at bis feet,
for Kumbhinasi feared the Lord of the Rakshasas.
" Then he, raising her up, said to her : —
" * Do not tremble ! ' and the King of the Rakshasas added
' What dost thou desire of me ? ' Then she replied : — * O
Long-armed Prince, if I find favour with thee, then, O Proud
Hero, do not slay my lord ; it is not fitting to reduce women of
nobility to such affliction. Of all ill-fortune, to become a widow
is the greatest. Be true to thy word, O Indra of Monarchs, and
receive my supplication with favour. Thou hast thyself said
" Thou hast nothing to fear 1 " *
" Then Ravana, in cheerful tones, answered his sister, who
stood near him, saying : — ' Where is thy husband, tell me
quickly ! I shall go with him to conquer the region of the Gods.
I shall not slay Madhu because of my tender affection for thee.'
"At these words, Kumbhinasi roused her lord, that Ranger of
4«2
UTTARA KANDA
the Night, who was sleeping profoundly and, in the height of
joy, said to him : —
" * My powerful brother, Dashagriva, is here, who desires to
vanquish the world of the Gods ; he has chosen thee as his ally,
therefore go, O Titan, with thy kinsmen and lend him thy strong
support. It is fitting that thou shouldst assist him in this matter
on account of his magnanimity and the honour which he has
paid thee.'
" On hearing this, Madhu answered, ' So be it ! ' and behold-
ing Havana, the Lord of the Rakshasas, he approached him
according to tradition and paid him due tribute.
" Thus honoured, Dashagriva passed a night in Madhu's
abode and then started on his way. Having reached Kailasha,
that mountain that served as Vaishravana's retreat, the Indra
among the Rakshasas, like unto Mahendra, caused his army to
set up camp."
CHAPTER 26
Nalakuvara curses Ravana
" It was on Kailasha, the sun having withdrawn behind the
Astachala Range, that Dashagriva, full of vigour, chose to
encamp the army.
" When the immaculate moon rose over the mountain with a
splendour equal to his, the vast host that composed the army,
furnished with diverse weapons, lay sleeping.
" The mighty Ravana, resting on the summit of the mountain,
surveyed the splendour of the forests in the light of the moon,
the flaming Karnikara Woods, the Kadambas and Vakulas,
pools covered with lotuses in bloom, the waters of the Manda-
kini, the Champaka, Ashoka, Punnaga, Mandara, Cuta, Patala,
Lodhra, Priyanga, Arjuna, Ketaka, Tagara, Narikela, Priyala,
Panasa and other trees. Sweet-throated Kinneras, transported
with love, sang melodies that ravished the soul with delight ;
there the Vidyadharas, intoxicated, their eyes inflamed, diverted
themselves with their consorts. Like unto a carillon of bells,
sweet music was heard from the troops of Apsaras who were
463
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
singing in Dhanada's abode. Trees, shaken by the wind,
covered the mountain with a shower of blossom, distilling the
perfume of honey and mead, and a balmy breeze, laden with the
enchanting aroma of nectar and pollen, blew, enhancing Ravana's
voluptuous desire. The songs, the myriad flowers, the freshness
of the breeze, the beauty of the mountain in the night, the moon
at its zenith, threw Ravana, that mighty warrior, into a ferment of
passion.
" Meanwhile, Rambha, loveliest of nymphs adorned with
celestial ornaments, was on her way to a sacred festival and her
face was like unto the full moon, her limbs smeared with sandal-
paste, her hair sown with Mandara flowers, and she was garlanded
with celestial blooms. Her eyes were beautiful, her waist high,
adorned with a jewelled belt, and her hips were shapely, the
gift of love as it were. She was enchanting with her countenance
embellished with the marks of flowers1 that bloom in the six
seasons and, in her beauty, stateliness, radiance and splendour,
she resembled Shri. Swathed in a dark blue cloth, like unto a
rain cloud, her countenance bright as the moon, her eyebrows
resplendent arches, her hips like the tapering trunks of elephants,
her hands like two fresh buds, under Ravana's eyes she passed
through the ranks of the army.
" Thereupon he, rising, pierced by the shafts of love, with his
hand stayed the course of that nymph who was abashed and,
smiling, enquired of her : —
" ' Where art thou going, O Lady of lovely hips ? What good
fortune art thou pursuing ? For whom has this auspicious hour
dawned ? Who is about to enjoy thee ? Who, this day, will
quaff the elixir of thy lips exhaling the perfume of the lotus that
rivals nectar or ambrosia ? Who will caress those two breasts
like unto twin goblets, rounded, blooming, that touch each
other, O Youthful Woman ? Who will stroke thy large hips
shining like refined gold covered with dazzling garlands, celestial
to look upon ? Is it Shakra or Vishnu or the Twin Ashvins ?
O Lovely One, if thou dost pass me by in order to seek out
another, it will not be a gracious act 1 Rest here, O Lady of
lovely limbs, on this enchanting mountain side, it is I, who
1 It was customary for woman to uae flower dyes to trace patterns on tneir
skin.
464
UTTARA KANDA
exercise dominion over the Three Worlds, who with joined
palms address this humble request to thee, I, Dashanana, Lord
of die Three Worlds and their Ordainer, therefore grant my
request.'
" Hearing these words, Rambha, trembling, with joined
palms, replied : — ' Look on me with favour, it is not fitting that
thou shouldst address me thus, thou who art my superior!
Rather is it thy duty to protect me from others if I should be in
danger of suffering violence at their hands, for apart from duty,
I am virtually thy daughter-in-law, I speak truth ! *
" Then Dashagriva answered Rambha, who had prostrated
herself at his feet and whose hair stood on end merely on behold-
ing him, and said : —
" * Hadst thou been my son's consort, thou wouldst in effect
be my daughter-in-law ! ' Thereupon she answered : —
" * Truly it is so, by law, I am the wife of thy son and dearer
to him than his life's breath, O Bull amongst the Rakshasas ; he
is the son of thy brother Vaishravana, who is renowned in the
Three Worlds, and is named Nalakuvara, an ascetic in virtue, a
warrior in respect of valour and, in wrath he resembles Agni j
in forbearance he is like unto the earth ! I was going to meet that
son of the Guardian of the Worlds ; it is for his sake that I am
adorned with these ornaments so that he and no other should
enjoy me. For these reasons, let me go hence, O King, O
Subduer of thy Foes, for that virtuous prince awaits me im-
patiently. It is not for thee to thwart his desires, let me go ! Do
thou follow the path of the virtuous, O Bull among the Rak-
shasas ! It is for me to pay thee homage and for thee to protect
me) '
" Thus did she address Dashagriva, who answered her in
smooth accents, saying : —
" ' Thou hast said thou art my daughter-in-law ! For those
who have but one husband, this argument is valid but in
Devaloka, the Gods have established a law that is said to be
eternal, that Apsaras have no appointed consorts nor are the
Gods monogamous I *
" Thus speaking, the Rakshasa, who had stationed himself on
the mountain ridge, inflamed with desire, ravished Rambha and,
when she was released from bis embrace, her garlands and her
465
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
ornaments spoiled and torn away, she resembled a river where a
great elephant, disporting himself, muddying the waters, has
borne away the banks. Her hair in disorder, her hands clenched,
like unto a creeper with its flowers shaken by the wind, trembling
with terror, she sought out Nalakuvara and, with joined palms,
fell at his feet.
" Then he enquired of her saying : —
" ' What is this, O Blessed One ? Why dost thou prostrate
thyself at my feet ? *
" Thereupon she, sighing deeply, trembling, with joined
palms began to tell him everything and said : —
" * O Lord, this night, Dashagriva scaled the Trivishtapa
Peak while he was encamped on that mountain with his army and
I was observed by him as I came to meet thee, O Conqueror of
Thy Foes ! That Rakshasa seized hold of me and questioned me
saying " To whom dost thou belong ? " Then I told him all,
verily the whole truth, but he, intoxicated with desire, would
not listen to me when I pleaded with him, saying " I am thy
daughter-in-law ! " Refusing to listen to mine entreaties, he
assaulted me ruthlessly ! This is mine only fault, 0 Thou of
firm vows, thou shouldst therefore pardon me. O Friend, verily
there is no equality of strength between man and woman ! '
" These words filled the son of Vaishravana with indignation
and hearing of this supreme outrage, he entered into meditation
and having ascertained the truth, the son of Vaishravana, his
eyes inflamed with anger, instantly took water in his hand and
sprinkled his whole person in accord with tradition, after which
he pronounced a terrible curse on that Indra of the Rakshasas,
saying: —
" * Since, despite thy lack of love for him, he ravished thee
thus brutally, O Blessed One, on this account he will never be
able to approach another youthful woman unless she shares his
love ; if, carried away by lust, he does violence to any woman who
does not love him, his head will split into seven pieces.'
" Having uttered this curse like unto a scorching flame,
celestial gongs resounded and a shower of flowers fell from the
sky. All the Gods with the Grandsire at their head were filled
with joy, conversant as they were with the whole course of the
world and the future death of the Rakshasa.
466
UTTARA KANDA
" When Dashagriva learnt of the curse, however, his hair
stood on end and he ceased to indulge in uniting himself with
those who had no aifection for him. Thereafter, among those
who had been borne away by him and remained faithful to their
consorts, there was great rejoicing when they beard of the curse
uttered by Nalakuvara, which was pleasing to their heart."
CHAPTER 27
The Fight between the Gods and the Rakshasas. The Death of
Sumali
" Having crossed Mount Kailasha with his infantry and cavalry,
the extremely powerful Dashanana reached Indraloka and, like
an ocean that overflows, the tumult of the Rakshasa army,
approaching on all sides, reverberated in Dcvaloka.
" Hearing of Ravana's advent, Indra trembled on his throne
and addressed the assembled Gods, Adityas, Vasus, Rudras,
Sadhyas and Hosts of Maruts, saying : —
" * Prepare to fight against the wicked-minded Ravana ! *
"At Shakra's command, the Gods, his equals in war, endowed
with great valour, boldly armed themselves for combat.
Mahendra however, who feared Ravana extremely, profoundly
perturbed, sought out Vishnu and spoke to him thus : —
" * O Vishnu, how shall I withstand the Rakshasa Ravana,
whose strength is formidable and who, alas, is advancing to
attack me ? He owes his power to the boon he has received from
Brahma and to nought else and the words uttered by that
Lotus-born God must be carried into effect ! Do Thou grant me
such assistance again which Thou didst accord me when I
destroyed Namuchi, Vritra, Bali, Naraka and Shambara ! O
Lord, O God of Gods, Slayer of Madhu, there is no refuge save
Thee in the Three Worlds with all the animate and inanimate
beings. Thou art the blessed Narayana, the eternal lotus-born
One ; Thou art the Sustainer of the Worlds and of myself,
Shakra, the King of the Gods ; Thou hast created the Three
Worlds with all the moving and unmoving objects and, at the
end of the world cycle, all is withdrawn into Thee, O Bhagawat ;
467
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
therefore, O God of Gods, tell me truly if Thou wilt arm Thyself
with sword and discus in order to enter into combat with
Ravana?'
" Thus spoke Shakra, the King of the Gods, and that sovereign
Lord, Narayana, answered him saying : —
" * Fear not ! Hear me ! On account of the boon he has
received which renders him invincible, this wicked wretch may
not be overcome by the Gods and Asuras combined ! Intoxica-
ted with his power, that Rakshasa, accompanied by his son, will
certainly achieve a great feat. As for thy request, that I should
enter into combat with him, I shall certainly not meet the Rak-
shasa Ravana in fight, for Vishnu never leaves the battlefield
without laying his adversary low ; it is not possible to accomplish
this to-day since Ravana is protected by the boon, but I swear
to thee, O King of the Gods, Shatakratu, that I myself will become
the cause of that titan's death. The Gods shall rejoice when I
make known to them that the hour has struck ! I speak the truth,
O Mighty Lord of the Gods, Consort of Sachi, therefore fight
with the assistance of the Gods and banish all fear ! *
" Then the Rudras with the Adityas, Vasus, Maruts and the
two Ashvins, assembling, advanced to meet the Rakshasa. At
that instant, the end of the night having come, a great clamour
arose from Ravana's army as they took the field on all sides, and
those valiant warriors, wrought up with excitement, on seeing
each other, eagerly rushed on the foe. Thereafter confusion
was sown amongst the ranks of the Daivatas by the presence of
that indomitable and vast army in the forefront of battle and a
terrible struggle ensued between the Gods, Danavas and
Rakshasas, amidst a fearful tumult and under a hail of missiles
of every kind.
" Then those valiant Rakshasas of grim aspect grouped
themselves round Ravana in the fight, and Maricha, Prahasta,
Mahaparshwa, Mahodara, Akampana, Nikumbha, Shuka, Sarana
Dhumaketu, Mahadamshtra, Ghatodara, Jambumalin, Maharada
Virupaksha, Saptaghna, Yajnakopa, Durmukha, Dushana,
Khara, Trishiras, Karaviraksha, Suryashastru, Mahakaya and
Atikaya, Devantaka, Narantaka and the highly powerful Suraali,
Ravana's maternal grandfather, all those warriors, encircling
their valiant leader, entered the battlefield.
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UTTARA KANDA
"And with whetted shafts, enraged, he began to assail the
Celestial Host, as a tempest scatters the clouds ; and the forces
of the Gods were overthrown by the rangers of the night, O
Rama, and scattered in all directions, like unto a herd of deer
before lions.
" Meantime the courageous Savitra, the eighth Vasu, entered
the battlefield surrounded by soldiers, full of martial ardour,
furnished with every kind of weapon and he began to sow terror
in the enemy ranks when he appeared in the midst of the right.
Thereafter the two Adityas, full of valour and intrepidity,
Twastar and Pushan, at the head of a division, entered the lists
in their turn, whereupon a fearful struggle ensued between the
Rakshasas and the Gods, who never retreated in battle and were
jealous of their good name. And the Celestials there present fell
in hundreds of thousands under the blows of the Rakshasas, who
were formidable and armed with weapons of every kind. On
their side, the Gods, redoubtable in their vigour and extreme
valour, with the help of faultless arrows, despatched their foes
to the region of Yama. Thereupon O Rama, the Rakshasa
Sumali, fully armed, hurled himself on the foe in fury and
scattered the entire Celestial Host with his innumerable and
penetrating missiles, as a violent hurricane, the clouds, and with
formidable blows from spears and javelins, decimated them, so
that the Gods were unable to stand.
" The Immortals having thus been put to flight by Sumali,
the eighth Vasu, Savitra, enraged, stood fast, and surrounded by
his forces, full of energy and courage stayed the onrush of that
Ranger of the Night, whereupon a fearful duel, causing the hair
to stand on end, ensued between Sumali and the Vasu, both
warriors who did not know what it was to retreat in battle.
Under the powerful missiles of his adversary, the chariot of the
Rakshasa, that was harnessed to serpents, suddenly fell to pieces ;
and having shattered his chariot in the fight with his countless
darts, the Vasu seized hold of his mace with the intention of
slaying him. Brandishing that weapon with its flaming point,
resembling the Rod of Death, Savitra brought it down on
Sumali's head and the mace fell upon him with the flash of a
meteor, so that it appeared like a great thunderbolt hurled by
Indra on a mountain. Thereafter nothing of the Rakshasa
2H 469
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
could be seen, neither bone nor head nor flesh, for that mace,
by overthrowing him on the battle field, had reduced him to dust.
" Then the Rakshasas, beholding that Sumali had fallen in
the fight, questioning each other, all fled, routed by that Vasu
who had overcome them."
CHAPTER 28
The Duel between Indra and Ravana
" Seeing Sumali overthrown and reduced to dust by Vasu and
beholding his army in flight harassed by the Gods, the valiant
son of Ravana, whose voice resembled the muttering of a thunder-
cloud, provoked, rallied the Rakshasas and, mounted on an
excellent chariot that coursed wheresoere he willed, that great
warrior hurled himself on the Celestial Host. Like unto a fire
that consumes the forests, he entered the field armed with every
weapon, and when the Gods beheld him, a general stampede
followed, none daring to face such a combatant Then Shakra
stayed all those fugitives by admonishing them thus : —
" ' Neither should you tremble nor flee, return and fight, O
Ye Gods ! Behold my son, who is invincible, entering the lists I *
"At that moment the son of Shakra, the illustrious God
Jayanta, mounted on his chariot, that was marvellously construc-
ted, turned towards the battlefield. Thereafter the Gods,
surrounding the son of Sachi, turned back to fight Ravani and a
well-matched contest ensued between Gods and Rakshasas.
Then Ravani loosed his golden shafts on Gomukha, the son of
Matali, Jayanta's charioteer, whilst Sachi's son, in his turn,
in wrath harassed Ravani's driver on every side. His eyes
dilated with the fury that possessed him, the mighty Ravani
covered his opponents with darts and thereafter, in his ire, he let
fly innumerable extremely sharp weapons on the Celestial Host
and Shataghnis, pikes, javelins, maces, swords, axes and huge
crags were all discharged by him upon them. Then the worlds
became agitated and while Indrajita decimated the enemy
battalions the quarters were enveloped in darkness.
" Meanwhile the army of the Gods deserted Jayanta and, in
470
UTTARA KANDA
confusion broke their ranks, being overwhelmed by the shafts
of their rival.
" Rakshasas and Gods could not distinguish each other and
the forces thrown into disorder on every side, fled in all directions.
" The Gods struck the Gods and the Rakshasas the Rakshasas,
bewildered by the darkness that enveloped them, whilst others
ran away. At that instant, a warrior, full of valour, named
Puloman, the foremost of the Daityas, seized Jayanta and bore
him away. Taking hold of his daughter's son, he dived into the
sea for he was his maternal grandfather and Sachi's sire.
" Learning of Jayanta's disappearance, the Gods, cast down
and discouraged, dispersed. Then Ravani, enraged, emitting
loud cries, surrounded by his forces rushed on the Gods.
" Not beholding his son and observing the flight of the Gods,
the Lord of the Celestials said to Matali : — ' Bring me my
chariot ! ' and Matali harnessed the divine, powerful and huge
car, bringing it in all haste to his master. Thereupon, above the
chariot and before him, clouds, riven by lightning, driven by the
tempest emitted formidable mutterings and the Gandharvas
struck up every kind of musical instrument while troops of
Apsaras danced at the departure of the King of the Gods, and
Rudras, Vasus, Adityas, the two Ashvins, as also the Hosts of
the Maruts, armed with every kind of weapon, formed the escort
of the Lord of the Thirty, as he started out.
"As Shakra advanced, a bitter wind blew, the sun ceased to
shine and a great meteor fell. At the same time, the courageous
Dashagriva, burning with ardour, himself ascended the divine
Fushpaka Car constructed by Vishvakarma and harnessed to
huge serpents, who, as it were causing the hair to stand on end,
consumed everything with the wind of their breath.
" Daityas and titans surrounded the celestial car that was
rolling towards the field of battle, advancing to meet Mahendra,
and Dashagriva, having dismissed his son, took his place
himself, whilst Ravani left the field and remained a tranquil
witness.
" Then the struggle was resumed between the Rakshasas and
the Gods, who like unto clouds, caused a shower of missiles to
fall in the fight. And the wicked Kumbhakama, brandishing
weapons of every kind, came there, O Ring, unaware with whom
47i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the conflict was taking place ; using his teeth, his feet, his hands,
lances, picks, mallets or anything whatsoever in order to assail
the Gods in his fury. Having attacked the formidable Rudras,
it went ill with that Ranger of the Night, who, in an instant, was
riddled with wounds ; and the army of the Rakshasas, hard
pressed by the Gods, assisted by the Hosts of Maruts and armed
with every weapon, were completely routed and, in the struggle,
some fell on the earth mutilated and palpitating, whilst others
remained clinging to their mounts. Some titans twined their
arms round their chariots, elephants, donkeys, buffalo, serpents,
horses, porpoise and boars with heads of goblins, where they lay
motionless, whereupon the Gods pierced them with their shafts
and thus they died. The sight of all those Rakshasas lying here
and there in the sleep of death on that vast battlefield looked
passing strange and, at the forefront of the battle, a river flowed,
blood being its waters, weapons its crocodiles, in which vultures
and crows abounded.
" Meantime Dashagriva, seething with anger on seeing his
army entirely overthrown by the Gods, hurled himself with one
bound into that sea of warriors, slaving the Celestials in the
fight and challenging Shakra himself.
" Thereupon Shakra stretched his great bow that gave forth a
thunderous noise and, when he drew it, the twanging of that
weapon caused the quarters to resound. Then Indra, bending
that great bow, let fall his naming arrows like unto fire or the
sun on Havana's head and, on his side, that powerful titan
covered his rival with a hail of arrows loosed from his bow and
both showered down missiles on every side so that nothing could
be distinguished and the whole firmament was enveloped in
darkness."
CHAPTER 20
Ravani takes Indra captive
" In the darkness that had supervened, the Gods and the Rak-
shasas engaged in a terrible struggle, slaying each other in the
intoxication of their strength and, in the obscurity that enveloped
472
UTTARA KANDA
diem like a great veil, the supremely intrepid Indra, Ravana and
Mcghanada alone were not deluded.
" Beholding that army wholly annihilated, Ravana was
suddenly seized with violent rage and emitted a great roar. In
his fury that invincible warrior addressed his driver, who stood
near with the chariot, saying, ' Take me through the enemy
ranks from one end to the other ! This very day, with mine
innumerable and powerful weapons, all the Gods in my path
will be despatched by me to the region of Yama. I myself shall
slay Indra, Dhanada, Varuna, Yama and all the Gods and shall
soon strike them down and trample them under my feet. Do
not delay, drive the car on speedily, and again I say to thee,
" Drive through the enemy ranks from end to end ! We are now
in the Nandana Gardens therefore take me to the Udaya
Mountain ! " *
"At this command, the charioteer drove his steeds, who were
as swift as thought, through the enemy ranks.
" Divining Ravana's intention, Shakra, standing in his chariot
on the battlefield, addressed the Gods, whose sovereign he was,
saying: —
"'OYc Gods, hear me, this is what I consider expedient —
Dashagriva should without delay be captured alive. That
extremely powerful Rakshasa will enter our ranks in his chariot
with the speed of the wind, like unto an ocean whose waves are
overflowing on the day of high tide. He may not be slain for
a special boon protects him but seek to make him captive in the
struggle ! It was by taking Bali prisoner that I was able to enjoy
the Three Worlds ; for this reason let us do the same to this
wicked wretch.'
" Thus speaking, Shakra left Ravana and went to another part
of the field, sowing terror among the Rakshasas whom he assailed,
O Great King.
"While the indefatigable Dashagriva went to the left,
Shatakratu penetrated the right wing of his adversary's forces.
Having advanced a hundred leagues, the King of the Rakshasas
covered the entire Host of the Gods with a shower of
arrows.
" Seeing the carnage that was being created in his army, the
intrepid Shakra stayed Dashanana by encircling him, whereupon
473
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the Danavas and Rakshasas beholding Ravana overcome by
Shakra, cried out ' Alas ! We are lost ! *
" Standing in his chariot, Ravani, who was transported with
rage, penetrated into the ranks of the redoubtable Celestial Host
and routed the army by resorting to the power of illusion that
had been conferred on him by Pashupati. Then, leaving the
Gods aside, he rushed on Shakra himself, and the highly
energetic Mahendra did not observe the son of his adversary.
The Gods, however, whose strength was immeasurable, severed
Ravani's armour, even wounding him, but he remained unper-
turbed and with his excellent shafts pierced Matali who was
advancing towards him, covering Mahendra afresh with a hail of
missiles.
" Thereupon Shakra descended from his chariot dismissing
his charioteer, and mounting Airavata, he pursued Ravani, who
had made himself invisible through his magic power, but he,
springing into the sky, assailed him with arrows. Seeing that
Indra was exhausted, Ravani bound him by his magic and led
him to the side where his own army was. Beholding Mahendra
borne away by force from the fight, all the Celestials enquired
* What has taken place ? One cannot discern the magician who
has triumphed over Shakra, that victorious warrior, who, by the
aid of magic, has carried Indra away despite his skill.' Then all
the divisions of the Gods, in their wrath, overwhelmed Ravana
with a hail of shafts and forced him to retreat, whilst he, worn
out in the encounter with the Adityas and the Vasus was unable
to continue the fight.
" Beholding his sire harassed and assailed with shafts in the
encounter, Ravani, remaining invisible in the struggle, said to
him : —
" ' Come, O Dear Father, let us give up the fight, know that
victory has been obtained, therefore abandon thy feverish activity!
The King of the Gods and of the Three Worlds has been taken
captive ! The Gods have seen the pride, which inspired their
forces, humbled. Enjoy the Three Worlds at thy pleasure,
having overcome the foe by thy valour, why fatigue thyself
further with combat ? *
" Hearing Ravani's words, the battalions of the Gods and the
Immortals deprived of Shakra, who had led them, gave up the
474
UTTARA KANDA
fight. And die all-powerfiil enemy of the Gods, the illustrious
Sovereign of the Rakshasas, thus entreated to cease from further
fighting by his son, whose dear voice he recognized, answered
him with deference, saying : —
" * Thy valour is equal to the greatest of heroes, thou in whom
my family and race find their increase, O Prince, since this day
thou hast overcome the one whose strength is immeasurable, he,
the Sovereign of the Gods. Ascend Vasava's chariot and pro-
ceed towards the city with thine army as an escort ; I, on my
side, with my companions, will follow joyfully with all speed.'
" On this the valiant Ravani, surrounded by his forces with
the Chief of the Gods in chains, set out towards his abode,
thereafter dismissing the Rakshasas who had fought in the
campaign."
CHAPTER 30
Telling of the Curse pronounced by the Sage Gautama on Shakra
" When the all-powerful Mahendra had been overcome by the
son of Ravana, the Gods with Prajapati at their head went to
Lanka and, approaching Dashagriva, who was surrounded by
his brothers, Prajapati, from the sky where he was stationed,
addressed him in conciliatory tones, saying : —
" ' My Dear Ravana, I am pleased with thy son's bearing on
the battlefield ! Assuredly in valour and heroism, he is thine
equal if not thy superior ! Thou hast overcome the Three
Worlds by thy prowess and fulfilled thy vow ; I am gratified
with thee and thy son. He, standing there full of strength and
energy, will become renowned in the worlds under the name of
Indrajita1 and that Rakshasa, with whose support the Gods have
been brought under thy subjection, shall become powerful and
invincible. O Long-armed Hero, do thou release Mahendra,
the Chastiser of Paka and say what the inhabitants of heaven shall
bestow on thee as ransom ? '
" Then that victorious warrior, Indrajita, answered saying: —
" * O Lord, if that God is to be set free, then grant mc
immortality ! *
1 Conqueror of Xndra.
475
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Thereupon the all-powerful Prajapati replied to Meghanada,
saying: —
" * There is none immortal on earth, whether it be beast, bird
or any other mighty being.'
" Hearing this irrevocable decree of the Grandsire, the Lord,
Indra's vanquisher, the courageous Meghanada, said to him : —
" ' Then hear me , and may it come to pass in this wise on
the release of Shatakratu ! This is my desire, I, who constantly
worship Pavaka with oblations and mantras and who delight in
fighting and overcoming my foes, let the chariot of Vibhabasu
harnessed to steeds, be placed at my service and may death be
unable to strike me down when I am mounted upon it ! This
is my request, but, should I engage in combat without having
completed my prayers and offered my oblations to the God of
Fire, then may I perish ! All, O Lord, seek immortality by means
of penances ; I wish to acquire immortality through valour ! *
" ' Let it be so * said the Blessed Grandsire and thereafter
Shakra was set free by Indrajita and the Gods returned to their
own abode.
" Meantime, O Rama, the wretched Indra, his glory dimmed,
his heart full of anxiety, was plunged in melancholy and, beholding
him in that plight, the Grandsire enquired of him, saying : —
" ' O Shatakratu, didst thou not formerly commit some great
sin ? O Chief of the Gods, O Lord, when in my wisdom I
created men, they were all possessed of the same colour, shape,
language and appearance, there was no difference between them
in form or aspect, nevertheless my mind was pre-occupied when
I reflected on those beings and, I created a woman as distinct
from them, modifying each of the male characteristics. Thus I
made a female, who on occount of the grace of her limbs became
known as Ahalya ; ** Hala " meaning ugly, from which " Halya "
is derived, and she in whom " Halya " does not appear is named
Ahalya; this was the name I called her. When I fashioned that
woman, O Chief of the Gods, O Bull among the Celestials, I
reflected, " To whom shall she belong ? " This is how, O Lord
Shakra, O Destroyer of Cities, thou didst come to know this
woman and, in thine heart, being the Lord of the Worlds, thou
didst resolve " she shall be mine V
" * Meantime I placed her under the protection of the
476
UTTARA KANDA
magnanimous Gautama and he, having taken care of her for many
years, gave her back to me, whereupon I, having tested the
absolute self-control of that illustrious ascetic and recognizing
the height of his austerity, gave her to him in wedlock. That
virtuous and renowned Muni was gratified with her company
but the Gods were in despair because she had been given to
Gautama and thou, enraged, thy heart filled with desire, went
to the hermitage of the Sage and beheld the woman who was as
radiant as a flame in a brazier, whereupon thou didst ravish her
in the heat of thy passion. Thereafter thou wert observed by
that high-born Rishi in the hermitage and, in his indignation,
that extremely powerful ascetic cursed thee, due to which, O
King of the Gods, thou hast just suffered this change of circum-
stance. And that ascetic addressed thee, saying : —
" * " Since thou hast wantonly ravished my spouse, O Vasava,
thou shalt fall captive to thine enemy on the field of battle !
This vile passion that thou hast manifested, O Perverse Wretch,
will undoubtedly spread among men and women and whosoever
shall be guilty of it shall bear half the responsibility, whilst the
other half shall be thine ; nor shall thy state be permanent, for
the sovereignty of whoever the Gods choose as their King shall
not endure ; this is the curse I pronounce on thee ! "
" * Thus spoke Gautama and thereafter he reproached his
spouse, and that exalted ascetic addressed her, saying : —
" * " O Shameless One, leave my hermitage ! Though young
and lovely, since thou art inconstant, thy beauty shall no longer
belong to thee alone in the world and shall assuredly be shared
by all beings, since on thine account, this mischief has been
perpetrated by Indra ! From now on, all beings shall partake
of thy beauty ! '*
" ' Then Ahalya sought to propitiate the great Rishi Gautama,
saying:—
" * " It was in ignorance that I suffered myself to be seduced
by Indra, O Great Ascetic, for he assumed thy form, nor was it
by giving way to desire, O Rishi, therefore forgive me, it is thy
duty ! "
" 'At these words of Ahalya's, Gautama answered : —
" * " In the House of Ikshvaku there will be born a mighty
warrior named Rama, renowned in the universe and he will
477
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
repair to the forest for the sake of the brahmins. That long-
armed hero will be none other than Vishnu in human form ;
thou shalt behold him, O Blessed One, and, seeing him, thou
shalt be purified, for it is he who can efface the sin thou hast
committed. Having offered him the traditional hospitality, thou
shalt return to me once again and we shall resume our common
life, O Lady of fair countenance ! "
" c Having spoken thus, the Rishi re-entered his hermitage,
while his consort gave herself up to rigid penances. It is on
account of this Sage's curse that all this has taken place ; there-
fore, O Mighty Hero, call to mind the sin thou didst commit.
This is why thou didst fall a victim to thy foes, O Vasava, and
for no other cause, therefore, with thy senses fully controlled,
speedily offer up a sacrifice to Vishnu. Purified by this pro-
pitiatory rite, thou shalt return to the Celestial Region. Thy
son, O Lord, did not perish in the fight but was borne away to the
ocean by his maternal grandfather.'
" Hearing Brahma's words, Mahendra undertook a sacrifice
in honour of Vishnu and thereafter the Lord of the Gods
ascended to heaven, reigning there as king.
" I have described to thee, how great was the power of
Indrajita, who overcame the King of the Gods, how much more
therefore was he able to triumph over other beings ! "
Hearing these words of Agastya, Rama and Lakshmana as
also the monkeys and titans, exclaimed " How wonderful ! " and
Bibishana, who stood at Rama's side, said : —
" I remember that remarkable feat now, I was formerly
witness thereof."
Then Rama addressed Agastya saying : — "All thou hast said
is true ! "
" This, O Rama, is the narrative of the origin and progress of
Ravana, the thorn in the side of the worlds, who, like his son,
bore away Shakra, the King of the Gods, in the fight."
478
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 31
Ravana goes to the Banks of the Narmada River
The all-powerful Rama, in his astonishment, bowed low to that
excellent Rishi Agastya and again enquired of him, saying : —
" O Blessed One, O Best of the Twice-born, when that cruel
Rakshasa began to range the earth, were the worlds bereft of
warriors ? Was there no prince, no being, able to oppose him,
since that Lord of the Titans met with no resistance, or had the
rulers of the worlds lost their power or were the many kings he
overcame, without weapons ? "
Having listened to the words of that son of Raghu, the blessed
Sage answered him smiling, as the Grandsire of the World
addresses Rudra, and said :—
" It was destroying the rulers thus that Ravana ranged the
earth and, O Rama, Lord of the Worlds, he came to the city of
Mahishmati which rivalled that of the Gods, where the Deity of
Fire dwelt perpetually. There a monarch reigned, named
Arjuna, in effulgence like unto the fire which was kept there ever
concealed in a pit covered by reeds.1
" On that day, the powerful Sovereign of the Haihayas, Lord
Arjuna went to the River Narmada to sport with his wives and
at that time, Ravana approached Mahishmati and that Indra
among the Rakshasas enquired of the King's counsellors,
saying: —
" ' Tell me quickly, where is the Lord Arjuna, speak truly j I
am Ravana who have come to measure my strength with that
most powerful of monarchs. Do you announce mine arrival to
him ! '
" Hearing Ravana's words, the sagacious ministers informed
the King of the Rakshasas of the absence of their sovereign and
the son of Vishravas learning from the people of the city that
Arjuna had departed, went away in the direction of the Vindhya
Range, which like unto a cloud floating in space, appeared to
him to resemble Himavat and, springing from the earth, it
1 Agni Kundft— A pit or hole in the ground where the sacred fire is kept.
479
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
seemed to lid: the skies and was possessed of a myriad peaks.
Lions frequented its caverns whilst its crystalline cataracts,
falling over the cliffs, resounded like peals of laughter, and Gods,
Gandharvas as also the Apsaras and Kinneras with their consorts,
disporting themselves there, transformed it into a paradise. Its
rivers flowed in translucent waves and that Vindhya Range, like
unto Himavat, with its peaks and caves resembled Shesha with
his hoods, his tongues darting forth.
" Gazing upon it, Ravana reached the Narmada River, whose
pure waters flowed over a bed of stones and which emptied
itself into the western sea. Buffalo, Srimaras, lions, tigers,
bears and elephants, tormented by heat and thirst, agitated the
waters, whilst Chakravakas, Kavandas, Hamsas, Sarasas and
other waterfowl, with their impassioned warbling, abounded
there. The flowering trees formed its diadem, the pairs of
Chakravaka birds its breasts, the banks of sand its thighs, the
flocks of swans its bright girdle ; the pollen of the flowers
powdered its limbs, the foam of the waves was its immaculate
robe ; sweet was its contact for whoever entered it and it was
lovely to look upon, with its flowering lotuses.
" Dismounting from the Chariot Pushpaka, close to the
Narmada, that most beautiful of streams, Dashanana, a bull
among titans, accompanied by his ministers, went towards it as
towards a lovely and attractive woman and seated himself on the
enchanting sandy banks that were frequented by Sages.
" Beholding the Narmada, the ten-necked Ravana, transported
with delight, exclaimed ' It is the Ganges herself ! ' Thereafter
he addressed his ministers Shuka and Sarana and others,
saying: —
" * Surya of a thousand rays seems to have changed the world
to gold and, in the sky, that orb of the day whose beams were just
now intense, having observed me seated here, has grown as cool
as the moon. Anila, who, refreshed by the waters of the Narmada,
inspired by fear of me, blows softly diffusing a sweet perfume,
that marvellous stream, the Narmada, increaser of felicity, in
whose waters crocodile, fish and birds abound, appears like a
timid girl. You who were wounded by the weapons of kings
equal to Shakra in combat and who were covered with blood
like unto the sap of the Sandal Tree, now plunge into the
480
UTTARA KANDA
beautiful and hospitable Narmada as elephants intoxicated with
ichor and led by Sarvabhauma immerse themselves in the
Ganges. Bathing in that great river will free you from all ills !
As for me, I shall presently offer up flowers in tranquillity to
Kapardin on this sandy bank that shines like the autumn moon.'
" Hearing these words of Ravana, Prahasta, Shuka and Sarana
with Mahodara and Dhumraksha dived into the Narmada River
and, agitated by those titan leaders resembling elephants, the
stream appeared like unto the Ganges when Vamana, Anjana,
Padma and other great tuskers disport themselves therein.
" Thereafter, emerging from the waters, those highly powerful
Rakshasas soon gathered heaps of flowers that they placed on the
sandy bank, whose enchanting radiance rivalled that of a dazzling
cloud and, in a moment, those titans had heaped up a mountain
of flowers, whereupon the King of the Rakshasas entered the
river to bathe, like unto a great tusker entering the Ganges.
" Having bathed and recited the most excellent of prayers
according to tradition, Ravana emerged from the waters and
divested himself of his wet garments, clothing himself in a
white robe. Then the Rakshasas followed their king, who
advanced with joined palms, so that they appeared like moving
hills. Wherever the Lord of the Rakshasas went, a golden
Shiva-Linga was borne before him and he placed it on a sandy
altar and worshipped it with flowers, perfumes and sandal-
paste Having paid homage to that symbol that delivers all beings
from their sufferings and which was large and exceedingly
beautiful, adorned with a crescent moon, that Ranger of the
Night, with uplifted arms, danced and sang before it."
chapter 32
Arjuna captures Ravana
" Not far from where the dread Lord of the Rakshasas was
making his offering of flowers on the sandy banks of the Narmada,
Arjuna, the foremost of conquerors, supreme sovereign of
Mahishmati, was sporting with his wives in the waters of that
481
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
river. In their midst, that monarch looked like a great tusker
surrounded by innumerable female elephants. Then he,
desiring to measure the great strength of his thousand arms,
stayed the rapid course of the Narmada and, the waters thus
arrested by the myriad arms of Kartavirya, flowed towards its
source bearing away its banks. With its fishes, crocodiles and
sharks, its carpet of flowers and Kusha Grass, the current of the
Narmada grew turbulent, as in the rainy season, and, as if
purposely released by Kartavirya, that flood bore away all
Ravana's floral offerings, whereupon he, leaving the sacrifice
only half performed, cast his glance on the river that appeared
to him to resemble a cherished consort who is overwrought.
" Having surveyed the waters rising like waves in the sea,
rushing from the west to overwhelm the eastern shore, Ravana
observed that, in a little while, the birds no longer shunned it
and it had returned to its natural state, like a woman who is
pacified.
M Pointing with the finger of his right hand, Dashagriva
signalled to Shuka and Sarana that they should seek out the
cause of the rising current and, at this command from their
king, the two brothers, Shuka and Sarana rose into the air and
turned westward. Having traversed two miles, those Night-
rangers observed a man in the river sporting with some women
and he resembled a huge Sala Tree, his hair floating in the stream
and the corners of bis eyes were inflamed by the desire which
agitated his heart. And that Scourge of his Foes blocked the
river with his myriad arms, as a mountain the earth with its
countless slopes and foot-hills, and innumerable fair women
surrounded him, as a tusker in rut is encircled by female elephants.
" Beholding that prodigious sight, the two Rakshasas, Shuka
and Sarana returned together to Ravana and said to him : —
" * O Prince of the Rakshasas, an unknown person, like unto
an enormous Sala Tree, in order to amuse his consorts, is
staying the course of the Narmada like a dyke. Restrained by
his myriad arms, the river is throwing up great waves like unto
die seal*
" Hearing these words from Shuka and Sarana, Ravana said,
' It is Arjuna ' and rushed away, eager to enter into combat with
him. And, as Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas, set forth to
482
UTTARA KANDA
meet Arjuna, a fierce dust storm arose accompanied by muttering
clouds raining drops of blood and that Indra among the Rak-
shasas, escorted by Mahodara, Mahaparshwa, Dnumraksha,
Shuka and Sarana, proceeded in the direction where Arjuna was.
Soon that mighty Rakshasa, of the hue of antimony, reached the
waters of the Narmada and there, surrounded by his wives, as a
tusker by female elephants, the foremost of monarchs, Arjuna
appeared before him. Then the Lord of the Rakshasas, who was
intoxicated with power, his eyes red with anger, said to Arjuna's
ministers in stentorian tones : —
" * O Counsellors of the Lord Haihaya, inform him speedily
that he who is called Ravana has come to fight with him ! *
" When they heard these words of Ravana, Arjuna's ministers
raised their weapons and answered him saying : —
" ' O Ravana, thou hast indeed chosen an excellent moment
for combat ! Wouldst thou fight a prince who is drunk and who
is, further, amidst his consorts ? Dost thou really desire to fight
with our king whilst he is surrounded by his wives ? Possess
thyself in patience to-day, O Dashagriva, and when the night is
over, if thou still wishest to do so, then challenge Arjuna, O Dear
Friend. If, however, thou art bent on combat, O Thou sated
with war, then overcome us here and thereafter meet Arjuna and
fight with him.'
" Then Ravana's ministers slew some of Arjuna's counsellors
and devoured them avidly, and a great uproar arose on the banks
of the Narmada, from the followers of Arjuna and Ravana's
ministers. The soldiers of the King of the Haihayas assailed
Ravana and his ministers, on whom they hurled themselves with
appalling fury with arrows, darts, javelins and tridents that
pierced like lightning, and they created a tumult like unto the
sea with its crocodiles, fish and sharks.
" Meanwhile the ministers of Ravana, Prahasta, Shuka and
Sarana, enraged and full of valour, decimated the army of
Kartavirya, and Arjuna's followers, mad with terror, informed
him of the attack by Ravana and his ministers.
" On these tidings, Arjuna addressed the concourse of women,
saying : — * Have no fear *, and rushed out of the water, like
another Pavaka emitting terrible flames, so that he resembled the
Fire of Dissolution at the end of the World Period. Adorned
483
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with bracelets of refined gold, he at once seized hold of a mace
and hurled himself on the Rakshasas, whom he dispersed as the
sun the darkness. With his arms, Arjuna, having brandished
the huge mace, let it fell with the force of Garuda's flight.
" Then Prahasta, unshakeable, like unto a hill, mace in hand,
stood barring his path, like unto the Vindhya Range obstructing
the sun, and he hurled that dreadful weapon bound with copper,
emitting a great shout like unto Antaka. At the tip of the pike,
loosed by Prahasta's hand, a brilliant flame appeared like the
point of an Ashoka Tree that seemed to glow, but the son of
Kritavirya, Arjuna, without being perturbed, skilfully deflected
that mace that was falling upon him, with his own weapon. Then
the supreme Lord of the Haihayas hurled himself on his adversary
with bis heavy weapon which he brandished in his five hundred
arms.
" Struck by that powerful blow of the mace, Prahasta, who had
confronted him, fell like a mountain that has been riven by
Indra's thunderbolt.
" Seeing Prahasta lying there, Marietta, Shuka and Sarana, as
also Mahodara and Dhumraksha fled from the battlefield.
" His ministers routed and Prahasta struck down, Ravana
threw himself on Arjuna, the foremost of monarchs, and a
formidable duel ensued between that king of a myriad arms and
the twenty-armed Ravana causing the hair to stand on end.
Like unto two oceans that overflow, two mountains shaken to
their foundations, two flaming suns, two blazing fires, two
elephants intoxicated with their own strength, two bulls fighting
for a heifer, two muttering clouds, two lions proud of then-
strength, like unto Rudra and Kala enraged, so did the Rakshasa
and the King Arjuna, armed with maces, assail each other with
fearful blows. Resembling mountains, able to withstand the
dreadful lightning strokes, so did man and Rakshasa endure the
blows of the mace. As the noise of thunder creates reverbera-
tions, so the impact of those weapons resounded in every quarter.
Arjuna's mace, falling on his opponent's breast, lent it the
appearance of gold or a cloud illumined by lightning. In the
same way, each time Ravana's mace fell on Arjuna's breast, it
resembled a meteor falling on a high mountain. Neither Arjuna
nor the Sovereign of the Rakshasas wearied in the struggle,
484
UTTARA KANDA
which remained undecided as formerly the duel between Bali
and Indra. As two bulls struggle with their horns or two
elephants with their sharp tusks, so did those two most valiant
of men and Rakshasas fight. Finally Arjuna, in fury, with all his
strength struck the huge chest of Ravana with his mace, but,
protected by the armour bestowed on him by Brahma as a boon,
that weapon was rendered impotent and fell cloven on the earth.
Under the blow dealt by Arjuna, however, Ravana fell back a
bow's length and sank down groaning.
"Perceiving him to be overcome, Arjuna immediately rushed on
Dashagriva and seized hold of him as Garuda did a serpent. With
his myriad arms, that mighty king took hold of Dashanana and
bound him as Narayana had bound Bali.
" Ravana, having been made captive, all the Siddhas, Char-
anas and Devatas cried out, ' Well done ! Well done ! * and
showered flowers on Arjuna's head. As a tiger who has captured
a gazelle or a lion an elephant, so did the King of the Haihayas
emit loud roars like unto a cloud.
" Thereafter the night-ranger, Prahasta, having recovered
consciousness, seeing Dashanana bound, rushed on Arjuna in
fury and the forces of the Rakshasas assailed him with extreme
violence as, at the end of the hot season, the rain-clouds break
over the ocean.
" ' Release him ! Release him 1 * they cried unceasingly,
attacking Arjuna with iron bars and spears but, entirely unmoved
by the hail of weapons, ere they could reach him, the intrepid
King of the Haihayas, Scourge of bis Foes, speedily took hold of
those projectiles hurled at him by the enemies of the Gods, and
by means of many a dreadful and irresistible missile, he put them
to flight as the wind disperses the clouds.
" Having scattered the Rakshasas, Arjuna, the son of Krita-
virya, surrounded by his friends, bearing Ravana, bound,
returned to his city. Then the Twice-born and the people
scattered flowers and rice upon him, as he made his entry into
the capital, resembling the God of a Thousand Eyes when he
captured Bali."
485
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 33
Arjuna releases Ravana on the request of Poulastya
"Hearing from die Gods in heaven of Ravana's capture, which
resembled the binding of the wind, Poulastya, despite Ms self-
mastery, was moved by tender affection for his offspring and
approached the Lord of Mahishmati. Entering the path of the
wind, whom he equalled in velocity, that Twice-born One, with
the swiftness of thought, reached the City of Mahishmati and,
as Brahma enters Indra's capital, he penetrated into that city
that resembled Amaravati and was full of prosperous and
cheerful people.
" Walking on foot, he advanced like unto the sun with such
effulgence that the eye could scarcely rest upon him and,
beholding him, the inhabitants hastened to inform Arjuna.
" ' It is Poulastya ', said that Sovereign of the Haihayas on
perceiving him, whereupon, with joined palms, he touched his
forehead in salutation as he went forward to meet the ascetic.
Like Brihaspati before Shakra so did the Purohita precede the
king, bearing the Arghya and also the Madhuparka offerings.
" Thereafter the Rishi drew near like unto the rising sun, and
Arjuna, deeply moved on beholding him, paid obeisance to him
as Indra offers reverence to Brahma. Presenting him with the
Madhuparka, a cow, and water wherewith to wash his feet, as
also the Arghya, that Indra among Monarchs addressed Poulas-
tya in a voice trembling with delight and said : —
" ' Since I behold thee, O Thou whose sight is hard to obtain,
to-day Mahishmati has become the equal of Amaravati, O
Foremost of the Twice-born ! To-day I am happy, O Lord,
to-day, my desires are consummated ; to-day my birth is
rendered fruitful ; to-day, my penance has been blessed since
I now embrace thy two feet that are worshipped by the Celestial
Host. Here is my kingdom and here my sons and my consorts
at thy service ; what are thy commands ? '
" Then Poulastya, having enquired concerning his welfare,
the discharge of his duty and the sacrificial fires and his offspring,
said to the Sovereign of the Haihayas :—
486
UTTARA KANDA
" ' O Foremost of Kings, whose eyes are ss large as lotus
petals, whose face shines like the full moon, none is equal to thee
in strength since thou hast conquered Dashagriva, he, before
whom, the ocean and the wind are stayed and remain motionless
in fear, he, my grandson whom thou didst make captive on the
battlefield, who till now was invincible. Thou hast swallowed
bis glory and rendered thy name illustrious. O Dear Friend, on
my request, now release Dashanana ! '
" Thereupon Arjuna, without uttering a word, having listened
to Poulastya's appeal, cheerfully released the foremost of the
Rakshasas and, having set that enemy of the Gods free, Arjuna
honoured him with jewels, garlands and celestial raiment and
contracted an alliance with him in the presence of fire, then,
prostrating himself at the feet of Brahma's son,1 he returned to
his abode.
" Thereafter Poulastya himself dismissed the powerful Lord
of the Rakshasas after embracing him and he, having received
hospitality, departed, ashamed at his defeat, whilst Poulastya,
the son of that Grandsire of the World, he the foremost of Munis,
who had just delivered Dashagriva, returned to Brahma-loka.
" Thus, despite bis immense strength, was Ravana, who had
been defeated by Kartavirya, released at Poulastya's request.
So are the mighty overcome by those who are still mightier than
they, O Thou, who increaseth the felicity of the Raghavas ! He
who desires his own happiness should not despise his adversaries.
" Meanwhile the Lord of those eaters of flesh, having con-
tracted a friendship with that thousand-armed monarch, began
to range the earth full of arrogance, overcoming its rulers."
CHAPTER 34
Bali hangs Ravana on his Girdle
"Released by Arjuna, Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas,
unwearyingly ranged the earth and whenever he heard of any who
was possessed of extraordinary strength, whether man or titan,
1 Poulastya.
487
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in his arrogance he sought him out in order to provoke him to
combat.
" One day he came to the city of Kishkindha and challenged
King Bali of the golden diadem. There he found the kinsfolk
of that monkey only, Tara, her father Sushena and the Lord
Sugriva, who answered that belligerent one, who had just come,
saying : —
" ' O King of the Rakshasas, Bali, who would have accepted
thy challenge, is not here, what other Plavamgama is able to
meet thee in combat ? Bali has gone to the four oceans to per-
form the Sandhya Ceremony, O Ravana, he will soon return,
have patience awhile ! That heap of bones, white as conch
shells, belongs to those who desired to measure their strength in
combat with the Lord of the Vanaras, O Prince. Even hadst
thou sucked the nectar of immortality, O Ravana, thy meeting
with Bali would put an end to thine existence. O Son of Vish-
ravas, look upon this marvellous universe once more for soon
it will no longer be possible for thee to do so. Since thou art in
haste to die, however, go to the southern sea where thou wilt
behold Bali who resembles the Deity of Fire.'
" Thereupon, having inveighed against Tara and the others,
Ravana, that Ravana of the Worlds,1 remounted his Chariot
Fushpaka and drove towards the southern sea. There he beheld
Bali, like unto a mountain of gold, absorbed in the performance
of Sandhya.
" Descending from the Fushpaka Car, Ravana of the hue of
coUyrium, stole upon Bali silently in order to seize him, but
by chance, he was observed by him who had no doubts as to bis
fell design, though Bali remained unmoved like a lion in the
presence of a hare or Garuda before a serpent, and he was in no
wise perturbed by Ravana of malevolent intent.
" He reflected, * This is Ravana, who with malice in his soul,
approaches in order to seize hold of me. I shall hang him on my
girdle and go to the three other oceans, then all will behold mine
adversary, Dashagriva, his arms and limbs and his raiment
dangling, hooked to my side like a snake caught by Garuda.'
" Thinking thus, Bali remained there reciting his Vedic
Mantras in a low voice, like unto the King of the Mountains.
1 Ravana meaning " Th« One who causes others to cry out '.
488
UTTARA KANDA
Each desiring to lay hold on the other, in the pride their strength
inspired in them, the Sovereign of the Monkeys and the Lord
of the Rakshasas sought to realise their design.
" Perceiving by the sound of his footsteps that Ravana was
about to place his hands upon him. Bah", though his back was
turned, caught hold of the titan as Garuda a serpent and, having
seized the Lord of the Rakshasas, hooked him to his girdle,
thereupon that monkey, with one bound, sprang into the air, and
though lacerated and torn by his nails, Bali carried off Ravana as
a tempest propels a cloud.
" Meantime the ministers of Dashanana, whom he was bearing
away, fell upon Bali emitting loud cries in order to make him
release him. Pursued by them, Bali, in his aerial course, shone
like the sun that is followed by a drift of clouds in space. Those
foremost of the Rakshasas, exhausted by the wind that caused
their arms and thighs to shake, were stayed in their course, and
the mountains themselves made way for Bali, how much more
those who, made of flesh and blood, sought to survive. With a
speed impossible to flocks of birds, that Indra among monkeys,
in great haste, paid obeisance to all the oceans in turn and, at
dusk, received the homage of all winged creatures on the way, he,
the foremost among them ; thereafter with Ravana he finally
reached the Western Sea. There that monkey performed the
Sandhya Ceremony and, having bathed, still bearing Dashanana,
went to the Northern Sea. Thereafter that great monkey with
his adversary traversed thousands of leagues, swift as the wind
or thought. Having observed the Sandhya Ceremony at the
Northern Sea, Bali, carrying Dashanana, went to the Eastern
Sea. There, Vasavi, the Lord of the Monkeys, performed his
evening devotions and, still bearing Ravana, he returned to
Kishkindha. Having performed the Sandhya at the four oceans,
that monkey, weary of supporting Ravana, halted in a wood near
Kishkindha and that King of the Monkeys, unhooking Ravana
from his girdle, with a mocking laugh, said : — * Whence art thou ? *
" Greatly astonished, the King of the Rakshasas, whose eyes
were half-closed with fatigue, addressed the Lord of the Monkeys
thus: —
M * O Foremost of Monkeys, O Thou who resemblest Mahen-
dra, I am the Lord of the Rakshasas, Ravana, who came in the
489
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
hope of entering into combat with thee and here I am, thy
captive ! What strength, what energy, what inner power has
enabled thee to bind me thus without fatigue and with such
speed, O Valiant Monkey? Assuredly there are only three
beings who could have acted thus, the mind, the wind and
Suparna. Having witnessed thy power, O Bull among Monkeys,
in the presence of fire I wish to enter into an alliance of sincere
and enduring friendship with thee! Consorts, sons, city,
kingdom, pleasures, raiment and food will all be shared by us, O
King, O Foremost of the Monkeys ! *
" Thereupon, lighting a fire, monkey and titan became brothers
and embraced each other. Gasping hands, the monkey and the
titan joyfully entered Kishkindha, like unto two lions into a
rocky cavern. Resembling another Sugriva, Ravana sojourned
there for a month and thereafter his ministers desirous of over-
coming the Three Worlds, led him away.
" Thus did Ravana act with Bali formerly and, although
humbled by him, swore to be his brother in the presence of fire.
Bali's strength was unequalled, O Rama, it was immeasurable ;
yet thou didst consume him as the fire a cricket."
CHAPTER 35
The Story of Hanuman's Childhood
Them Rama made a further enquiry of that Sage, whose hermi-
tage was in the southern region and, paying obeisance to him in
great reverence, with joined palms addressed him in pregnant
terms, saying : —
"Assuredly the prowess of Bali and Ravana was incomparable,
yet, to my mind at least, it was never equal to Hanuman's !
Courage, skill, strength, tenacity of purpose, sagacity, experience,
energy and prowess are all to be found in Hanuman !
" When beholding the Ocean, the army of the monkeys was in
despair, that long-armed hero consoled them, traversing a
hundred leagues and destroying the City of Lanka. Entering
Ravana's inner apartments, he discovered Sita and encouraged
490
UTTARA KANDA
her by his words. Single-handed, Hanuman slew those who
marched at the head of the enemy forces, the sons of Ravana's
ministers, the Kinkaras, and thereafter, when he had broken his
fetters and admonished Dashanana, he reduced Lanka to ashes
as Favaka the world. Such feats were never surpassed by Indra,
Varuna, Vishnu or Kuvera. By the might of his arms, I have
conquered Lanka and regained Sita, Lakshmana, my kingdom,
friends and kinsfolk. Who but Hanuman, the companion of the
King of the Vanaras, would have been capable of obtaining
tidings of Janaki ? But how comes it, that in his devotion to
Sugriva, he did not consume Bali at the time of the quarrel, as a
fire a shrub ? It seems to me that Hanuman was not yet aware
of his powers when he witnessed the King of the Monkeys,
whom he loved as his own being, set at nought ! Recount to me
in detail and candidly everything concerning Hanuman, O
Blessed and Illustrious Ascetic, O Thou whom the Gods
revere ! *'
Hearing these sagacious words, the Sage, in Hanuman's
presence, answered : —
" What thou hast said regarding Hanuman is true, O Prince
of the Raghus ! I deem none is equal to him in strength or
surpasses him in swiftness and intelligence but formerly an
irrevocable curse was pronounced on him by the Sages, on
account of which, that hero was made unconscious of his great
power, O Scourge of thy Foes.
" In his childhood, O Mighty Rama, he did something of
which I cannot speak, so puerile was it, but if thou so desirest, O
Raghava, I will disclose it to thee.
" There is a mountain named Sumeru that Surya gilds as a
boon ; there Kesharin, the sire of Hanuman, dwells. Vayu
begot a wonderful child on his cherished and illustrious consort,
Anjana, and she brought that son, whose colour was like unto an
ear of corn, into the world. Wishing to pluck some fruits, that
lovely woman penetrated into a thicket, and the child, who in his
mother's absence suffered greatly from hunger, began to emit
piercing cries, like unto Karttikeya in the Shara Wood.
"At that moment, he observed the sun rising like unto a bunch
of Java flowers,1 and, eager for food, he imagined it to be a fruit
1 China Roses
491
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
and rushed towards it. Turning to the rising sun, the child,
himself like unto the dawn, wishing to lay hold of it, sprang into
the sky. And Hanuman's bounds, he being but a child, greatly
astonished the Devas, Danavas and Yakshas who reflected,
* Neither Vayu, Garuda nor even thought itself have the velocity
of this son of the Wind who has leapt into the sky. If, whilst
still a child, the speed of his flight is such, what will it not be
when he attains his youthful strength.*
" Now Vayu followed in his son's wake lest the sun should
scorch him and protected him with his cooling breath. Thus
Hanuman, rising in space, traversed thousands of leagues and,
on account of his sire's power and his own guilelessness, drew
near to the sun.
" * That litde One is not conscious of his error * reflected
Surya, * we must act accordingly ', and he refrained from
consuming him.
" Now on that very day that Hanuman sprang into the sky to
seize hold of the solar orb, Rahu1 had prepared to take hold of it
himself and, coming in contact with that child in the sun's
chariot, Rahu sprang away in fear, he, the scourge of the sun
and moon. Provoked, that son of Simhika went to Indra's
abode and, scowling, said to that God, who was surrounded by
the Celestial Host : —
" ' O Vasava, in order to satisfy my hunger, thou didst bestow
the sun and moon on me, why hast thou made a present of them
to another, O Slayer of Bali and Vritra ? To-day, which is the
time of the conjunction, I had gone to lay hold of the sun when
another Rahu approached and seized it.*
" Hearing these words of Rahu, Vasava, astonished, rose up
from his throne and bearing his golden diadem, went out.
Thereafter he mounted Airavata, foremost of elephants, who was
as high as a hill or the peak of Mount Kailasha with his four
tusks, running with mada juice, enormous, richly caparisoned
and whose golden bells rang merrily.
" Then Indra commanded Rahu to precede him and directed
his course to where Surya and Hanuman were. Thereupon
Rahu set out with all speed leaving Vasava far behind and the
child, Hanuman, beheld him as he drew near, whereupon he
1 The demon who causes the sun's periodic eclipse.
492
UTTARA KANDA
let go of the sun and, taking Rahu to be a fruit, once more bounded
into the sky to seize Simhika's son.
" Observing that Plavamgama loosing his hold on the sun in
order to throw himself upon him, the offspring of Simhika, of
whom the head alone remained visible, taking refuge under
* Indra's protection, in his terror, cried out * Indra, Indra * with-
out ceasing, and Indra, recognizing the voice of Rahu ere he was
able to discern him, answered his appeal, saying ' Have no fear,
I am about to slay him ! '
" Meantime, beholding Airavata, Maruti reflected * O, the
lovely fruit ! ' and threw himself on that Lord of Elephants and
while he sought to take hold of Airavata, his form fearful to
behold suddenly appeared over Indra and his followers. There-
after as he rushed on Sachi's consort, Indra, not unduly angered,
with his finger loosed a thunderbolt that struck Hanuman and,
at the impact, the child fell on a mountain, in his fall breaking
his left jaw. Seeing his son lying inanimate under the stroke of
the thunderbolt, Pavana was enraged against Indra, and the God
Manila, who penetrates and infuses all beings, withdrew into a
cave to which he bore his child. Thereafter, as Vasava restrains
the floods, he caused immense sufferings to all beings by
preventing the passage of excreta and urine in them.
" On account of Vayu's wrath all creatures on every side were
deprived of their breath so that their joints were dislocated and
they became as blocks of wood. All sacred studies, the holy
syllable ' Vashat ', religious ceremonies and duties being
suspended by Vayu's displeasure, the Three Worlds became a
hell.
" Then all creatures with the Gandharvas, Devas, Asuras and
men, in their affliction and the desire to become happy once more,
hurried to Prajapati ; and the Gods, their bellies swollen, with
joined palms, said to him : —
" ' Thou hast created four kinds of beings, O Blessed One,
Thou art their protector. Tbou hast given us Pavana as the
Lord of our lives, why nevertheless, has he who had become the
Ruler of the Vital Breaths, now brought about this misfortune
in the manner of a woman in the inner apartments ? '
" Hearing these words of all the beings, Prajapati, who was
their protector, said to them, * It is true 1 * and added ' Learn
493
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the reason which incited Vayu to anger and has caused this
impediment. O Beings, this I have probed for myself. The
Foremost of the Gods, this day, caused his son to fail at Rahu's
instigation, whereupon that God of the Wind became enraged
and Vayu, though bodiless, circulates in every body. A body
bereft of Vayu is like a piece of wood, Vayu is the vital breath,
Vayu is felicity itself, Vayu is the universe ; without Vayu, the
whole world cannot be happy ; now that the universe is bereft of
Vayu it is deprived of life ; all creatures without breath are as
boards. For not having honoured the son of Aditi, we must
seek out Maruta, the author of our ills, lest we perish ! '
" Thereupon, accompanied by all beings, Prajapati with the
Devas, Gandharvas, Serpents and Guyhakas approached Maruta
in the place to which he had borne his son, whom the King of the
Gods had struck down.
" Meanwhile, perceiving the offspring of Sadagati,1 radiant as
the sun, fire or gold, in that dark cave where he had been with-
drawn, the Four-faced God was moved with compassion as also
the Devas, Gandharvas, Rishis, Yakshas and Rakshasas."
CHAPTER 36
The Boons bestowed on the Child Hanuman and how he was
cursed by the Ascetics
"As soon as he beheld the Grandsire of the World, Vayu, taking
his young child, for whom he had wept as one dead, rushed
towards Dhatar. With his waving locks, his diadem and the
garlands with which he was adorned, Vayu, having bowed three
times, fell at the feet of Brahma.
" Then he, who was conversant with the Veda, his arms
decorated with dazzling bracelets, touched the child as if in
play » thereupon, that God sprung from the lotus, merely by
caressing the child, revived him as seed that is watered.
1 Sadagati — A name of Vayu, the God of the Wind, meaning 'Ever-going ',
his son being Hanuman. The Wind God is also known as Vayu, Kesarin and
other titles.
UTTARA KANDA
" Beholding his son restored, the Wind-god, blowing aus-
piciously, began to circulate in all beings as erstwhile and, treed
from the obstructions caused by Maruta, all creatures became
happy, like lakes covered with lotuses over which an icy wind
has ceased to blow.
" Then Brahma, who possesses the three pairs of qualities,1
who is Himself the essence of Trimurti, having his abode in
the Three Worlds," He who is revered by the Gods, said to the
Celestials, in his anxiety to propitiate Maruta : —
" * Know the truth, I will impart it to you for it is important !
Hear all of you, Mahendra, Agni, Varuna, Maheshwara,
Dhaneshwara and others — this child will carry out all you have
to accomplish, therefore grant him every boon in order to gratify
his sire.'
" Thereupon the God of a Thousand Eyes, delighted, his
brow radiant, took off his garland of lotuses and spoke
thus: —
" * Since the thunderbolt escaped from my grasp and shattered
his jaw, this child shall be called Hanuman. I shall bestow an
excellent boon upon him ; from to-day, he will be invulnerable
to thunderbolts ! *
" Then Martanda, in his turn, that blessed One who dispels
the darkness, said :—
" * I will bestow a hundredth part of mine effulgence upon
him and when he is able to learn the Shastras, I will endow him
with eloquence ! *
" Thereafter Varuna accorded him the following boon,
saying : —
" ' Innumerable years shall pass, yet shall my noose and my
waters never be used against him ! *
"After this, Yama granted him the boon of invulnerability and
immunity to disease and said : —
" 'As a sign of my satisfaction, I shall grant him the further
boon of never being slain in battle ! '
*' Then the red-eyed Dhanada spoke thus : —
" ' This mace held by me shall protect him in combat I '
1 The three pairs of qualities — Renown and Virility ; Majesty and Beauty ;
Knowledge and Detachment,
• The three worlds— Bhur ; Bhuvah : Swah.
495
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Thereafter the God Shankara, bestowing the foremost of
favours upon him, said : —
" * I shall restrain my shafts from wounding him ! '
" Then Vishvakarma of the great Car, casting his eyes on the
child, said : —
" ' He will be invulnerable to the celestial weapons forged by
me and his life shall endure ! *
" Finally the magnanimous Brahma spoke thus : —
" * None of my weapons shall be able to harm him ! '
" Beholding the child enriched by the boons of the Gods, the
Four-faced Lord, Guru of the Worlds, in his satisfaction
addressed Vayu, saying : —
" ' Thy son, Maruii, will be the terror of his foes, the support
of his friends and invincible ! Able to change bis form at will,
he will accomplish all he desires and go wheresoever he pleases
with unimaginable velocity. In order to destroy Ravana and
gratify Rama, he will perform such feats of arms that will cause
every being to tremble ! '
" These words pacified Vayu, as also the Immortals and, with
the Grandsire at their head, they all departed to the place from
whence they had come.
" Vayu, the Bearer of Perfume, taking his son, returned home
and, telling Anjana of the boons he had received, went away.
" O Rama, receiving these favours which filled him with
power, and with the temerity natural to him, Hanuman resembled
the ocean that is overflowing.
*' In his intemperate ardour, that bull among monkeys
shamelessly began to create trouble in the hermitages of the great
Rishis. Scattering the spoons, jars, sacrificial fires, and heaps of
bark used by those peace-loving Sages, overturning and shatter-
ing them, by such exploits, he, who had been rendered invulner-
able to all brahmanic weapons by Shambhu, distinguished
himself.
" Knowing from whence his power was derived, the great
Rishis bore with him, nevertheless, despite the warnings of his
sire, Kesharin, the son of Anjana exceeded all bounds, whereupon
highly indignant, those mighty Rishis, born in the line of
Bhrigu and Angiras, cursed him, O Prince of the Raghus,
without, however, giving rein to their full anger and irritation.
496
TJTTARA KANDA
" They said :— * Since, in the knowledge of thy power, O
Plavamgama, thou dost harass us, by the adverse effect of our
curse thou shalt become unaware of it for a long time, but,
when it is remembered by thee, thou shaft be able to wield it
effectively. *
" Thereafter, the knowledge of his powers was taken from
him in virtue of the great Rishis' words and, from that moment,
Hanuman ranged the solitudes in a placid mood.
" At that time, Riksharajas, full of effulgence, like unto the
sun, the father of Bali and Sugriva, ruled over all the monkeys
and after a prolonged reign, that Sovereign of the Monkeys
succumbed to the natural law of time and, having died, the
ministers, learned in the sacred formulas, installed Bali in his
father's stead and Sugriva as heir-apparent.
" Hanuman and Sugriva were as one and there was no
difference between them ; they loved each other as do Agni and
Anila but when the quarrel between Bali and Sugriva arose,
Hanuman, on account of the brahmins' curse, was unaware of
his powers, nor, in the terror in which Bah had thrown him, did
Sugriva call them to mind, O Lord. The curse of the brahmins
having robbed him of that knowledge, the foremost of Monkeys,
supported Sugriva as an ally in the fight, who resembled a lion
that a great elephant subdues. For valour, energy, intelligence,
strength, amiability, sweetness of disposition, knowledge of what
is fitting and not fitting, steadfastness, skill, courage and audacity,
who can surpass Hanuman in the world ?
" That Indra among monkeys, in order to acquire grammar
took refuge with the Sun-god and, in his spirit of enquiry that
was without equal, he travelled from the mountain where he
rises to the one where he sets, with a large book, a vast encyclo-
pedia comprising the Sutras, their Commentaries, their meaning
and the synthesis.
" That Prince of Monkeys became an accomplished scholar
and none equalled him in the Shastras nor in the interpretation
of the Prosody. In all the sciences and in the rules of asceticism,
he rivalled Brihaspati By thy grace, he will become a very
brahmin conversant with the meaning of the most recent
grammatical systems. Like unto an ocean, eager to engulf the
worlds, like unto Pavaka desirous of consuming them at the
497
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
final dissolution} who is able to challenge Hanuman, that second
Antaka?
" O Rama, on thine account, the Gods created Hanuman and
the other foremost of monkeys, Sugriva, Mainda, Dvivida as
also Nila, Tata, Tareya, Nala, Rambha, Gaja, Gavaksha,
Gavaya, Sudamshtra, Prabhojya, Atimukha and Nala as also
the bears with those leading monkeys who were all created by the
Gods, O Rama.
" I have answered thy question fully and have just told thee of
Hanuman's exploit accomplished in childhood."
Agastya's tale greatly amazed Rama, Saumitri, the monkeys
and the Rakshasas, and Agastya addressed Rama, saying : —
" Thou hast learnt all that I have to tell ; now that we have
beheld thee and received thine hospitality, we crave leave to
depart! "
Hearing the words of the supremely pious Agastya, Raghava
with joined palms, bowing to that great Rishi, said : —
" To-day the Gods, my parents, ancestors and my family
have been blessed by thy holy sight, yea, sanctified for ever. In
the joy of my return, this is what I have to ask of thee. It is for
thee in thine affection to concede it.
" I, who came to establish the inhabitants of the city and the
country in their personal duties, desire thy co-operation in the
sacrifice that I now wish to perform, O Thou who belongest to
the virtuous. Wilt thou, whose asceticism eliminates all faults,
not assist me in these ceremonies, for then shall I be welcomed
by mine ancestors and my felicity be complete ? Do ye all
assemble here ! "
On this request, Agastya and the other Rishis of rigid penances,
answered, " Let it be so ! " and went to their hermitages.
Having spoken thus, all those ascetics departed in the order
in which they had come.
Raghava, having reflected on the utterances of the Sage, was
greatly astonished, and the orb of the day having withdrawn
behind the Asta Mountain, he dismissed the monkeys and the
kings; thereafter that foremost of men, having performed hut
evening devotions and the night having come, retired to the
inner apartments.
498
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 37
Homage is paid to Skri Rama
The installation of Kakutstha, who was versed in the science of
the Self, having taken place, the following night was spent by
his subjects in rejoicing and when it had passed, at dawn, those
who were charged with waking the king assembled at the palace.
Thereafter these sweet-voiced minstrels, like unto the learned
Kinneras, chanted pleasantly to that valiant prince as to a
cherished son : —
" O Gentle Hero, awake ! O Thou who increaseth the
felicity of Kausbalya, when thou dost sleep the whole universe
is wrapped in slumber, O Monarch ! Thine heroism is equal to
Vishnu's and thy beauty to the Ashvins. Thou, the rival of
Brihaspati in wisdom, an a second Frajapati. Thy life's span is
like the earth's, thy radiance like the sun's, thou art endowed
with the swiftness of the wind and thy profundity is like the deep.
Thou art unshakable like unto Sthanu1 and thy charm rivals the
moon. No king was ever like unto thee in the past nor shall
there ever be such a monarch in time to come, O Sovereign, O
Lion among Men, since thou art invincible, firm in thy duty and
ever seeketh the welfare of thy subjects, glory and prosperity
will never desert thee. Humility and piety ever reside in thee,
O Kakutstha ! "
These and similar praises were addressed to him by the bards
as also the Sutas,2 who, with divine hymns, sought to rouse
Raghava, and it was amidst these melodious chants that he woke
from sleep and rose from his couch, that was covered with white
stuffs, like unto Vishnu when he leaves the snake that has served
as tus bed.
Then that magnanimous hero stood up and countless atten-
dants approached him, bowing with joined palms, offering him
beautiful ewers for washing and, having bathed and purified
himself, he went at the appointed hour to kindle the sacrificial
1 Sthanu — Shiva.
1 Sutaa — A class of personal attendants.
499
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
fire and thereafter with swift steps, he entered the sacred
pavilion reserved for the Ikshvakus. There for a long time Rama
paid homage to the Gods, his ancestors and the brahmins,
according to tradition, then, coming forth surrounded by his
people, he went to the outer court of the palace accompanied by
his counsellors and also the family priests, who shone in their
own effulgence, led by Vasishtha. Wealthy Kshatriyas, Lords
of countless provinces walked at Rama's side, as the Celestials by
Shakra. Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna, of great renown,
joyfully formed an escort of honour round him, like unto the
Three Vedas at the Adhvara Sacrifice.1 At his side walked
innumerable attendants with joined palms and radiant counten-
ance, named Muditas. Twenty monkeys full of energy and
prowess led by Sugriva followed Rama, and Bibishana between
four Rakshasas walked beside that hero, as Guhyakas by the
Lord of Wealth. Elders, and merchants and those of noble
families, bowing to the king, followed him with dignity, and that
Sovereign, surrounded by the blessed and illustrious Rishis,
mighty kings, monkeys and Rakshasas, like unto the Chief of the
Gods, received continual homage from the ascetics ; and the
countless praises of those who entered Rama's presence, and
traditions, full of eloquence and piety, were constantly recited
by the magnanimous brahmins versed in the Scriptures.
FIRST OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
2nd SERIES
On having heard the whole story, that descendant of the House
of Raghu addressed the Sage Agastya and said : —
" Revered Lord, Riksharajas was the name of Sugriva and
Bali's sire but what was the name of their mother ? From
whence did she come and why were Bali and Sugriva so called ?
Do thou tell me all concerning this matter."
Thereupon the Sage Agastya answered : —
" O Rama, I shall relate everything briefly that I heard from
Sfari Narada when he visited my hermitage.
1 Adhvara— A religious sacrifice, especially the Soma Sacrifice.
500
UTTARA KANDA
" Once, when that highly virtuous ascetic was journeying
through the world, he came to my retreat and I paid him due
homage and made him welcome. When he was seated at his
ease, being curious, I put this same question to him and he
answered me, saying : —
" ' Hear me, O Great Ascetic, Foremost of the Pious, there is
a mountain named Mem, which is all golden, enchanting and
most beautiful. Its central peak is greatly revered by the Gods
and the marvellous assembly hall of Brahma is situated there,
which extends over a hundred leagues. The Four-mouthed
Deity, sprung from a lotus, ever resides there and, on a certain
occasion while he was practising Yoga, a few tears fell from his
eyes, whereupon the Patriarch, with his hand, brushed them away
allowing them to fall on the earth and from them a monkey was
born.
" ' O Foremost of Men, as soon as that monkey appeared, the
high souled Brahma instructed him in sweet accents, saying : —
" ' " Do thou proceed to that foremost of the mountains
where the Gods perpetually dwell, O Chief of Monkeys, and
subsist there on the various fruits and roots. On that enchanting
mountain, thou sbouldst live depending on me, O Foremost of
Monkeys, living in this wise for some time, thou sbalt attain
prosperity." '
" O Rama, that great monkey, offering salutations to the feet
of Brahma, said to the Creator of the World : —
" ' O Lord, I shall execute thy behest and live depending on
Thee!'
" Thereafter that forest dweller immediately proceeded to the
wood abounding in fruit and blossom, and there he lived on
fruits, gathering honey and various blooms, returning to Brahma
each evening with an offering of the most excellent fruit and
flowers, which he placed at the feet of that God of Gods. In
this way he spent a long time on that mountain.
*' O Rama, once that great monkey, Riksharajas, was afflicted
by thirst and went to the northern peak of Mount Meru where
he beheld a lake ringing with the songs of a myriad birds.
Shaking his neck in delight, he observed his reflection in the
waters and, beholding that image, the monkey chief rilled with
anger and anxiety asked himself, ' What arch enemy of mine
as 501
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dwells in these waters ? I shall destroy the excellent abode of
that vicious-souled one ! ' Thinking thus within himself, that
monkey, in his impetuosity, plunged into the lake and with a
bound emerged once more, but as he rose from the waters, he
found himself transformed into a woman, who was extremely
charming, graceful and fair.
" Her waist was wide, her eyebrows symmetrical, her hair
black and curly, her countenance fair and smiling, her bosom
high and her beauty matchless. On the banks of that lake, she
appeared enchanting, iUwnining the four quarters, agitating the
minds of all beings and, in the Three Worlds, she was as beauti-
ful as any. O Rama, she resembled the simple creeper, Sastilata,
or Lakshmi bereft of her lotus or the pure rays of the moon or
Parvati.
"At that time, India, the Lord of the Celestials, having
worshipped the feet of Brahma, was returning by that way and
the Sun-god also came thither.
" Simultaneously beholding that lovely female form, they were
overcome with desire, and, their minds being in a ferment, they
were wholly swept away.
" Thereupon Indra begot a son on that woman, named Bali,
so-called because his seed fell on the hair of that beauty, and the
Solar Deity begot another son on her, named Sugriva, who
sprang from her neck.
" Those two powerful monkeys being born, Indra conferred
a lasting golden chain on Bali and returned to his own abode and,
having engaged Hanuman, the Wind-god's son, in the service of
Sugriva, the Sun-god too returned to the Celestial Region.
" O King, when the sun rose after that night had passed,
Riksharajas resumed his own monkey shape and he gave his two
highly powerful sons, those foremost of monkeys possessed of
yellow eyes, able to change their shape at will, some honey like
unto nectar to drink. Thereafter, taking them with him, he
went to the abode of Brahma and that God, beholding Rik-
sharajas with his two sons, consoled him in diverse ways and
issued a command to his messenger, saying ; —
" 'At my behest, O Messenger, proceed to the beautiful City
of Kishkindha, that large, golden and enchanting capital is
wormy of Riksharajas. There thousands of Vanaras dwell,
502
UTTARA RANDA
besides those who are endowed with magic powers. Inaccessible
and abounding in gems, those of the four castes inhabit it, and
it is pure and sacred.
" 'At my command, Vishvakarma created that celestial and
enchanting City of Kishkindha, do thou find an abode for
Riksharajas, the foremost of the Monkeys and his sons there, and,
having called the leading Plavamgamas together and received
them courteously, install him on the throne. On beholding this
monkey chief, gifted with intelligence, they will all become
subject to him.'
" Brahma having spoken thus, the celestial messenger with
Riksharajas proceeded to that most beautiful City of Kishkindha
with the speed of the wind where, as commanded by Brahma,
he installed Riksharajas as king.
" Thereafter, having bathed and being adorned with a crown
and various ornaments, Riksharajas, with a joyful heart began
to rule over the monkeys, and all the Vanaras residing on the
earth, comprising the Seven Islands and bounded by the sea,
became subject to him.
" Thus Riksharajas was both father and mother to Bali and
Sugriva ; may prosperity attend thee ! The learned, who listen
to and cause others to hear this narrative, enhancing their
delight, obtain all their desires.
" O Lord, I have duly described at length all that concerns
the birth of the monkey kings and the Rakshasas."
SECOND OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
2nd SERIES
Shri Rama with his brothers, hearing that ancient and wonderful
tale, was astonished and, having listened to the Rishi Agastya's
narrative, said : —
" By thy favour, O Rishi, I have heard this highly sacred
theme I O Great Muni, I am filled with amazement on hearing
the story of Bali and Sugriva. O Blessed One, I am not surprised
that those two sons of the Gods should be so powerful since their
origin was divine ! "
503
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Rama, having uttered these words, Agastya said : —
" O Long-armed One, even thus was the birth of Bali and
Sugriva brought about in days of yore. I shall now relate
another ancient legend to thee, O Rama, as to why Ravana bore
Sita away, hear me with attention !
" In the Golden Age, Ravana offered reverence to the Grand-
sire's offspring, that truthful Rishi Sanatkumara, who, shining
in his own effulgence, was as resplendent as the sun and who was
seated in his own retreat, and paying homage to him, Ravana
said: —
" * O Lord, who is there now among the Gods, who is brave
and powerful and by whose aid the Celestials can overcome their
foes, one whom the Twice-born worship daily and upon whom
devotees constantly meditate ? O Thou, whose wealth is thy
piety and who art possessed of the sixfold riches, do thou
graciously tell me in detail.'
" Being conversant with Ravana's intentions, the glorious Sage
Sanatkumara, having knowledge of all things through his
meditations, said to him affectionately : — ' Hear me, O My Son,
the wise, in their sacrifices, duly pay homage to the Lord of the
Universe, whose origin is unknown to us, who is daily worshipped
by the Celestials and Asuras, He is the supremely powerful
Narayana from whose navel, Brahma, the Creator of the World
has sprung and from whom, all things animate and inanimate are
born. Yogis meditate upon Him and offer sacrifices in His
honour according to the Puranas, Vedas, Pancharatras and other
rituals. In combat, He is ever victorious over the Daityas,
Danavas, Rakshasas and other enemies of the Gods, all of whom
ever worship Him.'
" Hearing the words of the great Ascetic Sanatkumara,
Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas, making obeisance to him,
answered : —
" ' Being slain by Hari, to what state do the Daityas, Danavas
and Rakshasas attain and why does Hari destroy them ? '
" Thereupon Sanatkumara replied : — ' They who are slain by
the Gods abide in Swarga but are born again on earth when their
merit is exhausted. They are born and they die, they suffer and
enjoy according to the merits of their previous births, but those
who are slain by the Wielder of the Discus, the Lord of the
504
UTTARA KANDA
Three Worlds, Hari, attain to His region, since even His wrath
is like unto a boon, O King ! '
" Hearing the words spoken by that mighty Ascetic Sanat-
kumara, that night-ranger, Ravana, filled with delight and
wonder, began to reflect on how he might enter into conflict
with die Lord."
THIRD OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
2nd SERIES
"As the vicious-souled Ravana was reflecting thus, the great
Ascetic Sanatkumara said to him : —
" * O Long-armed Warrior, what thy mind has conceived will
be accomplished in a great encounter ! Rejoice and wait
awhile ! *
" Hearing these words, the long-armed Ravana addressed the
Sage and said : —
" ' O Foremost of the Rishis, do thou tell me in detail what
are His distinguishing characteristics ? *
" Having listened to the Lord of the Rakshasas, the ascetic
replied : —
" ( Listen and I will tell thee all :— O Foremost of the Rak-
shasas, in the universe of animate and inanimate beings, that
great God is all-pervading, subtle, eternal and omnipresent. He
is present in the Celestial Region, on earth and in the region
under the earth, on the mountains, in the forests and all stationary
objects, rivers and cities ; He is " Aum ", He is Truth, He is
Savitri and the earth ; He is the supporter of the earth and the
Serpent Ananta ; He is day and night, morning and evening,
death, the moon, time, the wind, Brahma, Rudra, Indra and
Varuna. He causes the worlds to appear and shine forth ; He
creates them, destroys them, rules over them and sports therein.
He is eternal, the Lord of Men, He is Vishnu, the Ancient
Purusha and the only Destroyer. What more is there to say, O
Dashanana ? He pervades the Three Worlds, the moving and
unmoving. Wearing yellow raiment like unto the filaments of a
lotus, Narayana resembles the lightning flashes. Bearing the
505
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Shrivatsa Mark on His breast, that cloud-coloured Lord, like
unto the moon, is pleasing to look upon. Lakshmi resides in
His body in the form of warfare, as lightning in the clouds.
Neither Devas, Asuras nor Nagas are able to look on Him but
the one, with whom He is pleased, alone beholds Him. O My
Son, neither by die fruits of sacrifice, penance, self-control,
gifts nor rituals nor by any other means can one behold that
Supreme God. Those alone see Him who have surrendered
their whole life and being to Him and who, by virtue of discrim-
inative knowledge, have burnt up all their sins. If thou desirest
to behold Him, hear me and I will tell thee all.
" ' At the close of the Golden Age and the beginning of the
Silver Age, the Lord Narayana will assume human form for
the sake of men and the Gods. A son, named Rama, will be born
to Dasaratha of the Ikshvaku Race, who will rule on earth.
Rama will be highly effulgent, powerful and as forbearing as the
earth nor shall his enemies in combat be able to look on him, as
one is unable to gaze upon the sun.
" * His consort, the gracious Lakshmi shall be renowned under
the name of Sita and be born as the daughter of Janaka, King of
Mithila ; she will issue from the earth. In beauty, she will be
unequalled in the world, endowed with auspicious marks she will
ever follow Rama like a shadow, as the moon is accompanied by
its beams; of virtuous conduct, she will be chaste and patient.
Sita and Rama will always appear together as the sun and its
rays. O Ravana, I have now related to thee all that concerns
Narayana, the great, eternal and incomprehensible Brahman.'
" O Raghava, on hearing these words, the mighty Lord of the
Rakshasas began to devise means whereby he might enter into
combat with thee. Meditating again and again on the words of
Sanatkumara, he began to wander here and there."
Listening to this narrative, Rama, his eyes wide with wonder,
was greatly astonished and, being delighted, he again addressed
Agastya, the foremost of the wise, saying : —
" Do thou recount the ancient traditions further, O Lord."
506
UTTARA KANDA
FOURTH OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
2nd SERIES
The illustrious Rishi Agastya, sprung from a vessel,1 paying
obeisance to Rama, as Brahma pays homage to Shiva, addressed
that hero whose prowess was truth, saying : —
" Do thou hear me ! "
Thereafter the highly effulgent Agastya began to relate the
subsequent events in that legend, and the blessed Sage with a
delighted heart described to Rama all he had heard narrated,
saying : —
" O Illustrious and Long-armed Rama, it is on this account
that the vicious-souled Ravana stole Sita, the daughter of Janaka,
away. O Thou who art possessed of long arms, O Great Warrior,
O Thou who art invincible, Narada recounted this tale to me on
the summit of the Mem Mountain. O Raghava, the highly
effulgent One told me this story in the presence of the Devas,
Gandharvas, Siddhas, Ascetics and other great Beings. O Lord
of Monarchs, O Conferer of Honours, do thou hear this tale
which removes great sins ! Listening to it, O Thou of long arms,
the Rishis and the Devas, with delighted hearts, their eyes
shining with the splendour of lotus flowers, said to the Ascetic
Narada :—
" ' He, who listens to or relates this story with faith and
devotion, shall be blessed with sons and grandsons and, after
his death, be honoured in the Celestial Region.' "
FIFTH OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
2nd SERIES
" O Rama, Ravana, the Lord of the Rakshasas, proud of his
strength, accompanied by his warriors, began to range the earth
desirous of conquest. Whenever he heard of any among the
1 Agastya was said to have been bom in a water jar.
507
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Daityas, Danavas or Rakshasas who were powerful, he challenged
them to fight.
" O Lord of the Earth, having traversed the whole world, the
Ten-necked Rakshasa beheld the Sage Narada returning from
Brahmaloka to his own abode, like unto a second sun, passing
through the clouds. Then Ravana, with a cheerful heart,
approached him and, with joined palms, addressed the Sage,
saying: —
" * O Thou gifted with the six kinds of wealth, many times
thou hast beheld all creation from Brahma down to an insect.
Do thou tell me, O Great One, in which region the inhabitants
are the most powerful, I wish to challenge them to combat
according to my whim.'
" Thereupon, reflecting an instant, the divine Sage Narada
answered him saying : —
" * O King, there is a large island in the Milky Ocean, where
all the inhabitants are endowed with great strength and are of
enormous stature, as effulgent as the moon's beams, possessing
fair complexions, voices as deep as the muttering of clouds and
who are extremely valiant. Their arms are long and like iron
bars, O King of the Asuras, such are the people of that island,
who are as powerful as thou wouldst wish to see on earth.'
" Hearing the words of Narada, Ravana said : —
" * O Divine Sage, why are the people of that island so strong
and how did such mighty beings come to live in that place ? O
Lord, do thou relate everything to me at length. The whole
world is ever seen by tbee like a fruit in the palm of the
hand 1 '
" Hearing the words of Ravana, the blessed Sage said : —
" ' O Lord of the Rakshasas, the people of that island constantly
worship Narayana with their whole being. Their hearts and
minds are ever set on Him and, having given their lives and souls
to Narayana alone, they have been blessed with that abode and
dwell on Sweta-dwipa. Those who die in battle at the bands of
Shri Narayana, Bearer of the discus and Preserver of the World,
go to the celestial region. O Friend, neither by sacrifice, penance,
excellent gifts nor by any oilier pious act does one attain to that
region full of bliss.'
" Hearing these words of Narada, Ravana was amazed and
508
UTTARA KANDA
reflecting awhile, said : — * I will enter into conflict with these
people ! *
" Thereafter, taking leave of Narada, he proceeded to Sweta-
dwipa and Narada, pondering for a long time, curious to
witness that encounter, speedily left for that island, he being fond
of mischief and conflict.
" O Prince, Ravana, with his Rakshasas, advanced on Sweta-
dwipa, rending the four quarters with bis leonine roars, and
Narada preceded him to that island that was difficult of access
even to the Devas.
" There the Pushpaka Car of the mighty Ravana was assailed
by adverse winds so that it was unable to stand against them and
was tossed about like a straw, nor could it remain stationary on
account of the furious blasts. Then Ravana's counsellors said
to him : —
" ' O Lord, we are beside ourselves and overcome by fear ; it
is not possible for us to remain here, how then shall we be able
to fight ? *
" Speaking thus, the Rakshasas fled away in all directions ;
then Ravana sent away his aerial car decorated with gold with
the Rakshasas and, assuming a terrible form, entered the island
alone.
" Thereafter, as he was approaching, he was observed by many
women of that white island, who, drawing near, took hold of his
hand and smiling, said : —
" ' Why hast thou come hither ? Who art thou ? Who is thy
sire ? Who has sent thee, tell us all candidly ? '
" Than Ravana, enraged, answered : —
" ' I am the son of the Sage Vishravas and my name is
Ravana ! I have come hither in order to fight but I see no
warrior here ! *
" When the wicked-minded Rakshasa had spoken thus, the
maidens laughed gently, but one of them, incensed, suddenly
took hold of Ravana as one would a child and, as if in play,
tossed him to and fro to her companions, saying : —
" ' See, I have caught an insect, how wonderful it is with its
ten hands, twenty arms and its colour resembling a heap of
antimony ! '
" Thereafter, they passed him from hand to hand in play, each
509
THE RAMAYASA OF VALMIKJ
spinning him with her fingers and Ravana, worn out by being
handled thus, grew exceedingly angry and bit the hand of one of
those fair ones, who, being in pain, let him go, whereupon
another, seizing the powerful Rakshasa, rose into the sky. Then
Ravana, in fury, tore her with his nails and being dropped by
that damsel, the night-ranger, terrified, fell into the waters of
the sea, as a mountain peak when shattered by a thunderbolt.
" O Rama, those youthful women of Sweta-dwipa again
caught hold of the Rakshasa and began to fling him to and fro.
At that moment, the illustrious Sage Narada, observing Ravana's
plight, was astonished and, laughing loudly, began to dance with
delight.
" O Great King, desirous of receiving death at thy hand, the
wicked Ravana bore Sita away. Thou art Narayana, the Wielder
of the Conch, discus and mace. Thou -dost bear the lotus, the
thunderbolt and the bow in thine hands. Thou art Hrishikesha
and art adorned with the Shrivatsa Mark, Thou art the Maha-
Yogi, ever worshipped by the Devas and Thou dost confer
fearlessness on Thy devotees. Thou hast assumed a human form
in order to slay Ravana. Dost Thou know thy Self to be
Narayana, O Blessed One, do not forget thy real Self, recollect
that Thou art the true Self ; Brahma Himself has declared Thee
to be the Mystery of all mysteries !
" O Prince of the Raghus, Thou art the Three Gunas, the
Three Vedas, The Three Regions, that of the Celestials, of men
and the region under the earth, Thou dost sport in the three
divisions of time, Thou art conversant with the science of archery,
music and medicine, Thou art the Destroyer of the enemies of
the Gods. In days of yore, Thou didst traverse the Three
Worlds in three strides. Thou art born of Aditi and art the
younger brother of Indra, born to bind Bali. O Fore-
most of the Gods, the purpose of the Devas has been accom-
plished I The wicked Ravana with his sons and kinsmen has
been slain ; the Rishis, who have piety as their wealth, and all
the Gods are gratified. O Chief of the Immortals, all this has
been brought about by Thy grace !
" Sita is the personification of Lakshmi and arose from the
earth ; for thy sake, she was born in the House of Janaka.
Bringing her to Lanka, Ravana protected her with care as his
510
UTTARA KANDA
own mother. 0 Rama, I have related the whole story to thee,
the immortal Narada described it to me, having heard it from
the Rishi Sanatkumara ; Dashanana followed the instructions of
Saoatkumara faithfully.
" Whoever listens to this narrative in faith and knowledge at
the time of sacrifice, his offerings of food, becoming imperish-
able, reach the ancestors."
Hearing this divine theme, the lotus-eyed Rama, with his
brothers, was gready astonished and the monkeys, their eyes
wide with delight, with Sugriva, the Rakshasas, Bibishana, the
kings, their counsellors and the assembled Brahmins, Kshatriyas,
Vaishyas and Shudras gazed on Rama with joy.
Then the highly effulgent Agastya said to Rama :—
" O Rama, we have all looked on Thee and been honoured by
thee and now beg leave to depart."
Speaking thus and having received due homage, they returned
whence they had come.
The sun having set, Rama, the foremost of men, bade farewell
to the monkeys and their Sovereign and duly performed the
Sandbya Rites ; thereafter night having gradually set in, he
entered the inner apartments.
CHAPTER 38
Rama takes leave of his Allies
Having been duly installed as king, Raghava spent his days
directing all those things pertaining to the inhabitants of the
city and country. After some time, he, with joined palms,
addressed the King of Mithila in these terms :—
" O Lord, now that our happiness is assured by thy support,
it being by virtue of thy great prowess that I have been able to
slay Ravana, all those of the Houses of Ikshvaku and Mithila,
everywhere, enjoy a felicity without parallel. Do thou return to
thy capital after accepting these jewels ; Prince Bharata will
attend thee as thine escort,"
** Be it so I " replied Janaka and prepared to depart, thereafter
adding:—
5«
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" I am pleased with thee and thy conduct ; as for the gems
that thou hast heaped upon me, I bequeath them all to my
daughter, O Prince ! "
Janaka having departed, Raghava, with joined palms, respect-
fully addressed the son of Kaikeyi, his maternal uncle, the Prince
Yudajita, saying ; —
" This empire, I myself, Bharata and Lakshmana also, are at
thy disposal, O Lion among Men. The King, thine aged sire
may be grieving on thy behalf and thy return this day will
delight him, O Lord. Lakshmana will follow thee as thine
escort after thou hast accepted wealth and gems of every kind."
Acquiescing to his request, Yudajita answered " It is well ! As
for the pearls and gold, do thou retain them forever ! " There-
after, the son of Kaikeya paid obeisance to Rama, keeping him
on his right hand and after receiving homage, he departed,
followed by Lakshmana as Vishnu by Indra at the time of the
destruction of Vritra.
Having bade farewell to his maternal uncle, Rama embraced
his friend, Pratardana, the King of Kashi, and addressed him in
these words : —
" Thou hast proved thy friendship and devotion to the full, O
Prince, as witnessed by the campaign undertaken with Bharata.1
Now return this day to the enchanting City of Benares of which
thou art die support and which is surrounded by great walls and
magnificent gateways."
Speaking thus, the virtuous Kakutstha, rising from his throne,
held him in a close embrace for a long time, thereafter permitting
him to take his leave. Bidding farewell to the King of Kashi,
Raghava, the increaser of Kaushalya's joy, speedily returned
to his own city in safety.
Having dismissed Kasheya, Raghava smilingly addressed
courteous words to the hundred monarchs present and said to
them: —
" Your loyalty has been unshakable and your affection
enduring ; through the grace of your devotion and the prowess
of magnanimous warriors such as you are, that insensate and
perverse wretch, Ravana, has been slain ! It is your prowess that
1 A commentator explains that at the time Rama was fighting with Ravana,
the King of Kashi and Bharata went to his aid.
UTTARA KANDA
has destroyed him, I was merely the occasion of his destruction
in the fight with his forces, his sons, his ministers and his kins-
folk. Hearing that the daughter of King Janaka had been borne
away in the forest, the great-hearted Bharata summoned you all.
Your devotion has been unanimous, O Princes of great soul, but
your stay here has been prolonged and I now wish to assure
myself of your safe return."
Then the kings, greatly delighted, answered him saying : —
" By the grace of heaven thou hast triumphed, O Rama, and
hast regained thy kingdom > By divine grace, thou hast re-
covered Sita ! By divine grace, thy foe is vanquished ! To
behold thee victorious and delivered from thine enemies, O
Rama, was our most ardent desire and is now our supreme
satisfaction ! The praises thou hast heaped upon us are natural
to thee, O Thou whose merits are such that we cannot match
them with our tributes. We are about to take leave of thee but
thou wilt ever remain in our thoughts ! O Long-armed Warrior,
we shall return full of devotion to thee. Mayest thou, O Great
Prince, ever hold us in affection."
" Be it so ! " replied Rama and the kings, highly delighted paid
obeisance to Raghava with joined palms, eager to return home
and, having been duly honoured by him, went to their own
countries.
chapter 39
Rama loads his Allies with Gifts
Those magnanimous princes departed joyfully on their countless
elephants and horses whose tread shook the earth. Many army
divisions, full of ardour, had come to the aid of Raghava under
Bharata's command with their regiments and squadrons.
Thereafter, in the pride of their strength, those monarchs
said: —
" We did not see Rama's adversary, Ravana, on the battlefield ;
Bharata called on us too late or those Rakshasas would assuredly
soon have fallen under our blows. With the protection of the
valiant Rama and Lakshmana we should have striven successfully
without anxiety on the shores of the ocean."
5*3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Conversing on this and other matters, those kings, roll of joy
returned to their kingdoms, those mighty empires that were
prosperous, happy, abounding in silver and grain and over-
flowing with treasure. Reaching their capitals safely, those
monarchs, anxious to gratify Rama, paid him homage by sending
him every kind of precious object : horses, carriages, jewels,
elephants intoxicated with ichor, rare sandalwood, celestial
ornaments, gems, pearls, coral, lovely slave girls, coverings made
of goats skin and a variety of chariots.
The mighty Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna, having
accepted those gifts, took their way back to the capital and,
returning to the ravishing City of Ayodhya, those lions among
men handed all those objects of great price to Rama, who,
receiving them, joyfully bestowed them on Sugriva, who had
fulfilled his duty, and also on Bibishana and the other Rakshasas
and the monkeys, by whose aid he had attained victory, and
those monkeys and titans decorated their heads and arms with
the jewels that Rama had given them.
Thereafter, the Sovereign of the Ikshvakus, that warrior of
the great car, he whose eyes resembled the petals of the lotus,
Rama, seating Hanuman and Angada on bis knees, said to
Sugriva : —
" This Angada, thine illustrious son, and the Son of the
Wind, thy minister, O Sugriva, both of whom are endowed with
wisdom and devoted to our interests, merit every kind of honour
and, on thine account also, O King of the Monkeys."
With these words, the illustrious Rama took off some extremely
rare ornaments from his breast and decorated Angada and
Hanuman with them.
Thereafter Raghava addressed the foremost of the monkey
leaders— Nila, Nala, Kesharin, Kumuda, Gandhamadana,
Sushena, Panasa, the valiant Mainda and Dvivida, Jambavan,
Gavaksha, Vinata and Dhumra, Balimukha, and Frajangha,
Samnada of great valour, Darimukha, Dadhimukha and Indra-
janu, and in a sweet voice, consuming them with his glance
as it were, in gentle accents said : —
" You are my friends, my brothers, my very Sdf ! It is you
who have saved me from misfortune, O Dwellers in the Woods 1
Happy is King Sugriva to possess such excellent friends 1 "
5M
UTTARA KANDA
Uttering these words, that lion among men bestowed jewels
upon them in accord with their desserts as also diamonds of great
price and then embraced them all. Thereafter they drank of
fragrant honey and partook of choice viands, roots and fruits
and, sojourning there for a month, such was their devotion to
Rama, that it seemed to them that but an hour had passed.
Rama too spent the time happily in the company of the monkeys,
who were able to change their form at will, and the extremely
powerful titans and bears of great energy.
In this way the second month of autumn passed and the
monkeys and titans savoured delights of every kind in that city
belonging to the Ikshvakus that was full of allurements and,
during the time they were thus entertained, by the grace of
Rama's affectionate regard, the hours flew by happily for them.
chapter 40
Rama takes leave of the Bears, Monkeys and Titans
In tins way, the bears, monkeys and titans passed their time with
Rama, and thereafter the mighty Raghava said to Sugriva : —
" Return to Kishkindha, My Friend, which may not be
conquered by the Gods or Asuras themselves. With thy
ministers, rule over thine empire without hindrance. O Mighty
King, thou shouldst look on Angada with supreme affection as
also Hanuman and the great-hearted Nala, Sushena thy valiant
father-in-law, and Tara the foremost of warriors, the invincible
Kamuda and Nila who is full of strength, the energetic Shatabali,
Mainda, Dvivida, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, the mighty Sharabha
and the King of the Bears the indomitable Jamba van. Look also
with affection on Gandhamadana, the agile Rishabha, the
Plavamgamas Suptala, Kesharin, Shumbha and Shankashuda, all
these magnanimous ones, who in order to serve my cause were
ready to give up their lives ; look on them always with friendli-
ness and never cause them pain."
Having spoken thus to Sugriva, whom he embraced again and
again, Rama said affectionately to Bibishana : —
" Do thou rule Lanka faithfully ; thou art conversant with
5*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
thy duty, this is my conviction and also of those in the capital,
the Rakshasas and thy brother Vaishravana. Give no place in
thy soul to evil, O King ! Just monarchs are assured of earthly
prosperity. Think ever of me and Sugriva, mine ally, O Prince,
and in perfect contentment go hence without anxiety ! "
Hearing Rama's words, the bears, monkeys and Rakshasas
cried, "Excellent! Excellent!" praising Kakutstha again and
again, saying : —
" Thy wisdom, O Long-armed Hero, thy wonderful valour,
thine extreme goodness, O Rama, has ever rendered thee the
equal of Swyambhu ! "
While the monkeys and the titans were speaking thus,
Hanuman, bowing to Raghava, said : —
" I shall ever hold thee in the greatest affection, O Prince, my
devotion is thine forever, O Hero, nor shall I give mine allegiance
to any other object. As long as thy story is told in the world,
assuredly life will remain in my body, O Valiant Rama. The
Apsaras will recount thine history and all thy divine exploits to
me, O Joy of the Raghus, O Lion among Men, and, listening to
them, O Great Hero, the nectar of thy deeds will dispel all mine
anxieties, as the wind chases away a flock of clouds. "
As Hanuman was speaking, Rama rose from his marvellous
throne and, embracing him tenderly, said to him : —
" Undoubtedly so will it be, O Best of Monkeys, as long as
my story is current in the world, so long will thy fame endure
and life remain in thy body. For every service thou hast
rendered me, I would give up my life and still remain thy debtor,
O Monkey. In mine heart, the memory of what thou hast
done for me will ever abide, O Hanuman ; it is in times of
misfortune that one has recourse to those whom one has
benefited."
Thereafter, taking from his neck a string of pearls from which
an emerald as bright as the moon hung, Raghava placed it round
Hanuman's and, with that rope of pearls falling on his breast,
the monkey appeared as radiant as Mount Sumeru when the
moon passes over the summit of that golden peak.
At a signal from Hanuman, those powerful monkeys, having
placed their heads at the feet of Raghava, rising one after the
other, went away.
516
UTTARA KANDA
Sugriva, who held Rama in a firm embrace, and the virtuous
Bibishana were shaking with sobs and all were weeping, their
eyes brimming with tears, beside themselves, distracted with
grief as it were, on leaving Raghava. Overwhelmed with gifts
by the magnanimous Rama, each returned to his own country,
as souls leave the body. Titans, bears and monkeys, after
bowing to Rama, the Increaser of the glory of the Raghu Race,
their eyes filled with tears, caused by that separation, took the
road to their own countries.
CHAPTER 41
Rama dismisses the Pushpaka Chariot
Having said farewell to the bears, the monkeys and the titans,
the long-armed Rama began to live happily with his brothers.
One day, at noon, that great Prince Raghava heard a melodious
voice speaking from the sky, saying : —
" O My Friend Rama, look on me and know, O Prince, that
it is I, Pushpaka, who come from Kuvera's abode. At his
command I have returned from his palace ; it is he, O First of
Men, who has told me to place myself at thy service, saying : —
" ' Thou hast been won by the magnanimous Prince Raghava
in the fight when he struck down Ravana, that invincible
Monarch of the Titans. I experienced supreme felicity on the
slaying of that wretch with his forces, sons and kinsfolk. Having
been made captive in Lanka by Rama, the Paramatman, do thou
go and serve him as a vehicle, O Friend ! It is I who command
thee ! It is my supreme desire that thou shouldst carry that
hero, the Joy of the Raghu Race, round the world ; go without
anxiety! '
" Obedient to the behests of the illustrious Dhanada, I have
reached thee without difficulty and place myself at thy disposal.
Inaccessible to all beings, at Dhanada's will, in obedience to
thy commands I come to surrender my power to thy service."
Hearing these words, the valiant Rama answered the Pushpaka
Car in the sky, that had returned to him, saying : —
<"■ 517
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" O Most wonderful of chariots, O Pushpaka, welcome to
thee ; Dhanada's generosity must not find me wanting ! "
Thereafter the long-armed Raghava paid homage to Pushpaka
with roasted grain, flowers and fragrant perfumes, saying : —
" Go now, O Pushpaka, wherever thou desirest but come
again whenever I call thee to mind ! Go by the path of the
Siddhas, O Friend, and let no harm come to thee. Mayest thou
not suffer any collision in thy fantastic journeyings in space,
such is my will ! "
Rama, having dismissed the aerial car with due homage,
Pushpaka replying ( So be it,' went wheresoever it desired and,
when that chariot of pure soul had disappeared, Bharata, with.
joined palms, addressed his elder brother, the Joy of the House
of Ragnu, saying : —
" O Hero, thou who hast the soul of a God, under thy rule
one beholds beings who are not of the human race speaking
frequently, nor is there any disease among men and their days
are passed in peace ; even the aged do not die and women give
birth without pain, whilst all enjoy good health. A real felicity
is to be seen among the citizens and, in the rainy season,
Parjanya lets loose the nectar of immortality ; soft auspicious and
balmy breezes blow and the people of town and country all
exclaim ( May such a king reign over us long *, O Prince ! "
Hearing these gracious and nattering words spoken by
Bharata, Rama, the foremost of monarchs, was supremely
gratified.
CHAPTER 42
The Felicity enjoyed by Rama and Sita
Having dismissed the Pushpaka Chariot, which was encrusted
with gold, the long-armed Rama entered the Ashoka Grove that
was rendered beautiful by Sandal, Agallocha, Mango, Tunga
and Kalakeya Trees with groves of Devadaru on all sides, whilst
Champaka, Aguru, Punnaga, Madhuka, Panasa and Asana
Trees adorned it and radiant Parijatras blazed like smokeless
fires. Lodhra, Nipa, Arjuna, Naga, Saptaparna, Atimuktaka,
518
UTTARA KANDA
Mandara and Kadali Trees screened it with a web of thicket and
creepers ; Priyangu, Kadamba, Bakula, Jambu, Dadima and
Kovidara Trees embellished it on every side with their magnifi-
cent flowers, marvellous fruits of celestial fragrances, divine
nectar, tender shoots and buds. Heavenly trees of graceful
shape, thick with heavy foliage and enchanting blossom were
humming with intoxicated bees. Kokilas, Bhringarajas and
other birds of varied plumage, their heads crowned with pollen
from the Mango Trees, added to the beauty of those marvellous
woods. Some of the trees had the brilliance of gold or resembled
tongues of flame, others were as dark as collyrium and every-
where only flowers of sweet fragrance and wreaths of blossom
of all kinds were to be found.
Fools of various shapes, filled with limpid water on which
tufts of flowering lotus and water-lilies floated, were approached
by steps made of rubies. Trees in full flower adorned the banks
which re-echoed to the call of Datyuhas and Shukas and the
cries of geese and swans. That grove was enclosed by flat rocks
of differing forms within which were many grassy glades of the
sheen of emerald and pearl, and these were adorned by trees
rivalling each other in the profusion of their blossom, the earth
beneath being heaped with flowers, resembling the sky full of
stars, so that it appeared like the garden of Indra or Chaitaratha
created by Brahma.
Such was Rama's pastoral retreat with its arbours filled with
countless seats and grassy couches inviting one to rest ; and the
Increaser of Raghu's joy entered that magnificent Ashoka Grove
and seated himself on a throne of great splendour which was
decorated with innumerable flowers and covered with a carpet of
Kusha Grass.
Taking Sita by the hand, Kakutstha gave her delicious wine
made of distilled honey to drink, as formerly Purandara had
offered to Sachi. Thereafter pure viands and fruits of every
kind were brought by servants, whilst lovely Apsaras, skilled in
the arts of singing and dancing, began to perform in the Prince's
presence and troops of Nymphs and Uragas, surrounded by the
Kinneris intoxicated with wine, danced before Kakutstha, and
the virtuous Rama, the most captivating of warriors, delighted
those ravishing and charming women.
519
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Seated by Vaidehi, he was radiant with splendour and
resembled Vasishtha at the side of Arundhati. In this way, in
the joy that possessed him, Rama, like unto a God, each day
prepared some new delight for Sita, the Princess of Videha, who
was like unto the daughter of a Celestial Being.
While Sita and Raghava sported thus for a long time, the
flowery season, that yields perpetual enjoyment, passed away
and, as those two tasted every kind of felicity, Spring appeared
once more. One day, having fulfilled the functions of state, that
virtuous Prince returned to his palace where he spent the rest of
the day. On her side, Sita, having worshipped the Gods and
performed her morning duties, offering her services to all her
mothers-in-law without distinction, thereafter adorned herself
with marvellous jewels and re-joined Rama, like unto Sachi
when re-united with that God of a Thousand Eyes as he returns
to his City Trivishtapa.
Beholding his consort glowing with beauty, Raghava experi-
enced an unequalled delight and exclaimed " It is well ! " then
he addressed the lovely Sita, who resembled a daughter of the
Gods, and said : —
" Now, O Vaidehi, that thou dost bear a child in thy womb,
what dost thou desire, O Lady of lovely hips ? What pleasure
can I prepare for thee ? "
Smiling, Vaidehi answered Rama, saying ; —
" O Raghava, I wish to visit the sacred retreats of the Rishis of
rigid penances, who dwell on the banks of the Ganges where
they subsist on fruit and roots, and there I will throw myself at
their feet, O Lord. O Kakutstha, it is my supreme desire even
to pass a night in the hermitage of these ascetics who live on
fruit and roots."
Then Rama of imperishable exploits gave her permission to
do so, saying : —
" Be at peace, O Vaidehi, to-morrow without fail, thou shalt
go there ! "
Having answered Maithili, born of Janaka, in this wise,
Kakutstha went to the central court surrounded by his friends.
S»
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 43
Rama informs himself concerning current
Rumours from his Friends
Having entered there, the King was surrounded by entertaining
companions accustomed to the exchange of humorous experi-
ences, Vijaya, Madhumarra, Kashyapa, Mangala, Kula, Suraji,
Kaliya, Bhadra, Dantavakra and Sumagadha, and they beguiled
the magnanimous Raghava with amusing tales of every kind
amidst great merriment.
Raghava, however, during some narrative, enquired of
Bhadra, saying : —
" O Bhadra, what do they say of me in the town and country ?
What do they say of Site, Bharata and Lakshmana ? What do
they say of Shatrugnna and Kaikeyi our mother ? Kings are
always the subject of criticism whether they are in the forest or
on the throne."
On hearing Rama's enquiry, Bhadra, with joined palms,
answered : —
"Amongst the inhabitants of the city, nought but what is
good is spoken of thee, O King, above all they tell of thy victory
over Dashagriva, whom thou didst slay, O Dear Prince ! "
At these words of Bhadra, Raghava said : —
" Tell me all truthfully without reserve, what reports, good or
ill, do the people of the city circulate regarding me ? When I
learn of them, I shall endeavour to do what is meet in the future
and eschew what is evil. Tell me all in full confidence without
fear. Laying aside every scruple, relate all the rumours current
about me in the kingdom ! "
Thus exhorted by Raghava, Bhadra, with joined palms, in
profound reverence, addressed that mighty hero in measured
tones, saying : —
" Hear, O King, what the people are saying, be it good or ill,
in the highways, markets, streets, woods and parks — * Rama has
achieved the impossible by throwing a bridge over the sea which
to our knowledge was never done by his predecessors nor even
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
by the Gods and Danavas together. With his foot-soldiers and
cavalry, he has destroyed the invincible Ravana and has made the
monkeys, bears and Rakshasas subject to him. Having slain
Ravana in the fight and recovered Sita, Raghava, having mastered
his anger, has taken his spouse into his house again. What
pleasure can his heart experience in possessing Sita, whom
Ravana formerly held in his lap, having borne her away by
force ? How is it that Rama was not filled with aversion for
her after she had been taken to Lanka and conducted to the
Ashoka Grove, where she was left to the mercy of the titans ?
We shall now have to countenance the same state of affairs
regarding our own wives, since what a king does, his subjects
follow ! '
" These are the sayings current everywhere among the people
of town and country, O King."
At these words, Raghava, stricken with grief, asked, " Is it
thus that they speak of me ? "
Then all, bowing to the ground in reverence, answered the
unfortunate Raghava and said : —
" It is true, O Lord of the Earth ! "
Having heard their unanimous testimony, Kakutstha, the
Scourge of His Foes, dismissed his companions.
chapter 44
Rama summons his Brothers
Having dismissed his companions, Raghava began to ponder
within himself and thereafter said to the doorkeeper who stood
near: —
" Go speedily and seek out the son of Sumitra, Lakshmana of
auspicious marks and the fortunate Bharata and the invincible
Shatrughna."
At Rama's command, the janitor paid obeisance with joined
palms and went to Lakshmana's abode which he entered un-
challenged and there, having saluted the magnanimous prince,
he said : —
5»
UTTARA KANDA
" The King desires to sec thee, do thou go to him without
delay ! "
" It is well ! " answered Saumitri and, in obedience to Rag-
hava's command, he ascended a chariot and hastened to the
palace. When he had departed, the doorkeeper approached
Bharata and, saluting him in a like manner, said : —
" The king respectfully requests thy presence ! "
Hearing these instructions issued by Rama, Bharata, rising
swiftly from his seat, started out hurriedly on foot. Beholding
the virtuous Bharata going away, the messenger speedily
approached Shatrughna's abode and, with joined palms,
addressed him, saying : —
" Go quickly, O Prince of the Raghus, the king wishes to see
thee; Lakshmana has already preceded thee as also the re-
nowned Bharata."
At these words, Shatrughna descended from his throne and,
bowing to the ground, went to rejoin Raghava.
Meantime the messenger having returned, paid obeisance to
Rama and made it known to him that his brothers had come.
Learning of the youthful princes' arrival, Rama, who was deeply
troubled, with a downcast mien, sad at heart, said to the door-
keeper : —
" Make haste and usher them into my presence ! Mine
existence depends on them, they are my very life's breath ! "
At this command from that Indra of Men, the princes, attired
in white, bowed with joined palms and entered respectfully. On
beholding Rama, who resembled the moon in eclipse or the sun
that the dusk robs of its splendour, whose eyes were filled with
tears and who looked like a lotus bereft of its brilliance, they
placed their heads at his feet and then stood silent. Thereupon
the mighty Rama, shedding tears, having raised them up,
clasped them in his arms and said to them : —
" Be seated ! You are my whole wealth, you are my very life !
It is with your assistance that I attained a kingdom and now
rule, O Princes ! "
Thus spoke Kakutstha and all, attentive and deeply moved,
wondered what words he might be about to address to them.
5^3
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 45
Rama commands Lakshmana to take Sita to the Hermitage
All having taken their places fall of sadness, Kakutstha, his
features stricken, said to them : —
" Hear me all of you, may good betide you ! Do not let your
attention wander ! This is what people are saying about me
concerning Sita ! The inhabitants of the city as also those of
the country censure me severely and their criticism pierces my
heart ! I am born in the Race of the illustrious Ikshvakus and
Sita belongs to the family of the great-souled Janaka. My Dear
Lakshmana, thou knowest how, in the lonely forest, Ravana bore
Sita away and that I destroyed him. It was then that the
thought came to me regarding the daughter of Janaka, ' How can
I bring Sita back to Ayodhya from this place ? ' Thereupon, in
order to re-assure me, Sita entered the fire in my presence and
that of the Gods, O Saumitri ! Agni, the Bearer of sacrificial
offerings, witnessed to Maithili's innocence and Vayu also,
who was then journeying through space, and Chandra and
Aditya proclaimed it formerly before the Gods and all the Rishis,
that the daughter of Janaka was without fault. The Gods and
Gandharvas testified to her pure conduct in Lanka, where
Mahendra placed the proofs in my hand, further I knew from
my own inner being that the illustrious Sita was innocent. It
was then that I took her back and returned to Ayodhya. Since
then a great sadness, on hearing the censure of the people of
town and country, has filled my heart. Whoever it may be, if
his ill fame be current in the world, he falls to a lower state, so
long as the defamatory rumours exist. Dishonour is condemned
by the Gods ; honour is revered in the world and, it is on account
of fair repute, that great souls act. As for me, so greatly do I
fear dishonour that I would renounce my life and you yourselves
on its account, O Bulls among Men, how much more therefore
is it incumbent on me to separate myself from the daughter of
Janaka. See therefore in what an ocean of grief I have fallen 1
There is no misfortune greater than this I To-morrow, at dawn,
534
UTTARA KANDA
O Saumitri, take my chariot with Suraantra as thy charioteer
and, causing Sita to ascend it, leave her beyond the confines of
the kingdom.
" On the further side of the Ganges, the magnanimous
Valmiki has his hermitage of celestial aspect situated by the
Tamasa ; it is in a solitary spot that thou shouldst leave her, O
Thou who art the Joy of the House of Raghu. Go quickly, O
Saumitri, and carry out my behest. Do not discuss it in any
way ; go therefore, O Saumitri, it is not the time for observa-
tions. Any resistence on thy part will cause me extreme dis-
pleasure. Yea, I swear to thee by my two feet, by my life, that
those who seek to make me alter my resolve in any way or
oppose my desire, I shall deem to be mine enemies. If you are
subject to me and hold me in reverence, then obey me and take
Sita away from here this very day. Formerly she appealed to
me saying, * I wish to visit the sacred retreats of the banks of the
Ganges ', let her wish be fulfilled ! "
Having spoken thus, the virtuous Kakutstha, his eyes filled
with tears, re-entered his apartments escorted by his brothers,
his heart riven with grief, sighing like an elephant
chapter 46
Lakshmana takes Sita away
When the night had passed, Lakshmana, with a sad heart and
downcast mien, said to Sumantra : —
" O Charioteer, harness swift horses to the most excellent of
cars and, by the king's orders, prepare a comfortable and
luxurious seat for Sita, she, in accord with the king's wish, under
my charge, is to visit the retreats of the great Rishis of pious
practices, therefore bring hither the chariot with all speed ! "
Then Sumantra saying, " Be it so 1 " yoked some superb
horses to a splendid chariot that was well furnished with
cushions and, approaching Saumitri, the heaper of honours on
his friends, he said : —
" The car is ready, let what must be accomplished be done, O
Lord 1 "
5*5
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At these words of Sumantra, Lakshmana re-entered the King's
palace and, having approached Sita, that Bull among Men
addressed her thus : —
"According to the wish that thou didst express to him, that
Lord of Men, the king, has charged me to take thee to the
desired retreats. At the request of our sovereign, I will conduct
thee without delay to those excellent solitudes of the Rishis on
the banks of the Ganges, O Divine Vaidehi. I shall take thee
to those hermitages inhabited by the Sages."
At these words of the magnanimous Lakshmana, Vaidehi
experienced supreme felicity, so greatly did the thought of the
expedition please her and, having furnished herself with costly
raiment and jewels of every kind, she prepared to depart,
saying : —
" I shall give these jewels as also the excellent robes and
various treasures to the wives of the ascetics."
" It is well ", said Saumitri, causing Maithili to ascend the
chariot and, recollecting Rama's command, he went forward
drawn by swift horses.
Thereafter Sita said to Lakshmana, the increaser of prosperity :
" I behold countless inauspicious omens, O Joy of the House
of Raghu, observe how my left eye twitches and all my limbs
tremble, further my mind is confused and I feel extremely
restless whilst all my courage has ebbed away, O Saumitri. The
earth appears deserted, O Large-eyed Prince, can thy brother
be happy, O Thou who art so devoted to him ? May all be well
with my mothers-in-law without distinction, O Hero ! May all
beings in town and country be happy ! "
Thus, with joined palms, Sita, the divine Maithili prayed,
and Lakshmana listening, bent his head and, though his heart was
contracted with grief, he cried in joyous accents, " Mayest thou
too be happy ! "
Meantime they reached the banks of the Gaumati and rested
in a hermitage, and the following day, at dawn, Saumitri,
rising, said to the charioteer : —
" Harness the car speedily ! To-day, with great strength, I
shall bear the waters of the Bhagirathj on my head, as did
Tryambaka."1
1 Tryambaka — the Lord Shiva.
526
UTTARA KANDA
Thus commanded, the driver with joined palms, said to
Vaidehi : —
" Mount ! " and he gave rein to the horses yoked to the
chariot, who were as swift as thought, whereupon she, hearing
the voice of the charioteer, ascended that excellent car. There-
after the large-eyed Sita accompanied by Saumitri and Sumantra
reached the Ganges, that destroys all sin and, arriving there at
noon, beholding the waters of the Bhagirathi, the unfortunate
Lakshmana began to weep openly in his profound distress and
die virtuous Sita, in her extreme solicitude, observing Laksh-
mana's misery, enquired of him, saying : —
" Wherefore art thou groaning ? We have reached the banks
of the Jahnavi, the object of my desires for a long time and, at
the moment of rejoicing, why dost thou cause me pain in this
wise, O Lakshmana ? O Bull among Men, is thy grief on account
of these two days absence from Rama, thou who art ever in
attendance on him ? Rama is dearer to me than life, O Laksh-
mana, yet I do not distress myself ; do not behave like a child !
Let us cross the Ganges and visit the Sages so that I may
distribute the raiment and jewels. Having paid homage to the
great Rishis, which we owe to them and, passing one day
there, we shall return to the city. My heart is impatient to see
Rama again, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus, whose chest
is like a lion's, that foremost of men ! "
At these words of Sita's, Lakshmana, wiping his beautiful
eyes, hailed the ferrymen and they, with joined palms, said
° The boat is ready ! "
Eager to cross over that splendid river, Lakshmana boarded
the skiff, and his mind pre-occupied, took Sita across the Ganges.
CHAPTER 47
Lakshmana tells Sita she has been repudiated
The younger brother of Raghava, having first assisted Maithili
to board it, entered the well-furnished boat ready to depart,
thereafter he said to Sumantra, " Wait here with the chariot "
and, overcome with grief, he commanded the craft to set sail.
5»7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Arriving at the farther bank of the Bhagirathi, Lakshmana,
with joined palms, his nice bathed in tears, said : —
"A stake has been driven into my heart by the noble and
virtuous Rama, which will bring universal censure upon me.
Death were better for me this day, verily death would be
preferable to the mission on which I am engaged, which the
world will condemn. Forgive me and do not impute this
offence to me, O Illustrious Princess."
Thereafter, making obeisance, Lakshmana threw himself on
the earth. Seeing him weep, paying her homage and calling on
death, Maithili, alarmed, said to Lakshmana :—
" What is this ? I do not understand anything ; tell me the
truth, O Lakshmana, why art thou agitated ? Is the king well ?
Tell me the cause of thy grief ! "
Thus questioned by Vaidehi, Lakshmana, his heart filled
with anguish, with bowed head, choked with sobs, addressed
her saying : —
" Having learnt in open council that he was the object of
severe censure in the city and country on thine account, O
Daughter of Janaka, Rama, his heart riven, returning home told
me of it. I am unable to repeat the things spoken in confidence
to me, O Queen. Although thou art blameless in mine eyes,
the king has repudiated thee. Public condemnation has per-
turbed him ; do not misunderstand the matter, O Goddess. I
am to leave thee in the vicinity of the sacred hermitages. The
king has commanded me to do so on the pretext of satisfying thy
desire. The ascetics' retreats on the banks of the Jahnavi are
sacred and enchanting, do not give way to grief, O Lovely One.
The foremost of Rishis, the supremely illustrious Sage Valmiki
was a great friend of thy sire, King Dasaratha. Taking refuge
under the shadow of the feet of that magnanimous One and
living in chastity, be happy, O Daughter of Janaka. It is by
remaining faithful to thy Lord and practising devotion to Rama
in thine heart that thou shalt, by thy conduct, acquire supreme
felicity, O Goddess."
5*8
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 48
Lakshmana leaves Sita on the Banks of the Ganges
Hearing Lakshmana's harsh words, the daughter of Janaka,
overcome with despair, fell to the ground but, regaining con-
sciousness after a time, her eyes bathed in tears, she addressed
him in broken accents, saying : —
"Assuredly this body of mine has been created for misfortune
and is its supporter from this time forward. What sin can I have
committed in days gone by or whom did I separate from her
husband, that I, who am virtuous and chaste, should be cast off
by the king ?
" Formerly I lived in the forest following in Rama's footsteps
and was content in the misfortune in which I found myself, O
Prince, now, how can I, abandoned by all, live in solitude, O
dear Lakshmana ? To whom shall I confide the affliction that
has overwhelmed me ? What can I say to the ascetics, O Lord ?
For what sin, for what reason, am I repudiated by the magnani-
mous Raghava ? I may not yield up my life in the waters of the
Ganges, lest I bring the royal line to an end ! Therefore do
what thou hast been commanded, O Saumitri, leave me to my
wretched plight ! It is for thee to carry out the king's behests,
yet hear me — do thou with joined palms pay homage to all my
mothers-in-law and, having worshipped his feet, address the
king. With bowed head, speak to them all, O Lakshmana, and
do thou also say to the king, who is ever fixed in his duty, * O
Raghava, thou knowest I am truly pure and that I have been
bound to thee in supreme love, yet thou hast renounced me in
fear of dishonour, because thy subjects have reproached and
censured thee, O Hero. Thou shouldst, however have spared
me, since thou art my only refuge.' Further, thou shouldst say
to the king who is established in righteousness, 'As thou dost act
in regard to thy brothers, so shouldst thou act in regard to thy
subjects ; this is pre-eminently thy duty and will bring thee
immeasurable renown ; by its observance thou wilt enjoy the
fruits of the earth ! As for me, I am not distressed on mine own
5*9
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
account, 0 Prince of Raghu, it is for thee to keep thy fair name
untarnished ! The husband is as a God to the woman, he is her
family, and her spiritual preceptor, therefore, even at the price
of her life, she must seek to please her lord.'
" Repeat these words to Rama, it is all I ask of thee. Having
borne witness that I am far advanced in pregnancy, do thou
depart."
So did Sita speak and Lakshmana, sad at heart, bowed to the
earth without being able to answer her. Thereafter he circum-
ambulated her sobbing aloud and, after reflecting awhile, said :—
" What hast thou said, O Beautiful Princess, I have never
raised mine eyes to thy face and have ever but looked on thy feet,
O Irreproachable One. How should I, in his absence, dare to
gaze upon the one Rama has abandoned in the lonely forest ? "
With these words, he paid obeisance to her and re-entered the
boat. Boarding the skiff, he urged the ferryman on, saying : —
" Cross to the farther shore."
Beside himself with grief, in deep affliction, he, having reached
the other bank proceeded in his swiftly moving chariot, turning
round again and again to gaze on Sita, who, as if bereft of all
support, was wandering about distraught on the farther side of
the Ganges. Her eyes fixed on the chariot and on Lakshmana,
now far distant, Sita was overcome with grief, and, crushed by
the weight of her misfortune, the illustrious, noble and virtuous
woman, seeing herself without a protector in the forest, that
re-echoed to the cry of peacocks, a prey to despair, burst into
loud sobs.
CHAPTER 49
VcUmiki offers Sita fas Protection
Beholding Sita who was sobbing, the sons of the Rishis ran to
seek out the blessed Valmiki of rigid penances and, having paid
obeisance to the feet of that great ascetic, the children of the
Sages informed him that a woman was weeping nearby,
saying:—
" O Lord, a lady resembling Shri, whom we have never before
530
UTTARA KANDA
seen and who must be the consort of some great man, her
features distorted, is lamenting in the vicinity of the hermitage !
O Blessed One, thou wilt surely deem her to be a goddess fallen
from heaven ! Verily the most lovely of women, in deep
distress, appeared before us on the bank of a river, shedding
scalding tears, overcome by grief. In this misfortune that was
assuredly not merited, she is alone and without a protector. We
do not know the lady but do thou receive her with kindness tor
she is close to this retreat and has come to take refuge with thee."
Valmiki, that Prince of Sages, being aware of everything by
virtue of his asceticism, ascertaining the truth of their words,
with rapid steps went to where the Queen was weeping, and, as
he strode forward, the disciples followed that illustrious Muni.
Bearing the Arghya in his hands, proceeding on foot, the
sagacious Valmiki reached the banks of the river and beheld
Raghava's beloved consort lamenting like one bereft. Thereafter,
having consoled her by virtue of his holiness, the great ascetic
addressed her in a sweet voice, saying : —
" O Virtuous Lady, thou art the daughter-in-law of King
Dasaratha, Rama's beloved consort, the daughter of Janaka ! O
Faithful One, by virtue of my meditations, the cause that brings
thee here has been revealed to me. O Auspicious One, I am
fully aware of thy purity, for all that comes to pass in the Three
Worlds is known to me. By my spiritual vision, I am convinced
of thy chaste conduct, O Daughter of Janaka ; thou art under
my protection, O Vaidehi, take comfort ! Not far from mine
hermitage there are many female ascetics established in pious
practices, they will care for thee as for their own daughter, O
Dear Child. Now accept the Arghya and trust in me, giving up
all anxiety. Do not grieve but look on this as thine abode."
Hearing these excellent words from the Sage, Sita, paying
obeisance to his feet, with joined palms, accompanied the
ascetic.
Beholding the Sage approaching, followed by Vaidehi, the
female ascetics came out to meet them and, filled with delight,
said: —
" O Foremost among the Sages, be thou welcome ; it is long
since thou hast visited us, we bow down to thee, what axe thy
commands ? "
531
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing their words, Valmiki answered : —
" This lady is Sita, the consort of the virtuous Rama, she is
the daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha, the chaste daughter of
Janaka. Though innocent, her husband has renounced her, we
should all therefore protect her ; she is worthy of our affection !
Such is my wish, who am your spiritual preceptor; at my
behest, do ye pay her every honour."
Having placed Sita in the charge of those female ascetics, the
great and illustrious Sage Valmiki, followed by his disciples,
returned to his hermitage.
The following Traditional Verses appear here in the original text
Thus has this ancient tale been narrated in its entirety, may
good betide you ! May the might of Vishnu increase !
Those who have installed Shri Rama, who is the colour of a
blue lotus, in their heart, will achieve success, nor will they ever
experience defeat !
May the rains come when they are needed ; may the earth
bring forth a rich harvest of grain and may the land be free from
disorders. May the brahmins be without anxiety and just.
May prosperity reign in due time and the monsoons never
fail. May Raghunath ever triumph and Shri ever reign.
May the kings of the earth protect their subjects in accord
with justice. May the cows and the brahmins prosper. May all
the worlds be happy.
May good fortune attend the King of Koshala, who is an ocean
of virtue ; may good fortune attend on that monarch born of
the Sovereign of the World.
May good fortune attend on Punyashloka,1 the Knower of the
Veda and the Vedanta, who appears in the form of a dark-coloured
cloud causing delusion to human beings.
May good fortune attend the King of the City of Mithila, the
close companion of Vishvamitra, the personification of prosperity
in a gracious form.
May good fortune attend on the Blessed Rama, whose subjects
532
UTTARA KANDA
are full of joy, who is, with his brothers and Sita, ever devoted
to his sire.
May good fortune attend on the One who is constant and
noble, who dwelt in and abandoned Saketa (Ayodhya) and wan-
dered about Chittrakuta worshipped by the self-controlled.
May good fortune attend on my Guru, who, bearing the bow,
the arrow and the sword, was ever worshipped with devotion by
Janaki and Lakshmana.
May good fortune attend on that King of the Vultures who
dwelt in the Dandaka Forest, who is the enemy of those who
oppose the Gods, who is a great devotee and a granter of
liberation.
May good betide him who is exalted by Sattwa, who is ex-
tremely approachable, who is perfect in virtue and who desired
to partake of the roots and fruits offered to him in reverence by
Shabari.
May good fortune attend on the destroyer of Bali, he of
supreme steadfastness, the fulfiller of the desire of the Monkey
King, whose companion was Hanuman.
May good fortune attend him who is resolute in combat, the
foremost of the conquerors of the Rakshasas, the blessed Hero of
the Raghus, who passed over the ocean by a causeway.
May good fortune attend on the Blessed Rama, King of Kings
and Princes, who returned to the celestial city and was installed
there with Sita.
May good fortune attend on him who was honoured by the
foremost Acharyas and all the great Sages of old engaged in
prayer, benediction and blessings.
chapter 50
Sumantra seeks to console Lakshmana
Having seen the Princess of Mithila conducted to the hermitage,
a profound anguish seized the unfortunate Lakshmana, and that
hero said to Sumantra, who drove his car repeating the sacred
formulas1 : —
1 Literally " The Mantra Charioteer '*.
3M 533
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" See into what affliction Sita's plight has thrown Rama !
What could be sadder for Raghava than to have to renounce the
daughter of Janaka, a chaste wife ? It is evident to me that fete
has separated Raghava from Vaidebi ! O Charioteer, destiny is
inexorable I Raghava, who, in his wrath, slew the Gods,
Gandharvas, Asuras and Rakshasas, is under the sway of destiny.
Formerly Rama, at his father's command, dwelt in the vast and
lonely Dandaka Forest for fourteen years, but more painful and
cruel to me seems the repudiation of Sita through listening to the
calumny of the people. What justification was there, O Suta,
for this dishonourable procedure consequent on the ill-considered
reports regarding Maithili ? "
Hearing these words uttered by Lakshmana, the loyal and
sagacious Sumantra answered : —
" Do not grieve about Maithili, O Son of Sumitra, O Laksh-
mana, it was formerly predicted by the brahmins to thy Sire.
Assuredly Rama is destined to become extremely unhappy ;
misfortune is his lot ! Undoubtedly that long-armed hero will
be separated from all those he loves. Under the sway of destiny,
that great man will renounce thee, Shatrughna and Bharata. Do
not repeat to Bharata or Shatrughna what Durvasa uttered in
reply to the king who was questioning him. It was in the
presence of a large assembly when I was present, O Bull among
Men, that the Rishi uttered these words, Vasishtha himself,
with others, being there.
" Hearing the words of the Rishi, the foremost of men,
Dasaratha, then charged me saying, ' Do not repeat anything
that thou hast heard to others ' — I have kept his command
scrupulously and, as I see it, under no circumstances should I
divulge the matter to any, yet, if I can trust thy discretion, O
Dear One, then hear me, O Joy of the Raghus. If I repeat the
secret formerly confided to me by King Dasaratha then it is fate
and inevitable. It is on account of fate that a similar misfortune,
the source of thy present distress, took place. Do not speak of
it before Bharata or in Shatrughna's presence either,"
When he heard those grave and portentous words of Suman-
tra's, Saumitri said to the charioteer, " Tell me the whole truth !"
534
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 5 I
Vishnu is cursed by Bhrigu
Thus requested by the high-souled Lakshmana, the charioteer
began to relate what the ascetic had said.
" Formerly a great Sage, named Durvasa, the son of Atri,
passed the rainy season in Vasishtha's hermitage. Thy supremely
illustrious Sire went there himself, desirous of beholding the
magnanimous family priest and he observed the great ascetic,
Durvasa, bright as the sun, radiant in his own effulgence, seated
by the side of Vasishtha. Those two Sages, the foremost of
ascetics, saluted him with respect and bade him welcome,
honouring him with a seat, fruit and roots, and water wherewith
to wash his feet. Thereafter he dwelt in their company and
the illustrious Rishis there present, at noon, used to recount
pleasing traditions, and once during their recital, the king, with
joined palms, said to the magnanimous ascetic, the son of
Atri:—
" ' O Blessed One, how long will my dynasty endure ? To
what age will Rama live ? And my other sons, how long will
they survive ? How long will the sons of Rama live ? Be so
good as to tell me the destiny of my race, O Blessed Lord.'
" Hearing the words of King Dasaratha, the highly effulgent
Durvasa began to speak thus : —
" ' Learn, O King, what happened formerly during the
conflict between the Devas and Asuras. The Daityas, whom the
Suras threatened, took refuge with the consort of Bhrigu and
she, having given them a haven, they dwelt there in safety.
Seeing them thus succoured, the Chief of the Gods, enraged,
with his sharp-edged discus severed the head of Bhrigu's wife.
'"Beholding the murder of his consort, Bhrigu, in his wrath,
instantly cursed Vishnu, the destroyer of enemy hosts, saying : —
'""Since in thine insensate fury, thou hast slain my spouse,
who should never have died thus, thou shalt take birth in the
world of men, O Janardana, and there thou shalt live separated
from thy consort for many years."
535
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" * Having pronounced this curse, Bhrigu was overcome with
remorse and his merits being exhausted by the malediction he
had uttered, he began to propitiate that God, paying homage to
the One who delights in penance and protects his devotees.
Thereafter that God spoke, saying, " For the good of the worlds,
I will be subject to thy curse."
" ' This is how the illustrious Vishnu was cursed by Bhrigu
in days of yore and descended on earth, becoming thy son, 0
Foremost of Monarchs. Renowned in the Three Worlds under
the name of Rama, he has to undergo the dire consequences of
Bhrigu's curse. He will reign in Ayodhya for a long time.
Those who follow him will be happy and prosperous and, having
reigned for eleven thousand years, Rama will go to Brahmaloka.
Having performed many great sacrifices, distributing cosdy
gifts, he, who may not be overcome by the most powerful
beings, shall establish many dynasties and he will beget two sons
by Sita.'
" Having related all concerning the past and future of his race
to Ring Dasaratha, Durvasa fell silent, whereupon the king paid
obeisance to the two magnanimous ascetics and returned to the
city.
" This is what I was formerly told by the Risbi and I have
kept it in my heart ; none of these things could have happened
otherwise. Sita's two sons will be installed in Ayodhya by
Raghava, the words of a Sage never fail to be fulfilled. It being
so, do not grieve either for Sita or for Rama, O Son of Raghu.
Take courage, O Prince."
Hearing this remarkable speech of the charioteer's, Lakshmana
experienced unsurpassed felicity and cried out, "Excellent!
Excellent ! "
Meantime while Lakshmana and the charioteer were thus
conversing on the way, the sun set and they halted on the banks
of the Keshini River.
536
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 52
Lakskmana seeks out Rama
Having passed the night by the Keshini, Lakshmana, the Joy of
the House of Raghu, rose at dawn and continued on his way.
At noon, that Prince of the Great Car entered the opulent City
of Ayodhya, crowded with happy people. The extremely
sagacious Saumitri, however, became exceedingly apprehensive,
reflecting " On mine arrival, when I fall at Rama's feet, what
shall I say to him ? " As he was thus anxiously pondering,
Rama's residence, bright as the moon, rose before him, and the
prince, dismounting at the door of the palace, his heart con-
tracted, with bowed head entered without hindrance. Seeing
his elder brother, Rama, seated on his throne in deep distress,
Lakshmana's eyes were filled with tears and, seizing hold of his
feet, his soul afflicted, with great reverence he offered obeisance
to him and addressed him in plaintive accents, saying : —
" In accord with thy command, O Lord, I left the daughter of
Janaka on the banks of the Ganges near the splendid retreat of
the Sage Valmiki, following the counsel given to me. It is there
at the entrance of the hermitage that I abandoned the chaste Sita
and have returned to serve thee. Do not grieve, O Foremost of
Men, it has been decreed by destiny. Assuredly those like thee,
who are intelligent and wise, do not give way to despair. All
growth ends in decay, those who rise high, fall, and all meetings
end in separation ; death is the end of life. Therefore in regard
to sons, wives, kinsfolk and wealth, detachment should be
practised, for separation from them all is certain. Thou who art
able to control the spirit by the spirit and the mind by the mind
and all the worlds, O Kakutstha, how much more art thou able
to control grief. Nay, nay, in similar circumstances, the fore-
most of men, like thyself, do not distress themselves. Assuredly
thou wilt be censured anew, O Raghava, for giving way to grief
on account of calumny. Undoubtedly the people will condemn
thee. O Best of Men, thou who art so well endowed with
firmness of purpose, give up this faint-heartedness and cease to
grieve."
537
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing the words of the magnanimous Lakshmana, the son
of Sumitra, Kakutstha, beloved of his friends, answered him in
cheerful tones, saying : —
" It shall be as thou sayest, O Best of Men, O Valiant Laksh-
mana, I am gratified by the execution of my behests, O Hero. O
Gentle Prince, my distress has been assuaged by thy felicitous
words ; I shall be guided by them, O Saumitri."
chapter 53
Rama tells Lakshmana the Story of Nriga
Hearing Lakshmana's remarkable speech that filled him with
amazement, Rama replied : —
"Assuredly it would be difficult in these times to find a
relative like thee, O Dear Brother! O Thou who bearest
auspicious marks, who art gifted with intelligence and art one
with me in thought, now learn all that is passing in my heart and,
knowing it, do what I command thee.
" O Dear Saumitri, four days have gone by since I concerned
myself with the interests of my people and my soul is tormented ;
now call together my subjects, the family priests and also the
ministers with all those to whose affairs attention must be given !
The king who does not fulfil his duties in regard to his people
each day, undoubtedly falls into the darkest hell.
" It is related that formerly a monarch named Nriga reigned,
who was illustrious, truthful, pure-hearted and devoted to the
brahmins. Once at the time of a sacred pilgrimage to Pushkara,
that monarch bestowed on the brahmins hundreds and thousands
of kine with gilded horns, accompanied by their calves.
"And it came about that one cow with its calf, belonging to a
poor brahmin, was accidentally given away and he, hungry and
thirsty, searched in vain here and there for that cow for a long
time. Finally, having reached Kankhala, he observed his cow
in the abode of a brahmin and, though in good health, it had
grown old. Thereupon that brahmin called the cow by name
crying 'Shabali, come 'and the beast, hearing him, recognized the
voice of that one who was stricken with hunger and followed him.
538
UTTARA KANDA
" Then the ascetic, in whose house the cow had been retained}
speedily pursued him and, reaching that Rishi, addressed him in
harsh tones, saying ' That cow belongs to me and was given me
by the foremost of monarchs ; it was Nriga who bestowed her
on me as a gift.'
" Thereupon a great quarrel ensued between those two learned
brahmins, and wrangling, they both approached the one who had
given away that cow, but though they waited there a long time, they
were unable to gain admission to the palace. Having tarried
there many days and nights, they became greatly enraged and
those two illustrious ascetics, furious at not achieving their
purpose, uttered the following dreadful malediction : —
" ' Since thou hast refused to grant us audience in order to
settle our dispute, do thou become a lizard and remain invisible
to all beings ; in that state thou shalt pass hundreds and thous-
ands of years in a ditch ; when Vishnu, in human form, descends
to earth among the Yadus, whose glory he will enhance, thou
shalt be liberated from the curse ! He shall be named Vasudeva.
When the Kali Yuga has come, Nara and Narayana will descend
on earth to relieve her of her burden.'
" Having pronounced this curse on the king, the two brahmins
fell silent and they both agreed to bestow the cow, who had
become old and weak, on another brahmin.
" O Lakshmana, King Nriga is still suffering under that
dreadful curse. The folly of not attending to the dispute between
contestants is to be attributed to the king. Therefore let all
those who have come for reasons of arbitration be ushered into
my presence , though a king does not seek the fruit of duty
fulfilled. Go now personally and see if anyone seeks audience
with me."
CHAPTER 54
The End of the Story of Nriga
Hearing the words of the supremely effulgent Rama, the
exceedingly sagacious Lakshmana, with joined palms, replied : —
" O Kakutstha, it was for a very trivial fault that the Twice-
borns struck down Nriga, that royal Sage, with that dreadful
539
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
curse like unto the Rod of Yama. O Foremost of Men, what
did King Nriga reply to those enraged ascetics when they
condemned him to such suffering ? "
Thus questioned by Lakshmana, Raghava took up the tale
again, saying : —
" O Gentle One, hear what that prince first did when he was
struck down by the curse. Learning that the two Sages had
departed, the king called together his ministers, citizens and
chief priests and, in the presence of his subjects, said : —
" ' Hear me carefully ! Having pronounced a dreadful curse
upon me, the Rishis Karada and Parvata have, with the speed of
the wind, returned to the Region of Brahma. Let the youthful
Prince Vasu, here present, be installed on the throne to-day.
Let artisans construct three ditches, where I shall expiate the
curse laid upon me by the brahmins, one proof against the rains,
one against the cold and a third against the heat ; let this
habitation be made comfortable and trees laden with fruit and
bushes covered with flowers be planted round about, as also
shrubs of every kind to lend shade. The precincts of these
ditches should be pleasant and I shall pass the time agreeably
there till the termination of my sufferings. Let flowers with a
sweet fragrance be sown frequently for half a league on all sides ! '
" Having made these arrangements, he installed Vasu on the
throne and addressed him, saying ; —
" * My Son, be ever fixed in thy duty and rule thy subjects in
accord with the laws of the Kshatriyas. Keep before thine eyes
the curse the two brahmins pronounced upon me. Do not
grieve on my account, O Foremost of Men. Destiny is just, 0
My son, it is destiny1 that has plunged me in this affliction.
What must happen will happen ; what we must pursue will be
pursued ; what is to be attained will be attained, whether good
or ill, according to the acts of a previous existence. Do not grieve,
O My Son.'
" Having spoken thus to his son, the highly illustrious King
Nriga descended into the constructed ditch in order to take up
his abode there. Having entered that deep hole adorned with
precious gems, the magnanimous Nriga suffered the curse that
the two brahmins had pronounced on him in their anger."
1 Karma — See Glossary,
540
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 55
The Story of Nina
" I have related the cursing of Nriga in detail but, if thou so
desireth, listen to the following story ! *'
On this, Saumitri said : —
" I never tire of hearing these marvellous tales, O King ! "
Thus spoke Lakshmana, and Rama, the Joy of the Ikshvakus,
began to recount many exceedingly instructive legends, saying :-
" There was once a king named Nimi, the twelfth son of the
magnanimous offspring of the Ikshvakus and he was full of
courage and truth. That highly valorous monarch founded a
beautiful city, resembling that of the Gods, in the vicinity of
Gautama's hermitage, and the name of that city was Vaijanta !
It served as the residence of the royal Sage Nimi and, while he
dwelt in that vast capital, he reflected ' X will perform a great
sacrifice to gratify my sire ! '
" Having invited his father, Ikshvaku, the son of Manu, he
first welcomed Vasishtha, the foremost of Rishis ; thereafter the
Rajarishi Nimi, the Joy of Ikshvaku, invited Atri, Angira and
also Bhrigu, that treasury of asceticism.
" Meanwhile Vasishtha said to Nimi, the foremost of royal
Sages : — ' I am already pledged to Indra, therefore wait for me
till his sacrifice is completed.'
" Soon afterwards, the great ascetic Gautama undertook the
sacrifice1 whilst the mighty Vasishtha was officiating at Indra's
ceremony.
" King Nimi, that foremost of men, having assembled the
brahmins, celebrated a sacrifice in the vicinity of his city on the
side of the Himavat Mountain, its term exceeding five thousand
years.
" Indra's sacrifice being completed, the blessed and irre-
proachable Sage Vasishtha returned to the king and offered
himself as officiating priest. Observing that Gautama had, in
the interval, filled that office, Vasishtha was transported with
1 In Vuiahtha's place.
54*
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
rage and, anxious to behold the king, sought out the monarch,
but that day he lay in a deep sleep and the fury of the magnani-
mous Vasishtha burst forth anew, so that he began to curse the
king, who was unaware of his presence there, saying : —
" * Since thou didst choose another and have failed to treat
me with due respect, O King, thy body will be rendered lifeless ! '
" Thereupon the king awoke and, hearing the curse pro-
nounced against him, in a transport of rage, said to the son of
Brahma : —
" ' When I was unconscious and asleep, thou, beside thyself
with anger, hast subjected me to the fire of thy wrath like unto
the Rod of Yama ! For this, be assured thy body too, O
Brahmarishi, shall be bereft of sensation for a long time.'
" Thus both dominated by anger, the foremost of kings and
the chief of the ascetics, mutually cursed one another and they,
whose powers were equal to the Gods, were both instantly
deprived of their bodies."
chapter 56
The Cursing of the Nymph Urvaski
Having heard this story, Lakshmana, the Slayer of His Foes,
with joined palms, addressed the effulgent Rama, saying : —
" O Kakutstha, how did that Twice-born One, worshipped by
the Celestials, and the king, having cast off their bodies, regain
them once more ? "
Thus questioned by Lakshmana, Rama, having truth for his
prowess, answered : —
" Following on their mutual cursing, those two virtuous
Ones, that Sage among monarchs and the foremost of ascetics,
having discarded their bodies, lived in their subtle forms.
Thereafter, the great Rishi Vasishtha, desirous of regaining his
physical shape, sought out his sire, and that virtuous Sage in his
subtle body, paid obeisance to the feet of that God of Gods, the
Grandsire, and addressed him, saying : —
" ' O Lord, through King Nimi's curse, I am deprived of my
physical body, O Lord of Lords, O Mahadeva, I am merged in
542
UTTARA KANDA
air ! Those deprived of a body suffer great misfortune ; many
righteous deeds may not be performed without a body, O Lord,
by thy favour grant me another form ! '
" Then Brahma Swyambhu, whose powers are immeasurable,
said to him :—
" ' Do thou enter the vital seed of Mitra and Varuna, O Thou
illustrious One ! Thou shalt then be born without a mother, O
Foremost of the Twice-born, and, endowed with great virtue,
shalt regain thy state.'
" Thus spoke the divine Grandsire, and Vasishtha, circum-
ambulating him, instantly left for Varuna's abode. At that time,
Mitra, being worshipped by the foremost of the Celestials was
reigning over Varuna's kingdom and the chief Apsara, Urvashi,
came there by chance in company with her friends.
" Beholding the lovely Urvashi sporting in the waters, Varuna
was seized with extreme delight and desired to unite himself
with that nymph, whose eyes are as large as lotus petals and whose
face was as radiant as the moon, but she, with joined palms,
answered him saying : —
" ' Mitra has already invited me for this purpose, O Chief of
the Gods ! *
" Then Varuna, being stricken with desire, said : — * Since
thou dost not wish to be united with me, I shall loose my vital
seed in the vessel created by Brahma, O Thou of lovely hips and
beautiful complexion, thus shall my desire be satisfied.'
" Hearing this amiable speech, Urvashi was highly gratified
and said to him : —
" * Be it so, for my mind is fixed on thee, though my body
belongs to Mitra, O Lord ! '
"At these words of Urvashi, Varuna discharged bis powerful
vital seed, that shone like fire, into the vessel. Then the divine
Urvashi immediately sought out Mitra and he, in the height of
anger, said to her :—
" ' Why didst thou desert me, who first chose thee ? For what
reason hast thou taken another, O Thou without moral sense ?
For this misdeed, I condemn thee to live in the world of men for
a time ; thou shalt be united with the son of Budha, the royal
Sage Pururavas, who rules over Kashi ! Go to him, O Sinful
One!'
543
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" Then Urvashi, under the influence of that curse, went to
Pratisthana to Pururavas, the beloved son of Budha, and she
bore him a lovely child, Ayu, who was full of valour and became
the father of Nahusha, the equal of Indra in glory, and when the
Lord of the Celestials loosed his thunderbolt on Vritra and
suffered eclipse,1 Nahusha reigned in his stead for thousands of
years.
" In consequence of this curse, Urvashi, of charming teeth,
beautiful eyes and graceful brows, descended on earth where she
passed many years and, the period of the curse having expired,
she returned to the Region of Indra."
chapter 57
The End of the Story of Vasishtha and Ninri
Hearing that wonderful and divine theme, Lakshmana, highly
delighted, said to Raghava : —
" O Kakutstha, how did that Twice-born One and the king,
adored by the Gods, who had been deprived of their physical
bodies regain them again ? "
Thus questioned, Rama, that true hero began to relate the
history of the magnanimous Vasishtha, saying : —
" O Prince of the Raghus, from that vessel in which the two
mighty Gods had emptied their vital seed, two Sages were born,
who were the foremost of Rishis. First Agastya appeared, that
blessed ascetic, and he said to Mitra, ' I am not thy son ' and
went away. O Lakshmana, the seed of Mitra formerly received
by Urvashi, was to be found in the same vessel as that of Varuna's
"After a time Vasishtha was born in his turn, he who is
worshipped by the Celestials, he is a God to the Ikshvakus and
the mighty and highly effulgent Iksbvaku chose the irreproach-
able Vasishtha as his family priest for the good of our race, O My
Friend ! I have thus described to thee how the magnanimous
Vasishtha, who was previously bodiless, was re-born, now hear
of the history of Nimi .
1 Being overwhelmed by the tin of flaying a brahmin.
544
UTTARA KANDA
" Beholding the king deprived of his body, all the sagacious
Rishis assisted him by the celebration of a sacrifice and the
foremost of the Twice-born preserved the body of that first of
monarchs by means of unguents, cloths and herbs with the help
of the citizens and servants. At the conclusion of the sacrifice,
Bhrigu said to Nimi, ' I shall restore thee to life, O King, I am
gratified with thee.'
" Thereafter the Gods in their delight said to him :— * Choose
a boon, O Royal Sage, where shall thy consciousness be set ? '
" Thus spoke the Gods and Nimi's spirit answered : —
" ' I wish to live in the eyes of all beings, O Illustrious Gods ! *
" ' So be it ', said the Celestials, ' Thou shalt dwell in the eyes
of all beings in the form of air. By thy grace, O Lord of the
Earth, their eyes shall close again and again for rest when thou
dost move about in the form of air.'
" Having spoken thus, the Gods returned to their own region
and the magnanimous Rishis bore away Nimi's body to the
sacrificial ground and began to rub it with great energy to the
accompaniment of sacred formulas. And from the Arani,1 thus
violently agitated, a great and highly ascetic Being arose and, on
account of him being born from an inanimate body, he was
called Mithi, the King of Videha, and through this birth, he
became the ancient Janaka.1 It was from that Being of severe
penances, who was called Mithi, that the race of Mithila
originated. O Friend, I have told thee all without omitting any-
thing concerning the curse and of the wonderful birth of that
royal Sage and the foremost of kings."
CHAPTER 58
Shukra curses Yayati
Thus spoke Rama, and Lakshmana, the Slayer of His Foes, said
to his mighty brother who was blazing with effulgence : —
" O Lion among Monarchs, this ancient history of the King
1 Arani — The sticks used to light the sacred fire made of wood from the sacred
fig-tree.
1 Some Commentators explain that the name ' Janaka ' meaning ' Sire ' was
given to the father or begetter of that great Race.
545
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
of Vidcha and the Sage Vasishtha is astonishing and wonderful,
but why was King Nimi, a warrior full of valour, who had re-
ceived initiation, unable to forgive the Rishi Vasishtha ? "
Thus questioned by Lakshmana, who was conversant with the
Shastras, Rama, the foremost of warriors, answered his illus-
trious brother, saying : —
" O Valiant One, forgiveness is not always shown by men ! O
Saumitri, hear with what resignation King Yayati bore the
injuries done to him !
" King Yayati, the prosperity of his people, was the son of
Nahusha — he had two wives, whose beauty was unequalled on
earth. One was his favourite, Sharmishtha, born of Diti and the
Daitya Vrashparvan, the other consort of Yayati was the daughter
of Shukacharya and called Devayani, who was not beloved of her
husband.
" Two sons of great beauty and amiability were born to them,
Sharmishtha begot Puru and Devayani, Yadu. Furu was the
favourite of his sire on account of his good qualities and also
because of his mother, whereupon Yadu, much distressed, said
to Devayani : —
" * Thou, who art born in the family of the divine son of
Bhrigu of imperishable exploits, art exposed to misery and
contempt. It is intolerable, let us both enter the fire, O Queen,
and let the King amuse himself for innumerable nights with the
daughter of the Daitya. Or, if thou art able to endure it, then
allow me to go my way. Do thou suffer this for I shall not brook
it and have resolved to put an end to my life.'
"At these words from her son, who was weeping, Devayani,
overcome by grief, highly indignant, called her Sire to mind
and being thought upon, Bhargava instantly appeared before his
daughter and, beholding her perturbed and beside herself, he
enquired of her saying : —
" ' O Child, what is the matter ? * Then Bhargava, his heart
wrung, questioned her again and again, whereupon Devayani,
enraged, answered her father, saying : —
" ' I shall enter the fire or drink poison or cast myself in the
waters for I will not continue living. Thou dost not know to
what misery and contempt I am subject! When a tree is
neglected, those who live thereon suffer. The king disregards
546
UTTARA KANDA
me and treats me with disdain, therefore thou too art dis-
regarded ! '
"At these words, which filled him with fury, the descendant
of Bhrigu began to curse the son of Nahusha, saying : —
" ' O Nahusha, since in the wickedness of thy heart, thou hast
looked upon me with contempt, old age shall come upon thee
and thou shalt become senile.'
" Having spoken thus and comforted his daughter, the
descendant of Bhrigu, that highly illustrious Brahmarishi
returned to his own abode.
" Having solaced his daughter, Devayani, and pronounced
that curse on the king, the foremost of the Twice-born, Shukra,
radiant as the sun, departed."
CHAPTER 59
Puru takes the place of his Father cursed by Shukra
"At these words of the enraged Shukra,1 the unfortunate
Yayati, overtaken by old age, said to Yadu : —
" * O Yadu, My Son, Thou art conversant with dharma, do
thou take mine old age upon thyself and give me back my youth
so that I may continue to give myself up to various enjoyments.
O Foremost of Men, I am not yet sated with pleasures ; once I
am satisfied, I will resume my senility.'
" Hearing these words, Yadu answered that foremost of
monarchs, saying : —
" ' Thou hast excluded me from all matters, O King, and
deprived me of thy proximity, let Puru, who feasts with thee,
take this upon himself ! '
" Hearing the words of Yadu, the king addressed Puru,
saying: —
" ' O Hero, do thou take mine old age upon thee.'
" On this, Puru, with joined palms, cried out :—
" ' What good fortune is mine ! Do thou favour me, I am at
thy command I '
1 Also called Bhargava.
547
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" This response from Puru filled Nahusha with exceeding joy
and, seeing himself freed from senility, he experienced an
unequalled satisfaction. Thereupon, regaining his youth, he
performed thousands of sacrifices and ruled the earth for
innumerable years. After a long time, the king said to Puru : —
" ' Give me back mine old age, my Son, that I deposited with
thee ! I placed this decrepitude upon thee and that is why I now
reclaim it. Fear not, I am pleased with thy submission to my
will and shall install thee as king in token of my satisfaction.'
" Having spoken thus to his son, Puru, King Yayati, born of
Nahusha, addressed the son of Devayani harshly, saying : —
" ' Thou art an intractable Rakshasa born to me as a warrior,
O Thou who dost disregard my behests ! Thou shalt never be
king ! Since thou hast set me at nought, who am thy sire and thy
spiritual director, thou shalt beget terrible Rakshasas and
Yatudhanas ! Assuredly, O Thou of perverse soul, thy race
shall not intermingle with the issue of the lunar race and will
resemble thee in conduct.'
" Having spoken thus for the good of his realm, that royal
Sage invested Puru with the supreme dignity and himself
withdrew to the forest.
"After a long time, when the hour fixed had struck, he went
to the Celestial Abode. Thereafter Puru ruled the empire with
great equity and glory in the City of Pratishthana in the kingdom
of Kashi.
" Yadu however begot thousands of Yatudhanas in the in-
accessible City of Durga. In this wise, Yayati endured Shukra's
curse in accord with the traditions of the Kshatriyas but Niroi
never exercised forgiveness.
" I have related everything to thee, let us follow the example
of those who accept all, so that we do not tall like Nriga."
As Rama, whose face resembled the moon, was speaking thus,
the heavens were spangled with stars and the east became a
roseate golden colour as if she had donned a robe covered with
the pollen of flowers.
548
UTTARA KANDA
FIRST OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
3rd SERIES
In the dear light of dawn, the lotus-eyed Rama performed the
morning rites and took his seat in the council chamber on the
royal throne in the company of the brahmins and citizens
engaged in affairs of state. And the Priest Vasishtha with the
Sage Kashyapa and others well versed in the rules of government,
ministers conversant with the law, scriptures and ethics were of
the assembly, which resembled Indra's Hall of Justice or Yama's
or Kuvera's.
Then Rama said to Lakshmana, who was endowed with
auspicious marks : —
" O Saumitri, O Long-armed Warrior, do thou go out to the
city gate and summon those who have come here as petitioners."
Thereupon, according to Rama's command, Lakshmana,
endowed with auspicious marks, went to the gate and called
upon those who had come as complainants, but no one presented
himself, for, under the rule of Ramachandra, there was neither
poverty nor disease and the earth was filled with grain and
herbs. Neither children nor the young nor those of middle
age met with death, the kingdom was ruled with equity and there
was no adversity. Thus during Rama's administration none
was to be seen who was in need of justice.
Then Lakshmana, with joined palms, said to Rama : — " None
has come as complainant," whereupon Rama, with a delighted
heart, answered : —
" Do thou go once more, O Saumitri, and see if any presents
himself! Under royal decree, unrighteousness must not
prevail. Though laws inaugurated by me protect my subjects
from harm, like the arrows I discharge, yet, O Long-armed One,
do thou engage thyself in vigilance on their behalf."
Thus addressed, Lakshmana went forth from the palace and
observed a dog sitting at the gate. Fixing its gaze steadfastly
upon him, that dog was howling unceasingly and the valiant
Lakshmana, beholding it in that plight, said : —
2N 549
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" 0 Fortunate One, what has brought thee hither, speak
without fear ? "
Hearing the words of Lakshmana, the dog replied : —
" I wish to communicate something to Rama of imperishable
exploits, who is the refuge of all beings and who confers fearless-
ness on all."
Hearing the dog's words, Lakshmana entered the beautiful
palace to inform Rama and, having reported the matter to
Ramachandra, he went out and said to the dog ; —
" If thou hast anything true to say then come and inform the
king I "
Hearing the words of Lakshmana, the dog said : —
" Since we are vilely born, we may not enter the temple of a
God, the palace of a king or the abode of a brahmin, nor may we
go where there is fire, Indra, the sun or the wind ! The king is
the personification of virtue ; Shri Ramachandra is truthful,
well versed in the science of warfare and is ever engaged in the
welfare of all beings ; he is perfectly cognisant of the time and
place to exercise the six qualities, a master of ethics, omniscient,
all-seeing and is the delight of his subjects. He is the moon, the
sun, Agni, Yama, Indra, Kuvera and Varuna. O Saumitri, do
thou go and communicate to the king, the protector of his
subjects, that without his permission I may not enter."
Thereupon the highly effulgent and noble-minded Lakshmana
went into the palace and said to Rama : —
" O Long-armed One, the enhancer of Kaushalya's joy, I have
carried out thy behests and shall relate everything to thee, hear
me ! As a petitioner, a dog is at the gate awaiting thy pleasure."
Then Rama answered, saying : —
" Whosoever it may be, speedily bring him in ! "
SECOND OP THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
3rd SERIES
Hearing the words of Rama, the sagacious Lakshmana immedi-
ately sent for the dog who stood before Rama, and he, beholding
it, said : —
550
UTTARA KANDA
" Come, communicate what thou hast to say without
fear ! "
Thereupon the dog, whose skull was gashed, said : —
" The king is the protector of animals and their lord ! He is
awake when others sleep ; by administering the law, the king
protects dharma ; without his support, his people perish. The
king is the lord, the king is the father of all the world ! He is
Kala,1 He is Yuga,2 He is the creation which comprises all
animate and inanimate beings ; He is dharma because He
supports all, for it is dharma that sustains the worlds, by dharma
the Three Worlds are upheld ; it is dharma that restrains the
wicked ; it is for this he is called Dharana ;3 dharma is greater
than all and confers benefits after the death of the body ;
nought is superior to dharma in the world. O King, charity,
compassion, reverence for the wise and absence of guile are the
chief virtues that constitute dharma. They who follow dharma
are happy in this life and in the next. O Raghava, O Thou of
firm vows, thou art the authority of authorities. Thou art well
known for such conduct as is followed by the pious. Thou art
an ocean of good qualities and the abode of righteousness. O
Foremost of Kings, if in mine ignorance I have said many
things to thee, with bowed head I crave thy forgiveness ; be not
angry with me."
Hearing these words from the dog, that were full of wisdom,
Rama said : —
" What snail I do for thee, speak without fear ! "
Then the dog answered : —
" O King, it is by dharma that a king rules, it is by dharma that
a king protects his subjects and becomes a refuge, delivering men
from fear. Bearing this in mind, O Rama, do thou bear me.
There is a brahmin named Sarvatha-siddha who lives on alms
and who has all his desires satisfied. Through no fault of mine
he has inflicted a wound on my head.*'
Hearing these words, Rama sent forth a messenger who
brought Sarvartha-siddha there, and he, beholding Rama in the
assembly of those effulgent and leading Sages, said : —
1 Kala— Time.
1 Yuga— The World Cycle.
J Dharana — The Supporter, t'pholder.
551
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" O Sinless King, for what purpose hast thou sent for me ? "
Then the king answered, saying : —
" O Brahmin, thou hast injured this dog. What offence did
it commit that thou didst strike it severely with thy staff?
Anger is a mortal foe ; anger is a sweet-spoken enemy in the
garb of a friend ; anger is the first of passions and like unto a
sharp sword ; anger bears away the essence of good ; it carries
away all that is acquired by asceticism ; sacrifices, gifts and
charity are all destroyed by anger, therefore it is proper to
banish anger by every means. Passion runs wild on all sides
like exceedingly wicked steeds. Satiated with all the objects of
enjoyment, it is better to govern these appetites with patience.
By mind, speech and sight, a man should engage himself in the
well-being of others. He should give up aversion and injure no
one. The harm that an uncontrolled mind can accomplish is
beyond the range of a sharp sword or a serpent that has been
trodden underfoot or a foe who has been provoked. Even the
nature of one who has learnt humility cannot always be trusted ;
a study of the Scriptures does not alter the innate character of a
man, he who conceals his nature, will reveal his true self at a
given moment."
Rama of imperishable exploits, having spoken thus, Sarvatha ■-
siddha, the foremost of the Twice-born, said : —
" O King, wandering about the whole day in search of alms,
I became angry and struck the dog. It was seated in the centre
of a narrow street and I requested it to move away ; thereupon
moving with reluctance, it stood by the roadside. O Descendant
of Raghu, at that time I was overcome with hunger and struck
it for its perverse conduct. I am guilty, O King, do thou punish
me, O Lord of Monarchs, do thou administer correction and I
shall be released from the fear of hell."
Then Rama enquired of all his ministers, saying : —
" What shall be done now ? What punishment should be
inflicted on him ? By administrating justice in accord with the
crime, our subjects are protected."
Thereupon Bhrigu, Angiras, Kutsa, Vasishtha, Kashyapa and
the other Rishis, ministers, leading merchants and Sages
conversant with the Shastras, who were present there, said, "A
brahmin is exempt from punishment," and the Sages, conversant
552
UTTARA KANDA
with the law, having spoken thus, those ascetics addressed Rama,
saying : —
" O Raghava, a king is the ruler of all and thou above all, for
thou art the Chastiser of the Three Worlds, the Eternal Vishnu."
They, having spoken thus, the dog said : —
" Thou didst solemnly enquire ' What shall I do for thee ? '
therefore if thou art pleased with me and dost wish to bestow a
favour on me, do thou appoint this brahmin to be head of the
holy assembly of the Kalanjava Monastery."
Thereupon the king instantly sanctioned the appointment, and
the brahmin, honoured and gratified, mounted on an elephant,
proceeded to occupy his new and dignified status.
At this Rama's counsellors were astonished and said : —
" O Thou of great effulgence, this brahmin has not been
punished, rather hast thou favoured him with a boon ! "
Hearing the words of the ministers, Rama said : — " You do
not know the secret of the matter, the dog knows it well ! "
Thereafter, questioned by Rama, the dog said : —
" O King, I was formerly the head of the assembly of Kalan-
java and after worshipping the Gods, feeding the brahmins and
feasting the servants, male and female, I used to take my food.
I duly administered all things and my mind was untouched by
sin. I protected the articles belonging to the tutelary Deities
carefully, cultivated virtue, followed dharma and engaged in the
welfare of all beings. In spite of this, I have fallen into this
wretched state. O Raghava, this brahmin is given to anger and
impious, he injures others and is harsh and cruel, he will dis-
honour seven generations of his race. He will by no means be
able to discharge the duties of the head of an assembly.
" He who wishes to see his children, friends and beasts fell
into hell, is made chief of the Gods, cows and brahmins ! O
Raghava, he perishes who deprives the brahmins, women or
children of their legitimate possessions; one who misappro-
priates the offerings of the brahmins or the Gods, goes to the
lowest hell."*
Hearing the words of the dog, the eyes of Rama opened wide
* This story seems to imply that if a man is appointed to a position
of authority and (Joes not discharge his responsibilities faithfully, he is in
grave danger in future incarnations.
553
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in astonishment. Thereafter the dog departed from whence it
had come.
In its former birth it had been high-minded but was born in a
degraded state in that existence. Repairing to the holy City of
Kashi, that dog, desiring to leave its body in a sacred spot,
thereafter undertook a waterless fast.
THIRD OF THE INTERPOLATED CHAPTERS
3rd SERIES
For a long time a vulture and an owl dwelt near the City of
Ayodhya in a forest on a mountain, that was intersected by many
streams, where cuckoos called and which abounded in lions,
tigers and birds of every kind.
One day, the wicked vulture alleging that the owl's nest was
his, began to quarrel with him, whereupon both said : —
" Let us seek out the lotus-eyed Rama, who is the king of the
people and let him decide to whom the nest belongs."
Having thus agreed, the vulture and the owl, wrangling with
one another, wrought up with ire, came before Rama and
touched his feet. Beholding that Lord of Men, the vulture
said : —
" O Preserver of humanity, thou art the foremost of the Devas
and Asuras, O Resplendent One, in hearing and intelligence thou
art superior to Brihaspati and Shukracharya. Thou art con-
versant with the good and evil karma of all creatures. In
beauty thou resemblest the moon, in splendour the sun, in glory
the Himalaya, in profundity the ocean, in prowess the Grandsire,
in forbearance the earth, in speed the wind; thou art the
Spiritual Preceptor of all animate and inanimate beings and art
endowed with every kind of wealth ; thou art illustrious,
forgiving, invincible, victorious and master of all the scriptures
and laws. O Foremost of Men, hear my plea ! O Lord of
Raghu, I had built a nest for myself and this owl is now occupy-
ing it as his own, therefore, O King, do thou protect me ! "
The vulture, having said this, the owl spoke, saying : —
" True it is that in a king, there is to be found a portion of the
554
UTTARA KANDA
moon, of Indra, the sun, Kuvera and Yama but there is also a
measure of man in him. Thou, however, art the all-pervasive
Narayana Himself, Thou, impelled by thine own Self dost
judge all creatures impartially, yet a certain gentleness is mani-
fest in thee and therefore people say thou art endowed with a
portion of the moon. O Lord, by anger, punishment and re-
ward, thou dost remove the sins and dangers of thy subjects ; it
is thine to give and withdraw, thou art the dispenser, destroyer
and protector and art as Indra to us. In energy thou art as fire,
irresistible to all creatures and, since thou dost spread thy lustre
on all beings, thou art like the sun ! Thou resembles! the Lord
of Wealth and art even superior to him, for prosperity resides in
thee. Thou lookest on all creatures whether animate or inani-
mate with the same eye, O Raghava, and dost regard foe and
friend alike, duly protecting thy subjects. O Raghava, those who
have incurred thine anger are already slain, therefore thou art
praised as Yama. O Foremost of Kings, since, in human form,
thou art merciful and beneficent, people sing thy glory, thou
who art intent on not harming men. The king is the strength
of die weak and helpless, the eye of the blind and the refuge of
those who seek shelter in him. Thou art also our Lord, therefore
hear our plea ! O King, entering into my nest, this vulture is
oppressing me ; thou alone, O Foremost of Men, art the divine
chastiser of creatures ! "
Hearing these words, Rama called for his ministers with those
of King Dasaratha, Vrishti, Jayanta, Vijaya, Siddhartha,
Rashtravarddhana, Ashoka, Dharmapala and the highly powerful
Sumantra and others, who were well versed in the law, high-
minded and conversant with the Shastras, intelligent, nobly born
and skilled in counsel.
Thereafter summoning both, Rama, descending from his
throne, enquired of the vulture : — " How long has this nest been
made ? Tell me if thou dost remember it ! "
Then the vulture replied : — " From the time men were first
born on earth and spread over the four quarters of the globe, I
have been living in this nest."
Thereupon the owl said : —
"At the time when trees first covered the earth, this nest of
mine was constructed."
555
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing these words, Rama said to his counsellors : —
" That assembly is not an assembly where there are no wise
and elderly men, nor those who do not dwell on righteous topics.
That religion is no religion where truth is not to be found and
that truth is no truth where there is guile. Those counsellors
are liars, who remain silent when tbey are well informed in any
matter. He who does not speak either on account of passion,
fear or anger, binds himself with a thousand nooses of Varuna
and, at the expiration of a full year, is only released from a single
sin."
Hearing these words, the ministers said to Rama :—
"O Thou of great intellect, what the owl has said is true, the
vulture has spoken falsely. Thou art proof of this, O Great
King, since the king is the final refuge of all, the root of the
people and eternal dharma itself. Those punished by the king
do not fall into a lower state, they are saved from hell and expand
in virtue."
Hearing these words of the ministers, Rama said : —
" Hear what is related in the Puranas ! Formerly the sun,
moon and firmament with its stars, the earth with its mountains
and forests, the Three Worlds with all that moves and does not
move were merged in the waters of the great ocean.
"At that time, Narayana existed as a second Sumeru and, in
his belly, lay the earth with Lakshmi. Having destroyed the
creation and entered the waters, the highly effulgent Vishnu,
identical with the souls of creatures, lay asleep there for many
long years. Beholding Vishnu asleep after the destruction of the
worlds and, knowing all the entries to be obstructed, the great
Brahma entered his belly. Thereupon a golden lotus sprang from
Vishnu's navel, and that great Lord, the Creator, Brahma, rose
therefrom and engaged in severe penances for the purpose of
creating the earth, air, mountains, trees, men, reptiles and all
other life-forms from the womb or egg.
" Thereafter, from the wax in the ears of Narayana, two
valiant and dreadful Daityas, Madhu and Kaitabha were born.
Beholding the Grandsire, they were gready enraged and rushed
upon him, whereupon Brahma, the Self-born cried out
loudly.
"Awakened by that sound, Narayana engaged in combat with
556
UTTARA KANDA
Madhu and Kaitabha and slew them with his discus and the
earth was drenched with their blood. Then, purifying it once
more, Vishnu, the Preserver of the World covered it with trees
and created medicinal herbs. Thus filled with the marrow of
Madhu and Kaitabha, the earth was called Medini. It is for this
that X hold this abode does not belong to the vulture but to the
owl, O Counsellors, the owl having maintained that he built the
nest when trees were first created, that is, before men appeared.
This vicious vulture should therefore be punished, for this evil-
minded one, having robbed another of its nest, is now oppressing
him."
At that moment a voice was heard in the sky, saying : —
" O Rama, do not slay the vulture for it has already been
reduced to ashes by the power of Gautama's asceticism. O Lord
of Men, this vulture in a former birth was an heroic, truthful and
pure king, by the name of Brahmadatta. One day a brahmin
called Gautama, the very personification of Time, came to the
house of Brahmadatta for food and said : —
" ' O King, I shall feed in thy house for more than a hundred
years ! '
" Thereupon, with his own hands offering that effulgent
brahmin water to wash his feet, the King Brahmadatta enter-
tained him with due hospitality. Once, accidentally, flesh was
mixed with the food of the high-souled Gautama and he,
enraged, uttered a terrible curse, saying : — * O King, do thou
become a vulture ! '
" The monarch thereupon replied : — ' O Thou of great vows,
do not curse me thus, be propitiated, it was in ignorance that
this offence was offered by me, O Great One ! O Blameless One,
do thou so act that this curse be rendered void ! '
" Recognizing that the offence had been unwittingly com-
mitted by the king, the ascetic said : —
" ' O King, a monarch shall be born under the name of Rama
in the Race of Ikshvaku. O Foremost of Men, thou shall be
released from the curse when he touches thee.' "
Hearing these words from the sky, Rama touched Brahma-
datta and he, giving up his vulture's form, assuming a beautiful
body sprinkled with celestial perfumes, worshipped Rama and
said: —
557
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" 0 Thou conversant with piety, fay thy grace I have been
saved from a dreadful hell, thou hast verily brought the curse to
an end for me f "
CHAPTER 60
The Ascetics seek out Rama
As Rama and Lakshmana passed the time conversing thus, the
temperate spring night drew on and, when the stainless dawn
broke, Kakutstha, having performed his morning worship, went
to the audience chamber to attend to affairs of state.
Then Sumantra approached him and said : —
" O King, there are some Sages who are waiting at the gate
with Chyavana, the descendant of Bhrigu, at their head ; these
illustrious Rishis seek audience with thee, O Great King, and,
eager for thy sight, those dwellers on the banks of the Yamuna
have sent me to announce their arrival."
Hearing these words, the virtuous Rama, conversant with his
duty, said : — " Let those blessed ascetics, whose leader is
Bhargava, enter." Thereupon, in deference to the king's
summons, the chamberlain, with joined palms, bowing low,
ushered in those eminent ascetics, numbering over a hundred,
who were blazing in their own effulgence. Thereafter those
magnanimous Sages, entering the palace, with their loshtas
filled with holy water drawn from sacred places, carried various
kinds of fruit and roots as an offering to the king, which Rama
accepted with delight.
Then that long-armed prince said to those illustrious Sages :—
" Do you occupy these seats according to your pleasure."
Thus invited by Rama, those great Rishis took their places on
the brilliant golden seats and, seeing them installed, Rama, with
joined palms, paying obeisance to them, enquired of them
saying ; —
" For what reason have you come ? In my devotion I would
feign know what I may do for you ? I am at your command O
Illustrious Ones, and shall carry out all you desire with great
delight. My whole kingdom and the life in my breast and all
558
UTTARA KANDA
that I am is at the service of the Twice-born ; this is the truth
that I speak ! "
Hearing this speech, the magnanimous Rishis of severe
penances, who dwelt on the banks of the Yamuna, cried out : —
*' Excellent ! " and with extreme delight, they added : —
" O Thou, the best of Men, none other on this earth would
speak as thou hast done. Many monarchs, though supremely
courageous and powerful, dare not engage themselves in an
undertaking when they consider the difficulties ; thou, however,
without even knowing in what the matter consists, in thy
reverence for the brahmins, dost pledge thy word which thou
wilt undoubtedly honour. It behoveth thee to deliver the Sages
from a great peril, O Lord."
CHAPTER 6l
The Story of Madhu
Then Kakutstha enquired of those ascetics, who had spoken
thus, saying : —
" Say what shall I do, O Munis, in order to dispel this danger
for you ? *'
At these words from Kakutstha, Bhargava replied : —
" Learn the cause of our fears and from whence they spring,
O Prince ! Formerly in the Krita-yuga, a highly intelligent
Daitya, the great Asura Madhu, the eldest son of Lola, who was
well-disposed to the brahmins and protected all those who
sought refuge in him, was united in an unequalled friendship
to the supremely illustrious Gods. And Madhu, who was
endowed with valour and ever fixed in his duty, received a
marvellous weapon from Rudra, who held htm in high esteem.
Taking from his own trident, another of great power and beauty,
that magnanimous One, well pleased, conferred it upon him and
said : —
" ' Thou hast fulfilled thy duty in a remarkable degree, which
has evoked my grace ! In the supreme delight that I now experi-
ence, I confer this excellent weapon upon thee. As long as thou
dost not attack the Gods or the brahmins, O Great Asura, this
559
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
spear will remain with thee, otherwise it will vanish. Whoever
rashly provokes thee to combat will be reduced to ashes by this
weapon which, thereafter, will return to thine hand ! '
" Having received this rare gift from Rudra, the great Asura
prostrated himself before Mahadeva and said : —
" * O Lord, Thou who art the Chief of the Gods, O Blessed
One, may this weapon ever remain in my family.'
" Thus spoke Madhu, and the Lord of all beings, Shiva, that
great God, anwered him saying : —
" ' Nay, that may not be, nevertheless since thy plea finds
favour with me, it shall not have been uttered in vain ; thy son
shall inherit this weapon. As long as it is in his hand, he will
be invulnerable to all beings, but only if it remains there.'
" Then Madhu, the foremost of the Asuras, having received
that great and marvellous gift from the God, built himself a
magnificent abode. He had a beloved wife, the fortunate and
illustrious Kumbhinasi, who was born of Vishvasu by Anala, and
she bore him a son full of vigour named Lavana. Cruel and
perverse from infancy, he was ever engaged in harming others
and, seeing the iniquitous conduct of his son, Madhu was
incensed and grieved but he said nothing. After a time he left
this world and entered Varuna's abode, having bequeathed the
weapon to Lavana and instructed him in the nature of the gift.
" Now Lavana, due to the power of that weapon and his
natural perversity, has become the scourge of the Three Worlds
and particularly of the Sages, his might being equalled by the
power of that weapon. Thou hast heard all, now it is for thee to
decide, O Kakutstha, for thou art our supreme refuge.
" Many monarchs, O Rama, have been solicited by the Sages
to deliver them from fear, but, O Valiant Prince, we have not
found a protector. Learning that thou hadst destroyed Ravana
with his infantry and cavalry, we have recognized thee as our
saviour, O Dear Son. We know of no other king on earth capable
of delivering us ; we entreat thee to free us from the terror which
Lavana inspires in us. This, O Rama, is the cause of our present
fear ; thou art able to dispel it ; fulfil our desire, O Thou whose
valour is unconquerable."
56o
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 62
Shatrughna asks permission to fight Lavana
Such was the speech of the ascetics, and Rama, with joined
palms, enquired of them, saying : —
"On what does he live? How does he conduct himself?
Where does he dwell ? "
Raghava, having questioned them thus, all the ascetics
informed him as to how Lavana sustained himself and said : —
" His food consists of all creatures, particularly the ascetics,
his manner of life is savage and he constantly roams in Madhu-
vana. Having slain thousands of lions, tigers, antelopes, birds
and even men, his daily food is their flesh, and that monster, like
unto Antaka at the dissolution of the worlds, also devours all
beings."
Hearing these words, Raghava said to those great Sages : —
" I shall slay that demon, have no fear." Having given his
word to the ascetics of great effulgence, Rama, the delight of
Raghu said to his three brothers who were present : —
" Who is brave enough to slay this Asura ? On whom shall
the choice fall, on the valiant Bharata or the sagacious
Shatrughna ? "
Listening to Raghava's words, Bharata answered : — " It is I
who will slay him ! Let the task be entrusted to me ! "
Hearing Bharata, full of energy and courage, speak thus,
Shatrughna, the younger brother of Lakshmana, rose from his
golden seat and, bowing before that Lord of Men, said : —
" The long-armed Bharata has already proved his fortitude ;
let him remain amongst us, O Joy of the Raghus. When
Ayodhya was previously deprived of thy noble person, Bharata,
concealing his sorrow in his heart, ruled the kingdom till the
return of his lord. Undergoing innumerable hardships, O
Prince, lying on a hard couch in Nandigrama, the supremely
illustrious Bharata lived on fruit and roots, his hair matted and
clothed in bark. Having endured such a test, that son of Raghu
should not have to undergo further trials since I, thy servant, am
here."
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thus spoke Shatrughna and Raghava said : —
" Be it so, O Descendant of Kakutstha, carry out my commands
and I will install thee as king in the splendid capital of Madhu.
O Long-armed Warrior, let Bharata stay here as thou wishest ^
thou art brave and experienced and well able to establish a
kingdom with its flourishing provinces and a capital that is
washed by the Yamuna, for he who, having destroyed a dynasty,
does not install a king, goes to hell. As for thee, when thou hast
slain the son of Madhu, Lavana of perverse ways, do thou
govern his kingdom righteously if thou desirest to carry out my
wishes. Do not question what I have said, O Hero, the youn-
ger brother should undoubtedly obey the elder. O Descendant
of Kakutstha, receive the consecration at my hands with the
traditional blessings pronounced by Vasishtha and the other
brahmins."
CHAPTER 63
The Installation of Shatrughna
These words of Rama filled the valiant Shatrughna with con-
fusion and he spoke with exceeding diffidence, saying : —
" O Lord of Men, these measures do not seem to me to be
justified .' How may a younger brother be installed when his
elders yet live ? Still it is imperative that I should submit to
thy will, O Fortunate Prince, for it would be impossible for me
to disregard any order of thine. I have heard from thy lips, O
Hero, and the scriptures have taught me that one should never
oppose the one in authority once he has spoken. My words
were ill-advised when I said ' I will slay the redoubtable Lavana
in the open field.' This unfortunate utterance places me in a
serious dilemma, O Foremost of Men. One should not add
anything when one's elders have spoken, for this is a moral
taint and, in the next world, proves a cause of retribution. I
shall not speak again, O Lord Kakutstha, for fear that a second
observation draw punishment upon me. I shall do thy pleasure,.
O Foremost of Men, O Joy of Raghu, but do thou so order it
that in mine interest this improper act be erased."
562
UTTARA KANDA
Thus spoke the brave and high-souled Shatrughna and Rama,
greatly delighted, said to Bharata and Lakshmana : —
" Prepare everything for the installation with care. This very
day I shall install that tiger among men, issue of the House of
Raghu. At my command, summon the Purodhas, O Offspring
of Kakutstha, and the citizens, Ritvijs and ministers."
Hearing the king's command, the great car-warriors, under
the direction of the Purodhas, began the ceremony. Thereafter,
the lords and brahmins entered the king's palace and the
enthronement of the magnanimous Shatrughna was solemnly
performed, to the great delight of Raghava and the city.
The fortunate Shatrughna, son of Kakutstha, having received
the divine anointing, resembled a second sun, as Skanda when
he was formerly enthroned by the inhabitants of heaven led by
Indra.
Meanwhile Shatrughna being installed by Rama of imperish-
able exploits, the inhabitants of the city were highly delighted as
also the illustrious brahmins, and Kaushalya, Sumitra and also
Kaikeyi, who with the other queens, rejoiced in their royal
residence.
Thereafter the Rishis, who dwelt on the banks of the Yamuna,
on account of Shatrughna's enthronement, prophesied the death
of Lavana.
Clasping the newly crowned one to his heart, Raghava, in
caressing tones, thus enhancing his courage, said to him : —
" Here is an infallible shaft that overthrows hostile citadels ;
by means of this thou shalt destroy Lavana, O My Dear Brother,
Joy of the House of Raghu. It was fashioned, O Descendant of
Kakutstha, when Swyambhu, the divine Ajita reposed on the
waters out of sight of the Gods and Asuras, invisible to all beings.
That God fashioned this arrow, the foremost of all, in order to
slay those two perverse beings, Madhu and Kaitabha, for he was
enraged against them, when he desired to create the Three
Worlds despite all the Rakshasas.
" Having destroyed Madhu and Kaitabha, for the good of all
beings with this marvellous weapon, Brahma created the worlds.
I did not loose this dart formerly on Ravana, whom I wished to
slay, O Shatrughna, for all creatures would have been greatly
diminished thereby.
563
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"As for the superior weapon bestowed on Madhu by the
magnanimous Tryambaka for the destruction of his foes,
Lavana, while he is ranging the regions in search of his favourite
nourishment, leaves it in his dwelling where he honours it in
various ways ; but when the desire for combat rises in him or he
is challenged, that demon lays hold of that weapon and reduces
his foes to ashes. O Foremost of Men, ere he returns to the city
and while he is without his weapon, place thyself at the entry
furnished with thy powerful shaft. Before he regains his abode,
challenge that demon to combat, O Long-armed Warrior, and
thou shalt overcome him. If thou actest in any other way, thou
canst not slay him ; whereas using these means, O Valiant One,
thou wilt exterminate him. Thou knowest all and how to
eschew that weapon of irresistible force belonging to the ancient
Shitikanta."'
CHAPTER 64
Shatrughna sets out to meet Lavana
Having spoken thus to Shatrughna, the offspring of Kakutstha,
and encouraged him again and again, Rama, the Joy of the House
of Raghu continued : —
" Here are four thousand horses, two thousand chariots, a
hundred selected elephants and stalls furnished with every
provision, also singers and dancers. O Foremost of Men, I give
thee gold and silver coins; take with thee a quantity of gold and
set out, having furnished thyself with supplies of weapons, food
and conveyances.
" By words and gifts, do thou satisfy that well-nourished army
that is cheerful, contented and disciplined, O Valiant Prince.
Where there are neither riches, women nor kinsfolk, devoted
servants will not be found, O Shatrughna. Having marshalled
thy great army composed of people full of ardour, do thou go
alone, bow in hand to the Madhu Wood. Act in such a manner
that Lavana, the son of Madhu, is not aware that thou art
approaching, seeking to enter into combat with him, that he may
1 Shitikanta— The Lord Shiva.
5&»
UTTARA KANDA
be without suspicion ; there is no other means of slaying him.
O Foremost of Men, he who approaches him with that purpose
inevitably perishes under his blows. The summer having passed
and the rainy season being at hand, thou shalt destroy the wicked
Lavana for the hour will have struck !
" With the great Rishis at their head, send the troops forward
so that they profit by the summer for crossing the waters of the
Jahnavi. There thou shouldst take care to encamp the whole
army on the river and thou, who art fleet of foot, shouldst go
ahead with thy bow. Halt at the place indicated to you and
establish the camps without obstruction so that no-one may have
cause for complaint."
Having thus issued his orders and marshalled his army,
Shatrughna circumambulated Rama, bowing to him, with
joined palms, and in great humility, paid obeisance to Bharata
and Lakshmana as also the family priest, Shri Vasishtha.
Having received permission from Rama to depart, that hero,
the Scourge of His Foes, circumambulated him and went away.
Ordering his army, comprising innumerable elephants and well-
bred steeds to advance, that descendant of Raghu took leave of
the king and set out on his mission.
CHAPTER 65
The Story of Saudasa who is cursed by the Sage Vasishtha
Having caused his army to halt after a month's march,
Shatrughna started out alone with a rapid step. Two days later, that
hero, the Joy of the Raghus reached the sacred hermitage of
Valmiki, the foremost of retreats, and, with joined palms, paying
obeisance to that magnanimous Sage, spoke thus : —
" O Blessed One, I desire to spend the night here where the
mission of my elder brother has led me ; to-morrow, at dawn, I
shall set out for the west."
Thus spoke the great-souled Shatrughna, and the foremost of
Sages, smiling, answered him, saying : —
" Be thou welcome, O Illustrious Prince ! This hermitage, O
dear Friend, belongs to the descendants of the Raghu Race also;
ao 565
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
without hesitation, do thou accept a seat from me and water for
thy hands and feet ! "
Thereupon, Shatrughna, being honoured, accepted the fruits
and roots for his repast and, being fed thereon till he was fully
satisfied, then enquired of the great Rishi, saying : —
" Whose is this fertile area to the east of the hermitage, that
has been created by sacrifice ? "'
To this enquiry, Valmiki replied : —
" O Shatrughna, hear to whom this region formerly belonged !
One of thine ancestors was the King Saudasa and, of that
monarch was born Mitrasaha,: who was full of vigour and
extremely virtuous. One day the valiant and righteous Saudasa,
having followed the hunt, observed two Rakshasas wandering
here and there, in the form of tigers, and those monsters were
devouring thousands of antelopes in order to appease their
insatiable appetites. Seeing those two Rakshasas, who had
denuded the forest of deer, Saudasa was seized with violent
anger and pierced one of them with a long dart. Having slain
it, that foremost of men recovered his composure and, his anger
dissipated, he gazed on the dead Rakshasa. Observing him
contemplating his companion thus, the surviving demon, filled
with a burning grief, said to him : —
" ' Thou hast slain my companion who had done thee no
harm, I shall revenge myself on thee one day, thou wretch ! '
" Speaking thus, the Rakshasa disappeared.
" In the course of time, the son of Saudasa, Mitrasaha, came
to the throne, and Saudasa undertook the Ashwamedha Sacrifice
in the vicinity of this ashrama with Vasishtha as the officiating
priest. This continued for many years and was of exceeding
splendour so that it resembled one offered by the Gods. At the
close of the rites, the Rakshasa, calling to mind his past grievance,
assumed the form of Vasishtha and said to the king : —
" ' Now the sacrifice has been completed, let flesh be brought
speedily that I may eat without delay ! *
" Hearing that Rakshasa, transformed into a brahmin,
speaking thus, the king addressed his cooks, who were skilled in
their art and said : —
1 That is by the grain scattered during the sacrifice.
1 In some versions, Viryasaha
566
UTTARA KANDA
" ' Speedily prepare Havis1 and such savoury dishes of flesh
that will please my Guru ! '
" This command of that monarch bewildered the cooks,
whereupon the Rakshasa, assuming their form, prepared a dish
of human flesh which he brought to the king, saying, ' Here is a
savoury dish made of flesh ! '
" O Foremost of Men, the king, with his consort, Madayanti,
presented those dishes brought by the Rakshasa, that were
composed of flesh, to the Sage Vasishtha, and that ascetic,
perceiving he had been offered human flesh, was transported
with rage and began to pronounce a curse upon him, saying : —
" ' Since it has pleased thee, O King, to offer me a repast of
this nature, it shall assuredly become thy food.'
" Thereupon Saudasa, incensed, in his turn took water in his
hand and was about to curse Vasishtha when his wife restrained
him, saying : —
" ( O King, since the blessed Sage is our spiritual Preceptor, it
is not proper for thee to pronounce a curse upon him, a priest is
like unto a God.'
" Then that virtuous monarch poured out that water charged
with power and some fell on his feet, which became stained and,
from that time the illustrious Saudasa became known as
Kaimashapada.3 Then that monarch, with his consort, having
prostrated themselves before Vasishtha again and again, in-
formed him of what the Rakshasa, under the shape of a brahmin,
had done.
" Hearing from that foremost of monarchs of the vile act of
the Rakshasa, Vasishtha addressed the king once more, saying : —
M * The words that I have pronounced in anger nay not be
uttered in vain but I will grant thee a boon. Thou shalt be freed
from the curse in twelve years and, by my favour, shall not
remember what has passed, O Foremost of Men.'
" Having suffered the consequences of that curse, Saudasa,
the Slayer of His Foes, recovered his kingdom and ruled over
his subjects. O Descendant of Raghu, this is the beautiful site
of that sacrifice performed by Kaimashapada about which thou
hast enquired."
1 Havis— Anything offered that has been cooked in ghee.
* Kaimashapada— Spotted Feet.
5«7
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Having heard the dreadful story of that monarch, Shatrughna,
paying obeisance to that great Rishi, entered the leaf-thatched
hut.
CHAPTER 66
The Birth of Kusha and Lava
Now, during the night that Shatrughna passed in the leaf-
thatched hut, Sita gave birth to two children and, at midnight,
the youthful ascetics brought the pleasant and auspicious tidings
to Valmiki, saying : —
" O Blessed One, Rama's consort has given birth to twin sons,
do thou perform the rites that will preserve them from evil
forces."
Hearing these words, the great Rishi went to see those newly-
born Ones, who were as effulgent as the new moon and full of
vigour, like unto twin offspring of the Gods.
Coming to where Sita was, on beholding those two infants, his
heart was filled with delight and he performed the Rakshasa
Rite.1 Taking a handful of Kusha Grass with its roots, that
Twice-born One, Valmiki, pronounced the formula of protection
for the destruction of evil forces, saying : —
" Since they will rub the first born of the children with the
Kusha Grass1 blessed by the aid of Mantras, his name shall be
Kusha and, as the last born will be carefully dried by the female
ascetics with the roots of the grass, he shall be called Lava.
Therefore those two shall be called Kusha and Lava and, by
these names that I have given them, they will become renowned."
Thereafter, the female ascetics purified themselves and
reverently received the grass from the hands of the Muni,
applying it to the two children. The rite having been performed
in the night, Shatrughna hearing the pleasant tidings, the names
the children would bear, and Rama's praises, also that Sita had
undergone this double and fortunate birth, approached the leaf-
thatched hut where Sita lay and said : —
" O Mother, be thou happy ! "
Thus, for the magnanimous Shatrughna* that night of the
1 T(j avert evil
568
UTTARA KANDA
rainy season in the month of Shravana passed joyfully and
rapidly and, the next day at dawn, that great hero, having offered
up his morning devotions, with joined palms paid obeisance to
the Sage and resumed his journey.
After a march of seven days, reaching the banks of the
Yamuna, he halted at the hermitage of Rishis of great renown,
and that illustrious Prince listened to the pleasant and ancient
legends of Chyavana of the line of Bhrigu and of other Sages.
In this way, Shatrughna, the son of that foremost of monarchs,
King Dasaratha, in great delight, passed the night conversing
with the ascetics, of whom Kancana was the leader, on various
themes.
CHAPTER 67
The Story of Mandhata
The night having come, Shatrughna enquired of the son of
Bhrigu, Chyavana, concerning the strength of Lavana, saying : —
" O Brahmin, how powerful is his weapon ? Who did Lavana
formerly slay with that splendid shaft in combat ? "
Thus questioned by him, the extremely virtuous Chyavana
answered the magnanimous Shatrughna, the Joy of the Raghus,
saying : —
" O Son of Raghu, innumerable are his exploits ! Hear what
befell a descendant of Ikshvaku. Formerly there reigned in
Ayodhya, the valiant son of Yavanashwa, Mandhata, who was
renowned in the Three Worlds for his prowess.
" Having placed the entire earth under his yoke, that monarch
sought to conquer the Celestial Realm. Great was the fear of
Indra and the Gods on beholding Mandhata's preparations, who
wished to conquer the region of the Devas. Learning of his
intention to share Indra's throne and kingdom, the God, who
chastised Paka, addressed Yuvanashwa's son in propitiatory
accents and said :—
" ' Thou dost not yet rule over the entire earth, not having
wholly subjugated it, O King, yet thou aspirest to the celestial
throne. When the whole earth is under thy dominion, then,
569
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
with thy servants, thine army and thy chariots, do thou take
possession of the kingdom of the Gods.'
" Thus did Indra speak, and Mandhata answered him, saying :
" ' Who on the face of the earth has contested my domina-
tion ? ' Then the God of a Thousand Eyes said : —
" ' The Rakshasa named Lavana, son of Madhu, who dwells
in the forest, has not recognized thine authority, O Irreproach-
able Warrior ! '
"At these extremely unpleasing words uttered by Indra, the
king hung his head in shame, being unable to answer him.
Thereafter, paying obeisance to the Thousand-eyed God, he
departed with bowed head and returned to earth.
" Then that Prince, the Slayer of His Foes, concealing his
anger, placed himself at the head of his servants, infantry and
cavalry and marched against the son of Madhu in order to con-
quer him. And that foremost of men sent a messenger to Lavana
to challenge him to combat, who, coming before him, covered
the son of Madhu with abuses and, while he was still speaking,
the Rakshasa devoured him.
"As his envoy failed to return, the king, enraged, assailed
Lavana with a hail of arrows, whereupon the Rakshasa, taking
up his trident, mockingly hurled it upon him in order to exter-
minate him and his followers, and the flaming trident, that
formidable weapon, reduced the king, his servants, his infantry
and cavalry to ashes and returned to the hand of its master.
" Thus did that great monarch perish with his footsoldiers and
chariots. O My Friend, it was through the power of that trident,
which is unsurpassed ! To-morrow at dawn thou shalt without
doubt slay Lavana ere he has taken up his weapon ; thy victory
is assured ! The worlds will be freed as a result of thine exploit.
O Foremost of Men, I have now told thee all concerning the
wicked Lavana ; it is on this account that Mandhata succumbed
in his undertaking. To-morrow at dawn, O Magnanimous One,
thou shalt undoubtedly slay him ! He will have set out in search
of food without his trident. Thy victory is therefore assured, O
Foremost of Men."
570
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 68
Shatrughna encounters Lavana
Whilst Chyavana was recounting this story and all were wishing
him an overwhelming victory, the night speedily passed away
for the magnanimous Shatrughna.
Meantime as the cloudless dawn broke, the bold Rakshasa set
out from the city eager to find food and, during this time the
intrepid Shatrughna crossed the Yamuna and, bow in hand, took
up his position at the gate of Madhupura.
At noon, that Rakshasa of evil karma returned laden with
countless living beings and, beholding Shatrughna standing at
the gate with his weapon, the demon enquired of him : —
" What wilt thou do with that weapon ? In my wrath, O
Least of Warriors, I have devoured thousands of men like thee
with their weapons ; it is death that brings thee here. I am not
yet fully fed, O Vilest of Men, why hast thou come to cast thyself
into my mouth, thou fool ! "
Thus did he speak, laughing loudly, and the courageous
Shatrughna shed tears of rage and, in his fury, sparks of fire
issued from all his limbs. Thereafter, in a transport of anger, he
said to that ranger of the night : —
" I shall enter into single combat with thee ! I am the son of
Dasaratha, the brother of the sagacious Rama, my name is
Shatrughna, a veritable Shatrughna,1 and it is my desire to slay
thee that has brought me hither ! I wish to fight with thee,
therefore be on thy guard ! Thou art the enemy of all beings ;
thou shalt not escape me alive ! "
At these words the Rakshasa, sneering, answered the prince,
saying: —
" It is my good fortune that has brought thee to me, O
Insensate One. Rama slew my maternal aunt's brother, Ravana,
on account of a woman, O Wretch. O Lord of Men, I have
suffered the entire destruction of Ravana's family and it is
because I have neglected to avenge them that thou art over-
confident. I shall exterminate you all, O Vilest of Men, I shall
1 Shatrughna — ' Slayer of his Foes '.
571
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sweep you all away like straws, both those who arc already born
and those still to be born. O Thou of vicious intellect, I accept
thy challenge ! Stay but a moment till I fetch my weapon, one
suited to thy destruction ! "
Thereupon Shatrughna instantly answered saying : —
" What, shalt thou escape me alive ? He who has any wit
does not allow a foe to go free who has come forth of his own
accord. He, who, in his stupidity, suffers a foe to escape,
perishes. Look long on the world, for, with my whetted shafts,
I shall despatch thee to Yama's abode, thou the enemy of the
Three Worlds and of Raghava."
chapter 69
Tlie Death of Lavana
At these words from the mighty Shatrughna, Lavana fell into a
violent rage and cried out : — " Stay ", striking his hands together
and grinding his teeth, thereafter assailing that Lion of the Raghus
with redoubled blows.
Thereupon Shatrughna, the Slayer of His Foes, answered
Lavana of formidable aspect, who had addressed him thus,
saying :—
" When others were slain by thee, I was not yet born, but
to-day, pierced by my darts, do thou enter the region of Yama !
May the Rishis and learned brahmins this day be witness of thy
death in combat, O Wretch ! When my shafts have consumed
thee in the fight, thou who art a ranger of the night, the city
and the country too will be at peace. As the rays of the sun
penetrate the lotus, so shall the dreadful pointed arrows, loosed
by mine arm, pierce thy heart."
Then Lavana, beside himself with anger on hearing these
words, hurled a great tree on Shatrughna striking his breast, but
he severed it into a hundred pieces, and the Rakshasa, finding
himself foiled, seized hold of a large number of trees and hurled
them on his adversary; then Shatrughna, burning with ardour,
severed those innumerable trees, one by one, with three or four
572
UTTARA KANDA
well-seasoned crescent-shaped arrows and, thereafter, he let a
shower of darts fall on the valiant Rakshasa without causing him
to retreat. With a mocking laugh, Lavana, brandishing a tree,
struck the head of that hero so that he fell insensible, and when
that warrior fell, a great cry of "Ah ! Ah ! " arose from the
Rishis, Devas, Gandharvas and also Apsaras.
Thereupon the Rakshasa, thinking Shatrughna to be slain,
did not enter his house, though the opportunity presented
itself and, seeing him lying on the earth, he did not go in search
of his trident, but, reflecting, " He is dead," he began to collect
his food.
Shatrughna, however, regaining his senses, in an instant took
hold of his weapon and went to his place at the city gate once
more, amidst the acclamations of the Rishis ; and he selected a
celestial, infallible and marvellous arrow that illumined the
ten regions with its brilliance and resembled lightning in its
velocity. That shaft, smeared with sandalpaste of the colour of
blood, wonderfully plumed, was greatly feared by the leaders of
the Danavas, the mountains and also the Asuras, and, beholding
that dreadful weapon, naming like Time at the end of the world
period, all beings were seized with terror. Then Devas, Asuras,
Gandharvas and troops of Apsaras and the whole universe
trembled and took refuge with the Grandsire of the worlds.
Thereafter the Gods, beside themselves with fear, enquired of
that Lord of Lords, the Bestower of Grace, the Grandsire of the
Worlds, whether the universe were about to be destroyed.
Hearing them speak thus, Brahma, the Grandsire, addressed
them in soothing accents, that restored their serenity, saying : —
" Hear me, O Ye Gods, it is in order to destroy Lavana in
combat that Shatrughna is armed with that weapon. O Fore-
most of the Gods, all are overwhelmed by the power of this
eternal weapon forged by the primeval God, the Creator of the
World. O My Children, that effulgent shaft which causes such
terror was fashioned for the destruction of the demons, Madhu
and Kaitabha, by the magnanimous God, Vishnu, who alone
understands it. In reality, it is the primeval form of Vishnu
Himself, therefore go and witness the death of the foremost of
the Rakshasas, Lavana, under the blows of that valiant warrior,
the younger brother of Rama."
573
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
At these words of that God of Gods, the Devas went to the
place where the combat between Shatrughna and Lavana was in
progress and that weapon of celestial effulgence, which Shat-
rughna held in his hand, appeared to all beings like the Fire that
blazes forth at the dissolution of the worlds !
Beholding the firmament filled with the Celestial Host, the
descendant of Raghu emitted a leonine roar and, thereafter, looked
on Lavana again and again. On this renewed provocation from
his adversary, the Rakshasa, enraged, stretched his bow up to
bis ear and that most skilled of archers discharged his great
arrow on the breast of the enemy, that piercing it, entered the
lower regions. Having penetrated into Rasatala itself, the
celestial weapon, honoured by the Gods, immediately returned
to that hero, the Joy of the Ikshvakus, and, pierced by Shat-
rughna's arrow, Lavana, that ranger of the night, fell like a
mountain struck by lightning.
Thereafter, Lavana being slain under the eyes of the Gods,
the mighty celestial trident returned to Rudra. When, with a
single shaft, that hero of the Raghus destroyed the terror of the
Three Worlds with his bow and marvellous arrow, he resembled
that orb of a thousand rays which dispels the darkness.
Then the Devas, great Rishis, Pannagas and Apsaras cried
out in chorus : —
" By good fortune, the son of Dasaratha has triumphed ;
fear is banished and, like a great reptile, Lavana lies stretched on
the earth."
chapter 70
Shatrughna establishes himself in the City of Madhu
Lavana being slain, the Gods with their leaders, led by Agni,
spoke to Shatrughna in affectionate terms, saying : —
" By good fortune, O Dear Child, thou art victorious ; by
good fortune, Lavana the Rakshasa is destroyed 1 O lion
among Men, O Pious One, do thou ask for a boon. The
distributors of boons, those who desired thy triumph, are
assembled here, O Long-armed Warrior, let not our presence
prove fruitless ! "
574
UTTARA KANDA
Hearing these words of the Gods, that long-armed warrior,
Shatrughna, placing his joined palms to his forehead, answered
humbly : —
" That I may enter into possession of this ravishing and
picturesque city, constructed by the Gods, is my dearest wish ! "
Then the Celestials answered with delight, " Be it so ! this
charming city shall assuredly become Shurashena ! "'
At these words the high-souled Celestials returned to their
abode ; the valiant Shatrughna, however, summoned his army
that was encamped on the banks of the Yamuna and the troops
immediately came to that place, having learned of his victory,
and he established himself there in the month of Shravana.
The inhabitants of that region of celestial aspect lived there
for twelve years in peace and happiness, and the fields abounded
in grain. Under the aegis of Shatrughna's arms, Indra sent rain
in the proper season and the city was full of healthy and happy
people. That capital had the brilliance of the crescent moon
and rose in splendour on the banks of the Yamuna ; and it was
magnificent with its buildings and squares, markets and high-
ways and the inhabitants who belonged to the four castes.
Shatrughna had embellished the magnificent and vast edifices
that Lavana had formerly constructed and painted in various
colours. Parks and places of entertainment were to be found in
all parts of that city, which was also adorned with works of art
both human and divine. Of a celestial aspect, it was filled with
different kinds of merchandise, and traders from every country
came there. Looking on that opulent city, Shatrughna, the
younger brother of Bharata, at the height of prosperity and
happiness, experienced supreme satisfaction.
After twelve years while he yet dwelt in that enchanting
abode, the thought came to him, " I desire to behold Rama
again," thereupon, while residing in that city full of people of
every condition, tie prince resolved to look on the feet of the
Chief of the Raghus once more.
1 Shurashena — ' Worthy of Heron '.
575
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 7 I
Shatrughna seeks out the Sage Valmiki
Now in the twelfth year, Shatrughna, with a small escort of
servants and soldiers, desired to return to Ayodhya where Rama
reigned. Having dissuaded his leading counsellors and chief
warriors from accompanying him, he set out on his most
excellent steed with a hundred chariots.
That descendant of Raghu, having covered fifteen stages (of
the journey) reached Valmiki's hermitage where he halted.
Thereafter that foremost of men paid obeisance to the ascetic,
who, as host, with his own hands offered him water to wash his
feet and the Arghya. Then the Sage recounted the most
agreeable and varied traditions to the magnanimous Shatrughna
and, speaking of the death of Lavana, he said : —
" Thou hast accomplished a difficult feat in slaying him ! O
Valiant Youth, many mighty monarchs with their troops of
infantry and cavalry succumbed in their struggle with Lavana.
Thou hast slain him as it were in sport, O Foremost of Men!
By thy valour, the fear of the worlds has been terminated. The
death of Ravana was brought about with great difficulty by Rama,
but this marvellous feat of arms has been accomplished by thee
without any trouble whatsoever ! At the fall of Lavana, great
joy broke out amongst the Celestials and happiness now reigns
amidst all beings in the whole world, O Prince of the House of
Raghu ! Being present in Vasava's assembly, I witnessed thy
combat, and my heart too was filled with a keen felicity ; now
by smelling the crown of thy head, I testify to the great affection
I bear for thee."
With these words, the illustrious Valmiki smelt the crown of
Shatrughna's head and offered him and his followers the
traditional hospitality.
Having eaten, Shatrughna, the foremost of men, listened to
the sweetest chants which told the history of Rama and how all
had taken place. Stringed instruments accompanied the singing
in the triple mode' which was expressive and melodic ; and he
1 That is sung from the heart, throat and head.
57«
UTTARA KANDA
heard the story of Rama and what had formerly been achieved
by him ; his imperishable exploits as they had taken place in
time gone by, and that foremost of men, Shatrughna, was
transported, his eyes full of tears, and he remained absorbed,
sighing again and again. It seemed to him that this song made
the past live once more, and Shatrughna's companions, overcome,
listened to the enchanting symphonic poem with bowed heads.
Thereafter, those warriors cried out, " Wonderful ! " and
began to question each other, saying : —
" What is this ? Where are we ? Is it a vision or a dream ?
Are we seeing that marvellous epic in a dream ? " In their
extreme astonishment, they said to Shatrughna : —
" O Prince, do thou interrogate Valmiki, that foremost of
Sages," for they were all struck with amazement, but Shat-
rughna answered them, saying : —
" O Ye Soldiers, it is not fitting to interrogate such a person.
Many miracles take place in this hermitage, nevertheless, it does
not become us to question a great ascetic out of curiosity."
Having spoken thus to his troops, the son of Raghu paid
obeisance to that illustrious Rishi and entered his own quarters.
CHAPTER 72
Shatrughna returns to see Rama
Though that lion among men had laid himself down, he was
unable to sleep and his mind was absorbed in the marvellous
epic of Rama, and while he listened to those ravishing strains
accompanied by stringed instruments, the night passed quickly
for the magnanimous Shatrughna. The night being over, that
prince, having performed his morning devotions, with joined
palms addressed the foremost of ascetics, saying : —
" O Blessed One, I desire to behold the one who is the Joy
of the Raghu Race and crave permission to take leave of thee and
the other acetics of rigid penances."
Hearing the petition of Shatrughna, the Scourge of his Foes,
offspring of the Raghu Race, Valmiki embraced him and granted
577
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
him permission to depart. Thereupon that prince, having paid
obeisance to the foremost of the ascetics, ascended a magnificent
chariot and, in his eagerness to see Rama, soon reached Ayodhya.
Having entered that charming city, the long-armed and
fortunate descendant of the Ikshvakus sought out Rama of great
renown and beheld him seated amidst his counsellor his
countenance as radiant as the full moon, and he resembled the
Thousand-eyed God surrounded by the Immortals.
Paying obeisance to the resplendent and magnanimous Rama
with joined palms, he addressed that hero, whose prowess was
truth, saying : —
" O Great King, all that thou hast commanded has been
carried out by me ; the wicked Lavana is dead and his city is
occupied. Now twelve years have been passed far from thee, O
Joy of the Raghus, and I can no longer live separated from thee,
O Prince. Be gracious to me, O Kakutstha, thou whose valour
is immeasurable ; do not ask me to remain there longer like a
calf separated from its mother."
As he spoke thus, Kakutstha embraced him and said : —
"Do not give way to despondency, O Valiant One, such
conduct is not worthy of a warrior. Kings do not withdraw to
foreign lands, O Raghava, the duty of a king is the protection of
his people. O Virtuous Shatrughna, do thou visit me from time
to time in Ayodhya, then thou must return to thy capital. I too
cherish thee more than life itself yet it is essential to look to the
security of thy kingdom. Meantime remain here with me for
seven days, O Kakutstha, and thereafter return to Madhura with
thine escort of servants and cavalry."
Hearing Rama's words that were pleasing to the heart and in
conformity with dharma, Shatrughna answered sorrowfully, " So
be it ! "
Thereafter, having passed a week in Rama's proximity, that
skilful archer, Shatrughna, in accord with his brother's will,
made preparations to depart. Paying obeisance to that true
hero, the magnanimous Rama, and to Bbarata and Lakshmana,
he ascended his chariot and, being accompanied for a great
distance by Lakshmana and Bharata, he hastened to regain his
capital.
578
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 73
The Death of a Brahmin's Son
Having said farewell to Shatrughna, the fortunate Rama found
satisfaction in ruling his kingdom in equity.
Now some time after, an aged peasant, a brahmin, bearing
his dead child in his arms came to the palace gate, weeping and
crying out again and again : —
" What sin did I commit in a previous existence ? "
Overcome with paternal grief, he repeated unceasingly, " O
My Son, My Son ! Ah ! Of what fault was I formerly guilty in
another body that I should see mine only son meet with death ?
This boy had not yet reached adolescence, his fourteenth year
not having been completed ! To my misfortune, before his
time, this dear child has been struck down by death ! In a few
days, I and thy mother too will die of grief, O Dear Child ! I
do not recollect ever to have uttered a he ; I do not remember
ever inflicting an injury on any animal or doing harm to any
person ! For what misdeed has this child, bom to me, gone to
the abode of Vaivaswata this day, ere he had performed a son's
duties to his sire ? Never before have I witnessed or heard of
such a dreadful thing as, in Rama's reign, for people to die
prematurely. Rama must have committed a serious fault since
in his kingdom, children succumb. Assuredly the young who
inhabit other countries need not fear death ! O King, give me
back the life of my child, who has fallen under the sway of
death ! With my wife, I shall yield up my life at the gate of the
king as if I were without a protector ! Thereafter, having been
guilty of Brahmanicide, O Rama, be happy ! Mayest thou live
long with thy brothers ! O Mighty Monarch, under thy rule,
after a period of prosperity in thine empire, misfortune has now
overtaken us, placing us under death's dominion, O Rama !
From now on we shall not enjoy the least felicity since the empire
of the magnanimous Ikshvakus no longer has a support. With
Rama as its protector, the death of children is certain. People
perish under the unrighteous rule of an impious monarch. The
579
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
evil conduct of a king brings about the premature death of his
subjects. When, in the cities and country, crimes are committed
and no supervision is exercised, then death is to be feared !
Undoubtedly the king will be held to be at fault in city and
country, hence the death of this child."
Such were the countless recriminations that the unfortunate
father addressed to the king whilst he clasped his son to his
breast.
CHAPTER 74
Narada's Discourse
The piteous lamentations of that unfortunate brahmin reached
the ears of the king and he, in the profound distress he experi-
enced, called together his ministers, Vasishtha and Vamadeva,
with his brothers and the elders of the city also.
Then eight brahmins were ushered into the king's presence
by Vasishtha, who resembled a God, and they said : —
" May prosperity attend thee ! "
Thereafter those foremost of the Twice-born, Markandeya,
MaudgaJya, Vamadeva, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Javali, Gautama
and Narada took their seats, and those Rishis being assembled,
Rama paid obeisance to them with joined palms. Then the
ministers and citizens received a cordial welcome, as was fitting,
and all those highly effulgent persons being seated near him,
Raghava informed them of the reproaches of that Twice-born
One.
Hearing the words of the prince, who was filled with distress,
Narada himself made this memorable reply in the assembly of
the Sages : —
" Learn, O King, what has caused the untimely death of this
child ! When thou art conversant therewith, do what thou
considerest to be thy duty !
" O Prince, Joy of the Raghus, formerly in the Krita Yuga,
the brahmins alone practised asceticism ; he who was not a
brahmin in no wise undertook it. At the close of that age, all
was consumed and absorbed into Brahman. Thereafter the
580
UTTARA KANDA
brahmins were re-born enlightened and endowed with the gift
of immortality. In that age, none died prematurely and all
were wise.
" The Treta Yuga followed when the sons of Manu were
born,1 who practised austerities ; these noble men were the
rulers, and full of power and heroism. In that era, Brahmins and
Kshatriyas were equal in power nor could any distinction be
found amongst them ; it was then that the four castes were
established.
" When that Yuga, which had been free from nescience, was
consumed in the Fire,3 unrighteousness placed one foot on the
earth and, on account of wrong-doing, glory waned and the span
of life was diminished, O Best of Monarchs. Flesh that had
been formerly eaten,3 became impure food throughout the
whole world and, in these conditions, men gave themselves up
to good deeds, taking refuge in purity and justice to rid them-
selves of evil.
" In the Treta Yuga, brahmins and warriors practised
asceticism and the rest were under the supreme obligation of
obedience, proper to the Vaishya and Shudra classes ; the
Shudras' duty being to serve the other three.
" O Great King, in the Dwapara Yuga, untruth and evil
increased, unrightousness having placed a second foot on the
earth, and then the Vaishyas began to practice penance, so that
dharma, in the form of asceticism, was performed by the three
castes, but the Shudras were not permitted to undertake it during
that time, O Foremost of Men.
" O Prince, a man of the lowest caste may not give himself up
to penance in the Dwapara Yuga ; it is only in the Kali Yuga
that the practice of asceticism is permitted to the Shudra caste.
During the Dwapara Yuga it is a great crime for one of Shudra
birth to perform such practices.
"At this time, in thine empire, a rigid penance is being under-
taken by a wretched Shudra, O Prince, and this is the cause of
the death of that child.
" The practice of unrighteousness, be it in the city or the
1 The Kshatriyas or Warrior Class.
* The Fire of Dissolution that destroys the worlds at the end of a Cycle.
* Men lived on flesh by hunting before agriculture was known.
2P 581
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
country, brings about misfortune and the monarch who does
not mete out an immediate punishment, goes to hell, of this there
is no doubt.
"An act of mortification that is prescribed is well done and a
sixth of the merit goes to the king who rules with justice. But
how should he, who does not protect his people, enjoy the sixth
portion ? O Lion among Men, thou shouldst investigate the
happenings in thy kingdom and put down evil wherever it is
practised, so righteousness may flourish, man's life be prolonged
and the child be revived."
CHAPTER 75
Rama makes a Tour of Inspection of his Kingdom
Hearing the nectar-like words of Narada, Rama was delighted
and said to Lakshmana : —
" O Dear Friend, thou who art faithful to thy vows, go and
console that leading brahmin and cause the body of the child to
be placed in a jar of oil with precious unguents and fragrant
salves so that it is covered and does not suffer decomposition.
Act in such a way that the body of the child does not dissolve or
decay."
Having issued this command to Lakshmana, who was endowed
with auspicious marks, the highly illustrious Kakutstha thought
of Pushpaka, and said " Come hither ! " Conscious of his inten-
tion, the golden chariot1 appeared before him in the same hour
and bowing, said to him : —
" Behold, I am here at thy service, O Long-armed Prince ! "
Listening to the gracious words of Pushpaka, Rama paid
obeisance to the great Rishis and ascended the chariot. Armed
with his bow, his two quivers and his glittering sword, Raghava
left the city in the charge of his two brothers, Saumitri and
Bharata, and thereafter that monarch directed his course to the
western region which he explored on every side ; then he went
to the northern region bounded by the Himalayas, but found no
1 The golden chariot that is the presiding Deity of Pushpaka.
582
UTTARA KANDA
trace of evil-doing there ; later the eastern region was carefully
searched by him and that long-armed Prince, from on high in
his chariot, beheld people of pure morals there, as stainless as a
mirror. Then he, who causes felicity to the great Rishis, ranged
the southern region and, on the side of the Shaivala Mountain,
a vast lake appeared to him, on the banks of which the blessed
Raghava beheld an ascetic practising an extremely rigorous
penance, his head hanging downwards.
On this that Prince born of Raghu approached the one who
had given himself up to rigorous practices and said : —
" Blessed art thou, O Ascetic, who art faithful to thy vows !
From what caste art thou sprung, O Thou who hast grown old
in mortification and who art established in heroism. I am
interested in this matter, I, Rama, the son of Dasaratha. What
purpose hast thou in view ? Is it heaven or some other object ?
What boon dost thou seek by means of this hard penance ? I
wish to know what thou desirest in performing these austerities,
O Ascetic. May prosperity attend thee ! Art thou a brahmin ?
Art thou an invincible Kshatriya ? Art thou a Vaishya, one of
the third caste or art thou a Shudra ? Answer me truthfully ! "
Then the ascetic, who was hanging head downwards, thus
questioned by Rama, revealed his origin to that Prince born of
Dasaratha, the foremost of kings, and the reason why he was
practising penance.
CHAPTER 76
Shambuka is slain by Rama
Hearing the words of Rama of imperishable exploits, that
ascetic, his head still hanging downwards, answered : —
" O Rama, I was born of a Shudra alliance and I am per-
forming this rigorous penance in order to acquire the status of a
God in this body. I am not telling a lie, O Rama, I wish to
attain the Celestial Region. Know that I am a Shudra and my
name is Shambuka."
As he was yet speaking, Raghava, drawing his brilliant and
stainless sword from its scabbard, cut off his head. The Shudra
583
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
being slain, all the Gods and their leaders with Agni's followers,
cried out, " Well done ! Well done!" overwhelming Rama with
praise, and a rain of celestial flowers of divine fragrance fell on
all sides, scattered by Vayu. In their supreme satisfaction, the
Gods said to that hero, Rama : —
" Thou hast protected the interests of the Gods, O Highly
Intelligent Prince, now ask a boon, O Beloved Offspring of
Raghu, Destroyer of Thy Foes. By thy grace, this Shudra will
not be able to attain heaven ! **
Hearing the words of the Gods, that hero of the region of
truth, with joined palms, addressed Purandara of a Thousand
Eyes, saying : —
" Since the Gods are gratified with me, let the son of that
brahmin be resuscitated ! Accord me this, the greatest of all
favours ! It is on account of my negligence that this child, the
only son of that brahmin, has died before his time. Give him
back his life ! May prosperity be yours ! I have promised that
I would restore his son to this Twice-born, do not let my words
prove false ! "
Thus spoke Raghava and the foremost of the Celestials, full
of joy, gave him this reply, enhancing his felicity : —
" O Kakutstha be happy ! This very day that child has
received new life and has been restored to his parents. The child
was resuscitated at the instant that the head of the Shudra fell.
Be happy ! May prosperity attend thee ! Now let us go, O
Raghava, O Foremost of Monarchs, we desire to visit Agastya's
hermitage. The hour of consecration is at hand for that great
Rishi ! O Illustrious Prince, for twelve years, he has lived in the
water. O Kakutstha, let us go together to offer felicitations to
that ascetic. Do thou come and visit the foremost of Rishis
also and be happy."
" Be it so ! " said the enhancer of the Raghus' joy and ascended
the gold-encrusted Chariot, Pushpaka. Meantime, the Gods had
left in their vast chariots and Rama followed them without
delay to the hermitage of Kumbhayoni.
Beholding those Gods come to meet him, the virtuous
Agastya, that treasury of asceticism, paid obeisance to all without
distinction and, having received his homage and offered saluta-
tations to him, the Gods joyfully returned to their abode with
584
UTTARA KANDA
their attendants. When they had departed, Rama descended from
the Pushpaka Plane and offered obeisance to that illustrious Rishi.
Agastya, radiant in his own effulgence, returned the salutation
of his magnanimous Sovereign, who, having received supreme
hospitality, seated himself, whereupon the illustrious Kurab-
hayoni of rigid penances said to him : —
" O Foremost of Men, be thou welcome ! O Raghava, it is
my good fortune that brings thee here ! O Rama, thou art
worthy of the highest respect on account of thine outstanding
and innumerable attributes, O Prince ! Thou art a guest worthy
of honour and abidest in mine heart. The Gods tell me that
thou hast come here after slaying the Shudra and, by this act of
justice thou hast restored the son of a brahmin to life ! Pass
the night here with me, O Raghava, for thou art Narayana, the
Blessed Lord and all is to be found in Thee ! Thou art the
divine Purusha ! To-morrow at dawn thou canst return to the
city in the Pushpaka Chariot.
" O My Friend, here is an ornament wrought by Vishvakarma,
which is of divine origin and glows by its own light. Be pleased
to accept it, O Kakutstha. To give again what one has received
is said to be of the greatest profit. Thou art worthy of this
ornament and also of the highest rewards since thou hast
protected the Gods and their leaders. I have therefore a right
to offer this to thee, do thou accept it, O Prince."
note:
the following fourteen verses are considered to be
interpolations.
Then that great warrior of the Ikshvakus, pondering on the
duties of the Kshatriyas, answered that magnanimous ascetic,
saying: —
" O Illustrious Rishi, only brahmins may accept gifts, it is
censurable for a Kshatriya to do so. It is not fitting for a
Kshatriya to accept a gift from a brahmin. Do thou tell me
therefore how I may do so ? "
On this, the Rishi Agastya replied, saying : —
" O Rama, O Son of Dasaratha, at the beginning of the Golden
Age, the human race had no king, only the Celestials had Vasava
585
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
as their ruler. To obtain a king, therefore, men approached
Brahma, the God of Gods and said : —
" * O Lord, thou hast made Indra ruler over the Celestials,
therefore do thou confer a sovereign upon us who shall be the
foremost of men ; we cannot live without a king, this is our firm
conviction • *
" Then the Grandsire of the World sent for Indra and the
other Gods and said : —
" ' Do ye all sacrifice a portion of your welfare ! * and the
Celestials surrendered part of their power and a king was born,
whereupon Brahma named him Kshupa.1 In his person,
Brahma placed an equal proportion of the powers of the Gods
and appointed him as ruler of men. By virtue of the portion of
Indra's energy, the King Kshupa brought the earth under his
control ; by the portion of Varuna's energy, he fostered health
in his body ; by the power of Yama, he ruled the people. O
Rama, by virtue of Indra's portion, thou art the Ruler of the
earth, do thou accept this jewel and confer thy grace on me."
Hearing the words of the Sage, Rama accepted the brilliant
and celestial gem sparkling like the rays of the sun and, having
taken that excellent ornament, Dasarathi enquired of the great
Sage Kumbhayoni, saying : —
" Whence hast thou obtained this divine ornament of celestial
workmanship ? Who has given it to thee , O Brahmin, I ask
thee out of curiosity , Thou art an ocean of marvels ! "
Then Agastya answered : —
" Hear, O Rama, how I obtained this ornament in the Treta-
Yuga."
chapter 77
The Story of Swargin
" O RAMA, formerly in the Treta-Yuga, there was a vast wilder-
ness some four hundred miles in extent where there was neither
beast nor bird and there I was undergoing a rigid penance. O
My Friend, I began to range that uninhabited solitude ! I
cannot describe its beauty with the fruits, roots of exquisite
savour and the trees of varying essences.
1 Kshupa — A shrub or small tree with roots.
586
UTTARA KANDA
** In the centre was a lake some four miles in extent, abounding
in swans and waterfowl, Chakravakra birds being its ornament.
It was covered with lotuses and water-lilies, no weed or moss
grew there and its waters were deep, tranquil and sweet. Near
that wonderful lake, I found a spacious hermitage which was of
great antiquity and devoid of man or beast. It was there I spent
a summer night, O Foremost of Men. At dawn, I rose to per-
form my morning devotions and directed my steps to the lake.
There I beheld a dead body, plump and spotless, shining in
splendour in the water. This sight caused me to reflect awhile,
O Raghava, and I stood on the banks of the lake asking myself,
* What can this be ? '
" O Lord, a moment later a wonderful celestial chariot came
into view, which was magnificent, and harnessed to swans that
were as swift as thought. In that chariot I beheld a man of
extraordinary beauty, O Joy of the House of Raghu, who was
surrounded by thousands of Apsaras adorned with celestial
ornaments. Some were singing enchantingly whilst others
played on musical instruments such as Mridangas, Vinas and
Panavas ; some were dancing and some, with the aid of Chan-
waras gleaming like the moon's rays, possessing ornate handles,
were fanning the face of that lotus-eyed youth. Then he, who
was as radiant as the peak of Mount Meru, leaving his seat,
descended from the chariot and, under my gaze, devoured that
corpse. Having satisfied his hunger with abundant flesh, he
plunged into the waters and after washing his hands and rinsing
his mouth according to tradition, he re-ascended his chariot.
" Beholding that heavenly being about to depart, I spoke to
him thus, O Prince : —
" * Who art thou who resemblest a God ? Why hast thou
partaken of this forbidden flesh, O My Friend ? Tell me how
does this loathsome nourishment benefit thee, O Thou who art
the equal of the Celestials ? There is some mystery in this, O
Friend, I wish to know what it is ; I cannot believe a corpse to
be fitting food for thee.'
" Thus, out of curiosity, in friendly accents, did I speak to
that Nakin,1 O Prince and having listened to me, he told me all."
1 Nakin — One dwelling in ' Naka \ the sky, a divine Being.
587
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 78
Shveta tells his Story
" Having listened to these auspicious words, that Celestial
Being, with joined palms answered me in this wise, O Rama,
Joy of the House of Raghu.
" * Hear, O Brahmin, of what happened to me formerly,
bringing about my felicity and also my suffering. Learn of the
inexorable fate about which thou hast questioned me.
" * In times gone by, my illustrious Sire, the mighty Sudeva
reigned over the Vidarbhas. He had two sons by his two queens,
O Brahmin, I was named Shveta and my younger brother Suratha .
My father having ascended to heaven, I was installed as king by
the people, and accordingly applied myself to rule with equity.
" 'A thousand years passed whilst I governed the empire
piously and protected my people according to dharma. Knowing
by certain indications that I was ageing, O Foremost of the
Twice-born, I reflected on the laws of time and went to the
forest. There I penetrated into an inaccessible grove, where
there were neither beasts nor birds, in order to practise penance
on the banks of this beautiful lake, having first placed my brother
Suratha on the throne as lord of the empire.
" * Near this lake, I gave myself up to severe mortifications
and practised austerities for thousands of years in the great forest.
This excessively rigid penance caused me to attain Brahmaloka,
which nothing transcends. Having ascended to heaven, extreme
hunger and thirst assailed me, O Foremost of the Twice-born,
whereupon, my mind troubled, I approached the Lord of the
Three Worlds, the Grandsire, and said to him : —
" ' " O Blessed One, in Brahmaloka one should not be subject
to hunger and thirst j from what act of mine does this desire
to eat and drink, spring ? What should be my food, tell me, O
Divine Grandsire ? "
M * Then the Grandsire answered me, saying ; —
w * " O Son of Sudeva, thine own flesh shall be thy savoury
nourishment and thou shalt feed on it daily. Thou didst ever
nourish thy body well when thou wast performing an excellent
588
UTTARA KANDA
penance. That which is sowed ever flourishes, O Virtuous
Shveta. Without making any gifts, thou didst practise asceti-
cism ; it is on this account that thou art subject to hunger and
thirst in heaven, which thou hast attained. Therefore, thine
own body that has been well nourished shall be thy food in
heaven, and it shall be converted into Amrita, but when the great
and invincible Rishi Agastya comes to the forest, he will deliver
thee from this bondage, O Shveta ! My Friend, he can save the
hosts of the Gods themselves, how much more is he able to save
thee from the domination of hunger and thirst to which thou art
subjected, O Long-armed Hero."
" ' O Lord of the Twice-born, since the decree of Bhagawat,
that Lord of Lords, I have been nourishing myself miserably on
mine own body ! For innumerable years I nave fed upon it
without it diminishing, O Brahmarishi, and my appetite is
excessive. Do thou deliver me from this painful pass ; release
will not come to me from any other than the Ascetic Kumb-
hayoni ! O Dear and Excellent Sage, do thou accept this gift,
may good betide thee, accord me this favour ! I will bestow
gold, possessions, raiment, savoury food and much else
besides, as also ornaments on thee, O Foremost of Sages, I
offer thee all that is desirable and all felicity, as the price of my
deliverance, O Grant me that grace ! '
" Hearing these words of that unfortunate Celestial Being, I
accepted the rare jewel in order to save him and, as soon as I
received that magnificent gem, the mortal body of that Royal-
Rishi melted away. His body being thus dissolved, that
Rajarishi experienced supreme satisfaction and joyfully ascended
to Swarga. This is why that Celestial Being, who resembled
Shakra, gave that divine gem, wonderful to look upon, to me, O
Kakutstha."
chapter 79
The hundred Sons of Ikshvaku
Having heard Agastya's marvellous story, Raghava, full of
reverence and admiration, began to question him, saying : —
" O Blessed One, why are there no wild beasts or birds in this
589
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
forest where the King of Vidarbha, Shveta, used to practise that
rigid penance ? Why did that prince enter this deserted and
uninhabited wood in order to give himself up to the performance
of asceticism ; I wish to know all in detail ? "
Hearing this question inspired by curiosity, that foremost of
ascetics began to speak thus : —
" In ancient times in the golden age, O Rama, the Lord
Manu was the ruler of the earth. His son was Ikshvaku, the
enhancer of the felicity of his race. Having placed his eldest
son, the invincible Ikshvaku on the throne, Manu said : —
" ' Become the founder of royal dynasties in the world ! '
" O Rama, Ikshvaku promised to follow his injunctions and
Manu, gready delighted, added : —
" ' I am pleased with thee, O Noble One, undoubtedly thou
shalt found a dynasty but, whilst ruling thy subjects with firm-
ness, never punish any who is without fault ! A punishment
meted out to the guilty according to the law is instrumental in
conducting a monarch to heaven, therefore, O Long-armed Hero,
O Dear Child, exercise extreme care in wielding the sceptre,
this is thy supreme duty on earth.'
" Having counselled his son repeatedly in this wise, Manu
joyfully repaired to the eternal abode of Brahma.
" His Sire having ascended to the Celestial Region, Ikshvaku
of immeasurable glory reflected anxiously within himself as to
how he should create progeny. Having performed many
sacrifices and charitable deeds, he was blessed with a hundred
sons like unto the offspring of the Gods. The youngest of all, O
Descendant of Raghu, was stupid and ignorant nor would he
listen to the advice of his elders. On account of his lack of
virtue, the king named him Danda, thinking that the rod
(Danda) would inevitably fall on him.
"As the monarch was unable to find a province suitable for
his son, O Raghava, Conqueror of Thy Foes, he carved out a
territory for him between the Vindhya and Shaivala Mountains.
Danda became king and there built an incomparably beautiful
city on that charming site surrounded by mountains. He named
that city Madhumanta, O Lord, and chose Shukra Deva of pious
practices as his spiritual preceptor. Danda with his Guru ruled
over that city inhabited by happy people as the King of the Gods
59o
UTTARA KANDA
in heaven. That monarch, the son of the foremost of men, with
the help of Shukra Deva ruled as the great and magnanimous
Shakra in heaven under the guidance of Brihaspali."
CHAPTER 80
Danda insults Aruja
Having related that story to Rama, the great ascetic, born from
a jar, continued : —
** Danda, O Kakutstha, fully self-controlled, continued to
rule for innumerable years, overcoming all obstacles. One day,
in the delicious month of Chaitra, the king went to the ravishing
hermitage of Bhargava and he beheld the daughter of that
ascetic, who was walking in the woodland glade, and she was
unrivalled in beauty on earth so that he was seized with desire.
Pierced by the darts of the God of Love, he approached that
youthful maiden and enquired of her, saying : —
" ' From whence art thou, O Lady of graceful hips ? Who
is thy father, O Beautiful One ? Being afflicted with passion, I
make these enquiries of thee, O Fair Lady ? '
" Thus did he speak in his agitation and the daughter of the
ascetic answered sweetly : —
" ' I am the eldest daughter of Shukracharya of imperishable
deeds, know that my name is Aruja, O Foremost of Kings, and
I dwell in this hermitage. Do not force thine attentions upon
me, O King, for I am a girl still under my father's authority. My
Sire is thy Guru, O Great Prince, thou art the disciple of that
magnanimous ascetic ; that great Sage will inflict a terrible
punishment on thee in his wrath. It is for thee to act honestly
regarding me, in accord with the law of dharma, O Prince. Do
thou first approach my father and ask for my hand or fearful
consequences will follow thine act. In his wrath, my father will
consume the Three Worlds themselves, O Thou of faultless
form ; if, however, thou ask for my hand, he will bestow it on thee. *
" Thus spoke Aruja, but Danda, who had fallen under the
sway of desire, with joined palms, answered her in his frenzy,
saying : —
59i
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" ' Grant me thy favours, O Charming One, do not delay,
on thine account my breath is being extinguished, O Thou of
lovely countenance. Having united myself with thee, what care
I if death or the most terrible retribution follow ? Respond to
my love, O Timid One, that love that overwhelms me.'
" Speaking thus, he seized that youthful woman roughly in
his powerful arms and sated his lust on her. Having committed
this monstrous outrage, Danda returned to the unrivalled city of
Madhumanta with all speed. Aruja however, sobbing near the
hermitage, terrified, awaited her father who resembled a God."
CHAPTER 8 I
The Destruction of Danda' s Kingdom
" Having heard what had taken place, the blessed and
illustrious Rishi, surrounded by his disciples, returned to the
hermitage, tormented with hunger. Like unto the moon that
has been devoured by the planet Rahu at dawn and is deprived
of its radiance, he beheld the unfortunate Aruja besmeared with
dust ; and that brahmin, being already consumed with hunger,
fell into a transport of rage, so that it seemed he wished to destroy
the Three Worlds. Thereafter he addressed his disciples,
saying : —
" ' Witness the terrible calamity born of my wrath, like unto
fire, that will befall that evil-doer, Danda ! The time has come
for the destruction of that wretched monarch and his court, he,
who has dared to place his hand in the flame of the sacrificial
fire, will soon reap the fruit of bis evil act ! In seven nights, he
will perish with his children, infantry and cavalry. Pakashana1
will destroy the territory of that wretch with a rain of dust for a
distance of a hundred leagues in extent. In the kingdom of
Danda, in seven days, all things animate and inanimate will
perish utterly and everything that grows will vanish entirely
under the rain of ashes ! *
" Having spoken thus to the inhabitants of the hermitage, his
eyes red with anger, he added : —
1 Pakashana — ' Punishcr of the Demon Paka ', a title of Indra.
592
UTTARA KANDA
" ' Take up your abode beyond the confines of this region ! *
" Hearing the words of Shukracharya, all those who dwelt in
the hermitage, left that place to establish themselves elsewhere,
and Shukracharya, having spoken thus to that company of
Sages, addressed his daughter Aruja and said : —
" ' Remain in this hermitage, O Foolish One, and give thyself
up to meditation. O Aruja, awaiting the time of thy deliverance,
enjoy carefree this lake of enchanting aspect four miles in extent !
Those creatures that take refuge with thee at that time will in
no wise suffer from the rain of dust ! '
"At the command of the Brahmarishi, her Sire, Aruja, who
was overcome with grief, answered ; ' So be it ! '
" Having spoken thus, Shukracharya found a dwelling else-
where.
" Meantime the kingdom of that foremost of men with his
servants, his army and his chariots was reduced to ashes on the
seventh day, as predicted by that interpreter of the Veda. O
Prince, that empire situated between the Vindhya and the
Shaivala Mountains, its sovereign having ceased to uphold
dharma, thus cursed by the Brahmarishi, has since been known
as the Desert of Dandaka, O Kakutstha, and the place where the
ascetics dwelt became known as Janasthana. I have now replied
fully to all that thou hast asked, O Raghava. The hour for the
evening devotions is passing, O Hero; from all directions, the
great Rishis with their loshtas filled, having bathed, O Prince,
are now worshipping the Sun-god. The sun has withdrawn
behind the Astachala Mountains while these learned interpreters
of the Veda were reading the Brahmanas together ; do thou
also perform thine ablutions, O Rama."
chapter 82
Rama takes leave of Agastya
Following the behest of the Rishi, Rama, in order to perform
his evening devotions, approached the sacred lake frequented by
troops of Apsaras. Having completed his ablutions and the
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THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
evening rites, he returned to the hermitage of the magnanimous
Kumbhayoni. Thereupon Agastya, for his repast, prepared
many kinds of fruits and roots with rice and pure ingredients,
and the foremost of men partook of that food resembling Amrita
and passed the night there happily.
At dawn, that Subduer of His Foes, the Prince of the Raghus,
having performed the morning rituals, approached the Sage
before his departure and, paying obeisance to that great ascetic,
born from a jar, said to him : —
" Suffer me to return to this retreat, I beg of thee ! Happy
am I to have received the favour of looking on such a great
ascetic whom I shall visit again for my sanctification ! "
Listening to the words of Kakutstha, wonderful to hear, he,
whose vision was righteousness, in great delight, answered : —
" O Rama, O Joy of the Raghus, thy speech, brilliantly
expressed, is of great eloquence. Thou thyself art the sanctity
of all beings ! O Rama, whoever casts a single glance of love on
thee is purified ; he goes to paradise where he receives the
homage of the Lords of the Third Heaven ; but those who look
on thee with a malevolent eye are suddenly struck down by the
Rod of Death and fall into hell .' O Prince, Issue of the Raghu
Race, thou art the salvation of all beings on earth and those who
even speak of thee acquire perfection. Do thou go in peace !
Govern thine empire with equity ; thou art the path of the
world ! "
Thus did that Muni speak and the virtuous prince with joined
palms, paid obeisance to that ascetic and, having offered saluta-
tions to that foremost of Sages and the other Munis, tranquilly
ascended the golden Pushpaka Chariot. As he was leaving, the
companies of Sages showered blessings of every kind upon him,
he who was equal to Mahendra, as the Devas acclaim that God
of a Thousand Eyes.
Standing in space, Rama, in his golden Chariot Pushpaka,
resembled the moon encircled with clouds. Thereafter, at noon,
Kakutstha entered Ayodhya amidst continuous acclamations
and, having reached the central court, he dismounted from the
car. When the prince left Pushpaka, that magnificent chariot,
which coursed wheresoever one willed, dismissing it, he said : —
" Go, may good betide thee ! "
594
UTTARA KANDA
Thereafter Rama issued this command to the doorkeeper who
was in the courtyard and said : —
" Go and announce mine arrival to Lakshmana and Bharata,
those two swift-footed heroes, and summon them here without
delay."
CHAPTER 83
Bharata persuades Rama not to perform the Rajasuya Sacrifice
At this command from Rama of imperishable exploits, the guard
summoned those two youthful princes and came back to inform
his master. Then he, seeing Bharata and Lakshmana, embraced
them both and said to them : —
" I have faithfully carried out the task of the excellent Twice-
born, now I wish to perform the Rajasuya Sacrifice, which to
my mind is indestructible and unchangeable, the support of the
law and the destroyer of all evil. Accompanied by you both, who
are parts of myself, I wish to prepare for this sacrifice based on
eternal dharma, for it is an unwritten duty. It was after per-
forming the Rajasuya Sacrifice that Mitra, the Scourge of His
Foes, obtained Varuna-hood by means of this rich offering.
Having celebrated that sacrifice according to the tradition which
was well-known to him, Soma acquired an imperishable state
and renown in the world. Do you therefore tell me what is
now best, and considering the matter with me, say candidly
what is of the greatest profit for the future."
Thus spoke Raghava, and Bharata, a skilful debator, with
joined palms made answer, saying : —
" O Dear Brother, in thee the highest sense of duty is to be
found ! It is in thee that the world finds her support ; in thee,
all glory resides, and also immeasurable valour, O Long-armed
Hero. All the kings of the earth, and we too, regard thee as the
protector of the universe, as do the Gods and Prajapati. Children
look on thee as their father, O Valiant Prince, thou hast become
the salvation of living beings also, O Raghava ; how shouldst
thou perform a sacrifice of such a nature, O Lord, in which the
destruction of many royal Houses is involved ? Further O King,
595
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
it means the total annihilation of those warriors who have
become the heroes of the earth, which will prove a cause of
universal condemnation. O Lion among Warriors, O Thou
whose virtues render thee unequalled in power, do not destroy
the world that is wholly subject to thee."
When Rama heard Bharata speak thus, in words sweet as
nectar, he experienced an extreme delight and addressed this
benign response to the enhancer of Kaikeyi's joy, saying : —
" I am happy and delighted with what thou hast said, O
Irreproachable Hero, this resolute discourse, in accord with
righteousness, that thou hast uttered, O Lion among Heroes,
has preserved the earth ! The resolve I made to proceed with
the great Rajasuya Sacrifice, I now renounce on thine excellent
counsel, O Virtuous Bharata. The wise should never commit
any act detrimental to the world. Contrariwise one should be
willing to receive good advice even from a child, O Thou, the
elder brother of Lakshmana ; I am pleased with thy counsel
which is wise and considered, O Valiant Prince ! "
chapter 84
The Story of Vritra
Thus spoke Rama to the great-souled Bharata, and thereafter
Lakshmana addressed this eloquent discourse to the One who
enhanced the felicity of the Raghus, saying : —
" The great Sacrifice Ashwamedha removes all sins and is the
infallible means of purification ; may it please thee to undertake
it, O Joy of the Raghus !
" It is said in the Puranas that the magnanimous Vasava,
sullied by the sin of brahmanicide, was cleansed by performing
the Horse-sacrifice. O Long-armed Warrior, in former times
when Devas and Asuras were united, there lived a universally
honoured Daitya named Vritra. The width of his body was an
hundred leagues and he was three times as tall. In his loving-
kindness, he cast his beneficent glance in all directions on the
Three Worlds. Loyal, grateful, highly intelligent, he ruled his
fertile territory with care and integrity and, under his dominion,
596
UTTARA KANDA
the earth produced all that could be desired — flowers, roots and
delicious fruits. Without being cultivated the earth was abun-
dantly fruitful and for many years that magnanimous prince
enjoyed a rich empire marvellous to behold. Then the thought
came to him : * I shall perform a rigid penance ; in truth,
asceticism is a great joy, all other happiness is a mere illusion.'
" Having established his eldest son over his people as King of
Madhura, he gave himself up to a rigid penance that caused
terror among the Gods. As Vritra was mortifying himself thus,
Vasava, in his extreme affliction, sought out Vishnu and spoke
to him as follows : —
" ' On account of his asceticism that long-armed hero, Vritra,
has conquered the worlds ; he is powerful and virtuous ; I shall
not be able to overcome him. If he continues with these
austerities, O Chief of the Gods, we shall be subject to him as
long as the worlds endure. Thou hast overlooked the extremely
illustrious Vritra or he would not live an instant in the face of
thy wrath, O Lord of the Gods. From the moment he succeeded
in propitiating thee, O Vishnu, he has taken over the direction
of the worlds. It is for thee in thy great solicitude to befriend
the universe, then by thy favour, the worlds will live in peace,
free from affliction. All the inhabitants of the celestial region
have fixed their gaze on thee, O Vishnu. Slay Vritra and by this
great feat deliver them ! Thou hast ever lent support to the
magnanimous Gods which cannot be withstood by their
adversaries ; be the refuge of those who have no other refuge ! * "
CHAPTER 85
The Death of Vritra
Hearing Lakshmana speak thus, Rama, the Slayer of His Foes,
said to him : — " O Thou faithful to thy duty, do thou relate the
rest of the history of Vritra's destruction ! "
At these words of Raghava's, the virtuous Lakshmana,
increaser of Sumitra's delight, continued his exalted theme,
saying : —
" Such was the entreaty addressed by all the inhabitants of
aft 597
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
heaven led by that Lord of a Thousand Eyes, to Vishnu, who
answered all those Gods with Indra at their head, saying : —
" 'An ancient tie binds me to the magnanimous Vritra, there-
fore I am unable to favour you by slaying that great Asura ; it
is not possible for me to grant you that supreme felicity but I
will indicate the means whereby the Thousand-eyed God may
destroy him. I shall divide my natural essence into three parts,
O Foremost of the Gods, and by these means, that God of a
Thousand Eyes can undoubtedly slay Vritra. A third of my
being will enter Vasava, a second part into the thunderbolt and a
third will enter the bosom of the earth, thus Vritra will perish ! '
" Thus spoke the Lord of the Gods, and the Deities answered
him saying : —
" ' O Slayer of Daityas, assuredly what Thou hast uttered will
come to pass ! May victory be Thine, we shall now take our
leave infused by Thy power in order to slay the Asura Vritra, O
Lord ! '
** Then all the magnanimous Gods with Sahasraksha at their
head went to the great Asura Vritra's retreat. There they beheld
the most powerful of Asuras, effulgent in his own radiance
that seemed to consume die worlds and space itself. Beholding
the foremost of the Asuras, the Gods were seized with terror and
reflected, ' How shall we kill him ? ' ' How may we avoid defeat ! '
"As they were thinking thus, Sahasraksha, the Destroyer of
Cities, taking the thunderbolt in his hands, hurled it at Vritra,
striking his head. Like unto the Fire of Time, formidable,
blazing with its wreath of flame, that thunderbolt tailing on
Vritra's head caused terror to all the worlds.
" Then the extremely illustrious King of the Gods, reflecting
on the iniquity he had perpetrated in slaying his enemy, fled in
all haste to the ends of the world ; and the sin of brahmanicide
pursued him in his flight and entered into him, so that Indra was
subject to great affliction.
" The enemy destroyed, but deprived of their leader, the
Gods with Agni at their head, lavished homage on Vishnu, Lord
of the Three Worlds, saying : —
" * Thou art the way, O Supreme Master, the First-born,
Father of the Universe ! For the protection of the world thou
hast assumed the form of Vishnu. By thy favour, Vritra is
598
UTTARA KANDA
slain, but the sin of brahmanicide holds Vasava in bondage, do
thou liberate him ! '
" Then Vishnu answered the Gods who had spoken thus and
said: —
" ' Let Shakra, he who bears the thunderbolt, perform a
sacrifice in mine honour and I will cleanse him of his sin. Let
him who destroyed Paka, offer up the sacred Horse-sacrifice and
he will become King of the Gods once more, without having
anything to fear.'
" Having thus addressed the Gods in these words like unto
Amrita, Vishnu, the Lord of the Celestials, while they were yet
acclaiming him, returned to Trivishtapa."
chapter 86
Indra is liberated by means of the Ashwamedha Sacrifice
Having thus described the slaying of Vritra at length, Laksh-
mana, the foremost of men, continued : —
" The extremely valiant Vritra, who inspired terror in the
Gods, being destroyed, Shakra, his slayer, filled with the guilt of
brahmanicide, failed to return to his senses and, having taken
refuge at the end of the worlds, his mind confused, distracted,
he remained there for some time, resembling a serpent that is
casting its slough. And the Thousand-eyed God, having
disappeared, the whole world was agitated and the earth seemed
to be lost, bereft of its humidity, its forests dried up.1 There
were no running waters to feed the lakes and rivers and a great
desolation seized all beings on account of the lack of rain.
" Then the Gods seeing the decay of the world, which filled
them with distress, began to prepare for the sacrifice according
to the words Vishnu had formerly uttered, and all the Hosts
of the Gods accompanied by their spiritual preceptors and the
Rishis sought out the terror-stricken Indra in his retreat.
" Beholding Sahasraksha assailed by the guilt of brahmanicide,
O Foremost of Men, and having paid homage to the Chief of
the Gods, they performed the Ashwamedha. O Foremost of
1 He being the sender of rain.
599
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Men, thereafter the great Horse-sacrifice took place, which was
offered by the magnanimous Mahendra in order to cleanse
himself of the sin of brahmanicide, and the ceremony being
completed, the spirit of brahmanicide issued out of Indra's body
and approaching the Gods enquired of them saying : — ' Tell me,
where shall be my abode ? ' and the Gods in delight, answered : —
' Divide thyself into four parts, O Evil One ! '
" Hearing the words of the mighty Gods, the spirit of brah-
manicide did so, varying his habitation, he with whom co-
habitation is a disaster, and said : —
" 'Restraining egoity and following mine own whim with a
quarter of myself I shall inhabit the rivers in flood in the rainy
season. With another quarter undoubtedly I shall dwell perpetu-
ally in the earth as Ushara.1 I speak the truth ! For the third
portion I shall live for three nights each month with radiantly
youthful women, whose pride I shall humble ; with my fourth
portion I shall live in those who by false report cause the death
of innocent brahmins, O Mighty Deities.'
" Then the Gods answered, saying : — * O Thou, to live with
whom is a calamity, do as thou sayest, accomplish thy design ! '
" Full of joy, the Gods then paid homage to Vasava of a
Thousand Eyes, who was cleansed of his sin and delivered from
his affliction. And Sahasraksha, having been installed on the
throne, peace came to the whole world and Indra paid homage
to that wonderful sacrifice.
" Such is the pre-eminence of the Ashwamedha Ceremony, O
Joy of the Raghus ! Do thou perform the Horse-sacrifice ! "
Hearing these exalting words ofLakshmana, whose charm touched
his heart, that magnanimous sovereign, the equal of Indra in
strength and prowess, experienced supreme satisfaction.
chapter 87
The Story of Ila
Having listened to Lakshmana, the eloquent and powerful
Raghava answered with a smile : —
" O Best of Men, Lakshmana, that which thou hast related
* Ushara — Saline soil.
6O0
UTTARA KANDA
regarding the slaying of Vritra and the fruits of the Horse-
sacrifice are wholly true, O Gentle One. It is said that formerly
Kardama, the son of Prajapati, the extremely virtuous and
blessed Ila, reigned over the province of Bahlika. That highly
illustrious monarch, O Lion of Men, having made the entire
earth subject to him, reigned over his subjects as his own sons.
" The magnanimous Gods, the wealthy Daityas, the Nagas,
Rakshasas, Gandharvas and Yakshas, inspired by fear, constantly
worshipped him, O Dear Friend, O Joy of the Raghus, and the
Three Worlds trembled before that irascible potentate. Such
was that prince, the illustrious Sovereign of the Bahlikas, full of
energy, highly intelligent and fixed in his duty.
" During the lovely month of Chaitra, that long-armed
warrior went hunting in the enchanting forest with his attendants,
infantry and cavalry, and that magnanimous prince, in that wood,
slew wild beasts in their hundreds and thousands, yet was not
sated. Countless animals of all kinds had already perished when
he reached the country where Karttikeya had been born. There
the foremost of the Gods, the invincible Hara, was sporting with
the daughter of the King of the Mountains, and, having trans-
formed himself into a woman, the Lord of Uma, whose emblem
is the bull, sought to entertain the Goddess in the midst of the
waterfalls. Wherever there were male beings or trees in the
forest, whatsoever there was, assumed a female form. King Ila,
the son of Kardama penetrated into that place slaying innumer-
able beasts and he observed that they were all female, thereafter
he became aware that he too was changed into a woman, as also
his followers. His distress was great on this metamorphosis and
he recognized it to be the work of Uma*s consort and was seized
with terror. Thereupon that monarch, with his attendants, his
army and his chariots, took refuge with that mighty blue-throated
God, Kapardin, and the magnanimous Maheshwara, laughing
with that Goddess, the bestower of grace, said to the son of
Prajapati : —
" * Rise, rise, O Royal Rishi, O Valiant son of Kardama, except
manhood, ask what thou wilt ! ' The king was sorely disappoin-
ted by this reply of the magnanimous Shiva. Transformed into
a woman, he did not wish to accept any other boon from the
foremost of the Gods and, in his profound distress, that prince,
601
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
falling at the feet of the daughter of the King of the Mountains,
Uma, with his whole heart entreated her, saying : —
" ' O Thou who distributes! thy favours in all the worlds, O
Lovely Goddess, whose sight is never fruitless, cast thy merciful
glance upon me ! *
" Knowing what was passing in the heart of the Rajarishi, that
Goddess, who stood before Hara, she, the consort of Rudra,
made this reply : —
" ' Half the boon, that thou dost beg of us both, shall be
granted by Mahadeva and the other half by me, therefore
receive this half from man and woman according to thy desire ! '
" Hearing that remarkable and unparalleled boon bestowed by
that Goddess, the king, overcome with joy, said : —
" * If I have found favour with thee, O Goddess, whose beauty
is unrivalled on earth, may I be a woman during one month and,
in the second month, assume the form of a man ! *
" Then that Goddess of gracious mien, understanding his
desire, answered amicably : —
" ' It shall be so, O King, and when thou art a man, thou shalt
not remember thou wast ever a woman and, in the succeeding
month, having become a woman, thou shalt forget thou wast
ever a man ! '
" That is how that king, born of Kardama, being a man for one
month became a woman the following month under the name of
Ila, the most lovely female in the Three Worlds."
chapter 88
Budha encounters Ila
The story of Ila, related by Rama, greatly astonished Lakshmana
and Bharata, and both, with joined palms, requested him to
recount further details of that magnanimous King and his
transformations, saying : —
" What did that wretched king do when he was transformed
into a woman and how did he conduct himself when he became a
man once more ? "
602
UTTARA KANDA
Hearing these words inspired by curiosity, Kakutstha told
them what had happened to that monarch, saying : —
" Having been transformed into a woman, he passed the first
month amidst his female attendants, his former courtiers, and
that lady, the most beautiful on earth, whose eyes resembled
lotus petals, entering a deep forest, wandering on foot amongst
the copses, bushes and creepers, having given up all conveyances,
sported in the winding vale. Now in that wooded region, not
far from the mountain, lay a charming lake frequented by birds
of every kind ; there Ila beheld Budha,1 the son of the Moon,
who was as radiant as that orb on rising.
" Budha, who remained inaccessible in the waters, had given
himself up to a rigid penance, and that illustrious Sage was
benevolent and extremely compassionate. In her astonishment,
Ila agitated the waters with her companions, and beholding her,
Budha fell under the sway of the God of Love with his shafts
and, no longer self-controlled, became restless, as he stood in the
lake. Seeing Ila, whose beauty was unsurpassed in the Three
Worlds, he reflected : — ' Who is this lady, more lovely than the
Celestials ? I have never before beheld such radiance amongst
the wives of Devas, Nagas, Asuras or Apsaras. If she is not
already wedded to another, she is worthy of me ! '
"As he delayed, thinking thus, the company left the water and
Budha, pondering, emerged therefrom. Thereafter those
women having been summoned by him went to his retreat and
they paid obeisance to him, whereupon that virtuous ascetic
enquired of them, saying : —
" c To whom does this lady, the most lovely in all the world,
belong? Why has she come here? Tell me all without hesitation.'
" Hearing these fair words spoken in gentle tones, all those
women answered with sweet voices, saying : —
" ( That lady is our mistress, she has no husband and wanders
in the woods in our company.*
" Hearing the reply of those women, that Twice-born called
to mind the science by which all may be perceived,8 whereupon
he became conversant with all that had passed regarding King
Ha, and that foremost of Sages said to those women : —
1 Budha — The planet Mercury.
' The sacred formula of Avartani.
603
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
" ' Here on the mountainous region you shall dwell as
Kimpurushis ! ' Make your home on this mountain ; you shall
feed on roots, leaves and fruits and shall have Kimpurushas as
your consorts ! '
"At this command of the son of Soma, those women, who were
men, having been transformed into Kimpurushis, took up their
abode on the slopes of the mountain."
chapter 89
The Birth of Pururavas
Hearing of the origin of the Kimpurushis, Lakshmana and
Bharata both said to Rama, that Lord of Men, " How wonder-
ful! "
Thereafter the illustrious and virtuous Rama continued the
story of Ila, the son of Prajapati, saying : —
" When he saw that all those troops of Kinnaris had departed,
the foremost of the Rishis said to the beautiful Ila with a smile : —
"'lam the beloved son of Soma, O Lady of gracious mien,
do thou look on me with favour ! '
" Thus did he speak in that lonely forest deserted by the
others, and that gracious and beautiful solitary One answered
him, saying : —
" * O Dear Son of Soma, I range where I will, I am at thy
service, do whatsoever pleaseth thee ! '
" Hearing this charming reply, the son of the moon was
overjoyed and united himself with her in love. Thereafter the
enamoured Budha passed the month of Madhu,2 that vanished
like a moment, in dalliance with Ila, and, the month having
expired, that moon-faced one awoke from her couch and beheld
the son of Soma given over to the practice of penance in the
waters, supportless, his arms upstretched, and said to him ; —
" ' O Blessed One, I came to this inaccessible mountain with
1 Kimpurushis — The females of the Kimpurushas, beings who are half
human, sometimes identified with the Kinneras.
1 Madhu — The month that is part of February and March.
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UTTARA KANDA
my train of attendants, I do not see them anywhere, where have
they gone ? *
" Hearing the words of the Rajarishi, who had lost all
knowledge of the past, Budha, in order to re-assure him, said in
friendly tones : —
" *A great hailstorm overwhelmed thy attendants whilst thou
wast asleep, having taken refuge in the hermitage in fear of the
wind and rain. Be happy, banish all anxiety and calm thyself!
O Hero, live here in peace, nourishing thyself on fruit and roots.'
" The King, comforted by these words, then made this noble
reply, in the distress that the loss of his people caused him : —
" ' I cannot abandon my kingdom, though deprived of my
servants ; I must not delay an instant, O Illustrious Ascetic,
permit me to depart. I have an elder son fixed in his duty and
extremely illustrious, O Brahmin, his name is Shashabindu ;
he shall succeed me. Kay, I cannot abandon my consorts and
my good servants, O Illustrious Ascetic, do not reproach me.'
" Thus spoke that Indra among monarchs and Budha, who
first consoled him, then addressed these astonishing words to
him, saying : —
" ' Be pleased to remain here ; do not grieve, O Mighty
Kardameya ; at the end of the year I will grant thee a boon.'
" Hearing these words of Budha of imperishable deeds, who
was conversant with the Veda, Ila resolved to remain there. The
following month, becoming a woman, he spent in dalliance with
Budha and, thereafter, becoming a man once more, he passed
the time in the exercise of duty. In the ninth month the lovely
Ila gave birth to a son, the mighty Pururavas and, after he was
born, she gave the child into the paternal hands of Budha, whom
he resembled."
CHAPTER 90
Ila regains her natural State through the Performance
of the Ashwamedha Sacrifice
Rama having related the story of the marvellous birth of
Pururavas, the illustrious Lakshmana and Bharata enquired of
him once more, saying : —
605
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
"After Ila had passed a year with the son of the Moon-god,
what did she do ? O Lord of the Earth, tell us all ! "
Thus questioned by his two brothers in affectionate tones,
Rama continued to relate the story of Ila, the son of Prajapati,
and said : —
" That hero, having recovered his manhood, the extremely
intelligent and illustrious Budha called together the Sages, the
extremely noble Samvarta, Chyavana the son of Bhrigu, the
Ascetic Arishtanemi, Pramodana, Modakara and the Hermit
Durvasa. When they were all assembled, the eloquent Budha,
able to discern the truth, said to those Sages, his friends, who
were endowed with great power : —
" * Learn what has happened to that long-armed king, the son
of Kardama, so that his happiness may be re-established !'
" While those Twice-born were conversing thus, Kardama
came to that forest accompanied by Poulastya, Kratu, Vashat-
kara, and Omkara of great effulgence. All those ascetics, happy
to find themselves together and wishing to be of service to the
Lord of Bahli, each voiced their views about him ; Kardama,
however, expressed himself with extreme wisdom for the good
of his son, and said : —
" ' O Twice-born Ones, hear what I have to say for the
happiness of the prince. I see no remedy apart from the God
who has the bull as bis emblem. There is no sacrifice greater
than the Ashwamedha, which is dear to the heart of the mighty
Rudra. Let us therefore perform this mighty sacrifice.'
" Thus spoke Kardama and all the foremost of Sages approved
these means of propitiating Rudra.
" Thereafter a Rajarishi, the disciple of Samvarta, the
Conqueror of Hostile Citadels, whose name was Marutta,
performed that great sacrifice which took place near Budha*s
hermitage, whereupon the glorious Rudra was extremely
gratified and, the ceremony being accomplished, the consort of
Uma, in an excess of joy, addressed all those Sages, in Ila's
presence, saying : —
" i am pleased with your devotion in the Ashwamedha
Sacrifice, O Illustrious Brahmins, what shall I do for this King
of the Bahlis ? * Thus did the Lord of the Gods speak, and the
Sages, in deep recollection, caused the Lord of the Gods to
606
UTTARA KANDA
look upon them with favour so that Ha might regain his manhood.
Then Mahadeva, gratified, gave him back his virility and having
conferred that favour on Ua, the mighty God disappeared.
" The Horse-sacrifice being complete and Hara having ren-
dered himself invisible, all those Twice-born, of penetrating
gaze, returned whence they had come. The king, however,
renouncing his capital, founded the city of Pratishthana in the
central region, which was unsurpassed in splendour, whilst
Shashabindu, that Rajarishi, Conqueror of Hostile Cities, dwelt
in Bahli. From that time Pratishthana became the residence of
King Ila, the valiant son of Prajapati, and, his time having come,
he went to Brahma's abode.
" The son of Ila, the King Pururavas succeeded him in
Pratishthana. Such is the merit of the Ashwamedha Sacrifice,
O Bull among Men. Ila, who was formerly a woman, became a
man again, which would have been impossible by any other
means."
CHAPTER 91
Rama gives the command for the Ashwamedha Sacrifice
to be performed
Having related this history to his two brothers, Kakutstha of
immeasurable glory, addressed these pious words to Lakshmana,
saying : —
"Assemble for counsel, Vasishtha, Vamadeva, Javali, Kashyapa
and all the brahmins learned in the Ashwamedha Sacrifice. O
Lakshmana, I shall loose the caparisoned steed in accord with
tradition ! "
On this command being communicated to him, Lakshmana,
of swift step, assembled all those Sages and ushered them into
Rama's presence. When they beheld Rama, who resembled a
God, paying obeisance to their feet, they showered blessings
upon him. Having performed the Pranjali,1 Raghava addressed
those Sages on the Ashwamedha Sacrifice, in a speech inspired
by dharma.
1 Pranjali— A gesture of respect. See Glossary.
607
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Hearing the words of Rama and having offered homage to the
God, whose emblem is the Bull, all those Twice-born praised
the Ashwamedha highly, and that eulogy greatly delighted
Kakutstha, who seeing them ready to perform the ceremony,
said to Lakshmana : —
" O Long-armed Hero, make known to the magnanimous
Sugriva that he should come here with his great monkeys and the
innumerable dwellers in the woods in order to enjoy this great
festival and be happy. Let Bibishana, he who has no rival in
valour, come surrounded by bis host of Rakshasas, moving
where they will, in order to assist me in the great Ashwamedha
Sacrifice. Let wealthy monarchs, who wish to render me a
service, come in all haste with their retinues to see the place of
sacrifice and all the virtuous Twice-born, who have gone to
foreign lands, summon them all to the Ashwamedha Sacrifice, O
Lakshmana. Invite all the Rishis, those long-armed warriors,
mines of asceticism, who live in distant parts with their wives,
as also the players on the cymbals, jugglers and dancers.
" Let a vast structure be set up near the Gaumati River in the
Kaimisha Wood, O Long-armed Warrior, it is pre-eminently a
sacred spot. Let propitiatory rites be performed everywhere
and hundreds of brahmins, conversant with the law, assist in
the Naimisha Wood at this great sacrifice, the highest of all and
which is unsurpassed, O Joy of the Raghus. Assemble all the
people speedily, O Virtuous Prince, and do not let them depart
ill-contented, unsatisfied or without having been loaded with
favours according to tradition. O Hero, send out in advance a
hundred thousand loads of rice in good condition and an
ayuta of sesamum seed and beans as well as chick-peas,
lentils, quantities of salt, oil of good quality and innumerable
perfumes.
" Let Bharata first carefully furnish a hundred kotis of gold
and as much silver, and go before. In the centre, the merchants,
all the jugglers, dancers, cooks and women should be ranged, let
them be numerous and young in heart ; the troops, however,
should go in advance with Bharata. Shopkeepers, children, the
aged, the Twice-born in profound meditation, the masons,
carpenters, agents and also the mothers and women of the
Princes apartments with the golden statue of my consort for
60S
UTTARA KANDA
consecration, as also skilled sacrificers, should be first assembled
by the illustrious Bharata, who will precede them.
" O Prince, he will cause pavilions to be set up worthy of the
mighty kings and their suites. Food, drink and raiment should
be supplied for those brilliant escorts."
Thereafter Bharata went away followed by Shatrughna and
the magnanimous monkeys who surrounded Sugriva, accom-
panied by the leading priests. Bibishana, at the head of the
Rakshasas and women in great numbers, provided an escort for
the Rishis of rigid penance.
chapter 92
Description of the Ashwamedha Sacrifice
Having arranged everything in detail with dispatch, the elder
brother of Bharata loosed the horse marked with black spots,
adorned with bis own insignia. Placing Lakshmana, assisted by
the priests, in charge of the steed, he himself went to the
Naimisha Wood with his army.
That long-armed prince, beholding the vast and beautiful
sacrificial spot, was greatly delighted and exclaimed, "How
wonderful ! " During his sojourn in the Naimisha Wood, the
kings brought all their gifts to Rama and he, in his turn, provided
for them abundantly with food, drink and provisions of every
kind. Bharata and Shatrughna were in the service of the king ;
the magnanimous monkeys, who accompanied Sugriva, attended
on the priests with humility ; Bibishana with his innumerable
titans became the most diligent servitors of those Rishis of rigid
penance. Sumptuous pavilions set up for the powerful monarchs
and their retinues were under the orders of that most valiant prince.
Such were the excellent arrangements devised for the Ashwa-
medha Sacrifice.
Meantime Lakshmana carefully watched over the comings and
goings of the horse. Thus did that magnanimous Lion among
monarchs proceed with the utmost punctiliousness in this
foremost of sacrifices, during which nothing was heard but
' Give lavishly of all that is sought,' and, in the Ashwamedha
609
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Sacrifice, that liberal Prince furnished all that everyone required
till they were fully satisfied. Sweet dishes of every kind,
confections, till they were no longer in demand, were distributed
by monkeys and titans, and no-one was seen in rags or afflicted
or hungry, but, in that splendid royal feast, only those who were
happy and satisfied could be observed. Amongst the venerable
Sages present, the oldest could not remember a sacrifice where
such prodigious liberality had taken place.
Those who desired gold received gold, those who preferred
possessions received them, those who coveted jewels had jewels
bestowed upon them ; and one beheld silver, gold, gems and
raiment being distributed continually in great quantities.
* Neither Shakra, nor Soma, nor Yama, nor Varuna have
ever achieved anything of such magnitude ' proclaimed the
ascetics ; and, on every side, monkeys and titans stood distributing
raiment, silver and rice in profusion to those who sought them.
This sacrifice of that foremost of monarchs was carried out in
accord with every tradition and, at the end of a whole year, it
still had not come to a close, nor was the treasury exhausted.
chapter 93
Valmiki commands Kusha and Lava to recite the Ramayana
As this most wonderful sacrifice was proceeding, the disciples of
Valmiki, that blessed Sage, suddenly came there and, having
witnessed the divine festival, admirable to behold, that company
of Rishis constructed some comfortable huts a tittle way off.
Innumerable bullock carts full of provisions, with excellent
fruit and roots were heaped in Valmiki's charming grove, and
thereafter that Sage said to his disciples, Kusha and Lava : —
" Go, and with great enthusiasm sing the Epic Ramayana,
cheerfully and carefully, in the sacred enclosures of the Rishis,
the dwellings of the brahmins, along the roads and highways and
in the residence of princes, and especially it should be sung at the
gate of Rama's pavilion, where the sacrifice is taking place and
also before the priests.
" Here are savoury fruits of every kind that grow in the
610
UTTARA KANDA
mountainous regions, eat and then sing. You will not experience
any fatigue, O Dear Ones, on account of these roots and succu-
lent fruits that will preserve the purity of your voices. If Rama,
the Lord of the Earth, indicates that you should be heard by the
assembled Sages, act accordingly. Each time you will have
twenty Sargas1 to sing, which you have previously learnt from
me. Above all, do not entertain the least desire for reward ! Of
what use is gold to ascetics who live on fruit and roots ? If
Kakutstha questions you, saying ' Who is your Master ? *
answer the king in this wise, * We are both the disciples of the
great Sage Valmiki ! ' Sing without fear to the accompaniment
of these stringed instruments of a tone unknown heretofore, that
you have tuned sweetly. Sing the poem from the beginning
without showing any lack of respect to the king, who is the
Father of all beings according to the law.
" To-morrow therefore, at dawn, with a cheerful heart and
taking care to sing with sweet voices, accompany yourselves on
these stringed instruments of harmonized intervals."
Having repeatedly issued these instructions, that ascetic born
of Pracetas,2 of noble birth, the illustrious Sage Valmiki, became
silent.
On receiving the commands of that Sage, the two sons of
Maithili humbly answered " We will act in accord with thy
behests ! " and those Conquerors of Hostile Cities then took
their leave.
Those youthful boys allowed the excellent counsels of the
Rishi to enter their hearts, as the Ashwins receive the teachings
of Bhargava and, eager to put them into practice, they whiled
away that auspicious night.
chapter 94
Kusha and Lava chant the Ramayana
When the dawn appeared, those two youthful ascetics, having
bathed and ignited the sacred fire, began to sing, as the Rishi
had previously instructed them to do.
1 Sargas — Chapters or divisions.
* Pracotas— A name of the God Varuna.
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Kakutstha listened to that poem, composed by the aged
Valmiki, unheard till then, set to music in multiple cadences,
accompanied by stringed instruments, in measured rhythm,
and, hearing those youthful musicians, Raghava was greatly
mystified.
During an interval in the sacrifice, that foremost of monarchs
called together the great Sages, Kings, Pundits, Naigamas,* aged
Grammarians, venerable brahmins and those versed in music,
the Twice-born, those learned in omens and the citizens specially
instructed in aesthetics, those who had knowledge of metres,
words and accents, those who knew the different rhythms and
measures, those versed in astronomy, those skilled in the science
of sacrifices and rituals and experienced liturgists, those versed
in discerning cause and effect, philosophers, scholars, teachers of
hymns and legends and the Veda, those conversant with the
Vrittas and Sutras, and also singers and dancers.
Thereafter, having assembled them all, Rama ushered in the
two singers to that vast and murmuring throng of listeners for his
own great pleasure. The two youthful disciples of the Sage
began that recitation that unrolled melodiously, like unto the
singing of the Gandharvas, nor could the company be sated with
listening to so beautiful a song. In their delight, ascetics and
great potentates, seemed to consume those musicians with their
gaze, whom they looked upon again and again, and the whole
assembly having centred its attention upon them, each said to
his neighbour : — ' Both resemble Rama, like twin representa-
tions of the same planet. If they did not wear matted locks and
bark robes, we should see no difference between the singers and
Raghava ! *
As the people of town and country spoke thus, Kusha and
Lava, having introduced the first part according to Narada's
instructions, continued up to the twentieth Sargaa during the
afternoon, then Raghava, having heard the twenty Sargas, said
to his beloved brother, " Give these two musicians eighteen
thousand gold pieces immediately with aught else that they may
desire, O Kakutstha ! "3 Thereupon Saumitri instantly offered
1 Naigumas-Interpretcrs of the Veda-
* Chapter
8 This title being used for Lakshmana also.
612
UTTARA KANDA
this to those youthful boys, one after the other, but the great-
souled Kusha and Lava would not accept the gold that was
presented to them, enquiring in astonishment, " What good is
this ? Grain, fruit and roots suffice ascetics like ourselves, what
should we do with gold or silver in die forest ? "
These words amazed all Rama's assistants extremely and,
desiring to know the origin of the poem, that illustrious prince
enquired of those two disciples of the ascetic, saying : —
" What is this poetical composition ? Where is the residence
of the sublime author of this great epic ? Where is this bull
among the ascetics ? "
On this enquiry from Raghava, the two disciples of the Sage
answered, saying : —
" The blessed Valmiki, who is attending the sacrifice, is the
author of the poem in which thine whole life is told. Twenty-
four thousand verses and a hundred Upakhyanas1 have been
used by that ascetic, the son of Bhrigu.* Five hundred Sargas
divided into six Kandas, together with the Uttarakanda, O King,
are the work of that magnanimous Rishi, our Gum. Thy
conduct, thy circumstances, thine entire life is unrolled with its
vicissitudes. If thou desirest it, O King, thou mayest hear it
from us in the intervals of the sacrifice, in thy moments of leisure.
Thereafter Rama, accompanied by the Sages and magnanimous
monarchs, having heard that melodious chant, returned to the
sacrificial pavilion.
That recitation accompanied by Talas and Layas,3 divided into
Sargas in harmonious notes and tones, in which the scansion was
stressed by the stringed instruments, was heard by the King
from the lips of Kusha and Lava.
CHAPTER 95
Rama sends for Sita
Surrounded by the ascetics, kings and monkeys, Rama listened
during many days to the sublime and wonderful epic, and while
1 Upakhyanas— Episodes or Tales.
1 Really in the line of Bhrigu.
* Talas and Layas — Musical modes.
2R 613
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
the two sons of Sita, Kusha and Lava, were singing, he recog-
nized them. Having reflected deeply, he summoned messengers
of virtuous conduct and in the assembly spoke to them of that
princess, saying: —
" Go and repeat my words to that Blessed One and say : —
" ' If she be irreproachable in her conduct and without sin,
then, should she so desire it and has the approval of the Rishi,
let her prove her good faith ! * Do you then return and inform
me concerning this matter. To-morrow at dawn, let Maithili,
the daughter of Janaka attest her purity on oath in my presence,
before the assembly ! "
At this extremely significant command from Raghava, the
messengers straightway went to seek out the foremost of the
ascetics and, bowing to that Sage, who shone with infinite
effulgence, they, with humility, communicated Rama's words to
him.
Hearing them, the extremely illustrious ascetic, learning of
Rama's wish, said " Be it so ! May prosperity attend you ! "
Thereafter those royal messengers returned with the Muni's
answer and repeated it faithfully to Raghava and he, being
informed of the decision of that magnanimous Sage, full of joy,
addressed the Rishis and the assembled kings, saying : —
" O Blessed Ones, with your disciples, the kings and their
attendants and whosoever may wish to do so, bear witness to the
vow that Sita will make ! "
These words of the magnanimous Raghava were praised by all
the leading Rishis and those mighty kings who addressed the
monarch saying : —
" Such conduct is only possible in Thee and is found nowhere
else in the world, O Prince ! "
Having resolved thus, Raghava, the Scourge of his Foes,
said : —
" To-morrow this shall take place," whereupon he dismissed
the assembly.
The trial by oath being fixed for the following day, the
magnanimous and illustrious Rama gave leave to all the great
Sages and Kings to depart.
614
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 96
Valndki leads Sita before Rama
When the night had passed, the great descendant of Raghu went
to the place of sacrifice to which he had summoned all the Rishis :
Vasishtha, Vamadeva, Javali, Kashyapa, Vishvamitra, Dirghat-
mas and Durvasa of rigid penances, also Poulastya and Shakti,
Bhargava, Vamana, Markandeya, Dhirghayus and the highly
renowned Maudgalya, Garga, Chyavana, the virtuous Shatan-
anda, the far-famed Bharadwaja, the illustrious Agniputra,
Narada, Parvata and Gautama of great glory, all these ascetics
and others of austere observances, in great numbers.
Inspired by curiosity, they all assembled, as also the intrepid
titans ; and the valiant monkeys and kings, intrigued, gathered
there in like manner, with the warriors, merchants and thousands
of the lower caste. Brahmins of rigid penances arrived from
every region and all met together to be present at the taking of
the oath by Sita ; and that immense multitude stood absolutely
motionless, as if turned to stone.
Knowing that all were come, the foremost of Sages immediately
approached with Sita following him, her head bowed, her palms
joined, choked with sobs, her mind absorbed in Rama.
Beholding Sita walking behind Valmiki, like unto the holy
Shruti following in Brahma's footsteps, there arose a great
clamour with cries of " Halahala ! " from all those who were
oppressed with profound sorrow on account of the unfortunate
princess. And some cried " Hail, O Rama ! " and some " Hail,
O Sita ! " while the rest acclaimed both. Thereafter, advancing
amidst that multitude, the foremost of the ascetics, accompanied
by Sita, addressed Raghava, saying : —
" I am Valmiki, and here, O Dasarathi, is Sita of virtuous ways
and conduct, who, on account of calumny, was abandoned near
mine hermitage, the censure of the people having inspired thee
with fear, O Virtuous One ! Sita will prove her innocence ; it
is for thee to issue the command. These two sons of Janata,
twin brothers, invincible heroes, are thy sons also ; I speak the
615
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
truth to thee ! I am the tenth son of Pracetas, O Joy of the
Raghus, I do not recollect ever having uttered a he ; truly these
are thy two children. During countless years I have practised
asceticism, may I never reap the fruits thereof if Maithili be
guilty ! I have nothing wherewith to reproach myself regarding
thought, word or deed ; if Maithili be guilty, may I never gather
the fruits thereof! With my five senses and the mind as the
sixth, meditating amidst the forest waterfalls, Sita's innocence
was revealed to me. That lady of irreproachable and pure
conduct, to whom her lord is a God, will give proof of her good
faith, O Thou who didst fear public condemnation ! O Foremost
of Men, here is that lady whom I proclaim to be essentially
chaste, I whose vision is divinely illumined and who, though she
was supremely dear to thee and her innocence well known, thou
didst repudiate when thy spirit was troubled by the censure of
the people ! '*
chapter 97
Sita descends into the Earth
Thus spoke Valmiki, and Raghava, on seeing that fair-com-
plexioned princess, with joined palms, answered in the presence
of the assembly : —
" O Fortunate and virtuous Brahmin, may it be so ! I fully
concur in thine irreproachable words. This assurance was
formerly given to me by Vaidehi in the presence of the Gods
and, believing in that oath, I reinstated her in my house, but
great indeed was the public condemnation, therefore I sent
Maithili away. O Brahmin, though wholly convinced of her
innocence, it was from fear of the people that I cast off Sita, do
thou pardon me ! I acknowledge these twins, Kusha and Lava,
to be my sons ! I desire to make my peace with the chaste
Maithili amidst the assembly."
Hearing of his intention, the foremost of the Gods, led by
Brahma, all assembled there to witness Sita's defence, and
Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Vishvadevas, the hosts of the Maruts
and all the great Rishis, Nagas, Sadhyas, Suparnas and Siddhas
616
UTTARA KANDA
gathered with delight. Beholding the Gods and the Sages, the
foremost of men, Raghava, once more affirmed : " I am in
agreement with the irreproachable words of the Rishi Valmiki !
I wish to be reconciled with the chaste Vaidehi in the presence of
this assembly."
The defence of Sita filled all who witnessed it with emotion
and, at that moment, Vayu, the foremost of the Gods, sent forth
a pure and fragrant breeze to the great delight of the assembly,
as formerly in the Golden Age, and, it appeared marvellous to all
those people from many lands who experienced it !
Beholding that assembly, Sita, attired in a yellow robe, with
joined palms, her head bowed, her eyes lowered, said : —
" If, in thought, I have never dwelt on any but Rama, may the
Goddess Madhavi1 receive me ! "
As Vaidehi was still speaking, a miracle took place and, from
the earth rose a marvellous celestial throne supported on the
heads of Nagas of immeasurable power, their bodies adorned
with divine gems. The Goddess Dharani, bidding her welcome,
took Maithili in her arms, causing her to be seated on that
celestial seat and, while she occupied the throne, a shower of
blossoms fell without ceasing from the sky. Then the Gods
burst into loud acclamations, crying " Excellent ! Excellent !
O Sita, thy virtue is supreme ! "
From the heavens, the Gods, with delighted hearts, beholding
Sita descend into the earth, praised her again and again, and at
the place of sacrifice, where all were assembled, Sages, kings and
the foremost of men were unable to recover from their astonish-
ment. In the sky, on earth and in the nether regions, all beings,
animate and inanimate, Danavas of vast stature and the foremost
of the Pannagas cried out in delight, whilst others remained
absorbed in their thoughts or gazed on Rama and on Sita in
ecstasy. The entire assembly witnessed Sita's descent into the
earth and, at that moment, a great tremor passed through the
whole world.
1 The Earth Goddess, also called Dharani.
617
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 98
Rama's Anger and Grief, Brahma appeases him
When Vaidchi had descended into the earth, all the monkeys
and Sages cried out in Rama's presence, " Excellent ! Excellent"
but Rama, deeply distressed, supporting himself on a staff
employed in the sacrifice, his eyes veiled with tears, his head
bowed, was overcome with grief. Sighing again and again,
letting fall many tears, a prey to pain and wrath, he said : —
" Beholding Sita, the personification of Shri, vanish in my
presence, my soul experiences an agony hitherto unknown.
Formerly, when she was in Lanka, on the further side of the
vast ocean, I brought her back, how much more easily shall I
be able to wrest her from the bosom of the earth ! O Goddess
Vasuda, give me back my Sita, whom thou retainest, or thou
shalt witness my wrath ! Thou shouldst know me since thou
art assuredly my mother-in-law and Maithili rose from thee
when Janaka was following the plough. Therefore let Sita go or
open thyself to me that I may dwell with her in Patala or else in
Nakaprishtha ! Bring back Maithili on whose account I am
distraught ! If thou failest to return Sita to me in her original
form, I shall plough thee up with thy mountains and forests and
shall destroy thee so that nothing but water remains ! "
Thus spoke Kakutstha, full of wrath and grief, and Brahma,
accompanied by the Hosts of the Gods, addressed the son of
Raghu, saying : —
" O Rama, virtuous Rama, do not be incensed, recollect thy
divine origin and nature, O Scourge of Thy Foes ! Assuredly,
O Prince, I do not need to remind thee that no-one is superior
to thee ! Now recall that thou art Vishnu, O Invincible Hero !
The chaste and virtuous Sita, who was wholly absorbed in thee
formerly, has happily reached the region of the Nagas, by virtue
of her ascetic practices. Thou wilt undoubtedly be re-united
with her in the Celestial Realm. O Rama, hear, in the assembly,
what I relate in this poem, the most beautiful of epics, recited in
thine honour, I will make all known to thee in detail, do not
6x8
UTTARA KANDA
doubt it. In this poem of Valmiki all is included from the time
of thy birth, O Hero, the good and evil that has visited thee and
what will happen in the future. That great poet, O Rama, is
wholly devoted to thee, none other is worthy of the honour
bestowed by poets save Raghava. Formerly, in company with
the Gods, I heard the entire classic ; it is divine, marvellously
beautiful, true, and the remover of nescience. O Foremost of
Men, O Supremely Virtuous Kakutstha, listen to the conclusion
of the Ramayana and what concerns the future. Listen now with
the Rishis, O Doughty and Illustrious Prince, to the end of this
sublime poem entitled 'Uttara'. Assuredly, O Kakutstha, this
excellent epilogue may not be heard by any other save thee, who
art the supreme Sage, O Hero, O Joy of the House of Raghu."
Having spoken thus, Brahma, the Lord of the Three Worlds,
returned to his abode with his followers, the Gods.
Meantime the magnanimous and high-souled Rishis, whose
abode was Brahmaloka, at Brahma's command, remained,
desirous of hearing * Uttara kanda ' and what should happen to
Raghava.
Having listened to the significant words of that God of Gods,
the illustrious Rama said to Valmiki : —
" O Blessed One, the Rishis of Brahmaloka desire to listen to
* Uttara kanda ' and all that shall happen to me ; to-morrow let it
be narrated by thee ! "
Having resolved thus, Rama sought out Kusha and Lava and,
dismissing the company, returned with them to the leaf-thatched
hut of the Rishi Valmiki, where he passed the night lamenting
for Sita.
CHAPTER 99
The Death of the Queens
When night had given way to dawn, Rama called together the
great ascetics and said to his two sons : —
M Now sing without anxiety," and when those great and
magnanimous Sages were seated, Kusha and Lava sang the
epilogue to the 'Ramayana.'
619
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Sita, having re-entered the earth, thus proving her fidelity, and
the sacrifice being completed, Rama, in the extremity of grief,
not beholding Vaidehi, regarded the world as a desert, and he
dismissed the kings, bears, monkeys and titans and the host of
leading brahmins, having loaded them with treasure.
Taking leave of them, the lotus-eyed Rama, who was ever
absorbed in the thought of Sita, returned to Ayodhya. The Joy
of the House of Raghu never sought another consort but, in
every sacrifice, he set up a golden image of Janaki in her stead.
For ten thousand years, Rama performed the Vajamedha
Sacrifice and the Vajapeya, ten times more, distributing quantities
of gold, and that fortunate One also performed the Agnisthoma,
Atiratra and Gosava Sacrifices, giving away abundant charity.
For a long time, the magnanimous Raghava occupied the
throne, his heart fixed in his duty ; bears, monkeys and titans
were subject to his rule and monarchs came daily to pay him
homage. Parjanya sent rains in the proper season and it was
abundant, the skies were clear, the regions sinless, the city and
country abounding in cheerful and satisfied people. None died
prematurely nor was there any disease, and in Rama's reign,
none were destitute.
After many years however, Rama's aged mother, surrounded
by her sons and grandsons, passed away and she was followed
by Sumitra and the renowned Kaikeyi, who having performed
many righteous acts went to the celestial region, where those
happy Ones were re-united with Dasaratha and received the
fruit of their merit in heaven.
From time to time, in memory of his mother, Raghava
distributed gifts to the brahmins vowed to asceticism, and the
virtuous Rama offered up obsequies accompanied by gifts of
gems to the Sages and performed incomparable austerities in
honour of his ancestors.
Thus thousands of years passed happily during which, with
the aid of sacrifices, that prince promoted the execution of duty
in all its aspects.
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 100
Rama sends Bkarata to conquer the Gandharvas
One day, Yudhajita, the King of Kaikaya, sent his spiritual
Preceptor, Gargya, the son of Angiras, a Brahmarishi of im-
measurable glory, to the magnanimous Raghava, with ten
thousand horses as a token of his unsurpassed affection, and also
carpets, gems, diverse splendid stuffs and brilliant ornaments ;
such were the gifts bestowed on Rama by that monarch.
Hearing of the arrival of that great Rishi Gargya with those
magnificent presents from Ashwapati, his maternal uncle, the
virtuous Raghava went out with his suite to meet him to the
distance of a mile, and he offered homage to him, as Shakra pays
obeisance to Brihaspati.
Having paid salutations to the Rishi and accepted the gifts, he
enquired of him fully regarding the welfare of his mother's
brother and family. Ushering the blessed Rishi into his palace,
Rama began to question him, saying : —
" What message has my uncle confided to thee in sending
thee hither ? "
Having come there, that great Rishi, hearing Rama's words,
unfolded his mission in eloquent terms, saying : —
"This, O Long-armed Hero, is what thy maternal uncle,
Yudhajita, in his affection for thee, requests thee to hear. There
is a country of the Gandharvas, rich in fruit and roots, situated
on the banks of the Sindhu River ; that country is extremely
fertile. The Gandharvas, armed and skilful warriors, defend it.
When thou hast conquered them, O Virtuous Kakutstha and
destroyed their magnificent citadels, take possession of their
cities, which are well constructed. None other can achieve this ;
the country is extremely beautiful ; do thou follow my counsel,
it is to thine advantage."
This speech of his uncle's, conveyed by the great Rishi,
pleased Raghava who replied " So be it ! " and he glanced at
Bharata ; thereafter, delighted, Raghava, with joined palms,
spoke again to that Twice-born, saying : —
" These two youthful princes will explore the country, O
621
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Brahmarishi ! Bharata is the father of these valiant youths,
Taksha and Pushkala. Under the protection of my uncle, they
will show themselves to be devoted in the discharge of their
duty. With Bharata at their head, those two youthful princes,
accompanied by their troops, will slay the sons of the Gand-
harvas and take possession of the two cities. Having subdued
those two great capitals and installed his two sons, my very
virtuous brother will return once more."
Thus did Rama speak to that Brahmarishi, and thereafter
issued orders to Bharata to start out with his army, having first
installed those youthful princes.
Under the constellation Saumya,1 preceded by the son of
Angiras, Bharata set out with his troops and his two sons, and it
seemed as if that army, leaving Ayodhya, followed to a great
distance by Raghava, could not have been approached even by
the Gods themselves. Then those beings who live on flesh, and
titans of colossal stature, followed in Bharata's train, thirsting
for blood, and the redoubtable Bhutagramas, in their desire to
devour the corpses of the Gandharvas, came in hundreds and
thousands, and lions, tigers, boars and birds in countless numbers
preceded the troops. In a month and a half, that army composed
of cheerful and healthy warriors reached the Kingdom of Kaikeya.
CHAPTER 101
The slaying of the Gandharvas and the conquest of their Country
Hearing of the arrival of Bharata at the head of a vast army
accompanied by Gargya, the King of the Kaikeyas, Yudhajita,
experienced supreme joy and set out in all haste with a great
company against the Gandharvas.
Bharata and Yudhajita, having joined forces, approached the
City of the Gandharvas with their swift troops and followers,
whereupon, learning of the invasion, the Gandharvas assembled,
eager for combat, full of vigour and shouting on every side.
Then a terrible battle of appalling violence ensued, lasting
seven days, without victory being decisive for either army.
1 The planet Mercury.
622
UTTARA KANDA
Rivers of blood, floating with corpses, streamed on every side,
scimitars and spears being the crocodiles. Thereafter Bharata,
the younger brother of Rama, enraged, loosed a terrible shaft
propelled by mantras, named Samvarta,1 on the Gandharvas.
Caught in the noose of destruction, three hundred thousand
Gandharvas were slain in an instant, cut to pieces by that hero.
The inhabitants of the Celestial Region were unable to remember
such a fearful conflict in which, in the twinkling of an eye, so
vast a number of warriors perished.
The Gandharvas all being slain, Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi
entered those two opulent and magnificent cities, and there,
Bharata established Taksha in Takshashila and Pushkala in
Pushkalavata, in the country of the Gandharvas, in the ravishing
region of Gandhara. Overflowing with treasure and precious
gems, adorned with groves, they seemed to vie with each other
in magnificence.
For five years the long-armed Bharata, son of Kaikeyi,
occupied those capitals of supreme beauty, whose inhabitants
were of irreproachable conduct, and thereafter he returned to
Ayodhya. Those cities with their innumerable parks, filled with
vehicles and well-stocked markets, enchanting beyond imagining,
were embellished by fabulous buildings and countless palaces,
resplendent with a multitude of magnificent temples and adorned
with Tala, Tamala, Tilaka, and Bakula Trees.
Then the fortunate Bharata paid obeisance to the magnani-
mous Raghava, who was Dharma personified, as Vasava offers
salutations to Brahma, and Raghava listened with satisfaction
when Bharata told him of the total extermination of the Gand-
harvas which had taken place and of the occupation of their
territory.
CHAPTER X02
Rama bestows Kingdoms on Lakshmana's Sons
Hearing those tidings, Rama with his brothers rejoiced and he
uttered these memorable words in their presence : —
"Thy two youthful sons, Angada and Chandraketu, are
1 Samvarta — A weapon with which Kala or Time destroys the worlds.
623
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
worthy to reign, O Saumitri, for they are strong and energetic ;
I shall install them both as Icings ! Come, find these two valiant
Ones a pleasant region which is not confined, where there is no
danger of treachery from hostile monarchs, where they may live
at ease and where the ascetics' retreats are not despoiled ! O
Friend, seek out such a country without causing injury to any ! "
Thus spoke Rama, and Bharata answered : —
" There is a charming and healthy region named Karupatta ;
let two cities that are salubrious and beautiful be established
there for the magnanimous Angada and Chandraketu which
shall be called Angadiya and Chandrakanta."
These words of Bharata were approved by Raghava, and he
brought that country under his rule and established Angada
therein. The City of Angadiya was built for Angada by Rama of
imperishable deeds and it was splendid and well fortified. As
for Chandraketu, who was a giant, his uncle built Chandrakanta
for him in the country of the Mallas,1 and that capital was
celestial and equal to Amaravati.
Thereafter, greatly delighted, Rama, Lakshmana and Bharata,
those invincible warriors, attended the installation of those two
youthful princes who, having received the divine unction, fixed
in their duty, divided the territory, and Angada had the western
and Chandraketu the northern region. Angada was accompanied
by Sumitra's son,8 whilst Lakshmana and Bharata followed in
Chandraketu's train.
His sons being firmly established on the throne, Lakshmana
took the road back to Ayodhya, having sojourned in Angadiya
for a year. On his side, Bharata remained with Chandraketu
one year more, thereafter returning to Ayodhya to take up his
place again at Rama's feet.
Both Saumitri and Bharata, in their love for him and their
extreme piety, forgot that rime was passing and thus ten thousand
years went by while they devoted themselves to affairs of state.
Employing their days in this wise, their hearts satisfied, sur-
rounded with splendour, dwelling together in that righteous
city, they resembled the Three Fires whose flames are fed with
abundant libations amidst great solemnity.
• Mallas— Giants.
1 Shatrughna.
624
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER 103
Death is sent to seek out Rama
After a long time, Death, in the form of an ascetic, presented
himself at the gates of the great and virtuous Rama and said : —
" I am a messenger from an all-powerful Maharishi and have
come to see Rama on a matter of great importance."
Hearing these words, Saumitri hastened to announce the
arrival of the ascetic to Rama, saying : —
" Mayest thou extend thy dominion over both worlds, O
Illustrious Prince ! A Messenger has come to see thee, who, by
virtue of his penances, is as radiant as the sun."
Hearing Lakshmana's words, Rama said : —
" Bring in that ascetic of great effulgence, who carries a
message from his master, O Dear Brother ! "
Then Saumitri answered : " Be it so ! " and ushered in that
Sage, flaming in splendour, surrounded as it were with burning
rays. Approaching the foremost of the Raghus, who shone in
his own effulgence, the Rishi, in an harmonious voice, addressed
Raghava, saying : — " May felicity be thine ! "
Then the supremely illustrious Rama, having paid him the
traditional homage and offered him the Arghya, enquired of him
concerning his state. Having informed Rama of his well-
being, the most skilled of orators, that illustrious ascetic seated
himself on a golden throne and thereafter Rama said to him : —
" Be thou welcome, O Great Sage, what message hast thou
for me, since thou dost come as an ambassador ? "
On this enquiry from that Lion among Men, the Sage said
to him: —
" If thou dost revere the wishes of the Gods, this meeting must
take place between us alone ; whoever shall overhear us should
be put to death by thee ; the words of the Lord of the Ascetics
are secret and should be revered by Thee."
" Be it so ! " replied Rama, and having given this assurance,
he issued the following command to Lakshmana : —
" Do thou stand at the door, O Long-armed Warrior and
625
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
dismiss the door-keeper. It is for me to slay whoever hears the
converse between this Muni and myself, for it must take place
between us alone."
Having sent Lakshmana to guard the door, Kakutstha, born
of Raghu, said : —
" O Ascetic, thou canst now disclose that with which thou hast
been charged, speak without fear, I shall treasure it in my heart !""
CHAPTER 104
Death delivers his Message
" Learn, O Magnanimous Sovereign, that this is the purpose of
my coming ! It is the blessed Grandsire who has sent me, O
Mighty Prince. I was his son in a former existence, O Con-
queror of Hostile Citadels ! Born of Maya, O Hero, I am Death
who destroys all ! The Grandsire, Lord of the Worlds, speaks
thus to thee : —
" ' Thy task is accomplished, O Friend, O Protector of the
Worlds ! Having formerly destroyed all beings by the aid of
Maya, lying amidst the waters of the vast ocean, thou didst give
me birth. Thou hadst already created the Serpent of large coils,
Ananta, as also two mighty Beings, Madhu and Kaitabha, whose
crushed bones covered the earth which appeared at that time
with its chain of mountains. From a celestial lotus, bright as the
sun, that issued from thy navel, thou didst produce me and give
me the task of creating the world. Since thou hast charged me
with this burden, I lean on thee for support, O Lord of the
Earth ! Do thou watch over all beings, for it is thou who art my
strength. By virtue of thine invincible and eternal nature, thou
shouldst afford protection to all creation, for thou hast assumed
the form of Vishnu ! O Mighty Son of Adit i, thou didst enhance
the power of thy brothers and when they sought to accomplish
their tasks, thou didst come to their aid. When, O Prince, all
creatures were being exterminated by Ravana, thou, desiring to
slay him, bethought thyself of men. Then thou didst resolve
to dwell among them in person for eleven thousand years and
626
UTTARA KANDA
thereafter return to us. Thou, who art mind-born, hast com-
pleted thy stay among mortals; it is the hour, O Foremost of
Men, to return to us ; if it is thy desire to prolong thy sojourn
among creatures, O Great King, do so and be happy ! *
" Such are the words of the Grandsire : — * If thou preferest
to enter into possession of the world of the Gods once more, O
Raghava, they with their leaders will be freed from all anxiety,
since Vishnu will be amongst them.' "
Having heard the words of the Grandsire, which Death
communicated to him, Raghava, smiling, answered the Destroyer
of the Worlds, saying : —
" These wholly admirable words of that God of Gods assuredly
causes me supreme delight, as also thy coming hither. I came
for the good of the worlds, this is the purpose of my being ;
mayest thou be happy ! Thine advent here has moved my
heart ; I shall leave without delay. The Grandsire has uttered
what is true, I must attend to all that concerns the Gods under
my dominion, O Destroyer of the Universe ! "
chapter 105
The Sage Durvasa comes to visit Rama
As the two were conversing thus, Durvasa, that blessed Sage,
who wished to see Rama, came to the gate of the palace and,
approaching Saumitri, that illustrious ascetic said : —
" Bring me straightway into Rama's presence, the affair is
urgent ! "
So spoke the magnanimous Sage, and Lakshmana, the Slayer
of His Foes, bowing low, said to him : —
" What is this matter ? Explain thyself, O Blessed Sage!
What can I do for thee ? Raghava is occupied, O Brahmin, have
patience awhile ! "
Hearing this reply from that lion among men, the great Rishi,
highly incensed, said to Lakshmana, whom he seemed to consume
with his glance : —
"Announce my presence here to Rama immediately, O
627
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Saumitri, or 1 shall pronounce a curse on the kingdom, on thee,
the city, on Raghava, Bharata and on thy House ! O Saumitri,
I can no longer contain mine indignation ! "
Having heard the mighty ascetic's alarming words, Lakshmana
pondered awhile within himself concerning their significance,
and reflected : —
"It were better that I should perish than all others be
destroyed ! "
On this, he made the arrival of the ascetic known to Raghava
and, Rama hearing the tidings, took leave of Death and, in all
haste, sought out the son of Atri. Having paid obeisance with
joined palms to that great Sage flaming in effulgence, he
enquired of him, saying : —
" What may I do for thee ? "
On this enquiry from that King of Ascetics, the Sage Durvasa
answered : —
" O Virtuous Rama, hear me, this day I have concluded a fast
of a thousand years. O Irreproachable Raghava, now give me
what thou hast ready to eat ! "
At these words, the King Raghava, with a delighted heart,
offered the foremost of Sages dishes, that had been made ready,
and that ascetic, having partaken of that food like unto Amrita,
addressed Rama, saying : —
" It is well ! " and returned to his hermitage.
Thereafter Rama called to mind the words of Death at that
portentous meeting and, with bowed head, his heart wrung with
anguish, he was unable to speak. Reflecting again and again
within himself, the illustrious Raghava thought, "All is lost ! "
and fell silent.
chapter i 06
Rama banishes Lakshmana
Seeing Rama, his head bowed, afflicted and like unto the moon
in eclipse, Lakshmana spoke to him in cheerful and affectionate
tones, saying : —
" Thou shouldst not grieve on mine account, O Long-armed
628
UTTARA KANDA
Warrior ; thus was it already ordained and has its roots in a past
cause ! Slay me without hesitation, be faithful to thy vow !
Those who do not honour their promise, go to hell ! If thou hast
any affection for me, O Great King, and dost find any merit in
me, then 3lay me and fulfil the law, O Raghava ! "
Thus spoke Lakshmana, and Rama, his mind troubled, called
his ministers and priests together and told them what had taken
place, of the arrival of Durvasa and the vow he had made to the
Ascetic. When they had heard these things, the ministers and
brahmins became silent, nevertheless the illustrious Vasishtha
spoke thus : —
" O Long-armed Prince, I perceive that the separation from
Lakshmana is for thee a calamity, causing thy hair to stand on
end. O Illustrious Rama, do thou abandon him ; death is
powerful, let not thy words prove false. When a promise is not
honoured and virtue is destroyed, undoubtedly the Three Worlds
with all animate and inanimate beings, with the hosts of the
Gods and Rishis, perish ! Therefore, O Lion among Men, in
order to save the Three Worlds and assure the continuance of the
universe, banish Lakshmana ! "
Hearing these words, which were in accord with duty and
righteousness, approved by all, Rama, in the midst of the assem-
bly, said to Lakshmana : —
" Lest righteousness should perish, I banish thee, O Saumitri,
a sentence of banishment or death is the same to men of honour !"
At this decree of Rama's, Lakshmana, weeping, his mind
distracted, departed in all haste without returning to his home.
Having reached the banks of the Sarayu River, he performed
his ablutions and, with joined palms, closing the doors of the
senses, he began to meditate. As he was thus restraining his
senses, he did not release his breath while given up to contem-
plation, and the Gods with their leaders, the troops of Apsaras
and companies of Rishis covered him with a rain of flowers.
Becoming invisible to men, the mighty Lakshmana was borne
away in the body by Shakra, who carried him to the Celestial
Region. Beholding the fourth pact of Vishnu entering heaven,
the foremost of the Gods, delighted, joyfully and unitedly
offered homage to that descendant of Raghu.
23 629
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
CHAPTER 107
Rama installs Kusha and Lava on the Throne
Having banished Lakshmana, Rama, a prey to grief and deso-
lation, said to his priests, ministers and citizens : —
" To-day I shall give the royal annointing to the valiant
Bharata, who is faithful to his duty, and make him Lord of
Ayodhya ; thereafter I shall go to the forest. Make all prepara-
tions, lose no time, for to-day I too shall follow the path that
Lakshmana has taken ! "
Thus spoke Raghava and his subjects bowed low as if deprived
of all strength. On his side, Bharata, beside himself on hearing
his brother's speech, refused the crown and expressed himself
thus:—
" I swear in truth, O King, without thee I do not wish to
reign, even in Svarga, O Thou, the Joy of the Raghus ! Estab-
lish thy two sons, the valiant Kusha and Lava in the Southern
Koshalas and the Northern Regions; send swift messengers to
Shatrughna to announce our departure, let there be no delay ! "
Hearing these words of Bharata and also beholding the
citizens who, their heads bowed, were overwhelmed with grief,
Vasishtha spoke : —
" O Beloved Rama, see how these people are prostrating
themselves, having learnt what they desire, fulfill it, do not
grieve them ! **
Thus spoke Vasishtha and Kakutstha, having caused them to
rise, said to the people, " What is asked of me ? " and they all
said to him : —
" If thou art leaving us, let us accompany thee wheresoever
thou goest, O Rama ; if thou dost love thy subjects and that
affection is unsurpassed, let us, with our sons and wives, follow
the righteous path with thee ; whether it be to an inaccessible
retreat, river or ocean, thou shouldst not abandon us ; lead us all
wherever thou wilt, O Thou our Master ! This is our supreme
desire, our most cherished wish ; it will always be the delight of
our hearts to accompany thee, O Prince 1 "
630
UTTARA KANDA
Recognizing his people's profound attachment, Rama
answered, " So be it ! " and occupied himself in carrying through
what he had undertaken that day.
He gave over the Southern Koshalas to the valiant Kusha and
those of the north to Lava ; thereafter, placing those two princes
on his lap, he enthroned them in Ayodhya and bestowed upon
them thousands of chariots and numberless elephants with ten
thousand horses. Having furnished them with jewels and
treasure in abundance and given them cheerful and healthy
people to attend upon them, he sent the two brothers, Kusha
and Lava, each to his own capital.
Those two heroes being installed in their respective cities,
Rama sent out an emissary to the magnanimous Shatrughna.
chapter i 08
Rama issues his last Commands
The messengers, urged on by Rama's command, swiftly and
promptly went to Madhura without halting on the way. After
three nights they reached that city where they all informed
Shatrughna what had happened ; the banishing of Lakshmana,
Raghava's vow, the installation of his two sons and the resolution
of his subjects to follow him ; how an enchanting city had been
built for Kusha under the name of Kushavati on the high ridge
of the Vindhya Mountains by the virtuous Rama, and that
Shravasti was the name of the ravishing and famous capital of
Lava ; they told him also of the preparations made by Raghava
and Bharata to take all the people from Ayodhya and enter
Svarga.
Having related all these things to the magnanimous Shatrugh-
na, the messengers became silent and thereafter added, " Make
all haste, O King ! "
Hearing these fearful tidings regarding the imminent destruc-
tion of his entire House, Shatrughna, the Joy of Raghu, called
his people together and summoned his family priest, Kanchana,
in order to impart the truth to them of his immediate departure
with his brothers.
631
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
Thereafter, that valiant prince installed his two sons, having
distributed abundant wealth equally amongst them, and Subahu
was established in Madhura and Shatrughatin in Vaidisha.
This being accomplished, that descendant of Raghu left for
Ayodhya in a single chariot.
There he beheld the magnanimous Rama like unto a flaming
brazier, clothed in a robe of fine wool, in the midst of the im-
perishable Sages. Paying obeisance to them with joined palms,
his senses under control, he addressed his virtuous brother,
whose thought too was ever fixed on his duty, and said : —
" I have enthroned my two sons, O King, and have come
hither ; know well that I am resolved to follow thee ! Do not
oppose me, O Valiant One, for I would not that thy will should
be disregarded by one like me."
Seeing his resolve was fixed, Rama said to Shatrughna, " So
be it."
Having ceased from speaking, the monkeys, who were able to
change their form at will, with the companies of bears and titans
came there from all directions with Sugriva at their head, all
being united in their desire to behold Rama, who stood with his
face turned towards the sky.
Devas, Rishis and Gandharvas with their offspring, hearing of
Rama's intended departure, had all assembled, saying : —
" We have come here to follow thee, O Prince ! To leave with-
out us, O Rama is to strike us down with the Rod of Death."
At that instant, the supremely powerful Sugriva, bowing
before that hero in accord with tradition, addressed him with
humility and said : —
" Having installed the virtuous Angada, O Prince, know that
I have come hither with the intention of accompanying thee ! "
At these words, the illustrious Kakutstha smiling, answered : —
" So be it ! " Thereafter he said to Bibishana, the King of
the Rakshasas : —
"As long as people exist, O Mighty Lord of the Rakshasas, do
thou remain in Lanka. As long as the moon and sun continue
to shine on the earth, as long as they speak of me in the world, so
long shall thine empire endure ; this is the will of thy friend, do
thou obey ! Govern thy people according to justice and do
not question this further. One thing more I wish to say to thee,
632
UTTARA KANDA
O Mighty Monarch of the Rakshasas, do thou worship the
Divinity of the House of Ikshvaku, the Guide of the Universe,
Shri Jagannath, whom the Devas themselves with their leaders
perpetually adore."
" So shall it be," answered Bibishana, and Kakutstha thereafter
addressed Hanuman, saying : —
" Resign thyself to continuing to live, do not render my will
void. As long as my story is told in the world, O Foremost of
Monkeys, so long mayest thou be happy and remember my
words ! "
Thereupon Hanuman, acquiescing in Rama's utterance, in
his delight, said : —
"As long as thy purifying history is circulated in the world,
so long O Rama, shall I remain on earth submissive to thy will ! "
Then Raghava issued the same command to Jambavan and
said : —
" Till the Kali Yuga begins, continue to dwell on earth ! "
Thereafter, addressing all the other bears and monkeys, he
said: —
" If it be your desire, then follow me ! "
chapter 109
Rama's Departure for the Makaprasthana
When the dawn broke, the broad-chested and illustrious Rama,
whose eyes were as large as lotus petals, said to his spiritual
Preceptor : —
" Let the Agnihotra burning brighdy with the Twice-born
and also the sacrificial canopy be borne in advance and thou, My
Lord, precede them on this great journey."
Thereupon Vasishtha, full of majesty, performed the pres-
cribed rituals related to the Mahaprasthana without omitting
anything. Then Rama, clothed in fine silk, invoking Brahma
and reciting the Vedic Mantras, taking Kusha Grass in both his
hands, set out for the Sarayu River, halting from time to time,
silently making his way along the rough path. Radiant as the
633
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
sun, he issued from his palace barefooted and, on his right,
walked Shri Lakshrai with her lotus, on his left, was the great
Goddess Vyavasaya1 and, assuming human form, his innumerable
arrows, marvellous bow and all the other weapons accompanied
him. The Vedas, in the persons of brahmins, the Holy Gayatri,
Protector of the World, the sacred syllable " aum " and the
invocation " Vashat " followed in Rama's train as also the great-
souled Rishis, and all the Deities of the Earth accompanied that
hero to the open gates of heaven.
In his steps trod the women of the inner apartments with the
aged, the children, servants, eunuchs and personal attendants.
The faithful Bharata with his wives accompanied by Shatrughna
followed in Rama's train, attended by the sacrificial fire. All
the magnanimous Sages with the ritualistic articles, having
assembled there with their sons and wives, joined the procession
of the virtuous Kakutstha. Ministers, groups of servants with
their offspring, their kinsmen and their flocks joyfully followed
in the footsteps of their master. All the citizens, happy and
healthy people, distinguished by their good qualities, joined
Raghava's departure and all the men and women with their
birds, beasts and friends, purified of their sins, went forward
cheerfully. Devoted to Rama, the Monkeys, having bathed,
delighted and satisfied, cried out exultantly with all their
strength, " Kilakila ! "
In that multitude, none was sad, downcast or unhappy, but a
universal felicity filled all to the highest degree. In their desire
to behold Rama taking his departure, the people of the country,
through which he passed, on seeing him, took their places in his
train. Bears, monkeys, titans, citizens, with deep devotion,
followed him in the utmost serenity. Even the invisible
Beings of the city joined Raghava's procession when he went to
heaven. Beholding him, all creatures, animate and inanimate,
lovingly accompanied him on that journey. Not a single being,
not even the least of them, was to be seen in Ayodhya ; even
those born of animals followed in Rama's wake.
1 The Goddess o* the Earth.
634
UTTARA KANDA
CHAPTER I 10
Rama ascends to Heaven with the other Beings
When he had proceeded about six miles, the Pride of the Raghus
beheld the sacred waters of the Sarayu flowing westwards,
eddying and rippling in their course, and he went on further to the
Goprataraka Ghata,1 his subjects thronging round him on all sides.
At that moment, as Kakutstha was preparing to ascend to
heaven, Brahma, the Grandsire of the World, surrounded by the
Gods and the illustrious Rishis adorned with jewels, appeared
seated in their aerial chariots, and the whole firmament glowed
with a transcendent splendour, a marvellous radiance emanating
from the lustre of those heavenly beings of virtuous deeds.
Pure, balmy and fragrant breezes blew, whilst shower upon
shower of blossom was scattered by the Gods. Thereafter to
the sound of a myriad instruments and the singing of the
Gandharvas and Apsaras, Rama stepped into the waters, where-
upon the Grandsire, from on high, uttered these words :—
" Hail O Vishnu ! Hail O Raghava ! With thy God-like
brothers, now enter thine eternal abode ! Return to thine own
body if thou so dcsirest, O Long-armed Warrior ! Occupy the
realm of Vishnu or the shining ether, O Mighty God ! Thou
art the support of the world, though there are some who do not
recognize Thee without the large-eyed Maya, thine ancient
Consort ! Thou art the Inconceivable One, the Great Being,
the Indestructible, the Ageless One. Enter into thy real body
if Thou so desirest."
Hearing these words of the Grandsire, the supremely virtuous
Rama formed his resolution and entered Vishnu's abode in his
body with his younger brothers.
Thereupon Immortals began to worship that God who had
returned to His form as Vishnu, and the Sadhyas, the hosts of
Maruts with Indra and Agni at their head, the celestial companies
of Rishis, the Gandharvas and Apsaras, Suparnas, Nagas,
Yakshas, Daityas, Dahavas and Rakshasas and all the dwellers
1 Cattle ford.
«35
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
in heaven felt a supreme delight, their desires fulfilled, their sins
washed away, and they cried out " Hail ! All Hail ! "
Then the all-resplendent Vishnu said to the Grandsire : —
" Grant to each of these my subjects a suitable abode. They
are my devotees and truly deserving, having sacrificed their
lives for me ! "
Thus spoke Vishnu, and the God Brahma, Guru of the Worlds,
answered saying : —
"All those who have assembled here shall go to the region
called Santanakas ! Yea, even the beasts who die meditating on
Thy holy Feet shall live in the vicinity of Brahmaloka where I
have united all pleasurable things. The monkeys and the bears,
the manifestations of various Deities have already returned to
the worlds of the Gods, from whence they came forth, and
Sugriva has entered the disc of the sun ! "
Even as the great God was speaking, the monkeys and the
bears, having assumed their pristine forms, came to Goprataraka
Ghata before the eyes of the assembled Gods. At that time,
whosoever entered the waters of the Sarayu River, yielded up
their lives gladly, their eyes suffused with tears of ecstasy, and,
having abandoned their bodies, took their places in a celestial
chariot. As for those in animal form, who entered the waters of
the Sarayu in hundreds, they ascended to the Third Heaven in
divinely resplendent bodies and they appeared as effulgent as the
Gods in their celestial lineaments. AU beings, whether animate
or inanimate, who entered those waters attained to the region of
the Gods, and, in their turn, the bears, monkeys and titans,
abandoning their bodies in the river, also attained heaven.
Having granted them all a place in paradise, the Grandsire of
the World accompanied by the Gods, in the height of felicity,
returned to the Third Heaven, his supreme abode.
CHAPTER III
The supreme Virtue of the Ramayana
This then is the whole of the great epic and its sequel called the
Ramayana, which was composed by Valmiki and is revered by
Brahma Himself.
636
UTTARA KANDA
The Lord Vishnu returned to Svargaloka as erstwhile, He Who
pervades the Three Worlds and all they contain, both the
moving and the fixed. Gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas and great
Rishis in heaven, ever listen with delight tothepoem'Ramayana'.
This epic, which promotes long life, grants good fortune and
destroys sin, is equal to the Veda and should be recited by the
wise to men of faith.
On hearing it, he who has no son will obtain a son, he who has
no fortune will become wealthy ; to read but a foot of this poem
will absolve him from all sin. He who commits sins daily will
be wholly purified by reciting a single sloka.
The reciter of this narrative should be rewarded with raiment,
cows and gold, for, if he is satisfied, all the Gods are satisfied.
He who recites this epic 'Ramayana' that prolongs life, will be
blessed with bis sons and grandsons in this world and after his
death, in the other world. He who, with devotion, recites the
'Ramayana' at the hour when the cows are loosed or at noon or at
dusk, will never suffer adversity.
The enchanting City of Ayodhya, having remained deserted
for countless years, will be re-peopled by a Prince named
Rishabha.
This narrative, that grants longevity, with the 'Bhavishya' and
'Uttara', whose author is the son of Pracetas, has the approval of
Brahma Himself.
637
GLOSSARY
(For Flowers, Trees and Weapons, see separate Glossaries)
Abhijit. A Constellation which denotes victory when the sun
enters it.
The twenty-second Nakshatra q.v.
A title and name of Vishnu.
Abhiras. A leader of robbers who dwelt in Drumakulya.
Abravanti. A city.
Achmama. Purificatory rite at which water is taken in the palm
of the hands and poured over the head and breast and the
mouth rinsed ; it also includes touching various parts of the
body.
Acharya. A Spiritual Teacher.
Achyuta. A title of Vishnu meaning ' Imperishable '.
Adambara. A drum, trumpet or elephant's roar during battle.
Adhvara. A sacrifice, specially the Soma Sacrifice.
Adhvarya. An officiating priest.
Adhyas. A reading, chapter or section of a work.
Adideva. A title given to Rama meaning * Foremost of the Gods '.
Aditi. Mother of the Gods, who represents space or infinity.
Aditya-Hridaya. * The Heart of the Sun ', a designation of a
Vedic Hymn.
Aditya-Varcas. ' That which constitutes the knowledge of
Aditya *.
Adrikritasthali. Apsaras or Nymphs.
Agaru. Agallochum, a species of Sandal or Indian Aloe Exorcaria,
used as incense or for perfuming purposes.
Agastya. A great Rishi, the reputed author of several hymns in
the Rig-Veda. This Sage, whose miraculous powers are
described in the great classics, entertained Rama, Sita and
Lakshmana in his hermitage during their exile. He was said to
have been born in a vessel. (See Uttarakanda Chapter LVII.)
Agnsya. A mountain.
The south-eastern quarter of which Agni is Regent.
A cloud produced by fire.
Agni. The God of Fire.
Agnigarbha. ' Fire-wombed % a name of Agni who causes the
Fire of Dissolution at the end of the World-cycle.
Agnihotra. The Fire-sacrifice.
Agmikbtu. A titan warrior.
639
GLOSSARY
Agnikunda. A pit or hole where the sacrificial fire burns.
Agniputra. A Sage, the title means ' Son of Agni *.
Agnisthoma. A series of offerings to the God of Fire celebrated
for five days during the Spring.
Agnivarna. The son of Sudarshana.
Agrahayana. A feast similar to the Harvest Festival.
Ahalya. The wife of the Rishi Gautama, who was transformed
into a rock by him when he cursed her for dalliance with the
God Indra; she was ultimately restored to her own form by
Rama.
Ahaskara. ' Maker of Day ', a title of the Sun-god.
Ahavaniya. See under Three Fires.
Airavata. The sacred elephant that transports the God Indra.
One of the elephants supporting the four quarters of the
earth.
Aja. A king of the dynasty of Ikshvaku, the father of Dasaratha.
Ajamukhi. A female titan.
Ajas. A class of hermits, see under ' Ascetics '.
Ajita. ' Invincible ', a name given to Vishnu.
Akampana. The titan who informed Ravana of the destruction
of Janasthana and who persuaded him to abduct Sita. He
was slain by Hanuman.
Akopa. A minister in the Court of King Dasaratha.
Aksha. A son of Ravana who was slain by Hanuman.
Akshauhini. An army consisting of a large number of cavalry,
infantry, chariots and elephants.
Alaka. Kuvera's capital.
Alakshita. A forest where Narada dwelt.
Alambusha. Mother of Vishala q.v.
Alarka. A hero renowned for his devotion.
Amaravati. Indra's capital which is also called Vitapavati.
Ambarisha. A king of Ayodhya whose story is told in Balakanda.
Amrita. The ' Nectar of Immortality ' produced by the churning
of the ocean by Gods and Demons.
Anala. The God of Fire.
The name of one of Mali's sons.
The wife of Kashyapa.
Daughter of Sundari.
Ananga. ' Bodiless ', a name given to the God of Love after he
was consumed to ashes by Shiva.
A Monkey Warrior who was the son of Hutasena, the
God of Fire, Agni.
Ananta. The thousand-headed Serpent, also called Shesha, on
which the Lord Vishnu rests during the withdrawal of the
worlds. The name means ' Eternal ', ' Endless \
Anaranya. A king of the race of Ikshvaku.
Anasvya. The wife of the Rishi Atri.
640
GLOSSARY
ANDHAKA. A demon, the son of the Sage Kashyapa and Diti, who
was said to have a thousand arms and heads, and was slain
by Shiva.
Anga. The kingdom ruled over by King Lomapada, probably
Bengal.
A part or limb ; an army is divided into angas which has
been translated as divisions in this text.
Angada. The son of Bali, a monkey warrior, heir-apparent to
the kingdom of the monkey race.
Angadiya. The city ruled by one of Lakshmana's sons.
Angalapa. A city the monkeys searched for Sita.
Angakaka. A female demon.
The Planet Mars.
Angiras. One of the seven immortal Sages, the father of Gargya.
Anila. The God of the Wind.
One of the sons of Mali.
Anjau. A salutation made with joined palms.
Anjalipanas. Ascetics who drink from the hollow of their hands.
Anjana. A nymph with whom the God of the Wind became
enamoured and who subsequently gave birth to Hanuman.
Anshuman. The son of Asmanjas ; his story is told in Balakanda.
Antaka. A name of Yama, the God of Death.
Antigas. A measure implying a great number.
Antya. A Madhya ten times.
Anuhlada. The son of Hiranya-kashipu, a Daitya and the father
of Prahlada whose story is told in the Vishnu Purana. Anuhlada
bore away Sachi, Indra's consort, and was slain by him.
Aparaparvatas. A mountain range.
Apas. A title meaning the ' Friend of Water '.
Apsara. A water-sprite or nymph ; the word ' Ap ' meaning
' water ' and ' sara ' to ' emerge from '. The Apsaras were
the wives of the Gandharvas.
Arani. The wood of the sacred fig-tree which is used for kindling
at sacrifices.
Axanya. A forest or wood.
Arbuda. A hundred millions.
Archirmalayas. The offspring of the Ascetic Maricha.
Archisman. A monkey leader.
Arghya. A traditional offering of water, milk, Kusha Grass, rice,
Durva Grass, sandal-wood, flowers and so forth.
Arighna. A titan warrior.
Arishtanbmi. A Sage.
A name of Garuda meaning the ' Felly of whose wheel
is unhurt'.
Arjuna. The King of the HaJhayas, the son of Kritavirya who
defeated Ravana.
An Asura.
641
GLOSSARY
Arka. A monkey leader.
AXSHISHMAN. A titan, the father of Sumali.
ARTHA. Dharma, Artha and Kama — Duty, prosperity and legiti-
mate pleasure, which are said to be the three ends of
life.
Artha- Siiastra. The Science of moral and political government.
The Artha Shastras are ancient Hindu Treatises summarizing
the main duties of man in the field of politics and economics
where the subjects are treated from the individual and not the
universal point of view.
Arthasadmaka. One of the ministers of Dasaratha's court.
Aruja. Patronymic of the descendants of Bhrigu.
The daughter of Shukracharya, the name means 'Purity'.
Aruna. An Eagle or Jay, the brother of Garuda.
Aritndhati. The wife of the Rishi Vasishtha who was a model of
conjugal excellence.
The morning star.
Aryama. Chief of the Pitris or ancestors.
Asava. Wine made of sugar and honey of the blossom ' Bassia
Latifolia '.
Ascetics. Sages who practiced austerities of which some are : —
Ajas. Those mentioned in the Veda.
Ardrapatavasas. Those who practised silent prayer.
Asmakuttas. Those who lived in stone huts on uncooked
food.
Dantolukhalia. Those who partook of raw food, such as
grain, and crushed it between their teeth.
Gatrasayyas. Those who slept on the ground without
making a bed.
Marichipas. Those who lived by absorbing the rays of
the sun or moon.
Pancagnis. Those who practised asceticism between five
fires, that is four fires and the sun above.
Patraharas. Those who lived on the leaves of trees.
Samprakalas. Those said to be born of the water in
which Brahma's feet are cleansed.
Vaikhanasas. Those born from the nails of Brahma.
Valakhilyas. Those born from the body of Brahma.
Ashadha. A month, part of June and July.
One born under the Constellation Ashadha.
Ashaniprabha. A titan warrior.
Ashma. The city in Varuna's realm that belonged to Bali.
Ashoka. One of Rama's counsellors. (For the tree of this name
see separate Glossary).
Ashrama. A hermitage or forest retreat.
Ashtavakra. A Sage of great spiritual eminence.
Ashva. A Sage.
642
GLOSSARY
Ashvagriva. The son of Kashyapa.
Ashvamedha. The Horse-sacrifice of Vedic times performed only
by kings.
Ashvapati. See Yudhajita.
Ashvatara. The name of the foremost of the Serpent Race ; its
meaning is * Swift ', ' Speedy '.
Ashvayuj. The month that is part of September and October.
ASHVINS or Ashvini-Kumaras. Celestial Horsemen, precursors of
the dawn, twin offspring of the sun and patrons of medicine.
Ashviputras. The sons of the Ashvins.
Asi. From ' Asi Pattra Vana ', a hell where the trees have leaves
as sharp as swords.
Asita. The father of Sagara q.v.
Atala. See Fatala.
Atapin. A name of the Sun meaning ' Causing Heat \
A bird ' Falco Cheela '.
Atharva Veda. The Fourth Veda.
Atibala. See Bala and Atibala.
Atikaya. ' Huge-bodied ', a name of a titan warrior.
Atiratha. A great Car-warrior, one who can fight innumerable
archers, though less than ten thousand.
Atiratra. An optional part of the Jyotishtima-sacrifice ; also the
commencement and conclusion of certain other sacrifices.
Atodyas. A musical instrument.
Atri. One of the seven immortal Sages.
Atyartha Sadaka. One of the counsellors of King Dasaratha.
Aum or Om. The sacred syllable said to be the first sound in
creation ; its import can be studied in the Mandukya Upanishad.
Aurva. A great Rishi, the grandson of Bhrigu ; the name is
derived from ' uru * or ' thigh ' as he was said to have been
produced from his mother's thigh. His austerities alarmed
the Gods and his anger against the warrior class, who had slain
his forbears, was unparalleled. Eventually it was mitigated
by the intervention of the Fitris and he cast it into the sea
where this fire of his wrath became a being with a horse's head
named Hayashira.
Avanti. A city searched by the monkeys for Sita.
Avartani. A prayer which is said to induce the descent of the
Deity and cause all things to be perceived.
Avindaya. A titan.
Avindha. A wise and elderly titan.
Ayodhya. The capital of Koshala which was ruled over by King
Dasaratha, possibly Oudh.
Ayomukhi. A female titan.
Ayurveda. The * Veda of Life ', a work on medicine attributed
to the Sage Dhanvantari, who rose from the ocean when it
was churned by the Gods and titans.
643
GLOSSARY
Ayus. The son of Pururavas and Urvashi ; he was the father of
Nahusha.
Ayuta. A number not to be counted, a myriad or sometimes
said to be a thousand plus a hundred ; also sometimes denoting
ten thousand.
B
Bahadur. A title similar to a knighthood.
Bahlika. A country scoured by the monkeys in search of Sita.
Bahlikas. Bactrians or People of the north and west of India.
Bahudamshtra. A titan.
Bahumayin. An asura.
Bahusuvarnaka. A sacrifice at which liberal distributions of gold
are made.
Bala and Atibala. The ' Science of sacred formulas ', given to
Rama by the Sage Vishvamitra.
Bali. The monkey king of Kishkindha, brother of Sugriva.
Balimukha. A monkey leader.
Bana. A king who was the son of Vikukshi and the father ot
Anaranya.
Basakarna. A titan leader.
Bhadra. One of Rama's courtiers.
Bhaga. A Deity mentioned in the Vedas ; it is the name of an
Aditya presiding over love and marriage ; the appellation
actually means * Wealthy Master ' or ' Gracious Lord ' and
' Bestower of Wealth ' ; this name is also used for the
Moon,
Bhagiratha. A descendant of King Sagara, who by his penances
brought the River Ganges to earth.
Bhagirathi. A name given to the River Ganges in memory of
the Sage Bhagiratha.
Biianu. A title of the Sun meaning ' Possessed of Brightness \
Bharadwaja. A Sage who entertained Rama, Sita, Lakshmana
and later Bharata in the forest. (See Balakanda.) Many
Vedic Hymns are attributed to him.
Bharata. The younger brother of Rama and son of Queen Kaikeyi.
Bharatvarsha. Ancient India.
Bhargava. A patryonymic of the Sage Chyavana, the offspring of
Bhrigu. It is also used for Shukra and others.
Bhasakarna. A titan slain by Hanuman.
Bhaskara. A name of the Sun-god who was the father of Sugriva.
Bhasvat. A name given to the Sun-god meaning * Luminous *,
" Splendid ', * Possessing Light *.
644
GLOSSARY
Bhava. A name of Shiva.
Bhavishya. One of the eighteen Puranas ; a revelation of future
events by Brahma.
Bhava. * Fear *, the sister of Kala and consort of Praheti.
Bheri. A kettledrum.
Bhogavati. A voluptuous subterranean city belonging to the
Serpent Race ; it is sometimes called Putkari.
Bhramara. A bumble-bee.
A bird.
Bhrigu. A Vedic Sage, said to be the son of Manu.
Bhringaraja. A Shrike or bee.
Bhujamgas. Beings of the Serpent Race.
Bhur, Bhuvah, Swah. The Lower, Middle and Upper Worlds.
Bhutas. Spirits or ghosts.
Bhutagramas. The aggregate of living beings or a multitude of
spirits or ghosts.
Bhuti. The mother of the Nymph Manu.
Bibhutaka. A double ladle made of wood for pouring ghee into
the sacrificial fire.
Bibishana or Vibishana. The younger brother of Ravana but a
devotee of Rama ; he was installed as King of Lanka on
Ravana's death.
Bindusara. A lake.
Bishaka or Vishaka. A devotee who constantly contemplates the
Deity.
One of the Nakshatras q.v.
Blue-Throated One. A title given to Shiva, whose throat took
on this colour when he drank the poison churned from the
ocean by the Gods and Asuras.
Brahma. The Creative Aspect of Divinity.
Brahmachari. A religious student living in the house of a spiritual
Teacher or Guru, having taken certain vows.
Brahmacharini. The female counterpart of a brahmachari.
Brahmacharya. Religious studentship implying the taking of
certain vows.
Brahmadatta. A king who was cursed by the Sage Gautama and
became a vulture.
Brahma Jnana. The Knowledge of Brahman, Truth or Reality
through direct perception.
Brahma Kosha. The Abode of Hyranyagarbha q.v.
Brahma Laya. The Abode of the Four-faced Brahma.
Brahman. The Absolute or Highest Reality, attributeless being.
Brahmanmalas. A country explored by the monkeys when in
search of Sita.
Brahmaputra. The son of Brahma or a brahmin.
The name of a river.
The eastern extremity of the Himalayas.
2T 645
GLOSSARY
Brahmarshi. A Constellation said by some to be Shravana q.v.
The name of a certain class of Rishi, higher than a Maharishi
and of the brahmanical order. Sometimes written Brahma-
rishi.)
Brahmashatru. A titan warrior.
Brahmashiras. The Abode of the Deity presiding over the Brahma
Weapon.
Brahmavadi. One who recites or expounds the Veda, or teaches
the Spiritual Knowledge.
Brihaspati or Vrihaspati. The spiritual Preceptor of the Gods,
also said to be the Regent of the Planet Jupiter which is called
by the same name.
Budha. The Planet Mercury.
Bull. The white bull, called Nandi, which is said to be the God
Shiva's vehicle and represents the Sattwa-guna. (See under
Gunas.)
Castes. There are four castes, the priestly, warrior and merchant
class and the one that serves the other three.
Chabakya. A Sage who entertained Shatrughna in his hermitage.
Chaitraratha. The King of the Gandharvas.
Chaitraratha Gardens. The Celestial Gardens belonging to the
God Kuvera.
Chaitya. A tombstone, column, monument or sacrificial pile.
Chakracharas. Designation of a class of Beings ; the name means
' Moving in a circle '.
Chakratunda. A fish resembling a wheel.
Chakravaka. A Brahmany Duck or Ruddy Goose.
Chamara. A Chowrie or fan made of Yaks tails, an insignia of
royality.
Chandala. An outcaste.
Chandaki. A female titan.
Chandas. A sacred hymn or verse distinct from those in the Vedas.
Chandra. The Moon.
Chandrachritas. A country explored by the monkeys when they
were searching for Sita.
Chandrahasa. A glittering scimitar, Ravana's sword, which he
received from Shiva as a boon. The name means ' Deriding
or shaming the moon '.
Chandrakanta. The city ruled over by the son of Lakshmana.
Charanas. The Panegyrists of the Gods.
Charavat. A mountain in the ocean where Vishvakarma forged
the discus used by Vishnu.
646
GLOSSARY
Charyagopura. The mountain where Kumbhakaraa slept.
Chatak Bird. ' Cuculus Melanoleucus ', a bird that according
to legend lives only on rain-drops.
Chaturanga. An army consisting of foot soldiers, cavalry, elephants
and chariots.
Chitra. The Planet Spica.
The month Chitra or Chaitra which is part of February
and March.
Chittrakuta. A sacred mountain where Rama and Sita dwelt in
exile and is to this day considered a holy retreat.
Chyavana. A Sage, the son of the Rishi Bhrigu.
Dabhimukka. A monkey who guarded a grove and was ill-treated
by Angada's victorious troops.
Daityas. Giants, titans or demons.
Daksha. One of Brahma's sons, whose daughter Uma became
the consort of Shiva.
Dakshayani. A female demon named Surasa also.
DaksHINA. Traditional offering made after a sacred ceremony.
Damshtra. A titan warrior.
Dakavas. A race of Giants who were enemies of the Gods.
Danda. A staff or rod.
The name of Sumali's son whose story is told in ' Uttara
kanda. '
Dandadhara. ' Bearer of the Rod ', a name of Death as Bearer of
the Rod of Punishment.
Dandaka. The name of a vast forest lying between the Rivers
Godavari and Narmada, the scene of Rama and Sita's exile.
Dandi, One of the Sun-god's doorkeepers.
Danshira. A titan.
Dantavakra. One of Rama's courtiers.
Danu. A name of the Demon Kabandha q.v.
One of Bali's forbears.
Dardura. A mountain in the south, sometimes associated with
Mount Malaya.
Darimukha. A monkey warrior.
Darmapala. One of Rama's ministers.
Darsha. Bi-monthly sacrifice performed at the changes of the
moon by those maintaining a perpetual fire.
Dasaratha. King of Koshala and father of Rama, Lakshmana,
Bharata and Shatrughna.
Dashagriva. ' Ten-necked One ', a title given to Ravana.
Dashanana. ' Ten-faced One ', a title given to Ravana.
647
GLOSSARY
Dasyus. Robbers.
Datyuha or Datyuhaka. A small Gallinule resembling a cuckoo.
Devaloka. The Celestial Region or the Abode of the Gods.
Devantaka. ' Slayer of the Gods ', the title of a titan warrior.
DevaRishi. See under Rishi.
Devas. The Gods or Shining Ones.
Devasakha. A mountain that was called the ' Refuge of the Gods \
Devavati. The daughter of the Gandharva Gxamani who became
the consort of Shiva.
Devayani. The wife of Nahusha.
Devi. A title given to Parvati, the consort of Shiva.
Dhanada. A name of Kuvera meaning * Granter of Wealth '.
Dhananjaya. A tide meaning ' Victorious in Battle ', used for the
Moon-god, Fire-god and others.
Dhaneshwasa. ' Lord of Wealth ', a tide given to Kuvera.
Dhanurveda. The Veda of Archery.
Dhanyamalimi. The mother of Atikaya.
Dhaka. One of the wives of the Sage Kashyapa.
Dharani. The Goddess of the Earth personified as the wife of
Dhruva q.v.
Dharma. Righteousness or duty, the traditionally ordained course
of conduct ; one of the four ends of life which are Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksha — duty, prosperity, legitimate pleasure
and liberation. Dharma is personfied as one of the Prajapatis,
the God of Moral Law and Spiritual Duty.
Dharmabrit. A Sage whom Rama encountered near the ' Lake
of the Five Nymphs.*
Dharmapala. One of Rama's counsellors.
Dharmaraja. A tide of Yama as God of Justice.
Dhatar or Dhatri. ' Creator ', ' Author ', ' Founder \ a name
given to Brahma, Vishnu and others.
Dhaumya. A Sage.
Dhrishti. One of the chief counsellors at the court of King
Dasaratha.
Dhruva. The Deity of the Pole-star whose story is told in the
Vishnu Purana.
Dhuma. The God of Smoke.
Dhumaketu. A meteor, comet or tailing star.
The personified descending node.
A titan.
Dhumra. Lord of all the Bears, an ally of Rama.
Dhumraksha. A titan warrior.
Dhundhumara. A title given to the King Kuvalashwa meaning
* Slayer of the Demon Dhundu '.
Dhurjat. A tide meaning ' Having matted locks '.
Dhwajagriva. A titan.
Dilipa. The father of the Sage Bharadwaja.
648
GLOSSARY
Dindima. A musical instrument.
Dirghatmas. A Sage.
Dirghayus. A Sage.
Dm. The daughter of Daks ha and wife of Kashyapa ; she became
the mother of the Daityas.
Divakara. ' Bringer of Day ', a title of the Sun.
Drona. A measure approximating to ninety-two pounds.
Drumakulya. A sacred spot spoken of by the Lord of the Waters
on which Rama was told to loose his destructive weapon.
Dukula. Woven silk or very fine cloth made of the inner bark
of the plant of the same name.
Dundubhi. A Son of Maya, a giant who fought with Bali, the
Ring of the Monkeys.
A kettledrum.
Durdharsha. A tide given to Ravana meaning ' Dreadful ',
* Unapproachable ' or ' Unassailable *.
Durgapura. Yadu's city.
Durmukha. A monkey warrior.
DURMUKHI. A female titan.
Durvasa. A Sage.
Dushanta. A General in Khara's army who was slain by Rama.
Dushkanta. A king who yielded to Ravana without fighting.
Dvijihva. A titan warrior.
Dvivida. A monkey warrior.
Dyumatsena. Prince of S'abra and father of Satyavanta.
Eightfold Intelligence. This includes the quality of accepting the
truth and what is right, cherishing it, remembering it, propagating
it and the knowledge of the ultimate essence.
Ekajata. A female titan.
Ekakshipingala. ' One-eyed ', a tide given to Kuvera.
Ekashalya. An aquatic creature ; the word means ' having a tip
or point ' possibly a swordfish.
Five Aspects. The consideration of (a) time, (£) place, (c) persons
and things concerned, (d) provision against mischance, (e) of
the possibility of success.
Four Powers. Physical power, mental power, power of resource
and the power of making friends.
Fourfold Defences. Defence by water, mountain, forest or by
artificial means.
649
GLOSSARY
Fourteen Qualities. Knowledge of time and place, endurance*
empirical knowledge, skill, physical strength, power of concealing
one's counsel, the honouring of obligations and promises,
heroism, appreciation of the enemy's strength and one's own
relation to it, gratitude and beneficence to one's dependents or
suppliants, non-acceptance of insult, freedom from uncontrolled
movements (poise).
Gadgada. The father of Jambavan.
Gadhi. The father of the Sage Vishvamitra and the son of King
Kushanabha, hence the patronymic ' Kaushika \
A king who yielded to Ravana without fighting.
Gaja. A monkey leader.
Galava. A Sage who prevented Ravana and King Mandhata
from using the great destructive weapon and reconciling them.
Gandhamadana. A general in the monkey army who was wounded
by Indrajita.
A mountain of fragrant forests to the east of Mount Meru,
sometimes called the ' Mountain of Intoxicating Fragrance '.
Gandhara. A region where the cities that were ruled over by the
sons of Bharata were established, now Afghanistan.
Gandharvas. Celestial musicians.
Ganges or Ganga or Gunga. The sacred river Ganges known
under many other names such as : —
Bhagirathi — after the Sage Bhagiratha.
Harasekhara — the Crest of Shiva.
Khapaga — Three-way flowing.
Mandakini — Gently-flowing.
Jahnavi after the Sage Jahnu and so on.
Ganhdarvi. The wife of Kashyapa and mother of horses.
Gargya or Garga. A great Sage who is mentioned in the Upani-
shads.
Garhapatya. A perpetual sacred fire maintained by a householder
who has received it from his father and passed it on to his
descendants. See also ' Three Fires. *
Garuda. King of the Birds, the vehicle of Vishnu and the destroyer
of serpents, sometimes portrayed as an eagle or jay with a
human head.
Gautama. A great Sage, the husband of Ahalya.
Gavaksha. A monkey leader, King of the Golangulas.
Gavasthana. ' Ray-furnished ' or ' Having the merit of Auspi-
ciousness ', a title given to the Sun-god.
Gavaya. A monkey warrior.
Gaya. A king who yielded to Ravana without fighting.
A monkey warrior.
650
GLOSSARY
Gay atri. The most sacred prayer of the Rig-veda which is personi-
fied as a Goddess and considered to be the consort of Brahma
and mother of the four Vedas.
Geya. A monkey leader.
Ghanavrishti. ' He from whom fioweth the fruit of acts ', or
' He from whom cometh the showers ', a name given to Indra.
Ghatodara. A titan warrior.
Ghora. A titan.
Ghritachi. A nymph, the wife of Kushanabha and mother of a
hundred daughters.
Go. A leader of Varuna's troops.
Godavari. A river close to the Dandaka Forest.
Godha. A piece of leather or metal worn on the left arm to protect
it from the bow-string.
Goha. Soft leather, possible cow or doe-skin.
Gokarna. A hermitage.
Golangula. A black monkey that has a tail like a cow ; also called
Gopuccha.
Golobha. A giant.
Gomedha. The Cow-sacrifice.
Gomukha. The son of Matali and the charioteer of Jayanta.
Gopratara. * A Ford for Cattle ', a place of pilgrimage near the
River Sarayu.
Gosava. The sacrifice of a cow lasting a day.
Graha. An inauspicious planet such as Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.
Grahamala. A cluster or group of inauspicious planets.
Gramani. The leader of an army or chief of a village or community.
A Gandharva who gave his daughter, Devavati, to Sukesha
in marriage.
Grandsirb of the World. A title given to Brahma, the Creator.
Gridhras. Birds of prey.
Grihi. One who, having completed his education, marries and
becomes a householder. See Grihasta.
Guha. King of the Nishadas, a mountain tribe ; he was a great
devotee of Rama.
Guhyakas. Hidden Beings who were attendants of Ruvera.
Gulma. A body of troops consisting of nine platoons, nine elephants,
twenty-seven horses and forty-five foot soldiers.
Gunas. ' Guna * literally means a thread or strand but is also
used for quality, attribute or property ; for instance, air has
tangibility and sound as its ' guna '.
According to the Sankhya Philosophy, nature consists of an
equipoise of the three ' gunas *, tamas, rajas and sattwa or
darkness and inertia, passion-struggle and finally goodness ;
these ' gunas ' are the characteristics of all created things.
Guru. A traditional Teacher of the spiritual science, one who
dispels ignorance.
651
GLOSSARY
H
Haha. A Gaiidharva.
Hala. ' Ugliness ' from which ' Halya ' meaning ' Ugly ' is
derived. See the story of Ahalya.
IIamsa. A swan, heron or flamingo.
Hanuman or Hanumat. A monkey who was Sugriva's minister
and friend and a great devotee of Rama. He was the son of
Pavana, the Wind-god and the Nymph Anjana. The name
actually means ' He of the fractured jaw '.
Hara. A name of Shiva.
A son of Mali.
A monkey warrior.
Hara-Hari. The name of Shiva and Vishnu conjoined.
Haridashva. A name of the Sun-god and of Indra.
Haridikya. An Asura.
Hari. The name of the Lord Vishnu meaning ' Captivating ',
' Pleasing '.
Harihaya. ' Having bay horses ', a title given to Indra.
Harijata. A female titan.
Hariloman. A monkey warrior.
Haritanemi. A Daitya.
Haritas. The people born of the Cow Shabala.
Harivaiianna. The name of Garuda.
The abode of Indra.
Hasta. A star identified as Corvus.
Hastimukha. A titan.
Hastinapura. A city on the Ganges.
Havis. A sacred draught or anything offered as an oblation with
fire, clarified butter or ghee.
Havishpanda. The son of Vishvamitra.
Hawan. A particular offering to the Gods in an ancient Fire-
ceremony.
Hayagriva. ' Horse-necked ', according to one legend, Vishnu
himself assumed this form to recover the Vedas which had
been stolen by two Daityas, Madhu and Kaitabha.
Hayanana. The ' Place of the Horse-necked One '.
Hema. A nymph who was the consort of Maya, the great magician.
A kind of gold.
Hemachandra. A son of Vishala and father of Suchandra.
Hemakuta. A mountain.
A monkey leader, the son of Varuna.
Heti. Heti and Praheti were titans or Daityas born from the waters
at the time of creation.
Himapandura. One of the elephants of the four quarters who
support the earth.
Himavat. ' The Abode of Snows *, the Himalayas.
King of the Himalayas.
652
GLOSSARY
Hiranyagarbha. The name of Brahma as having been born from
the golden Egg, a manifestation of the Supreme Soul.
Hiranya-Kashipu. ' Clothed in Gold ', a title given to a Daitya
who obtained the sovereignty of the Three Worlds from Shiva
for a million years and who persecuted his son Prahlada who
was a devotee of Vishnu.
Hiranyaretas. ' Having golden seed ', a name of Agni and the
Sun.
Homa. 1'he Homa Sacrifice is the act of making an oblation to
the Gods by pouring butter into the fire to the accompaniment
of prayers and invocations. It is regarded as one of the five
great Sacrifices called Deva-yajnas.
Hradini. A titan.
Hrasvakarna. A titan.
Hrasvaroman. The father of Janaka.
Hrishikesha. A name of Vishnu meaning ' Lord of the Organs
of Sense '.
Htmu. A Gandharva.
Hutasena. ' Eater of the Sacrificial Offerings ', a name given to
the God of Fire, Agni.
I
Ikshumati. A river.
Ikshvaku. The son of Manu, founder of the Solar Race of Kings
who ruled over Ayodhya.
Ila. The name of King Kardama when he had been transformed
into a woman.
Ilvala. A demon subdued by the Sage Agastya.
Indra. The King of the Gods who is known under other names
such as : —
Mahendra — Great God.
Shatakratu — He of a Hundred Sacrifices.
Purandara — Destroyer of Cities.
Vajrapani — He of the Thunderbolt Hand.
Lord of Sachi, (Sachi being his consort).
Maghavan — Possessor of Wealth, and other titles.
Indrajanu. A monkey general.
Indrajita. The son of Ravana, also called Ravani and Indra-
shatru.
Indraloka. Indra's abode, the Celestial Realm.
Indra's Bow. The rainbow.
Indrashatru. See Indrajita.
Indrayanu. A monkey leader.
Indu. A Constellation.
A name used for the Moon and the Planet Mercury.
653
GLOSSARY
Iravat. A title meaning ' Granter of Enjoyment or Refreshment '.
The name of one of the great Serpents.
Iravati. The mother of the elephant Airavata q.v.
Ishana. ' Ruler ', ' Master ', a name of Shiva.
Ithasa. Legend or tradition, history or traditional account of
former events,
Jabali or Javali. A brahmin at King Dasaratha's court.
Jaganatha. * Lord of the World ', a title given to Vishnu, Rama
and Dattatreya.
JAGARI. Coarse brown sugar made of Palm sap.
Jahnavi. A name given to the sacred River Ganges.
JAHNU. The Sage who drank up the sacred River Ganges.
Jalada. A sea that was considered a source of terror to all beings
into which the Rishi Aurva had cast his anger.
Jambavan or Jambavat. The King of the Bears, one of Rama's
allies.
Jambha. A demon slain by Indra.
Jambhumali. A titan.
Jambu. A fabulous river, said to flow from Mount Meru from
the sap of a giant Jambu Tree, which was supposed to be a
landmark similar to the Pole-star.
Jambudwipa. One of the seven continents of which the world was
said to be composed.
Jambunadi. Gold taken from the River Jambu.
Janaka. King of Mithila and father of Ska.
Janardana. ' Exciter or Agitator of Men \ a name given to Vishnu.
Janasthana. The colony of titans in the Dandaka Forest. The
name means ' Resort of Demons '.
Jangha. A titan.
Japa. The silent repetition of a prayer or sacred formula.
Jatapura. A city, searched by the monkeys for Sita.
Jatarupa. Gold in its original purity.
Jatarupashila. North of the Svadu Sea is this mountain of the
splendour of gold where Ananta sleeps.
Jatayu. The King of the Vultures who attempted to prevent
Ravana carrying off Sita and was slain by him.
J ati. One of the great Serpents.
Java. The father of the Demon Viradha.
Jaya. A Goddess, the producer of weapons ; she was the daughter
of Daksha.
Jayanta. One of King Dasaratha's ministers.
Indra's son, who entered into a duel with Xndrajita and
was saved by being borne away by his maternal Grandsire.
654
GLOSSARY
Jishnu. A title meaning ' Victorious ', ' Triumphant ' given to
Vishnu.
Juta. The matted locks of a devotee.
Jyotirmukha. A monkey warrior.
Jyotishoma. A sacred ceremony, really the Soma Ceremony with
either four or seven sub-divisions.
Kabandha. An Asura or demon who was slain by Rama.
KadamvARI. Natural wines which require no preparation.
Kadru. A daughter of Daksha who became the wife of the Rishi
Kashyapa and the mother of the many-headed Serpents in-
cluding Shesha and Vasuki.
Kahola. The father of the Sage Ashtavakra, who cursed his son
while he was in the womb causing him to be born with eight
humps.
Kaikasi. The consort of Vishravas and mother of Ravana, Kum-
bhakarna, Bibishana, Shurpanakha and other Rakshasas.
Kaikeya. The kingdom ruled over by King Kaikeya who was
the father of Kaikeyi.
Kaikeyi. The favourite consort of King Dasaratha and mother of
Bharata.
Kailasha. A sacred mountain which was said to be the abode
of Shiva.
Kaitabha. A Daitya slain by Vishnu.
Kakutstha. A tide used for the descendants of Kakutstha in
the House of Ikshvaku, also for Puranjaya, a Prince of the
Solar Race whose story is told in Vishnu Purana. The word
comes from ' Kakud ' an emblem of royalty and ' Stha '
meaning a prince or grandson of Ikshvaku.
Kala. Time and sometimes Time as Death.
The daughter of Bibishana.
A mountain searched by the monkeys for Sita and Ravana.
Kalaguru. Aloes or Agallochum, a species of Sandal.
Kalahamsa. Gallinule Porphyria, a species of duck or goose.
Kalaka. The wife of the Rishi Kashyapa and mother of the
Danavas.
The daughter of Kashyapa and Kalaka.
Kalakeyas. Giants or Danavas born of Kalaka.
Kalamahi. A river.
Kalanemi. An Asura, the enemy of the Gods.
Kalapas. A string of pearls or a band woven of pearls or small
bells.
Kala's Wheel. The * Wheel of Time. '
655
GLOSSARY
Kalikamukha. A son of Mali.
Kalindi. The wife of King Asit, mother of Sagara.
A river.
Kaliya. One of Rama's courtiers.
Kalmashapada. The name of King Saudasa, whose story is told
in Uttarakanda.
Kalmashi. A titan, demon or goblin.
Animals that are spotted or of a variegated colour.
Kalpa. A Day, and Night of Brahma, a thousand Yugas. A tree
of Paradise.
Kama. The Indian Cupid or God of Love, also called by other
names.
See also under Artba.
Kamadhuk. The wish-fulfilling cow which belonged to the Sage
Vasishtha.
Kampana. A titan.
Kampilya. The city ruled over by Brahmadatta.
Kamvala. A woollen cloth or upper garment.
Kanaka. A kind of gold.
Kanakhala. A mountain.
Kancana. A kind of gold.
A Sage in the line of Bhrigu.
Kanchana. Shatrughna's family priest.
Kanda. A monkey warrior.
Kandarpa. Another name of the God of Love.
Kandu. A Rishi who cursed a forest.
Kansa. A forbear of Bali.
Kanva. A great Rishi, the son of Medhatithi, the father of Kandu.
Kapalashiras. A Sage.
Kapardin. ' Wearing a Kaparda ', a special knot of hair ; a name
given to Shiva.
Kapatha. A titan.
Kapi. A monkey.
Kapila. A great Sage, founder of the Sankhya System of Philo-
sophy, who was said to be an incarnation of Vishnu. He
destroyed the sons of Sagara whose story is told in Balakanda.
Kapivati. A river.
Karala. A titan, one of those whose dwelling was burnt down
by Hanuman.
Karanda or Karandava. A species of duck.
Karaviraksha. A titan.
Kardama. The son of Prajapati, a Sage.
Kardameya. The son of Kardama, see under Ha.
Karenu. An elephant.
Karka. The Sign of Cancer.
Karkotaka. The name of a great Serpent.
Karkutaka. The name of a city,
656
GLOSSARY
Karma. The law governing the behaviour of matter in all its
gross and subtle forms in accord with the divine purpose.
Kartar. The Sun.
Kartasvara. A kind of gold.
Kartavirya. A title of Arjuna, the King of the Haihayas.
Kartika. October, when the sun enters Libra.
Karttikeya. The God of War who is also called Skanda and
Mahasena. He was the son of Shiva.
Karushas. A people.
Kashi. The modern Benares, a sacred city. The King of Kashi
was Rama's ally.
Kashikoshalas. A region explored by the monkeys for Sita.
Kashya. An ascetic.
Kashyapa. The great Vedic Sage, grandson of Brahma, who was
the father of Vivasvata.
Katyayana. A Sage and Writer of great celebrity, the author of
Dharmashastra.
Kaupin. A loin cloth.
Kaushalya. Dasaratha's chief queen and the mother of Rama.
Kausheya. A Rishi.
Kaushika. A title of Vishvamitra after his grandfather.
The name of a devotee who went to hell for having pointed
out a road to robbers by which they pursued and killed some
persons who were fleeing from them.
Kaushiki. The sister of Vishvamitra who became a river.
Kaustubha. The celebrated jewel that was churned from the
ocean and later adorned the breast of Vishnu.
Kavandhas. Headless spirits or ghosts.
Kavashin. A Sage.
Kaveri. A river, the resort of Apsaras.
Kavyahanas. A class of Celestial Beings.
Kesarin. The father of Hanuman, a monkey warrior.
Keshini. A river.
Keshni. King Sagara's chief queen.
Ketumati. The consort of Sumali.
Keyura. A bracelet worn on the upper arm.
Khaga. ' Coursing in the highest heaven ', a title of the sun.
Khara. A titan, the brother of Ravana, who was slain by
Rama.
Khiva or Kheeva. Frumenty ; hulled wheat boiled in milk and
sweetened.
Kila-Kila. The monkeys' cry.
Kimpurushas. Beings, half human, half animal, sometimes
identified with the Kinneras.
Kinkaras. Titans sent out by Ravana to capture Hanuman after
he had destroyed the Ashoka Grove.
Kinkini. A small bell or woven band of small bells.
657
GLOSSARY
Kinneras. Celestial Beings with horses heads who attend on the
God Kuvera.
Kiratas. A race of hunters.
Kirti. A celestial nymph personifying fame and glory.
Kishkindha. The country ruled over by Bali, possibly Mysore ;
this kingdom was handed on to Sugriva by Rama.
Knower of Self. A knower of Truth or Reality— an illumined
being.
Koshala. The kingdom ruled over by King Dasaratha.
Koti. Ten millions.
Koyashtika. A lapwing.
Krathana. A monkey warrior.
Kratu. A great Sage, one of the seven immortal Sages, Regents
of the stars of the constellation of the Plough.
Kratudhama. ' Protector of sacrifices ', a tide of Vishnu.
Krauncha. A species of heron, Ardea Jaculator.
A mountain.
Kraunchacharya. A Sage.
Krauncharanya. A forest.
Kraunchavata. A mountain.
Kraunchi. A daughter of Kashyapa and Tamra ; she became the
mother of owls and birds of prey.
Krikara. A partridge.
Krishnagiri. A mountain.
Krishnavartman. Father of Krathana, a monkey leader.
Krishna veni. A river.
Kritanta. Destiny, fete or death. The name means ' Bringer
to an end \
Kkitayuga. The Golden Age.
Krittikas. The Pleiades, nurses of the God of War, Karttikeya.
Krodiiavasha. One of the wives of Kashyapa.
Krosha. A distance equal to the distance the voice carries.
Ksharamadi. The Kshara River, said to be in hell, its waters
are corrosive.
Kshatraveda. A treatise in the Veda relating to a warrior's duties.
Kshatriyas. Those of the warrior class.
Kshirodha. The ocean of milk.
Kshupa. The name of one of the kings of the Ikshvaku Race »
the word means a bush or shrub, lit. : ' having roots \
Kshuradhara. A sharp razor-like instrument.
Kukshi. Son of Ikshvaku, the father of Vikukshi.
A region explored by the monkeys in search of Sita.
Kula. One of Rama's courtiers.
Kulinga. A city.
A river.
A bird.
Kumbha. A titan, a son of Kumbhakarna.
658
GLOSSARY
Kumbhahanu. One of Prahasta's companions.
Kumbhakarna. The brother of Ravana, a monster slain by Rama.
Kumbiiayoni. A name given to the Sage Agastya referring to his
birth in a jar.
Kumbhinasi. The consort of AAadhu.
Kumuda. A monkey leader.
One of the elephants of the four quarters.
Kunjara. The father of Anjana and maternal grandfather of
Hanuman.
The place where Vishvakarma constructed an abode for
Agastya.
Kurari. An osprey.
Kurus. A tribe.
A forest.
Kusha. One of the sons of Rama and Sita.
Kushadvaja. The brother of Janaka and father of the wives of
Shatrughna and Bharata.
Kushamrha. The son of Kusha and grandson of Brahma.
Kushanabha. The son of Kusha and brother of Kushambha ;
his daughters married Brahmadatta.
Kushaparva. A monkey, the son of Vivasvata.
Kushashva. The son of Sahadeva and father of Somadatta.
Kushavati. The city built by Rama for his son Kusha.
Kushikas. The descendants of Kusha.
Kutika. A river.
Kutikoshtika. A river.
Kutsa. An ascetic.
Lagna Karka. The sign of Cancer.
Lagna Meena. The sign of Pisces.
Lagnas. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are considered as rising
above the horizon in the course of the day. The Lagna has
the name of the sign, its duration is from the first rising of the
sign till the whole is above the horizon. Lagna literally means
the point where the horizon and the path of the planet meet.
Lakshmana. The son of King Dasaratha and Queen Sumitra and
the favourite brother of Rama, who accompanied him in his
exile. Lakshmana was said to be the incarnation of the Serpent
Shesha who upholds the world, and also an aspect of Vishnu.
Lamb a. A mountain.
Lanka. The kingdom ruled over by Ravana, King of the Titans,
or what is now Ceylon.
Lava. The son of Rama and Sita.
Lavana. The son of Madhu and Kumbhinasi who was slain by
Shatrughna.
659
GLOSSARY
Layas. Time in regard to music, quick, moderate, slow.
Lohitanga. The Planet Mars.
Lokapalas. The Guardians of the four quarters who were Gods.
Lokashambhu. ' Creator of Joy ', ' Bringer of Happiness ', a title
given to Brahma or Shiva.
Lola. A Danava, the father of Madhu.
Lomapada ob Ramapada. A king whose story is told in Balakanda.
Lomasa. A titan.
Lopadmudra. The wife of the Sage Agastya.
Loshta. A vessel of coconut or metal used for begging and cere-
monial purposes.
M
Mada. The temporal juices of an elephant in rut.
The frenzy of intoxication.
Madana. The God of Love, Kama or Kandarpa.
Madayanti. The wife of King Saudasa.
Madgu or Madguka. Water-fowl.
Madha. Spiritous liquor made of honey and molasses and the
blossom of Bassia Latifolia.
Madhava. A name of Vishnu.
Madhavi. A name of the earth meaning ' Vernal Beauty ' or
' Drinker of Soma '.
Madhu. A demon, slain by Vishnu
Madhucchanda. Vishvamitra's son who was cursed by his father
for disobedience.
Madhumanta. A city founded by Danda.
Madhumatta. One of Rama's courtiers.
Madhuparka. A mixture of curds, butter, honey and the milk of
coconut, a traditional offering.,
Madhupura. The city of Madhu taken by Ravana.
Madhushpanda. A son of Vishvamitra.
Madhusudana. A name of Vishnu meaning the ' Destroyer of
Madhu *.
Madhuvana. The wood devastated by the monkeys.
Madhya. A number equal to ten Arbudas.
Magadha. A kingdom, now South Bihar.
Magadhas. The people of Magadha.
The country of the Magadhas.
Panegyrists.
Magdha-Phalguni. The season from the middle of January to
the middle of March.
Maghavan. A title of the God Indra.
Mahadamshtra. A titan who fought against the Gods.
Mahadbva. ' Great God ', a title of Shiva.
660
GLOSSARY
Mahakaya. A titan warrior.
Mahanada. ' Loud-throated *, the name of a titan warrior.
Mahapadma. One of the elephants supporting the four quarters.
Mahafarshwa. ' Mighty-flanked ', a titan warrior.
Mahaprasthana. Death, the word means * Setting out on the
great journey ' or ' Departure from life '.
Maharada. A titan warrior.
Maharaksha. A titan, the son of Khara.
Maharatha. A son of Vishvamitra.
Maharathas. Car-warriors, those who can take on ten thousand
archers single-handed.
Maharathras. Great warriors.
Maharshis. Great Rishis, also spelt Maharishis.
Maharuna. A mountain.
Mahasena. The God of War, Skanda or Karttikeya.
Mahashala or Mahashaila. A mountain where the sun was said
to rise.
Mahat. Cosmic Intellect.
Mahatejas. ( Of great energy or lustre ', a title.
Mahatma. ' Great soul ', a title given to a Rishi or Sage.
Mahavana. Great forest.
Mahendra. A name of Indra.
A mountain in the centre of the sea visited by Indra at
the time of the new moon.
Maheshwara. A name of Shiva.
Mahi. The Earth Goddess.
Mahimati. The city ruled over by Arjuna, King of the Haihayas.
Mahisha. A * Great or powerful animal ', a name given to Dun-
dubhi, the buffalo slain by Bali.
Mahishmati. A city ruled over by the God of Fire.
Mahodara. The name of a son of Vishvamitra.
A general in Ravana's army. The name means ' Huge-
bellied \
Mahodaya. An ascetic who was transformed into one of the
lowest caste by Vishvamitra's curse. The mountain where the
sacred herbs that revived Lakshmana grew.
Maina. A small percher about the size of a swallow which can be
taught to repeat words. Also called Mina or Mynah.
Mainaka. A golden mountain north of Kailasha.
A nymph who tempted Vishvamitra.
Mainda. A monkey leader.
Maireya or Mireya. Liquor extracted from the blossom of
* Lythrum Fructicosum \
Maithila or Mithila. The capital of Videha, a kingdom ruled
over by King Janaka.
Maithiu. A name of Sita as daughter of the King of Mithila.
Maura. The period of early morning.
2U 661
GLOSSARY
Makara. A kind of sea-monster, sometimes confounded with a
shark, crocodile or dolphin.
Malavana. A country.
Malaya. A mountain on the summit of which Agastya dwelt.
Mali. One of the sons of Sukesha.
Malyavan or Malyavat. Ravana's father-in-law, the brother of
Sumali and father of Mandodari.
Manasa or Manasarova. A lake on Mt. Kailasha, said to be
hollowed out of the mind of Brahma. The name means
' Lake of the Mind ' ; it is still considered a sacred place.
Mandakini. A river near Mount Chittrakuta.
A treeless mountain where Kama practised austerities.
Mandala. A circle.
Mandara. A mountain used in the churning of the ocean by the
Gods and Asuras.
Mandarkani. A Sage.
Mandavi. Bharata's wife, the daughter of King Kushadwaja.
Mandehas. Terrible demons that hung suspended from rocks in
Garuda's abode.
Mandhata or Mandhatri. A king of the race of Ikshvaku, the
son of Yuvaneshwa.
Mandodari. Ravana's consort and the mother of Indrajita.
Mangala. A monkey warrior.
Manibadra. One of Kuvera's warriors who was slain by Prahasta.
Manibhadra. A Yaksha defeated by Dashagriva ; see under
Parshva-Mauli.
Mankuka. A musical instrument.
Manmatha. A name of Kama, the God of Love.
Manthara. The hunch-backed maid of Kaikeyi, who inspired
her mistress to exact the fulfilment of the boons King Dasaratha
had conferred on her.
Mantra. A sacred formula.
Mantrapala. A minister of Dasaratha's court.
Manu. The first man, who was given the holy truth by his father
Vivasvata. See Bhagavadgita Ch. IV, opening verses.
Maricha. A demon who, disguised as a deer, lured Rama from
his hermitage, thus leaving Sita alone and allowing Ravana
to bear her away.
Marichas. Offspring of the Ascetic Maricha.
Marichiman. ' Having rays ', a title given to the Sun.
Markandeya. A Sage who was remarkable for his austerities.
A Purana is named after him.
Martanda. A name of the Sun.
Martandaka. * He who infuses life into the Mundane Egg ', a
name of the Lord.
Maru. A desert that arose from a rift made by Rama's arrows in
Drumakulya.
662
GLOSSARY
Marukantara. The place on which Rama loosed an arrow on
the request of the Ocean.
Marutas. Lords of the Tempest.
Maruti. A name of Hanuman as son of Mamta, the Wind-god.
Marutta. A king who encountered Ravana while sacrificing to
the Gods.
A Sage, disciple of Samvarta. Marutta officiated at the
Ashvamcdha Sacrifice for King Ila.
Mashas. A class of Sage or Hermit.
A measure.
Matali. Indra's charioteer.
Matanga. A Sage.
A forest or wood.
Matangas. Elephants.
Matarishvan. An aerial Being mentioned in the Rig-Veda as
bringing down fire to earth.
Mathura. A sacred city.
Matta. A titan warrior.
Maudgalya. A Sage.
Maya. The deluding power of the Lord by which the universe
has come into existence and appears as real.
The son of Diti, a giant who created a magical cave for the
Nymph Hema, his consort. Maya was the artificer of the Gods.
Mayavi. A giant slain by Bali.
Medini. A name of the earth on account of it having been covered
by the marrow of Madhu and Kaitabha after they had been
slain by Vishnu.
Megha. The Regent of the clouds.
Meghanada. A name of Indrajita meaning ' The Roar of a thunder-
cloud '.
Meghas. Musical instruments.
One of the ' ragas ' or musical scales.
Mekhala. An ornament worn round the waist.
Meru. A sacred mountain said to be the abode of Celestial Beings.
Merusavarni. A great ascetic.
Mitraghma. A titan warrior slain by Rama.
Mitrasaha. The son of King Saudasa, a king of the Raghu Race.
Mlecchas. Foreigners, barbarians, eaters of flesh ; a people said
to have been born of the sacred cow Shabala for her protection.
MoDaka. A kind of sweetmeat.
Modakara. A Sage.
Monkeys. Sometimes called Vanaras or Forest Dwellers or Deer
of the Trees, etc. See also Viharas, Valimukhas.
Mridanga. A kind of drum.
Mridu. One of Bali's fortresses.
The Planet Saturn.
A Danava.
663
GLOSSARY
Mrigi. The daughter of Krodavasha, the mother of elephants.
Mritasamjivani. See under Flowers and Trees Glossary.
Mrityu. The God of Death, another name of Yama, meaning
* Bringer of Death '.
Muditas. A class of servants.
Muhurta. An instant, a moment, an hour according to the context.
Mundi. ' Shaven ' or ' bald '.
Muni. A holy Sage, a pious or learned person, a title given to a
holy man.
Murachapattna. A country.
Muraga. A tambourine.
Mushtikas. People cursed by Vishvamitra who subsequently
assumed the lowest caste.
Nabhaga. The son of Yayati and father of Aja.
Nagabhogas. Sea-serpents.
Nagas. Those of the Serpent Race.
Nahusha. The father of King Yayati. Nahusha's curious story is
found in the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
Naigamas. Interpreters of the Veda.
Naimisha Wood. A wood so-called because Gauri-mukha destroy-
ed the army of Asuras there in the ' twinkling of an eye ',
' nai-misha ' meaning ' twinkling \ It was in this wood that
Rama celebrated the Ashvamedha Sacrifice.
Nairrita. The ruling star of the titans.
Nairritas. A name given to the titans as offspring of Nairrita.
Nakin. One dwelling in the sky or ' Naka ', a divine being.
Nakshatra. The Hindus, in addition to the common division of the
Zodiac into twelve signs, divided it into twenty-seven Nakshat-
ras, two in each sign. Each Nakshatra has its appropriate
name : —
i. Ashwini. 2. Bharani. 3. Krittika. 4. Rohini. 5. Mrga-
shiras. 6. Ardea. 7. Purnavasu. 8. Pushya. 9. Alesha.
10. Magna, n. Purva Phalguni. 12. Uttara-Phalguni.
13. Hasta. 14. Chitra. 15. Svati. 16. Vishaka. 17. Anuradha.
18. Jyasatha. 19 Mula. 20. Purvashadha. 21. Uttara-
shraddha. 22. Abijit. 23. Shravana. 24. Shravishtha or
Dhanishta. 25. Shatabhishaj. 26. Purva Bhadrapada.
27. Uttara Bhadrapada. 28. Revati.*.
* The last is used if Abijit is omitted.
Nala. A monkey chief, general in Sugriva's army.
664
GLOSSARY
Nalakuvera. The son of Vaishravana who was wedded to Rambha
and cursed Ravana for his assault on her.
Nalini. A river.
Namuchi. A demon slain by Indra by means of the foam on
water.
A Sage.
Nandana. The celestial Gardens of Indra.
Nandi. The sacred bull that is Shiva's vehicle and which symbo-
lizes the Sattwa-guna.
Nandigrama. The city from which Bharata ruled in Rama's
absence.
Nandishvara. A Sage who cursed Ravana.
Narada. A divine Sage who appeared to Valmiki and told him
the history of Rama's life. See Balakanda.
Naraka. Hell, of which Manu enumerates twenty divisions,
some being the abode of serpents or demons. The seven
best known are : Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Rasatala, Talatala,
Mahatala and Patala.
The name of a demon slain by Indra.
A son of Kashyapa and Kalaka.
Narantaka. ' Destroyer of man ', a son of Ravana.
Naravahama. The King of Kailasha who was vanquished by
Ravana.
Narayana. A name of Vishnu, so called because the waters (Kara)
were his first place of motion.
Narmada. A river.
A Gandharvi, whose daughters married Sumali, Mali and
Malyavan.
Nartakas. Dancers, actors, bards, mummers or heralds.
Natas. Dancers.
Natyuha or Natyuhaka. A small gallinule.
Nidhis. The personified treasures of the God of Wealth.
Nikumbha. A titan, the son of Kumbhakarna.
Nikumbiiila. A grove on the outskirts of Lanka.
Nila. A monkey chief, general in Sugriva's army.
Nishadas. A mountain tribe dwelling in the Vindhya Range who
lived by hunting.
Nishakara. An ascetic, friend of animals and of the vultures
Sampati and Jatayu.
Nishka, A gold piece or nugget, sometimes worn as an ornament.
Nishumbha. See Shumbha.
Nivatakavachas. A race of giants. The word means * Whose
armour is impenetrable '.
Niyuta. A hundred thousand.
Nriga. A king whose story is told in Uttarakanda.
Nrishangu. A Sage.
Nrisngha. An Incarnation of Vishnu as half-man, half-lion.
665
GLOSSARY
O
Om. See under Aum.
Omkara. The sacred syllable ' Om ' or * Aum \
Oshadhi-Prastha. The ' Place of medicinal herbs ', a city in the
Himalayas mentioned in the ' Kumara Sambhava ' a poem,
on the God of War by Kalidasa.
Padma. A measurement, a thousand billions.
A Yaksha.
An elephant.
A lotus.
Padmachalu Woods. Woods where the monkeys sought Sita.
Padmanabha. The ' Lotus-navellcd One ', a name of Vishnu.
Padmaprabodha. ' He who awakens the lotus ', a title of the Sun.
Padmavana. ' The Lotus-forest % a celestial retreat.
Pahlavas. Warriors born of the sacred cow Shabala, for her
protection. A name possibly given to the Persians.
Paka. A demon slain by Indra.
Pakashasana. * The Punisher of Paka ', a title given to Indra.
Pakshaja. The moon.
Winged clouds.
Palvala. A lake.
Pampa. The lake by which Rama and Lakshmana rested in their
exile.
Panasa or Panasha. A monkey leader.
A titan who was one of Bibishana's counsellors.
Panchajana. A Danava slain by Vishnu.
Panchajanya. Vishnu's conch.
Panchapsaras. The ' Lake of the Five Nymphs ', created by the
Sage Mandarkani.
Pancharatra. The name of the Vaishnava Sect.
Panchavati. A district near the source of the Godavari River.
Pandu. A mountain.
Pammagas. Celestial Serpents, the offspring of Kadru.
Paradha. A Samudra thirty times.
Paragas. Winged creatures.
Paramarishis. Great or Supreme Rishis.
Paramatman. The Absolute, Brahman.
Parantapa. A title meaning the * Oppressor or Subduer of a foe '.
Parasurama. ' Rama with the Axe *, the sixth Incarnation of
Vishnu, as the son of Yamadagni and Renuka.
Paratpara. A title meaning * Greater than the Great '.
666
GLOSSARY
Pariharyas. Bracelets.
Pariplava. A spoon used in sacrifices.
Parishtaranika. A funeral couch or pyre.
Pariyatra. One of the principal mountain ranges in India, said
to rise from the sea.
Parjanya. A Vedic Deity or Rain God. Sometimes used as a
title for Indra.
Parshva-mauli. ' One with his diadem awry ', a name given to
the Yaksha Manibhadra after being struck by Dashagriva in
combat.
Parusha. A titan.
Parvan. The period of the moon's change.
PARVATA, A Sage who cursed King Nriga.
Parvati. Shiva's consort ; also known under many other names
such as : —
Devi, Girija, Kanya, Sati, Padma-Lanchana, Shiva-Duti, Uma
and so on.
Pashpotkala. Son of Sumali and Ketumati.
Pashupati. ' Lord of Creatures ', a title given to Shiva.
Pataha. A war-drum.
Patala. See under Naraka.
Pattikas. Plates of metal (usually copper) inscribed with royal edicts.
Paulastya. See Poulastya.
Pauloma. The wife of Kashyapa and mother of the Danavas.
Paulomi. The consort of Indra, also known as Sachi.
Paundarika. The Soma Sacrifice lasting twelve days.
Paurnamasa. A sacrifice performed at the full moon.
Pavaka. A name of Agni, the God of Fire.
Pavakaksha. A monkey warrior.
Pavaki. The ' Son of Fire ', a name of Skanda, the God of War.
Pavani. A river.
Payasa. A preparation of rice and milk.
Phalguni. A Nakshatra q.v.
Phana. A titan.
Pinaka. Shiva's sacred bow.
Pinda. A funeral cake or offering.
Pingas. ' Tawny Ones ', a name given to the monkey race.
Pisachas. Ghosts or evil spirits.
Pishitakashanas. Flesh-eating imps or goblins, a name also given
to the titans.
Pitris. Ancestors or Manes.
Plavagas or Plavagamas. ' Those who move by leaps or bounds ',
the monkeys.
Poulastya. One of the Seven Immortal Sages and the grand-
father of Ravana.
Prabha. The consort of the moon and sometimes said to be the
personification of the light of the sun.
667
GLOSSARY
Prabhakara. A name of the sun.
Prabhava. A minister of Sugriva.
Prabhavishnu. A name of Vishnu.
Prabhojya. A monkey leader.
Pracanda. ' The Fierce One ', a name of the sun.
Pracetas. The eleventh Prajapati, Guardian of the West.
The father of Valmiki.
A name given to Varum and Agni.
Pradakshina. A salutation which consists of circumambulating a
person keeping him on the right hand.
Praghasa. A titan slain by Hanuman.
Prahasa. One of Varuna's ministers.
Prahasta. A titan, the father of Jambumalin and Ravana's coun-
sellor. He was the conqueror of Manibhadra and was later
slain by Nila.
Praheti. A Daitya, see Heti.
Prahrada. A Daitya.
Prajangha. A monkey warrior.
Prajapati. ' Lord of Beings ', a name given to Brahma and other
Gods.
Prajapatis. The sons of Brahma.
Prajyotisha. A city.
Pralamba. A mountain.
Pralaya. The time of dissolution of the world at the end of a
world cycle.
Pramatha. A titan.
Pramathin. A monkey renowned for his courage.
Pramati. One of Bibishana's ministers.
Pramodana. An ascetic.
Pramuchi. An ascetic.
Prana. Vital air or breath.
Pranayama. The Practice or Science of breath control.
Pranjali. A gesture of respect, holding the hands slightly
hollowed, side by side as if presenting an offering.
Frasabha. A monkey warrior.
Prasenajit. The son of Susamdhi and brother at Dhruvasamdhi.
Prasravana. A mountain.
Pratapana. A titan.
Pratardana. The King of Kashi, also called Kasheya, an ally of
Rama.
Prathishthama. A city founded by King Kardameya.
Pratihara. A doorkeeper.
Pratyaksthali. A sacred grove or a site facing the west.
Prausthapada. The month which is part of August and September.
Prayaga. The confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, which
is considered a sacred spot.
PRETAS. GhoStS.
668
GLOSSARY
Prishata. A spotted deer or piebald horse.
Prithivi. The earth.
Prithu. The son of Anaranya and the father of Trishanku.
A monkey warrior.
Prithugriva. A titan.
Priyaka. A dappled deer.
Pulaha. The twelfth Prajapati.
Puloma. The daughter of the Demon Vaishvanara who became
the wife of Kashyapa.
Punarvasu. The seventh and considered the most auspicious
Nakshatra q.v.
Pundarika. A nymph.
Pundras. A country.
Puntikasthala. A nymph outraged by Havana.
Punyashloka. ' Well spoken of, ' Famed ', a title of Vishnu.
Puranas. Legends and tales of ancient times in epic form ; there
are eighteen main Puranas.
Purandara. ' Destroyer of Cities ', a title of Indra.
Purodhas. See Purohita.
Purohita. A family priest.
Puru. The son of Yayati.
Pururava. A king who yielded to Ravana without fighting.
Pururavas. The son of Budha and Ha. Pururavas married the
Nymph Urvashi and their son was Ayus.
Purusha. The Supreme Spirit, the Soul of the Universe, the
original man.
A measurement, said to be twelve span.
Pusvaja. ' Appearing before creation ', a title applied to ancestors.
Pusha or Pushan. The sun or ' Newly-risen Sun ' or ' Maint ainer ',
a Vedic Deity, brother of Surya, personified as a herdsman in
the heavens.
Pushkala. Bharata's son.
Pushkalavata. The City of the Gandharvas ruled over by
Bharata's son.
Pushkara. A general in Varuna's army.
Pushpadanta. * Flowery-toothed ', the name of one of Shiva's
attendants.
A Sage.
Pushpitaka. A mountain in the sea where Celestial Beings
dwelt.
Pushpotaka. A female titan, the daughter of Suinali.
Pushya. A constellation of three stars considered to be auspicious.
When the moon is in a certain degree of the Sign Cancer,
it is said to be under the Pushya Asterism.
Putra. A son, who is said to deliver his father from hell or * Put '.
Puttresti. A ceremony for extending the race by the birth of
sons.
669
GLOSSARY
R
Rabhasa A titan warrior.
Rabhru. A Gandharva, one of the guardians of the sandalwood
forest.
Raghava. A title of those belonging to the House of Raghu to
which King Dasaratha and his forbears belonged.
Raghu. The son of Kakutstha and father of Pravriddha.
Rahu. A mythical demon said to cause the eclipse of the sun or
moon by assuming a meteor's shape.
Rajagriha. The city ruled over by Bharata's maternal uncle,
from which Bharata was brought home on the occasion of
Rama's exile.
Rajahamsa. A royal swan or flamingo.
Rajarishi. A royal Rishi. See also under Rishi.
Rajas. See under Gunas.
Rajasuya Sacrifice. A great sacrifice performed in ancient times
at the installation of a monarch.
Rajatalaya. The ' Place of the SUver-navelled One ', a mountain
near Mount Kailasha.
Raka. One of Sumati's sons.
Raksha Rites. Rites to avert evil.
Rakshasas. Titans or demons.
Rakshasi. A female titan or demon.
Rakta. ' Of a red or crimson colour ', a name of the Sun.
Rama or Ramachandra. The Incarnation of Vishnu who appeared
as the eldest son of King Dasaratha. It is round this great
figure that the Ramayana is written.
Rama-Katha. The recitation of ' Ramayana ' which has been a
tradition in India for thousands of years.
Rambha. A nymph who symbolized the perfection of beauty and
who was often sent from Indra's realm to distract Sages from
their pious practices.
A monkey leader.
RAMYA. A mountain.
Rasala. A preparation of buttermilk.
Rasatala. A hell, said to be at the bottom of the sea ; it was
explored by the sons of Sagara and is often mentioned.
Rashmiketu. A titan warrior slain by Rama.
Rashtravardhana. One of Rama's ministers.
Ratalaya. ' Silver-navelled \ the abode of a form of Hiranya-
garbha.
Ratha. A chariot.
Ratna. A necklace.
Raurava. One of the hells.
Ravana. A titan who became King of Lanka and after countless
wicked deeds, carried off Sita and was ultimately slain by Rama.
670
GLOSSARY
Ravi. The Sun.
Renuka. The wife of Yamadagni and the mother of Parasurama.
Richika. An ascetic who gave his second son Shunashepha to be
sacrificed.
The son of Bhrigu to whom Vishnu gave his bow.
The husband of Satyavati.
Rig or Rig- Veda. The original Veda, a collection of hymns.
Rikshabha. A mountain.
Rikshas. The bears.
Rikshavat. A mountain.
Rikshya. A monkey.
Rishakha. A monkey leader.
Rishi. A great Sage or illumined Being of which there were four
classes : —
Maharishi — A great Rishi.
Rajarishi — A royal Rishi.
Brahmarishi. A sacred Rishi.
Devarishi. A divine Rishi.
Rishyamuka. The mountain on which Sugriva took refuge and
where he met Rama.
Rishyashringa. The ' Deer-horned \ the son of Sage Vibhandaka,
who married the daughter of King Lomapada, Shanta, and
later performed the Puttresti ceremony for King Dasaratha.
Ritadhaman. A title of Vishnu meaning ' Of true and pure
nature \ It is also used for the thirteenth Manu.
Ritu. Any fixed time appointed for regular worship or sacrifice
such as Vasanta, the Spring; Grishna the hot season;
Sarad, the Autumn; Hemantashishshira, the cold and dewy
season.
Ritvijs. The priests officiating at an installation ceremony.
Rod of Brahma. See also Weapons Glossary.
Rohi. A fish — Cyprynus Rohita Ham.
A deer.
Rohini. The Star Aldebaran.
Rohita. A species of deer.
A Gandharva who guarded a sandalwood forest.
Rohitas. The name of the steeds of the Sun-god.
The name of a Deity celebrated in the Atharva Veda
probably a form of the Sun or Fire-god.
Romasiia. A monkey.
Rudhirashana. A titan.
Rudra. A name of Shiva.
Rudras. The sons of Kashyapa and Aditi.
Rudrasharapramoksha. A place sacred to Shiva where he dis-
charged the arrow at Tripura the Demon.
Ruma. Sugriva's consort.
Rumana. A monkey warrior, general in Sugriva's army.
67i
GLOSSARY
Rupayaka. An island full of gold mines where the monkeys.
searched for Sita.
Ruru. A deer.
Rushiras. A class of Yatudhanas.
Saghi. Indra's consort who was said to be the daughter of the
Daitya Puloman.
Sadagati. ' Ever-going ', a name of Vayu, the Wind-god.
Sadhya. The daughter of Daksha.
Sadhyas. The personified rites and prayers of the Vedas, who
dwell between heaven and earth and are classes as Deities.
Sadin. A titan.
Sagara. A king whose history is recorded in Balakanda.
Sahasradhara. The discus of Vishnu that was forged by Vishvakarma .
Sahasraxsha. The ' Thousand-eyed God ', a title of Indra.
Sahasrarchis. ' Thousand-rayed \ a title of the Sun.
Sahira. A mountain.
Saiiya. A mountain passed by the monkeys on their march to
the sea.
Sakata. A wooden mortar for cleaning rice.
Salakatantaka. The daughter of Sandhya and the consort of the
Titan Vidyukesha.
Salakatankata. A race of giants to which Malyavan, Mali and
Sumali belonged.
Salveyas. The mountains where the Monkey Sharabha lived.
Samhrada. One of Sumali's sons.
A titan warrior.
Samidii The fuel, wood, logs or grass in a sacrificial offering.
Samnada. A monkey chief.
Samnadana. Grandsire of the monkeys.
Samnunata. A titan.
Sampati. The vulture, brother of Jatayu, who told the monkeys
where Sita was held captive.
Samrocana. A mountain.
Samskaras. Latent impressions.
Samuora. A measure, a Madhya twenty times.
The waters as a whole, the ocean.
Samva. The mountain on which Hanuman alighted on his flight
to Lanka.
Samvarta. The brother of Brihaspati.
Samvasadana. A titan slain by Hanuman's father, Kesarin.
Samyodhakantaka. A Yaksha, one of Kuvera's warriors.
Samatkumara. One of the mind-born sons of Brahma.
Sandhana. A mountain.
672
GLOSSARY
Sandhya. The Goddess of the dawn and dusk.
Devotions undertaken at dawn and dusk.
SANKU. A measure, a thousand Arbudas q.v.
Santanas or Santanakas. A region near or the extension of
Brahmaloka where the bears and monkeys went on leaving
their bodies.
Samu. A monkey warrior.
Sanuprastha. A monkey warrior.
Sapindi. The Sapindi Ceremony was undertaken for the establish-
ing the connection with kindred through funeral offerings.
One of the titan generals.
Saptajanas. The hermitage of the seven Sages.
Saptaghna. A titan warrior.
Saptarshi. The seven Rishis who are said to be the Regents of
the Seven Stars of the Plough.
Sapta-Sapti. ' He from whom proceed the seven senses ' or
' Who has seven steeds ' , a title of the Sun-god.
Sarama. The daughter of the King of the Gandharvas Shailusha ;
she was the consort of Bibishana.
Saranga. A bird or animal of variegated colour such as the peacock
or spotted deer.
Sarasa. A goose.
Saraswati. The Goddess of speech and learning.
A river.
Sarayu. The sacred river, the Sarju.
Sarga. A chapter
Sarvabhauma. The elephant that carried Kuvera.
One of the elephants of the four quarters.
Sarvanshadi. Consists of * Mura Valerian ' and such drugs.
Sarvasau Varna. A mountain.
Sarvathasiddha. A brahmin who ill-treated a dog, his story is
told in Uttarakanda.
Sarvatmabhuti. All beings collectively.
Satarhada. The mother of the Demon Viradha.
Satataga. The Wind-god.
Satyavati. The sister of the Sage Vishvamitra, who assumed
the form of the River Kaushika.
Satya Yuga. The Golden Age. There are four Yugas that make
up the World cycle :—
Satya Yuga. Golden Age.
Treta Yuga. Silver Age.
Dwapara Yuga. Copper Age.
Kali Yuga. Black or Iron Age.
Saudasa. A king of the Ikshvaku Race.
Saumanasa. One of the elephants of the four quarters.
A mountain where the Ascetics or Vaikhanasas performed
their austerities.
673
GLOSSARY
Saumitri. A name of Lakshmana as son of Sumitra.
Saumya. The Planet Mercury.
Saura. A divine potion ; the name means ' relating to the Sun *.
Saurashtras. A country where the monkeys searched for Sita.
Sauvarcala. Sochal Salt or alkali.
Savita or Savitri. The sun, the producer of heat and the spiritual
faculties of heat.
Senani. The leader of an army.
A name for the God of Love.
Setubandha. The sacred spot where Rama threw the bridge
over the sea to Lanka.
Shabala. The wish-fulfilling cow belonging to Vasishtha.
Shabari or Shibri. A female ascetic whom Rama visited while in
exile.
Shadvala. A grassy spot.
Shaila. A mountain.
Shailoda. A river.
Shailusha. A Gandharva, guardian of a sandalwood forest.
Shaivala. The mountain where Rama found the Shudra ascetic
and slew him.
Shakas. A people.
Shakra. A name of Indra, King of the Gods.
Shakradhwaja. A standard or flag set up in honour of Indra.
Shakralaya. The abode of Shakra.
Shakramali. A fabulous thorny rod of the cotton tree used for
torturing the wicked in hell.
Shalyaka. A porcupine. See also Weapons Glossary.
Shambara. The Demon of Drought represented in the Rig-veda
as the enemy of Indra.
Shambarakarmoka. The place of Shambara's bow.
Shambhu. ' Bringer of Felicity ', the name of a Vedic Deity,
later associated with Shiva.
Shambhuinin. The ' Soul of the Universe * in its cosmic form
of the eleven Rudras.
Shambuka. A Shudra who sought to become a brahmin and
was slain by Rama.
Shamkha. One of the Great Serpents.
Shankhas. A measure, a hundred billions or a hundred thousand
crores.
Shankhashuda. A monkey warrior.
Shanku. A measure, ten billions.
Shanta. The daughter of King Lomapada who was wedded to
the Sage Rishyashringa.
Sharabanda. The mother of the Demon Viradha.
Sharabha. The Chief of the Bears.
Sharabhanga. A Sage who was visited by Rama and Sita in the
Dandaka Forest.
674
GLOSSARY
Sharabhu. ' Reed-born ', a name of Karttikeya.
Sharabi. A monkey warrior.
Sharagulma. A monkey leader.
Shardula. One of Ravana's spies.
Sharika. A bird, ' Turdas Salica * or ' Gracula Religiosa '.
Sharmishta. The daughter of Diti and wife of King Yayati.
Sharnga. The ' Bow of Time * belonging to Vishnu.
Shashabindu. The son of Kardameya.
Shashanka. The consort of Rohini, a name of the moon.
Shashi. ' Hare-marked \ a name of the Moon-god.
Shashtras. Teachings of divine and recognized authority.
Shatabali. A monkey leader.
Shatagulma. A monkey warrior.
Shatananda. The son of the Sage Gautama and the Spiritual
Director of King Janaka.
Shatapatra. A title meaning ' Having a hundred petals '.
Shatavala. A monkey leader.
Shatavali. A monkey warrior.
Shatha. A titan.
Shatrughatin. A son of Shatrughna.
Shatrughna. ' Slayer of Enemies \ the fourth son of King
Dasaratha.
Shatrumjaya. The elephant that carried Sugriva in Rama's
coronation procession.
Shikhin. The God of War, Karttikeya is called by this name
as the offspring of Shikhin or Shiva.
Shiriramashana. ' Remover of intellectual arrogance or evil-
mindedness ', a title.
Shishira. ' Benevolent, cool-rayed *, a title.
Shishumara. ' Child-killer ', a word used for a crocodile, a por-
poise or a dolphin.
Shitikantha. Shiva, the name means ' bark-throated '.
Shiva. The Lord in the aspect of ' Destroyer of Ignorance ' and
' Lord of Bliss \
SHIVI or SHIVYA. A king of the Raghu dynasty who rescued the
God Agni when he had transformed himself into a pigeon
and was pursued by Indra in the form of a hawk.
Shona. A sacred river.
Shonitaksha. A titan warrior.
Shravana. The month which is part of July and August.
A Nakshatra q.v.
Shravasti. The city ruled over by Lava, Rama's son.
Shri. The consort of Vishnu, Lakshmi who is the Goddess of
Prosperity.
A title of courtesy.
Shrimati. The wife of the Sage Kapila.
Shrivatsa. The mark or curl that Vishnu bears on his breast.
675
GLOSSARY
Shruta-Kirti. The consort of Shatrughna,
Shruti. The Vedas severally.
Shtanu. ' The Firm ', a name of Shiva.
Shudra. One of the lowest caste.
Shuka. One of Ravana's spies.
A Gandharva.
A Parrot.
Shukra. The Planet Venus.
A great Sage, Shukracharya who was said to be the son of
Bhrigu and whose patrionymic was Bhargava.
Shumbha. Shumbha and Nishumbha were two Asuras and
brothers who warred against the Gods and were slain by the
Goddess Durga..
A monkey warrior.
Shunaka. The son of the Sage Richika.
An Asura.
Shunashepha. The second son of the Sage Richika who was
offered as a human sacrifice but saved by the Sage Vishvamitra.
Shuka. A Gandharva, guardian of a sandalwood forest.
Shurashena. The region round Mathura. The word means
' Worthy of Heroes '.
A city ruled over by Shatrughna.
Shurpanakha. The sister of Ravana, a female titan who was
mutilated by Rama and Lakshmana.
Smvasana. A name of the Wind-god.
A name for the Demon of Drought.
Shveta. A mountain.
The Planet Venus.
The King of Vidarbha.
A monkey warrior.
A son of King Sudesa.
Shyeni. The daughter of Kashyapa and Tamra, mother of birds
of prey.
Siddhartha. One of King Dasaratha's counsellors.
Siddhas. Semi-divine Beings who dwell between the earth and
the sun.
Sidhu. A kind of rum distilled from molasses.
Sikhandi. ' Overcomer ', a title.
Sindhu. The River Indus.
A country east of Koshala.
Singhika or Simhika. A female demon who caught hold of Hanu-
man's shadow when he was crossing the ocean.
Sinhas. ' Flying Lions ', probably eagles.
Sita. The daughter of King Janaka, King of Mithila, and Rama's
consort.
Six Kinds of Taste. Sweet, bitter, acid, salt, pungent, acrid and
harsh.
676
GLOSSARY
Skanda. The God of War who was the son of Shiva, also called
Karttikeya.
Sleshmataka. A kind of wood taken from the Cordia Myxa Trees.
A forest.
Smriti. Literally ' What is remembered % tradition or laws given
by Manu and others.
Soma. The Moon-god, said to be a son of the Sage Atri.
The juice that is fermented from Asclepias-acida ; it is
used as a beverage or libation in sacred ceremonies.
Somadatta. The daughter of Urmila and mother of Brahmadatta.
Somagiri. A mountain.
Soura Sourahtra. Countries east of Koshala.
Srimara. A marine monster.
A species of deer.
Sthulashira. A Sage who was harassed by the Demon Kabandha.
Stone of Himavat. The stone on which Rudra sat to practice
asceticism.
Subahu. A son of Shatrughna, who was installed in the City of
Madhava.
A monkey warrior.
A demon who disturbed the sacrifices of the Sage Vishva-
mitra.
Subhadra. A sacred tree.
Suchena. A son of Varuna.
Sudamshtra. A monkey leader.
Sudanana. One of King Janaka's ministers.
Sudarshana. A lake covered with silver lotuses.
An island where the sun is said to rise.
An elephant ridden in battle by Mahadeva.
Sudesa. A king of the Vidarbhas.
Sudhama. The name of one of the guardians of the four quarters.
A name of Vishnu.
A mountain.
Sugrjva. The King of the Monkeys, an ally of Rama.
Suhotra. A monkey warrior.
Sukanabha. A titan.
Sukesha. A Daitya, the son of Vidyutkesha; his story is told in
Uttarakanda.
Sumagadha. One of Rama's rninisters.
Sumai.i. The son of Sukesha and father of Mandodari, Ravana's
consort.
Sumantra. One of the ministers at Dasaratha's court.
Sumati. The younger wife of King Sagara who gave birth to
six thousand sons.
Sumeru. A sacred mountain.
Sumitra. The mother of Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Sumukha. A Sage.
2x 677
GLOSSARY
Sun. The Sun appears under countless names such as : — Anshu-
man, Ahaskara, Bhanu, Bhaskara, Divakara, Dinakara, (Java -
sthana, Frabhakara, Surya, Savita, Sura, Suvarnasdrisha,
Twasta, Vyomanatha and others.
Sunabha. ' Having a beautiful navel ', a name given to the Moun-
tain Mainaka.
A name given to the son of Garuda.
Sunda. The father of Maricha.
Sundari. A name meaning ' Beautiful ' the consort of Malyavan.
Suparna. A name of Garuda, King of the Birds.
Suparshva. A son of the Vulture Sampati.
Supatala. A Titan warrior.
Suprabha. A Goddess who created celestial weapons ; she was
a daughter of Daksha.
Suptagna. A monkey warrior.
Sura. The Sun.
Surabhi. The daughter of Krodhavasha ; she became the consort
of Kashyapa.
Suraji. One of Rama's courtiers.
Suramukxa. A titan general.
Suras. A name of the Gods ; in the Veda it is applied to the
offspring of the Sun.
Surasa. A female demon who sought to obstruct Hanuman when
he was traversing the ocean.
Surashena. The country round Mathura.
Surashtras. One of King Dasaratha's ministers.
Suratha. A king who yielded to Ravana without righting.
A son of King Sudesa, King of the Vidarbhas.
Suryaksha. A monkey warrior.
Suryanana. A monkey warrior.
Suryanbandana. The place where the suns meet.
Suryaprabha. The abode of Surya, the Sun-god.
Suryasachu. A titan.
Suryashatru. A titan general.
Suryavana. A mountain.
Sushena. A monkey general, the father of Tara, Bali's consort.
Suta. Khara's charioteer.
Sutagna. A son of Malyavan and Sundari.
Sutas. A class of personal attendants.
Sutikshna. A Sage who lived in the Dandaka Forest and enter-
tained Rama, Lakshmana and Sita during their exile.
Sutras. Verses expressed in brief and technical language ; poetical
rhythms and stanzas. There are Sutras on innumerable sub-
jects beginning with the Vedas.
Suvarchala. The consort of the Sun-god.
Suvarka. One of the gold and silver islands rich in gold mines.
Suvarnasadrisha. ' Of golden aspect ', a name of the Sun.
678
GLOSSARY
Suvarnimeru. One of the so-called ' Golden Mountains ' of which
there were sixty thousand.
Suvasasuvarna. A mountain.
Suvela. A mountain near Lanka where Rama stationed His
troops.
Suyajna. One of King Dasaratha's spiritual Directors.
Svadamshtras. Ornaments worn in the ears.
Svadha, An oblation offered to the Pitris. The word means
1 Inherent power or strength '.
Svadu. A sea out of which the Jarupashila Mountain rose.
Svaha. The consort of Agni.
A word of power used in invocation and sacrifices.
Svahakaras. The utterance of ' Svaha ' at ceremonies.
Swamprabha. The daughter of the Sage Merusavarni.
Swamprabhu. ' Self-shining ', a tide.
Swarga. The Celestial Region.
Swargin. An inhabitant of the celestial Region.
Swyambhu. The ' Self-existent ', a name of the Creator.
Swyamvara. A ceremony where the bride chooses her own consort.
Svasti. A benediction.
Svastivachana. A religious rite preparatory to a sacrifice.
Svastiyatreya. A Sage.
Syandara. A river.
Syryavam. A mountain in the sea.
Taittirya. One of the Upanishads.
Taksha. A son of Bharata.
Takshaka. A name of Vishvakarma.
A name of one of the Great Serpents.
Takshashila. The city ruled by Taksha, Bharata's son, said to be
identified with Taxila that was occupied by the Greeks and
barbarians.
Tala. A leather strap used by archers.
A clapper used in music.
Tamabheda. ' Dispeller of darkness *, a name of the Sun.
Tamas. See under Gunas.
Tamra. One of the wives of Kashyapa.
Tamraparni. A river reputed to be abounding in crocodiles.
Tapana. ' Possessor of Wealth % a title associated with the Sun,
a Star and a Titan.
Tapas. Penance or austerity.
Tapovana. A forest.
Tara. The consort of Bali.
A monkey general.
679
GLOSSARY
Taraka. A meteor.
Tarasa. A monkey warrior,
Tareya. A monkey leader.
Tarkshya. In ancient times considered the personification of the
Sun in the form of a bird, later it became the name of
Garuda.
Tarkshyas. The father of the monkeys.
Tataka. A Yakshini, the mother of Maricha.
A lake.
Tejas. Lustre, energy or effulgence and spiritual power.
Thirty, The. This title ' Tri-dasa ' applies to the Gods ; in
round numbers thirty-three — twelve Adityas, eight Vasus,
eleven Rudras and the two Ashvins.
Three Divisions of Time, The. Past, present and future.
Three Fires, The. The Ahavaniya Fire in the east for offerings
to the Devas, the Dakshina Fire in the south for offerings to
the Pirns and the Gahapatya Fire in the west which is per-
petually maintained and passed on from father to son and from
which the other sacrificial fires are lit.
Three Humours of the Body, The. Wind, bile and phlegm.
Three Kinds of Action. Trivial, common or ordinary, important
and urgent.
Three Pairs of Qualities. Renown and virility, majesty and
beauty, knowledge and dispassion.
Three Sacred Abodes, or The Three Worlds. Bhur, Bhuvah,
Swah, the lower, middle and upper worlds, also called Tri-
loka and Tri-bhuvana, that is heaven, earth and the lower
worlds.
Tikshavega. A titan.
Tilaka. A mark of auspiciousness placed on the forehead.
Time. See Kala.
Timi. A whale or large fish.
Timidhvaja. The father of Indra and also of the Danavas and
Shambara.
Timingila. ' Swallowing even a ' Timi ' or fabulous fish ', a name
given to describe a sea-monster.
Timironmathana. ' Lord of the Welkin ', the Sun.
Tishya. An asterism shaped like an arrow containing three stars,
also called Pushya and Sidhya.
The Kali Yuga.
Tretayuga. The Silver Age.
Tri-Bhuvana, Tri-Dasa. See under The Thirty.
Tridiva. The Region of the Gods.
Trijata. A brahmin whose story is told in Balakanda.
A female titan who spoke in defence of Sita.
Trikuta. * Three-peaked ', the mountain on which Lanka was
built.
680
GLOSSARY
Trinabindu. A Sage whose daughter became the consort of the
Sage Vishravas.
Tripathaga. ' Three-way-flowing ', the ' Traverser of the Three
Worlds ', a name of the Ganges.
Tripura. A demon slain by Shiva.
A city put to fire by the Gods.
Trishanku. A king of the Solar Race whose story is told in Bala-
kanda.
A constellation.
Trishiras. Also called ' Trimurdhana ', a three-headed titan slain
by Rama.
Trivarsha. Three consecutive showers favourable to crops.
Trivishtapa. The City of Indra also called Amaravati.
Tryambaka. ' Three-eyed ', a name of Shiva, This title can also
mean ' Uttering the three Vedas or the three mystical Syllables '
Tumburu. A Gandharva cursed by the God Kuvera and born as
the Demon Viradha.
Tvashta or Tvashtri. A name connected with the Sun, with one
of the Adityas and also Vishvakarma ; The meaning is ' One
who shines '.
Twice-Born. Only a brahmin can be strictly termed ' Twice-
born ', but the title came to be extended later to the warrior
and the agricultural classes.
U
Ucchaishravas. The white horse of Indra produced from the
churning of the ocean by Gods and Asuras. It is said to be
fed on ambrosia and be the foremost of steeds.
Udaya. A golden mountain.
Udgatar. One of the four officiating priests at a sacrifice.
Ugra. ' Powerful ', ' Formidable ', ' Terrible ', a name given to
Rudra or Shiva and also the Sun.
Ukhara. The earth when impregnated with salt or sterile.
Ukthya. The second day of the Ashva-medha Sacrifice.
Ulkamukha. A monkey, the son of Hutashana, the God of Fire.
Unmatta. A titan warrior.
Upakhyamas. Episodes or tales, traditional recitations.
Upa-Naya. The ceremony of the investiture of the sacred thread
by which act spiritual birth is conferred on a youth and he
becomes a member of the Brahmin or Twice-born class. The
age at which this ceremony takes place is between eight and
sixteen years.
Upanishad. Esoteric doctrine. The third division of the Vedas,
forming part of the revealed Word.
681
GLOSSARY
Upasunda. A titan warrior.
Upatakshara. A Great Serpent.
Upendra. A name of Vishnu and later of Indra.
Ukagas. Great Serpents, those of the Naga Race.
Urmila. The consort of Lakshmana.
Urvashi. A nymph mentioned in the Rig-Veda. Many legends
are told of her in the classics.
Ushanas. Another name of Shukra, the Guru of the Asuras and
Daityas. This Sage assisted Indrajita in his sacrifices.
Ushara. Saline soil. (See Uttarakanda, Ch. LXXXVI.)
Ushirabija. The mountain that is also called Mandara where
King Marutta performed his sacrifice.
Ushiras. A hair-like grass growing on the golden trees of hell.
See also Flowers and Trees Glossary.
Uttaraga. A river.
Uttara Kanda. The seventh and supplementary book of 'Ramayana'.
Uttara Kurus. A race said to befriend spiritual persons.
Uttara Phalguni. A constellation under which Sita was said to
have been born.
Vachaspati. The Mother of the Gods and Goddess of speech
and learning. She is also called Saraswati.
Vadaba or Vadava. ' Mare's Fire ', the subterranean fire or the
fire of the lower regions, fabled to emerge from a cavity called
the ' Mare's mouth ' under the sea.
Vadavamukha. ' Mare's mouth ', the entrance to the nether
region said to be found at the south pole where the submarine
fire is found.
Vagadeva. One of the Adityas presiding over wealth.
Vaghrinasaka. A dark-throated, white-winged bird.
A species of goat,
Vahni. ' Bearer of Brightness ', a title.
A monkey warrior.
Vahnyalaya. The abode of the Fire-god.
Vahudamshtra. A titan.
Vaideha or Videha. The kingdom ruled over by Janaka.
Vaidehi. The name of Sita as daughter of Janaka, King of Vaideha.
Vaidisha. The city where Shatrughna's son ruled.
VAIDYA. A physician.
Vaidyuta. A mountain.
Vaijanta. A city founded by King Nimi.
Vaikhanasa. A class of Rishi or Hermit who dwelt on Mount
Saumanasa.
682
GLOSSARY
Vainateya. A name of Garuda.
Vairochana or Virochana. A name of the Sun and Moon,
meaning ' Illumining '.
One descended from Virochana.
A patronymic of Bali.
The Son of Prahlada.
Vaishnava. Relating to Vishnu or a sacrifice in his honour.
The Vaishnavas are devotees of Vishnu.
Vaishravana. A name of Kuvera, Ravana's brother.
The name of the daughter of the Sage Bharadwaja.
Vaishravanavanlaya. The abode of Kuvera.
Vaishvadevas. Relating to all the Divinities or Vaishvas or Vishvas.
Vaishvanara. The God of Fire, Agni.
The Zodiac.
Vaishyas. Those of the merchant or agricultural classes.
Vaitarani. A river in hell.
Vaivasvat. See Vivasvat.
Vaivasvata. A name of the God of Death, Yama.
Vajapeya. A sacrifice at which an acetous mixture of meal and
water is offered to the Gods.
Vaji-Medha. The Horse-sacrifice. ' Vaji ' meaning ' swiftness '
or ' strength ' as applied to horses.
Vajra. A mountain.
Vajrabanu. A titan.
Vajradamshtra. ' With teeth like thunderbolts ', the name of a
titan slain by Angada.
Vajradhara. ' Wielder of the Thunderbolt ', a tide of Indra.
Vajbahanu. A powerful titan.
Vajrakaya. A titan warrior.
Vajramushti. A titan warrior.
A son of Malyavan and Sundari.
Vajravala. The daughter of Virochana who married Kumbha-
karna.
Valakhilyas. Divine Beings, the size of a thumb, sixty thousand
of whom sprang from the body of Brahma and are said to
surround the chariot of the Sun.
Vaxi. Offerings to the Spirits of the air.
Valimukhas. ' Wrinkled-faced Ones ', the monkeys.
Vallaka. A small crane.
An Indian lute.
Valmiki. Poet, Sage and author of 'Ramayana'.
Valukini. A river.
Vamadeva. A great Rishi who was present at Rama's installation.
Vamana. The Holy Dwarf, the fifth Incarnation of Vishnu.
Vana. A forest.
Vanaprastha. A festival similar to a Harvest Festival.
683
GLOSSARY
Vanaras. ' Dwellers in the forest ', a name given to the monkey
race. A special breed of elephants.
Vanaris. Female monkeys.
Vanchulaka. A mythical bird.
Varana. A mountain.
Vararani. The mother of kine and bulls,
Varuna. The Indian Neptune, Lord of the Waters.
Varuni. The daughter of Varuna who was the personification of wine.
Wine prepared from Hogsweed distilled with date or palm
juice.
Varuthi. A river.
Vasava. A name of Indra.
Vasavi. A name of Bali, as son of Indra or Vasava.
Vashat. A word of power, a holy Syllable.
Vashatkara. The utterance of ' Vashat ' at ceremonies.
A Sage.
Vasishtha. A great Sage, the spiritual Preceptor of King Dasaratha
and Rama's own Guru.
Vastupati. ' Abiding Lord ', a tide.
Vasu. The son of King Nriga, whose story is told in 'Uttarakanda.'
One of the Seven Immortal Sages.
Vasuda. ' One who grants wealth or treasure ' , a name of the earth.
A Gandharvi who married Mali.
Vasudeva. A name of the Lord.
Vasudha. ' Containing wealth ', a name of the earth.
Vasuki. The Serpent King.
Vasuretas. A name of Agni.
Vasus. The sons of Kashyapa and Aditi. The eight Vasus
were originally personifications of natural phenomena, they were
Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Anila, Anala, Pratyusha and Prabhasa.
Vasvokara. Another name of Amaravati, the City of Indra.
Vata. A name of Vayu, the Wind-god.
Vatafi. A demon consumed by the Sage Agastya.
Vayu. The God of the Wind.
Vedangas. A sacred science considered subordinate to and in
some sense a part of the Vedas. Six subjects come under the
denomination : — Siksha — pronunciation, Kalpa — religious rites,
Vyakarana — Grammar, Chandas — Prosody, Jyotish — Astro-
nomy, Nirukti — Explanation of difficult words.
Vedas. The Holy Scriptures of the Hindu religion, the fountain
of divine knowledge.
Vedavati. The daughter of the Brahmarshi Kushadwaja.
Vegadarshin. A monkey leader.
Vedhas. * Arranger ', * Disposer ', ' Creator ', a name of Brahma.
Vbdi. An altar of Kusha Grass or a place of sacrifice.
Vena. A river.
Vibhabasu. ' Abounding in light *, a title of the God of Fire.
684
GLOSSARY
Vibhandaka. The son of the Sage Kashyapa and the father of
Rishyashringa.
Vibhudas. Celestial Beings or Gods.
VIBISHANA. See Bibishana.
Vibudha. A Deity or Teacher of the spiritual truth.
The Moon.
Vidarbha. A country, probably Birar, whose capital was Kundipura.
Vidhatar. A name of Brahma, the Creator.
Vidyadhahas. ' Magical-knowledge Holder % a particular class
of good or evil spirits attendant on the Gods.
Vidyudruna. A titan.
Vidyujjihva. A titan skilled in magic who created an illusory
head of Rama and his bow to deceive Sita.
Vidyuldamshtra. A monkey warrior.
Vidyunmali. A monkey warrior.
Vidyunmalin. A titan warrior.
Vidyutkesha. A Daitya, the son of Heti.
Vighana. A titan.
Vihara. A pleasure garden or recreation ground, temple or sanctuary.
Viharas. ' Those who roam about at pleasure ', a name given
to the monkeys.
Vijaya. A minister at King Dasaratha's court.
Vijihva. A titan.
Virata. A titan.
Vimpaksha. A titan.
Vimukha. A Sage.
Vina. An Indian lute.
Vinata. The mother of Garuda.
A monkey warrior.
Vinayakas. A class of Beings, sometimes malevolent.
Vindha. The hour that is auspicious for finding what has been lost.
Vindhya. A mountain ordered by Agastya not to increase in
height.
Vipaga. A river.
Vipanci. An Indian lute.
Vira. A name of the Sun.
Vira Posture. The posture which is favourable to the regulation
of breath.
Virabanu. A monkey warrior.
Viradha. A demon, the son of Java and Shatarada who was slain
by Rama and had formerly been the Gandharva Tumburu.
Vikochana. See Vairochana.
Virupaksha. A titan, also called Virupanetra. The word Viru-
paksha means ' Of distorted eyes *, it is a name also given to
Shiva who is said to have three eyes.
The son of Malyavan.
One of the Elephants of the Four Quarters.
685
GLOSSARY
Viryasana. The son of King Saudasa who became known as
Kalmashapada on account of a curse.
Vishaka. A lunar asterism.
A month in the flowering season.
Vishala. A titan.
Vishalaksha. ' Having beautiful eyes ', a name of Shiva, Garuda
and a Great Serpent.
Vishampati. ' Lord of Men ', a title.
Vishnu. The Lord in the aspect of ' Maintainer of the Universe \
Vishravas. A great Sage born of Prajapati. The name comes
from the root ' Sru ' to listen, as his mother conceived when
listening to the Veda being recited. He is said to be the son of
Poulastya in 'Ramayana' and was the father of Ravana and Kuvera.
Vishva. The daughter of Daksha.
A title meaning ' He who pervades all '.
Vishvas or Vishvadevas. All the Gods who are said to be the
'Preservers of Men' and ' Bestowers of Rewards'. They
are the sons of Vishva.
Vishvakarma. The architect of the Gods. The ' Maker of
Weapons '.
Vishvakrita. Another name for Vishvakarma.
Vishvamara. ' Possessed of all desirable things ' or ' Granting
all boons ' or ' Adored or cherished by all ', a title.
Vishvamitra. A great Sage whose story is told in Balakanda.
Vishvanatha. ' Lord of the Universe ', a name of Shiva.
ViSHVARUPA. A title of Vishnu meaning ' Omnipresent ' or ' Wear-
ing all forms \
Vishvatam. The God of the Wind.
Vitapavati. The Gty over which Kuvera ruled.
Vitardana. A titan warrior.
Vittapa. A name of Kuvera.
Vivasvat. * The Brilliant One ', the Sun. Vivasvat was said to
be the father of Manu.
Vrana. The well of the waters of hell.
Vrashparvana. A Daitya, father of Sharmishta, the consort of
King Yayati.
Vrinda. A large number, a multitude.
Vrisha. The Bull of Shiva, also called Nandi.
Vrishabha. A monkey warrior.
Vrishad waja. An appellation of Shiva 'Having the Bull as his vehicle'.
Vrishti. A minister at Rama's court.
Vritra or Vritasura. A demon slain by India.
One of Bali's forbears.
Vyavanayakas. Servants of Queen Kaushalya.
Vyavasaya. The power of withdrawal.
A name of Vishnu.
Vyomanatha. ' Lord of the Welkin % the Sun.
686
GLOSSARY
W
X
Yadu. The son of Yayati and Devayani. Yayati was the founder
of the Yadavas in which line Krishna was born.
Yajna. A sacrifice or penance.
Yajnakopa. A titan warrior slain by Rama.
Yajnashatru. A titan warrior.
Yajurveda. The part of the Veda that treats of rituals.
Yaksha. A minister of Sugriva.
Yakshas. Supernatural Beings, attendant on Kuvera.
Yakshinis. Female Yakshas.
Yama. The God of Death.
Yamala. An Asura, enemy of the Gods.
Yamala-Arjuna. Enemies of Krishna who in the form of trees
he uprooted as a child.
Yamuna. A sacred river.
Yatudhanas. Evil Spirits that assume various forms. The name
is also given to the Rakshasas.
Yava. An island searched by the monkeys for Sita and Ravana.
Yavakrita. A Rishi.
Yavanas. A people said to have been born of the sacred cow
Shaba la.
Yayanta. One of Rama's ministers.
Yayati. The son of Nahusha, a forbear of King Dasaratha, his
story appears in the ' Mahabharata * and the ' Vishnu Purana '.
Yoga. ' Union ' : the methods (of meditation, mind-control, self-
discipline etc.) through which man came to realise the identity
of his own essential being with God.
Yogandhara. ' The United ', a title.
Yojana. A measurement approximately four or five miles.
Yuddhonmatta. A titan warrior.
Yudhajita. Prince of Kaikeya, Bharata's maternal uncle.
Yuga. A world Age or period. The Yugas are four in number
and their duration several thousand years. Between each
of the periods there is a time called Sandhya or Twilight when
creation is withdrawn and lies latent in the Supreme Spirit,
Brahman.
Yugantadahaka. The ' End of Time ', or the * Consumer of the
Worlds Cycles,' a name of Vishnu.
Yupaksha. A titan slain by Hanuman.
Yuvanashva. The son of Dhundhumara and father of Mandhata.
687
FLOWERS AND TREES
(Wherever possible Latin or English derivatives are given but in
some cases no equivalent has been traced.)
Adumbari. A species of Fig.
Adumvari. Agaru Amyris Agallochum, a species of Sandalwood.
Agnimukha. Semicarpus Anacardium Zeylanica, Plumbago.
Agnihukhya. The Marking Nut Plant.
Amlaka. Phyllanthus EmbUca. A many-branched shrub resem-
bling Hemlock. The fruit is known as Myrabolan and has
healing properties ; it is often seen in the hand of ' Menhla ' the
Buddha of Medicine,
Amra. Mango Mangifera Indica. A short-trunked tree covered
with evergreen foliage which flowers from January to March ;
the blooms are partly white and partly greenish yellow with
an orange stripe on each petal. This tree is sacred to Hindus
and Buddhists. The wood is used for funeral pyres and the
flowers are dedicated to the Moon and the God of Love.
Ankola or Ankota or Ankolata. Alangium Hexapetalum. A
small or medium sized, partially deciduous tree with branches
armed with spines that grows throughout India in dry regions.
The wood is olive brown, hard and close grained, the leaves
oblong, glabrous and dark green. The flowers single or in
clusters are white and scented ; the fruit, a berry, is purplish
red. Roots and fruit are used medicinally. Said to be a
cure for snake and rat bite and also to alleviate colic and diseases
of the blood. It is used as a substitute for Ipecacuanha.
Aravinda. Nymphoea Nelumbo, a water lily.
Arista. Sapindus Saponeria, the Soap Plant.
Arjuna or .Arjunaka. Terminalia Arjuna. A species of Nimba
or Neem Tree. A tall evergreen tree usually found on the
banks of streams. The leaves cluster at the end of the branches
and the flowers forming tassels are tiny.
Arjuna Jarul. The Queens Flower or Crepe Flower. An im-
portant timber tree which has medicinal value. The flowers
that are pinky mauve or white appear in April and last through-
out the hot season.
Asana. Terminalia Tormentosa. A common forest tree yielding
excellent timber similar to the Arjuna Tree and rarely seen
outside forest areas.
688
GLOSSARY
Ashoka. Sataca Indica. A small evergreen tree which produces
a profusion of orange and scarlet clusters of blossom in January
and February and has deep dark green shining foliage. Buddha
is said to have been born under an Ashoka Tree and Sita was
kept prisoner by Ravana in an Ashoka Grove. Both Hindus
and Buddhists regard it as sacred and it is said to flourish
where a woman's foot has trod. The bark is astringent and
bitter, cooling and refrigerant, useful in colic, emaciation and
certain venom poisoning ; it is highly beneficial in vaginal
disorders and effective in haemorrhages and ulcers.
Ashvakarna or Ashwakarna. Vatica Robusta, the Sal Tree, a
large tree that grows in the eastern districts of central India.
The wood, which ranks with teak is in general use in Bengal.
The flowers are abundant and whitish or pale rose in colour.
Ashvalagna. The Saul Tree.
Ashvattha or Ashwattha. The Fig Tree of which there are many
varieties : —
Ficus Bengalensis — The Banian Tree.
Ficus Religiosa — The Pipal or Peepal Tree.
Ficus Glomerata — The Rumbal or Umbar Tree,
Ficus Elastica — The India Rubber Tree.
Atimurha. Premna Spinoza. The wood of this tree is used for
kindling.
Atimukta. Dalbergia Oujeinensis. Grows in the hilly tracts of
N. India twenty to thirty ft. high. The flowers are abundant
and whitish or pale rose.
Atimuktaka. Mountain Ebony. This tree is commonly known
as Harimantha.
B
Badri or Vadri. Ziziphus Jujuba. The Jujube Tree, an attractive
small or medium tree which flowers in April, its blossom
forming pale green stars. The pulp of the fruit is eaten with
sugar and the kernel raw. Sherbet is made from it and the
Lac-insect feeds on this tree ; its secretions are used for dyes,
lacquer, ink and polishes.
Bakula or Vakula. Mimisops Elengi. A tree with fragrant
flowers from which a drug of the same name comes. The
flowers are white but change to a dull yellow ; the fruit is an
ovoid berry, yellow when ripe. The bark, that is pungent
and sweet, is used for diseases of the gums and teeth and
makes a good gargle.
Balalaka. Flacourtia Cataphracta. A shrub with hairy leaves
and edible fruit ; it flowers in March and April. The fine-
grained wood is used for combs and turnery.
689
GLOSSARY
Bamdhujiva. Pentapctes Phoenicia. A plant with a red flower
which opens at midday and withers away next morning at
sunrise.
Banjula or Vanjula. Hibiscus Mutabilis. Changeable Rose.
Blooms in September and October and possesses large heart-
shaped leaves ; the flowers are three or four inches across,,
pure white in the morning, gradually changing to pale pink
and red by evening.
Bhadra. The name of various plants and also a tree.
Bhandira. Mimosa Seressa, a lofty Fig Tree.
Bhanduka. Calosanthes Indica. This tree that grows to 40 ft.
in height is found throughout India. The bark is thick, the
leaves smooth, hairless and glabrous.
Bhava. Indian Laburnum. Monkeys are particularly partial to
the sweet pulp of the pods in which the seeds lie ; it is also
used for flavouring tobacco and as a purgative. The wood is
good for fuel and charcoal.
Bkavya. Dillenia Indica or Dillenia Elliptica Speciosa. A tree
that grows to forty feet ; it is an evergreen ; the flowers are large
and white with yellow antlers and appear at the end of the
branches. This tree is found in dense forests and is much
cultivated round temples. The bark and leaves are medicinal
and the juice from the acid fruit mixed with sugar makes a
cooling drink. There is another small fruit tree allied to
the Mangolia Speciosa of this name.
Bhaya. Trapa Bispinosa. A floating herb, that grows throughout
India and Ceylon, the velvety flowers have four small white
petals.
Bibhitaka or Bibhidaka or Vibhidaka. Terminalia Bellerica.
The Belleric Myrabolan, an important forest tree, though not
considered useful for timber, being subject to insect attack.
Its fruit however, which appears as a grey velvet ball, is used
for medicinal purposes as also for dyes and tanning. The
kernels yield oil and, if taken in excess, are said to produce
intoxication. A favourite food of monkeys, squirrels, deer
and other animals. The flower sprays, in creamy tassels,
appear from March to June. The fruit is known as Myrabolan
and this name is also used for the fruit of the Amlaka (Phyllan-
thus Emblica) and Terminalia Chebula, the three making a
tonic called ' Trefala Churan '.
BlJAPURA. Citrus Medica. The Citron Tree.
Bilva. Aegle Marmelos, commonly called Bel. The Wood-apple
which bears a delicious fruit that, unripe, is used for medical
purposes. Its leaves are used in ceremonies in the worship of
Shiva.
Bimba or ViMfiA. Momordica Monadelpha. A plant bearing a
bright red gourd.
690
GLOSSARY
C
Chamikara. A species of Thorn-apple.
Champaka. One of the Magnolias that grows wild in the Eastern
sub-Himalayan tract and lower hills, also in Assam, Burma
and Southern India ; it is much cultivated. A tall, handsome,
quick-growing tree that is evergreen, the flowers are deep
yellow or orange and very fragrant. The root, bark, flowers
and seeds are used for various purposes. The bark has stimu-
lant, expectorant and astringent qualities, the flowers yield a
fragrant oil used in opthalmia and gout.
Chandaka. The dried buds of this tree are the pungent and
aromatic clove.
Chandana. Sirium Folium. The sweet-scented Oleander Rosebay
which grows in rocky stream-beds on the lower Himalayas. It
has evergreen foliage and flowers throughout the year. The
blooms are deep rose, pink and white in sprays and are offered
to Shiva. The poison, contained in the leaves, when made
into a paste, is used for leprosy and skin diseases.
Cuta. A Mango Tree.
D
Dadima or Dadimah. Punica Grantum. The Pomegranate which
grows throughout India and is indigenous to Persia and Afghani-
stan. A large shrub or sometimes small tree with numerous
ascending branches. The flowers are funnel-shaped and
orange in colour. The fruit is hard globose and yellow, tinged
with red when ripe. The root-bark is a vermicide. The
juice is appetizing and tonic, useful in fever, dyspepsia, bilious-
ness and heartburn and has other curative properties.
Darbha Grass. Poa Cynosuroidcs, a grass used at sacrifices.
Devadaru. A variety of Pine, probably the Mast Tree, so-called
on account of its tall straight trunks being ideally suited for
the masts of sailing ships. A beautiful tree revered by the
Hindus, who plant it near their temples. Bats and foxes
appreciate its fruit.
Devaparna. The Divine Leaf, a medicinal plant.
Dhanvana. Grewia Asiatica. A small tree, widely cultivated in
India except in East Bengal. The flowers are yellow.
Various other plants have this name.
Dhahwaria. Echites Antidy Senterio, a twining plant.
Dhara. Woodfordia Floribunda, Red Bell Bush, a small, spread-
ing shrub which flowers from December to May and from
which a red dye is obtained from the bright red blossom.
Dhatri. Sterospernum Aciderifolium.
691
GLOS SARY
Dhatura. Datura Fastuosa (Solanaceae). An annual poisonous
shrub with a strong disagreeable smell that grows throughout
India. The flowers, similar to the convolvulus in shape, are
purplish white outside and white inside ; the fruit is a small
prickly ball closely packed with smooth yellowish-brown seeds.
The leaves, flowers and seeds are used medicinally and are
narcotic and soporific. Fomentations of the leaves are said
to relieve the pains and swellings of rheumatism and the dried
flowers, when powdered, are inhaled for asthma and bronchitis
and coughs.
Dhava. The shrub, Grislea Tomentosa, which is common
throughout India, the scarlet flowers on long spreading branches
appear in the hot season.
Dhuva. One of the Acacia family.
Drona. A small tree bearing white flowers, commonly known as
Ghalaghasiya or Halaksiya.
Durula. A plant from the stem of which very fine cloth is made.
Durva. Panicum Dactylon. Bent Grass.
Gajapushpi. Elephant Flower, a kind of Arum.
Ghalaghasiya. See Drona.
Goshiraka. A Sandal Tree.
Gular. A resinous tree, fragments of which, put in water in a
loshta, are used for ceremonial purposes.
H
Harishyama. See Shyama.
Hataka. A thorn-apple that is golden in colour.
Hijjal. See Nichula.
Hintala. Phoenix Sylvestris. The Wild Date Tree or Toddy
Palm. Forests of these trees cover considerable areas in
India and the trees give an excellent yield of palm, oil, mats
are woven from the leaves and baskets from the stalks as well
as ropes.
J
Jambhu or Jambhuh. Eugenia Jambolanum. The Rose Apple or
Java Plum, which is sacred to Krishna and planted near temples.
This tree grows throughout India and is a medium sized ever-
green. The flowers, that are fragrant and of a whitish
692
GLOSSARY
colour appear from March to May. Vinegar is distilled from
the juice of the fruit, a one-seeded berry, blackish purple when
ripe. The bark, leaves and fruit have other medicmal pro-
perties.
Jambuka. A kind of grape without pips.
Jamnu. Primus Padus L. Bird Cherry.
Japa Flower. China Rose or Shoe Plant, which has large single
bell-shaped flowers of a rich Chinese red. These are used
for decoration at festivals. The crushed flowers are used
for shoe polish.
Kadala or Kadali. Musa Sapientum. The Plantain or Banana
Palm, which has a soft perishable stem and is poetically a
symbol of the frailty of human existence.
Several plants such as Pistia Stritiotes and Bombay
Hepthyllum.
Kadamba. The Plant Nauclea Cadamba.
Kahlara. A white water-lily.
Kakubha. See the Arjuna Tree.
Kalaguru. A species of Sandal Tree.
Kalayaka. Various leguminous seeds, chiefly Phaseolus. Also
some kinds of pulse and vetches.
Kaleyaka. A fragrant Aloes-wood.
The yellow Sandal Tree.
A kind of Turmeric.
The Plant Curcuma Xanthorrhiza.
Kamanari. A species of Mimosa.
Kamranga. Averrhoa Carambola. A small densely branched tree
with variegated white and purple flowers and one variety
produces an edible sweet yellow fruit.
Kandi. Amorphophallus Campanulatus, a plant having a bulbous
root, which is cultivated throughout India. The tuber is
astringent and sweet, easily digestible and increases appetite.
It is considered useful for abdominal tumours, colic and obesity.
Kanya. Aloe Perfoliata. This tree produces fragrant white
flowers in March and April.
Several other plants, one of which is the Tube-rose.
Kapimuka. The Coffee Plant.
Kamtha. The Jack-fruit, Feronia Elephantum, which is cultivated
throughout India and indigenous to Southern India. A
moderate sized deciduous tree with spines ; the flowers are
numerous, small, dull red, pale pink, changing to greenish
yellow. The many-seeded large globose berry is used for
innumerable purposes both culinary and medicinal.
2Y 693
GLOSSARY
Karanja. Pongamia Glabra. The flowers of this tree in white
short sprays appear when the new leaves are developed. It
is a medicinal tree from which an embrocation is made for
skin diseases. The juice is applied to sores and used for
cleaning teeth as it has antiseptic qualities.
Karavira. Another fragrant Oleander that is common to many
parts of India in the rocky stream beds of the lower Himalayas,
fringing roads and rivers. The foliage is evergreen throughout
the year, but at its height during the rains ; the flowers are
deep rose and white, single and double. The sap is poisonous.
Karnikara. Pterospternum Acerfolium, also called Cassia Fistula.
The common name of this tree is Kaniyar and it is one of
the Indian Laburnums.
Karpura. Ficus Glomerata. In April, the new leaves of shining
dark red, lend it a beautiful appearance ; its fruit is much
relished. This tree is commonly known as Rumbal or Umbar.
Kasanari. Gmelina Arborea. The Liquorice Plant.
Kashas. Reeds or Rushes.
Kashasthali. Bignonia Suavolens. The Yellow Elder.
A Trumpet Flower, an extensive climber with clear
yellow flowers of which there are several varieties.
Kedumbra. A tree with orange-coloured fragrant flowers.
Ketaka. Pandanus Odoratissimus. Grows in the hottest parts
of India. The leaves are drooping, green and glossy and the
flowers crowded as a catkin-like spadix of orange yellow.
Khadira. Acacia Catechu. The Areca or Betel-nut Palm which
grows in hot damp coastal regions of Southern India and
Ceylon. Betel-nut is the fruit universally chewed by Asian people.
Kharjura. Pheonix Sylvestris. See Hintala.
Kichaka. Arundo Karka. A reed or hollow bamboo or rattling cane.
A tree of the same name.
Kimshuka or Kumshuka. Butea Frondosa. A tree with beautiful
orange flowers and a quantity of milky sticky juice. It is
called the ' Flower of the Forest ' or ' Parrot Tree '. From
January till March it is a mass of orange and vermilion ; the
flowers are constantly visited by birds. Dyes are obtained
from these flowers, oil from the seeds and gum from the stem.
Kovidara. Bauhinia Variegata. A Mountain Ebony. One of
the loveliest of Indian Trees ; like the Pariyatra, it is called
' Tree of Paradise \ It has a dark brown smoothish bark ;
the leaves fall in the cold season and the large sweetly-scented
flowers open on the bare branches. Their colour varies from
magenta, mauve, pink with crimson markings or white with a
splash of yellow. The tree is useful for its timber and yields
oil and gum and has medicinal uses.
Kritamala. Another Laburnum.
Kshupa. A plant or shrub with short branches and roots.
694
GLOSSARY
Kuanda. A plant commonly called Sakurunda, the yellow
Amaranth or Barleria.
Kuayral. Another Mountain Ebony.
Kujaja. Wrightia Awtidy Senterica, a medicinal plant.
Kumuda. A white water lily, called the 'Moonlily', the other lotuses
opening to the sun.
Kunda. jasmine Multiflorum.
Kuraka. Boswellia Thoriflora, the Olivanum Tree.
Kurubaka Dronapushpi. The Drona Flower ; Drona meaning
' vessel ', ' cup ', or * pot \ it probably produces a gourd.
Kusha Grass. Demontachya Bipennata. A sacred grass used for
ceremonies it has long stalks and pointed leaves like rushes.
Kuvala or Kuvalaya. A water-lily, the blue species.
Lakuca or Lakuka. Artocarpus Lacucha. The same genus as
the Jack-fruit ; it is cultivated in the plains of Northern India.
Lohdra. Simplocos Racemosa. The bark of this tree is used for
a dye.
M
Madhava. A Mango Tree.
Madhavi. The herb Basil.
A kind of Panic seed.
A species of leguminous plant.
Madhuka. The Mohwa or Indian Butter Tree. A large decidu-
ous tree with thick grey bark found in dry rocky hill regions,
valuable for its delicious and nutritive flowers which bloom at
night and fall on the ground at dawn. They taste something
like figs and are much sought after by bears, birds and deer
so that the natives, in order to collect the flowers for them-
selves, have to guard the trees.
Madhura. Perennial Jasmine.
Madura. A tree reminiscent of Cassia which has long sprays of
pale pink flowers which appear in January and February.
The fruit is a long flat bean. This tree does not appear to
have any economic or medicinal uses.
Mallika. Evening Jasmine.
Mandara. Erythinia Indica, the Coral Tree of which there are
several varieties. It grows along the coasts and blooms from
January till March ; its rich red flowers make a striking appear-
ance along the bare branches ; they are unscented. New
leaves are eaten in curries and the wood, which neither splits
nor warps, is used for carved articles.
695
GLOSSARY
Matulinga. A Citron or Sweet Lime.
Maunja. A kind of grass.
Mritasamjivani. The * Reviver of the Dead ', a herb.
Muchukunda. Pterospernum Suberifolium, a white variety of
Calotropis Gigantica, a Thorn-apple.
Muchulinda. Probably connected with the ' Muchi Wood ' or
' Coral Tree *.
Myrabolan. See Amlaka.
N
Naga. Mesua Ferres, a small tree.
Nagavriksha. A mountain Shrub.
Naktamala or Naktamallaka. Caleduba Arborea or Dalbergia
Arborea.
Nalina. Nelumbium Speciosum. A water-lily.
Narcal Grass. Phragmites Karka Trin. A species of Reed.
Narikela. A tall unbranched tree with a terminal plume of pin-
nate leaves ; its flowers are yellowish and resemble stiff catkins.
The nut is edible and oil is obtained from it which is used for
soap, shampoos and culinary purposes ; it is also useful for
the manufacture of candies.
Nichula. Barringtonia Acutangola, commonly called Hijjal.
Nilashoka. An Ashoka with blue flowers.
Nimba. Azadirachta Indica. A tree with bitter fruit, the size of
an olive ; the leaves are chewed at funerals and are said to
ward off sickness and, when dried, keep off insects ; the timber
is similar to mahogany.
Nipa or Nipaka. A species of Kadamba Tree.
Nivara or Naivara. Wild Rice.
Nyagrodha. Ficus Indica. The Indian Fig Tree.
O
Oshadi. An annual plant that dies after opening.
Fadma. A pink lotus, sometimes this flower is used as a symbol
of the Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu, who is often seen
carrying this flower.
Fadmaka. Costus Speciosus or Arabicus, a kind of Fir.
Palasha. Butea Frondosa. A tall straight tree that grows to
40 or 50 feet in the plains from the Himalayas to Ceylon and
Burma. The petals of the flowers are bright orange red, covered
with a silvery hair.
696
GLOSSARY
Panasa. Like the Kapitha, this tree, Artocarpus Intergrifolia is
also a Jack-fruit which bears the largest edible fruit in the world,
weighing up to ioo lbs, round and irregular ; it is in great
demand but less favoured than the Mango or Plaintain. This
tree grows in the forest in the Western Ghats.
Parabhadraka. Erythinia Fulgens. A Coral Tree which bsars
angular spikes of rich red blooms along its bare branches
from January to March.
Patala. A tropical climbing plant.
Patau or Patalika. Bignonia Suavolens. A tree with sweet-
scented blossom, possibly the red Lohdra.
Pinjara. Mesua Roxburghii. A medium-sized tree found in the
mountains of East Bengal and the Eastern Himalayas. The
leaves are dark green and glossy and the flowers composed of
four pure white petals and large golden antlers.
Pipal or Pippala. The Pipal, a Fig Tree, Ficus Religiosa.
Piyal or Priyala or Pryala. A tree similar to the Madhuka.
The common Oil Plant.
A vine-like plant.
Priyakanya. Known as Saj and Maddi, a common forest tree
that yields excellent hard timber.
Priyangu. Fragrant seed, Italian Millet.
Long Pepper.
Priyangu Katuki. SaiFron.
Priyanrara. Various plants.
Punnaga. Rottleria Tinctoria. The flowers of this tree produce
a yellow dye.
Purna. A Cypress.
Purnasa. Sacred Basil.
R
Rajiva. A red lotus.
Raktachandan. The red Sandal-tree.
Ranjaka. Barbadoes Pride. The Redwood Coral Pea Tree.
This tree grows to the height of ten feet and large sprays of
flowers divided into smaller sprays appear at the end of the
branches ; they are vermilion streaked with yellow, later
becoming entirely red. This tree is medicinal and used for
healing wounds and as a purgative ; the charred wood is
employed in the manufacture of ink.
The Peacock Flower, which is associated with the God
Shiva and therefore sacred to the Hindus.
697
GLOS SARY
S
Sala. Shorea Robusta. The Sal Tree.
Sallaka. Bignonia Indica. The Gum Tree. Deep blue flowers
in clusters appear at the beginning of the hot season and fade
later to pale silver when golden berries appear. A translucent
green resin exudes from this tree, with a pleasant odour. The
wood, gum, bark and fruit all have medicinal value. The
timber is known as Lignum Vitae or Brazil Wood.
Sandhani. A medicinal herb. ' That which produces a salve
for wounds \
Saptacchada. Stercula Foetida. Poon or Devil's Tree, a wild
Almond. The black seeds of this tree are roasted and eaten
like chestnuts but, taken raw, bring on nausea and vertigo.
Seven-leafed Milk Plant.
Saptaparna. Alstonia or Echites Scholaris, the Seven-leafed Tree.
Sarala. Pinus Longifolia, a species of Pine.
Sarja. White Murdah.
Sarpat Grass. Saccharum Bengalense Retz (S. Sara Roxb.).
One of the sugar canes.
Sastilata. A long winding creeper.
Shadvala. Fresh green grass.
Shaivala. Vallisneria Octandra or Bexica, an aquatic plant.
Shalmali. Bombax Malabaricum or Gossampinus Malabaricum or
Salmalia Malabarica, the Red Silk Cotton Tree. A tall,
handsome tree found all over India except in the driest areas.
The large flowers, appearing in January or February, are
brilliant scarlet and pink ; they are much sought after by birds
of every kind, and village people also consider them edible.
In April, the fruit appears like green fingers which later be-
come brown and split open when a fluffy cotton is freed and
floats down to earth ; this is used for tinder and stuffing pillows.
An astringent gum is also obtained from this tree.
This is said to be a tree that grows in hell and the fabulous
thorny rod from it is used for torturing the wicked.
Shami. Acacia Suma. This tree, possessed of very tough and
hard wood is supposed to contain fire ; it is employed for
kindling by attrition.
The Shrub Seeratula Anthelmintics.
Shimshapa or Shingsmapa. Dattergia Sisu. A species of Ashoka.
Shiribilva. See under Bilva.
Shirisha or Sirisha. Acacia Sirissa. A close relation to the Rain
Tree.
Shirishkapir. Another of the Sirissas. This tree bears a small
white flower which is fragrant at night. It also yields a gum
similar to Gum Arabic. Its seeds are used in opthalmic
diseases and are useful in leprosy.
698
GLOSSARY
Shurnaka. A kind of grain belonging to the variety called Shashtika.
ShYama. A sacred Fig-tree at Prayaga.
The sacred basil.
A climbing plant, the Ichnocarpus or Echites Frutescens.
Sillea. Cephalostashum Capitatum Munro, a large bamboo.
Datura Metel, a Thorn-apple.
Simhakesara. Cassia Sianica. A Cassia with bright yellow
flowers.
Sindhuvara. Vitex Negundo, a small tree.
Sleshmataka. Cordia Myxa. Scarlet Cordis or Aloe Wood.
This tree produces fragrant white flowers in March and April.
The fruit is like a pale cherry, the nut is edible and the pulp
makes bird lime ; it is also medicinal.
Sukladruha. Simplocos Racemosa, a tree bearing white flowers.
Sura. Another Sal tree.
Suvarnyakarani. A sacred herb * That which heals the skin '.
Svadamshtra. Astercantha Longifolia.
Syandara. Dalbergia Ougeninensis, a tree similar to the
Atimuktas.
Tagara. The Shrub Tabaernoemontana Coronaria. The Moon-
beam or Waxflower, which has dazzling white flowers which
women wear in their hair. The seeds of the three-ribbed
fruit make a red dye ; the roots mixed with lime juice are used
as a cure for eye diseases ; a fragrant powder and perfume
are prepared from the scented wood.
Takkola. Pinieta Acris.
Tala. Borassus Flabelliformis. The Palmyra Palm, one of the
most important of Indian trees. A kind of sugar is obtained
from it and the intoxicating drink ' Arrack ' is made from the
fermentation of this juice. Fans, mats, etc. are made from the
leaves which are also used for thatching ; the hard outer wood
of the tree is made into posts and other domestic objects and
the hollowed out stems used for waterpipes. The jelly-like pulp
of the fruit and the soft kernels of the young fruit are cooked
and eaten as vegetables. Brushes come from the ribs of the
leaves and the stalks are used for torches.
Tamala. Phyllanthus Emblica. A tree with black bark and very
white blossom, beloved of poets such as Jai-deva. The fruit,
Myrabolam, with that of another tree makes the tonic called
' Trefala Churan '.
Tixaka. A tree with beautiful flowers similar to the Sesamum
Plant.
699
GLOSSARY
Timida. Sesamum Indica, the Sesamum Plant which bears an
oily seed used in cookery.
Tihira. An aquatic plant.
Timisha or Tinisha. A climbing plant with purple flowers.
A kind of Pumpkin or Water-melon.
Tinduka. Diospyros Glutinosa or Diospyros Hmbryoptcris, a
kind of Ebony.
Tindura. A Persimmon.
Tukga. Rottleria Tinaoria. A Coconut.
U
Uddala or Uddalaka. Paspalum Frumentaceum. ' Uddalaka-
pushpa-bhanjika ' or the ' Breaking of the Uddalaka Flowers \
is a game played by the people of the eastern districts of India.
Ushiras. Spikenard.
A grass, the small Saccharum.
Andropogan Muricatus, a fragrant root.
Utpala. The blue Lotus.
A water-lily.
Costus Speciosum, a plant.
Vamshas. Bamboos.
Vandhira. Memisa Sirissa.
Vanira. Calamus Rotang, a reed.
Vanjula. Hibiscus Mutabilis.
Varana. Craetova Tapia. A sacred and medicinal tree.
Vasanta Dru. A Mango.
Vasanta Duta. Gaetnera Racemosa. A creeper.
A Trumpet flower.
Vasanta Kusuma. Cordia Latifolia. The name means ' Having
blossom in Spring '.
Vata. A species of Banian Tree.
Vetra. An ornamental Palm.
Vettas. Rattan Canes.
Vibhidaka. A tree from the nuts of which dice are made.
Vibhita or Vibhitaka. The Tree Terminalia Belerica.
Vijaka. The Citron Tree.
Vishai.yakarani. A medicinal herb, " Healer of wounds inflicted
by darts '.
700
GLOSSARY
701
WEAPONS
Agneya. The Fire Weapon or Weapon of the Fire-god Agni.
Aindra. Indra's Weapon.
Aishika. An Arrow.
Aksiias. Part of a wheel, probably the hub.
Alakshya. A Weapon the course of which cannot be followed.
Anjalis. Arrows resembling hands with the palms hollowed as
in a salutation.
Ankusha. A Goad.
Ardea. A Weapon called the ' Web '.
Ardra. A Weapon producing moisture.
Arhami. The Thunderbolt.
Asisatna. A kind of Arrow or Dart.
Asura. A magic Weapon used by the Asuras.
Avanaghukha. A Weapon with a bent or curved head.
Avarana. The Weapon of Defence, or Protection.
Avya. A kind of Dart or Arrow.
B
Bhallas. Crescent-shaped Arrows.
Bhindipalas. Short Darts or Arrows thrown by band or shot
through a tube.
An iron Spear or Dart or a stone fastened to a string.
Bibhitaka. A Weapon that breaks through or pierces.
Brahmadantja. The Rod of Brahma.
Brahmapasha, The Noose of Brahma.
Brahmashira. ' Brahma-headed ' therefore four-headed.
Bushundi. A kind of Mace, This name is applied to various
Weapons.
The Weapon of the Giants or Daityas.
The name means Rod or Staff as for instance the Rod of
Daitya,
Danda.
Death or Punishment belonging to Yama,
702
GLOSSARY
Darana or Daruna. A Weapon that tears or splits asunder.
Darpaka. The Drying-up Weapon.
Dashaksha. The Ten-eyed Weapon.
DASHASHIRSHA. The Ten-headed Weapon.
Dhana. The Weapon that robs the enemy of his spoils.
Dhanya. The Weapon that brings good fortune.
Dharma-Astra. The Weapon of Nemesis.
Dharmanabha. The Sacred-navelled Weapon.
Dharhapasha. The Weapon that has the power of entangling
the foe.
Dharmashakra. The Weapon of Justice or Virtue.
Dhrishta. The Active Weapon, a kind of Arrow.
Dhriti. The Weapon of Forbearance.
Ditya. The Titanic Weapon.
Dridhanabha. The Weapon of firm Navel.
Dundunabha. A form of the Danda Weapon.
G
Gandharva. The Weapon of the Gandharvas.
Hala. A Weapon shaped like a ploughshare.
Hayashira. The Horse-headed Weapon.
Ishika. The Ardent Weapon.
Ishu. A Mantra-propelled Arrow.
703
GLOSSARY
J
Jambhaka. Weapons in which evil spirits are said to reside.
Jrimbhaka. Really magical formulas said to exorcise weapons
possessing evil spirits.
Jyotishta. The Luminous Weapon.
Kalapasha. The Noose of Death.
Kalashakra. The Discus of Death or Time as Death.
Kalisha. An Axe or Hatchet.
Kamaruchi. An Arrow or Dart, one that is bright and able to go-
where it will.
Kamarupa. A Weapon able to assume any form at will.
Kamkala. A Harpoon.
Kandarpa. A Weapon exciting sex-desire, named after the God
of Love Kandarpa.
Kankala. A Weapon protecting the side, possibly a part of the
armour.
Kapala. A Helmet.
Karavira. The Weapon of the Valiant Hand.
Karnis. Barbed Arrows with two sides resembling ears.
Kasha. A Whip.
Kaumodaki. The Iron-headed Club belonging to Shri Vishnu.
Kinkini. The word actually means a small bell, hence the weapon
may have had bells hung on it.
Koumadaki. A Weapon that gives joy to the earth.
Krouncha or Kraumcha. The Heron's Beak.
Kshapani. An Oar or Net ; something that destroys the destroyer.
Kshura. An Arrow with a razor-like edge or a sharp blade attach-
ed to a shaft.
Kshurapras. A crescent-shaped Arrow.
Kulisha. See Kalisha.
Kuntala. A Sickle-shaped Weapon.
Kuta. A Poniard.
Kutamudgara. A concealed Weapon similar to a Hammer.
Kuvera Astra. An instrument for showering gold.
Lakshya. A Weapon that can be followed in its course.
Lohita Mukhi. The Bloody-mouthed.
GLOSSARY
M
Madana. Weapon of Kandarpa.
Mahabahu. The Great-armed or Great-handed Weapon.
Maha-Maya. The Great Magical Illusion or the Lying Weapon.
Mahanabha. The Large-navelled Weapon.
Mahishwara. The Weapon of Shiva.
Mali. The Weapon that holds or binds.
Manada. A particular magical Weapon employed by the Gan-
dharvas.
Manava. The Weapon of Manu.
Marganas. The essence of the nature of an Arrow.
Mathana. A Weapon that inflicts injury or suffering.
Mayadhara. The Great Deception.
Modaki. One of two beautiful mythical Clubs.
Modana. The Weapon of Inebriation.
Moha. The Weapon that causes loss of consciousness.
Mohan. The Weapon of Attraction.
Moushala or Mushala. A Club.
Murchana. One of the five Arrows of Kandarpa.
N
Nairasya. Magical Formulas pronounced on Weapons.
Nalika. An Iron Arrow or Dart and also a Pike or Javelin.
Nandana. The Joy-producing Weapon employed by the Vidya-
dharas.
Naracha. An Iron Arrow.
Narayana. A Water-weapon.
Nirashya. The Discourager.
Nishkali. The Peaceful.
Nishtrinsha. A Sword, Scimitar or Falchion more than thirty
fingers in length.
Nivata Kavadha. Impenetrable Armour.
Painaka or Pinaka, Shiva's Trident or Bow.
Paisha Astra, Pisacha or Paishacha. The Ghostly Weapon used
by the Pisachas. Also called the ' Red-flesh-eater * or ' Devil s
Missile '.
705
GLOSSARY
Panthana. The Moving Weapon.
Paramo Dara Astra. The Supreme Clearing Weapon.
Paranmukha. The Great Mouthed Weapon.
Para Vira. Slayer of the Brave.
Parashava. An Iron Weapon.
Parashvada. An Axe or Hatchet.
Parigha. An Iron Bludgeon or Iron-Studded Club.
Pasha. A Rope.
Pashupata. A Weapon sacred to Shiva.
Path. A kind of Sword.
Pitriya. The Weapon of the Pitris.
Prama Thana. The Churner.
Prasha. A Bearded Dart.
Prashamana. The Weapon of Destruction.
Prashvaprana. A Weapon dealing with the vital airs.
Prasvapana. A Weapon causing sleep.
Prathama. Vayu's Weapon.
Pratiharatara. That which neutralizes the effects of other
weapons.
Purang Mukha. A Weapon that has its face averted.
Rabhasa. The Desolator.
Rakshas. The Titan-Astra which destroys the fortune, courage
and life of one's foes.
Rati. The Weapon of Enjoyment.
RlSHTls. Swords, Arrows or Spears, Weapons of the Maruts.
Ruchira. The Approving Weapon.
Rudra. The Rudra Weapon sacred to Rudra or Shiva.
Sala. An Arrow with short leads.
Samvarta. The Covering Weapon belonging to Kala or Time
which he uses at the destruction of the worlds.
Sandhana. The Arm Weapon.
Santapana. The Weapon that burns up or scorches.
One of the Arrows of Kama or Kandarpa.
Sarchimali. That which has force or power.
Sarpanatha. The Weapon sacred to the Lord of Serpents.
706
GLOSSARY
Satya Astra. The Weapon of Existence.
Satva Kirti, The Justly-famed.
Saumya. The Moon's Weapon.
Saura. The Heroic Weapon.
Shaktis. Iron Spears, Lances or Pikes.
Shakuna. The Vulture-shaped Weapon.
Shalya. A Dart, Javelin or Spear tipped with iron.
Shankara. A Weapon of Shiva's called the ' Cause of Welfare '.
Shankar Astra. The Weapon with a flaming mouth.
Sharnga. The Bow of Vishnu.
Shatagni. A spiked Mace or a stone set round with iron spikes ;
it is named ' Slayer of Hundreds '.
Shatapatra. ' Having a hundred Feathers ', probably an Arrow.
Shatavaktra. The Hundred-mouthed Weapon.
Shatodara. The Hundred-bellied Weapon.
Shikari. One of the two beautiful mythical Clubs.
Shilimukhas. Arrows resembling Heron's feathers.
Shitesu, A sharp Arrow.
Shoshana. A Weapon used to dry up water and counteract the
Varshana Weapon.
Shuchivanu. The Pure-handed Weapon.
Shushka. The Dry Weapon.
Sinhadamshtra. A Weapon resembling Lion's Teeth.
Somastra. The Dew Weapon.
Sunabhaka. The Fine-navelled Weapon.
Sura Astra. A Weapon named ' The Blasting of Enemies ' that
steals away lustre and beauty.
Soumanva. The Weapon of the Controlled Mind.
Svapana. A Weapon affecting sleep.
Svanabhaka. The Richly-navelled Weapon.
Tamasa. The Weapon of Inertia.
Tejasprabha. The Sun Weapon.
Tomara. An Iron Bar, Crow-bar, Lance or Javelin.
Trimbaka. The Gaper.
Tvashtra Astra. The Chaos-demon Astra, a weapon possessing
the power of the Architect of the Gods.
Usiratma. A Scimitar.
GLOSSARY
V
Valla. See Bhalla.
Varshana. The Rain-producing Weapon.
Varuna Pasha. The Noose of Varuna.
Vatra. The Blower, a Weapon sacred to the Wind-god.
Vatsadanta. A Weapon resembling CalPs Teeth.
Vayavya. A Weapon with the power of the Wind.
Viddana. The Weapon that rends or tears asunder.
Vidhuta. The Strongly-vibrating Weapon.
Vidyadhaea. The Delighting Weapon, one belonging to the
Vidyadharas.
Vikarni. An Arrow.
Vilapana. The Weapon causing lamentation.
Vimala. The Stainless Weapon.
Vinidra. The Weapon of Sleeplessness.
Vipatha. A large Arrow.
Vipatra. A Weapon resembling the Karavira Weapon.
Vishnushakra. The Discus of Vishnu.
Vrittimat. A Weapon that revolves like a wheel.
Y
Yamya. The Dual Weapon.
Yaugamdhara. A particular magic Formula spoken over weapons
that belong to a king.
708
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